Visualization methods for digital waveform density

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of electronic design technology, specifically to a method for visualizing digital waveform density. The method includes the following steps: obtaining the time interval corresponding to each pixel group in the visualization window, wherein each pixel group includes several pixels; obtaining the number of digital waveform transitions contained in each pixel group, wherein the number of digital waveform transitions is the number of digital waveform transitions within the time interval corresponding to each pixel group; when the number of digital waveform transitions contained in any pixel group exceeds a preset transition number threshold, updating the pixel values ​​of the pixels in the corresponding pixel group to density values, and presenting the updated digital waveform in the visualization window. This allows pixel groups in the visualization window exceeding the preset transition number threshold to exhibit different visual effects depending on the size of the transition number, achieving the purpose of visualizing waveform transition density, which is helpful for circuit debugging and power consumption evaluation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic design technology, and more specifically to a method for visualizing digital waveform density. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, digital waveform graphs present waveforms at different times in a visualization window using lines of corresponding colors. The waveform includes high levels, low levels, rising edges, and falling edges, with the rising and falling edges referred to as waveform transitions. For circuit debugging, power consumption assessment, or other purposes, it's necessary to observe these transitions in the visualization window. Since areas with dense transitions tend to cluster together, appearing as large blocks of color, users cannot discern the frequency of these transitions. Typically, users can repeatedly trigger amplification signals to shorten the time scale displayed in the same visualization window, thus pinpointing the range of frequent waveform transitions and observing their frequency. Conversely, for sparsely transitioned areas, users can repeatedly trigger reduction signals to lengthen the time scale displayed in the same visualization window, but this doesn't allow for a direct observation of the distribution of waveform transitions along the time axis. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the present invention aims to provide a method for visualizing digital waveform density, and the specific technical solution adopted is as follows:

[0004] A method for visualizing digital waveform density includes the following steps: obtaining the time interval corresponding to each pixel group in a visualization window, wherein each pixel group includes several pixels; the time interval is obtained by dividing the time scale corresponding to the visualization window into multiple time intervals according to the number of pixel groups in the visualization window; obtaining the number of digital waveform transitions contained in each pixel group, wherein the number of digital waveform transitions is the number of digital waveform transitions within the time interval corresponding to each pixel group; when the number of digital waveform transitions contained in any pixel group is greater than a preset transition number threshold, updating the pixel values ​​of the pixels in the corresponding pixel group to density values, and presenting the updated digital waveform in the visualization window, so that pixel groups in the visualization window with a transition number threshold greater than the preset transition number threshold present different visual effects depending on the size of the transition number; wherein the density value is assigned according to the number of digital waveform transitions, and the density value is different from the pixel values ​​of the digital waveform itself.

[0005] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0006] This invention provides a method for visualizing digital waveform density. This method detects the number of digital waveform transitions corresponding to pixel groups. When the number of digital waveform transitions in any pixel group exceeds a preset threshold, the pixel values ​​in the corresponding pixel group are updated to density values, and the updated digital waveform is displayed in a visualization window. This allows the waveform to exhibit different visual effects depending on the number of digital waveform transitions, enabling users to intuitively observe the density distribution of digital waveform transitions in the visualization window and quickly locate positions with higher density. This achieves the purpose of visualizing waveform transition density. Since the waveform transition density distribution reflects the activity of the circuit, it is helpful for circuit debugging and power consumption assessment. Attached Figure Description

[0007] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the prior art descriptions. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0008] Figure 1 A flowchart illustrating a method for visualizing digital waveform density according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a waveform where waveform transitions are indistinguishable;

[0010] Figure 3 To be Figure 2 A waveform diagram showing how waveform transitions can be distinguished after multiple amplifications of the waveform.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the gradient effect of two color tones as the density level increases;

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of brightness gradually decreasing as density level increases;

[0013] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the effect of saturation gradually increasing with density level.

[0014] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing how the grayscale value gradually increases with the increase of the density level. Detailed Implementation

[0015] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by the present invention to achieve its intended purpose, the following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, details the specific implementation, structure, features, and effects of the digital waveform density visualization method proposed according to the present invention. In the following description, different "one embodiment" or "another embodiment" do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments can be combined in any suitable form.

[0016] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0017] The specific scheme of the digital waveform density visualization method provided by the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] See also Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a flowchart of a method for visualizing digital waveform density according to an embodiment of the present invention, which includes the following steps:

[0019] Step S001: Obtain the time interval corresponding to each pixel group in the visualization window, wherein each pixel group includes several pixels; the time interval is obtained by dividing the time scale corresponding to the visualization window into multiple time intervals according to the number of pixel groups in the visualization window.

[0020] Specifically, in the visualization window, the waveform is displayed by assigning pixel values ​​to the pixels corresponding to the given time points. To better align with human visual perception, a number of pixels are typically selected as a pixel group. The number of pixel groups corresponding to the time axis in the visualization window is obtained. The time interval is calculated based on the ratio of the time scale to the number of pixel groups. For example, if the time scale is 1 second and the number of pixel groups is 500, then the time interval corresponding to each pixel group is 1 / 500.

[0021] Preferably, the time axis is oriented along the width of the pixel group, and each pixel group may contain three pixels along the time axis. The height of the pixel group extends along the coordinate axis corresponding to the waveform jump amplitude. In other embodiments, it may also include one or five pixels, or the number of pixels contained in each pixel group may be set as needed.

[0022] Step S002: Obtain the number of digital waveform transitions contained in each pixel group, wherein the number of digital waveform transitions is the number of digital waveform transitions within the time interval corresponding to each pixel group.

[0023] Specifically, digital waveform diagrams belong to timing diagrams. A digital waveform diagram is a waveform of a digital signal changing over time. Since digital signals are usually represented in binary, the horizontal axis of a digital waveform diagram is time and the vertical axis is the level. The level value is 0 or 1. In a digital waveform diagram, the waveform is presented as high and low levels and waveform transition lines. Waveform transitions include rising edges and falling edges.

[0024] For example, taking the chip's clock signal as an example, assuming the chip's clock frequency is 1GHz, and the time scale of the visualization window is 1 second and the number of pixel groups in the visualization window is 500, according to the method in step S001, the clock signal within 1 second can be divided into 500 time intervals, and each time interval corresponds to a total of 10 clock signals. 9 / 500 means that each time interval corresponds to two million clock cycles, and each pixel group contains transitions within two million clock cycles.

[0025] Step S003: When the number of digital waveform transitions in any pixel group exceeds a preset transition number threshold, update the pixel values ​​of the pixels in the corresponding pixel group to density values, and present the updated digital waveform in the visualization window. This allows pixel groups in the visualization window that exceed the preset transition number threshold to present different visual effects depending on the size of the transition number. The density value is assigned according to the number of digital waveform transitions, and the density value is different from the pixel value of the digital waveform itself.

[0026] Specifically, the waveform transition frequency within a pixel group is directly proportional to the chip's power consumption. Users can quickly estimate the chip's power consumption based on the number of digital waveform transitions. The more digital waveform transitions there are, the denser the transition lines formed by the rising and falling edges become. When the waveform transition density exceeds a certain value, the waveform transitions will completely overlap into a single color block in the visualization window, making it impossible to distinguish the waveform transition lines or determine the magnitude of the corresponding digital waveform transitions at a given time position. Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 The waveforms in the visualization window have completely overlapped into a single color block. For example... Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 The waveform was magnified multiple times, with the time scale increased from 900,000 nanoseconds to 10,000 nanoseconds. Figure 2The color blocks in the image can only be distinguished as waveform transition lines after multiple magnifications. In this embodiment of the invention, the number of digital waveform transitions is represented by density, which will not be stated further below. To enable users to intuitively observe the distribution of waveform transition density and to quickly locate the corresponding transition density, specifically: pixel groups with waveform transition counts greater than a preset transition count threshold are filtered out, and then different density values ​​are assigned to the corresponding pixel groups based on the waveform transition count. These density values ​​can be pixel values ​​different from the original waveform color. Since the waveform transition count increases or decreases over a continuous time period, the density values ​​of the pixel groups in the visualization window gradually increase or decrease over time, ultimately presenting a color gradient. By observing the corresponding color gradient in the waveform graph of the visualization window, one can quickly grasp the distribution of waveform density at that time scale and quickly locate the time range with high waveform density.

[0027] Specifically, the first step is to allocate corresponding density values ​​based on the number of jumps. The density value allocation method can be any one of the following three embodiments, and other methods that can achieve the same effect can also be used in other embodiments:

[0028] The first method for allocating density values ​​is as follows: A density interval is preset based on historical data at the same time scale within the same visualization window. This interval is then divided into several different density levels, and corresponding density values ​​are assigned based on the size of each density level. Specifically, based on historical data at the same time scale within the same visualization window, the number of waveform transitions in each pixel group is obtained. A maximum and minimum value for the density interval are set based on the number of waveform transitions, where the maximum and minimum values ​​represent the number of waveform transitions, and the minimum value is a preset threshold for the number of transitions. The density interval is then divided into several different density levels. A corresponding density value is assigned based on the size of each density level. Pixel groups with a waveform transition count less than the minimum value of the density interval are left unprocessed. Pixel groups with a waveform transition count greater than the maximum value of the density interval are assigned the density value corresponding to the maximum value. After allocating density values ​​based on the number of waveform transitions, for a given waveform, a density interval and its corresponding density value at the same scale are matched. The number of waveform transitions in each pixel group is compared with the density interval to obtain the corresponding density value for that pixel group.

[0029] The second method for allocating density values ​​is as follows: For a certain waveform, obtain the maximum value of the number of waveform transitions in the current visualization window. The preset threshold for the number of transitions and the maximum value of the number of waveform transitions constitute a density interval. Divide the density interval into several different density levels and assign density values ​​to the corresponding pixel groups in the order of the density levels.

[0030] Preferably, the preset threshold for the number of jumps is the threshold corresponding to the current time scale, and the threshold for the number of jumps is different for different time scales. The threshold for the number of jumps can be a threshold preset based on experience.

[0031] The third method, which involves pre-setting density value allocation, is as follows: For a given waveform, in most cases, several pixel groups will contain waveform transitions exceeding a threshold. Based on the pixel groups in the current visualization window that exceed the threshold, the minimum and maximum transition counts within each pixel group are obtained. These minimum and maximum transition counts constitute a density interval, which is then divided into several different density levels. Density values ​​are assigned to the corresponding pixel groups according to the density level. Specifically, an initial density value is assigned to the pixel group corresponding to the minimum value in the density interval. For each density level increase in the waveform transition count relative to the minimum value within the pixel group, the initial density value increases by one minimum density unit. As an example, with a preset transition threshold of n0 and a density level of q, for a given waveform, when a pixel group contains waveform transitions exceeding the threshold n0, that pixel group is marked. The minimum value n of the waveform transition counts corresponding to all marked pixel groups is then selected. min Assign the minimum value n min For the corresponding pixel group, an initial density value r0 is given, for values ​​greater than the minimum value n. min The pixel group has the following density value: r = r0 + u × f((nn) min The formula is: f(·) / q), where f(·) represents the floor function, u represents the minimum density unit, and n represents the number of waveform transitions in the current pixel group. Specifically, the minimum density unit can be positive or negative. For example, when the density value is hue, the minimum density unit is 1 degree or one pixel value. As the hue gradually decreases, the minimum density unit is assigned a negative value. The implementer can adjust this according to specific circumstances. Preferably, when the calculated density value r is greater than the maximum density value, the corresponding pixel group takes the maximum density value. For example, when the density value is grayscale, since the maximum grayscale value is usually 255, if the calculated density value r is 256, then the corresponding pixel group takes the value 255.

[0032] Preferably, the method for dividing the density interval into several different density levels includes several approaches: First, a uniform division method, which divides the density interval evenly into different density levels. Second, a non-uniform division method, such as using the logarithm of the number of waveform transitions to divide different density levels. In other embodiments, other non-uniform division methods can also be used to divide the density interval. The implementer can set the rules for dividing the density interval as needed.

[0033] The density value represents a color different from the waveform itself. To achieve a gradient visual effect for the density value, the density value can be any of the values ​​provided in the following embodiments. In other embodiments, other methods that can achieve the same effect can also be used: First, the density value is any one or more of hue, saturation, or brightness. Specifically, the density value can be the brightness or saturation value of the pixel group adjusted accordingly with the change of density level, while keeping the hue value of the waveform itself unchanged; or, the density value can be a preset hue value that remains unchanged, while adjusting the brightness or saturation value of the pixel group accordingly with the change of density level, wherein the preset hue is different from the hue value of the waveform itself; or, the density value can be assigned different hue values ​​with the change of density level, wherein the assigned hue is different from the hue value of the waveform itself. The assigned hue can be different hue values ​​within the same hue range, or different hue values ​​from two or more hues. For example, within the red hue range, the interval from red to orange includes multiple gradients of red, with different hue values ​​for different reds. The second method involves adjusting the pixel values ​​of a pixel group in the RGB channel using a color gradient algorithm. The adjusted color differs from the original waveform color. This color gradient can be a single-color gradient or a gradient of two or more colors. The color gradient algorithm is existing technology and will not be elaborated further. The third method assigns grayscale values ​​to corresponding pixel groups based on their grayscale levels.

[0034] As an example, the waveform itself is green, and the density values ​​are set to pixel values ​​different from the waveform's hue. It's important to note that in the HSV color space, different colors have different hue values. Red hues gradually approach orange as the hue value increases, and then gradually approach yellow. Specifically, the hue value for red is 0, for yellow it's 40, and for green it's 80. As green transitions to red, the corresponding hue value gradually decreases, so the number of density levels corresponding to the density range is 80. The minimum red hue value is assigned to the maximum density level as the corresponding density value, and the hue values ​​between the minimum green and red hues are assigned to the corresponding density levels as their corresponding density values. This is done according to the rule that density values ​​are negatively correlated with the number of waveform transitions. The final effect in the visualization window is that the color corresponds to the number of waveform transitions; the more transitions, the redder the area, and the fewer transitions, the greener the area. Specifically, ... Figure 2 The waveform shown is adjusted according to the method provided in this embodiment of the invention, with a corresponding time scale of 900,000 nanoseconds. For the effect of adjusting using two different color tones, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 4 , Figure 4This diagram illustrates the gradual change in color tone for two different hues as density levels increase. The waveform itself is green. In the waveform diagram, because the number of transitions often increases gradually over time and then decreases again, the color at the corresponding position gradually transitions from green 10 to yellow 20, then from yellow 20 to red 30, and then from red 30 back to yellow 20 and green 10. The deepest position, red 30, exhibits the most frequent transitions. Figure 2 For the same color block, adjusting according to two hues allows for intuitive location of areas with higher waveform density through color gradients. For the effect of adjusting by brightness, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 5 , Figure 5 This diagram illustrates the effect of brightness gradually decreasing as density level increases. In the waveform diagram, the waveform itself is green. The brightness of green is adjusted according to the density level, with the brightness value corresponding to the waveform's own color being the maximum brightness value, and the minimum brightness value assigned to the maximum density level as the corresponding density value. The darker the color, the lower the brightness and the greater the abrupt change density. The final effect is that the color gradually deepens as the waveform density increases. The waveform abrupt change density corresponds to the position of the waveform's own color (100), which is relatively small, while the waveform abrupt change density corresponds to the darkest color (200). Compared to... Figure 2 For the same color blocks, adjusting brightness allows you to intuitively locate areas with higher waveform density based on color depth. For the effect of adjusting saturation, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 6 , Figure 6 This diagram illustrates the effect of saturation gradually increasing with density level; a higher density level imparts greater saturation. Figure 6 Positions with lower saturation (300) correspond to fewer waveform transitions, meaning lower waveform density; positions with higher saturation (400) correspond to more waveform transitions, meaning higher waveform density. This allows users to quickly locate positions with high waveform density based on waveform saturation. For the effect of adjusting according to grayscale, please refer to [link to grayscale adjustment]. Figure 7 , Figure 7 The diagram illustrates the effect of grayscale values ​​gradually increasing with density levels. Higher density levels assign larger grayscale values. Positions with smaller grayscale values ​​(e.g., 500) correspond to fewer waveform transitions, meaning lower waveform density; conversely, positions with larger grayscale values ​​(e.g., 600) correspond to more waveform transitions, also meaning higher waveform density. Users can quickly locate positions with higher waveform density based on the grayscale values. In other embodiments, only one color gradient can be used to set the density value; alternatively, other colors or color combinations can be used to set the density value, or other implementation methods can be employed to achieve a gradient color effect based on changes in the number of waveform transitions.

[0035] The visualization window displays the density values ​​of the corresponding pixels, which represent the number of transitions. This allows users to intuitively observe the density distribution of waveform transitions and quickly locate locations with higher density, facilitating rapid estimation of chip power consumption.

[0036] In summary, the embodiments of the present invention provide a method for visualizing digital waveform density. This method detects the number of waveform transitions corresponding to pixel groups. When the number of digital waveform transitions in any pixel group is greater than a preset threshold, the pixel values ​​in the corresponding pixel group are updated to density values, and the updated waveform is presented in a visualization window. This allows the waveform to present different visual effects as the number of digital waveform transitions varies, thereby achieving the purpose of visualizing waveform transition density.

[0037] Because the display area of ​​a visualization window is limited, waveforms within different time periods are often displayed using a visualization window of the same size. When it's necessary to view waveform transitions within a shorter time period, the zoom-in command is triggered to enlarge the time scale of the time axis within the visualization window, allowing you to view waveforms within a shorter time range within the same window. Similarly, when it's necessary to view waveforms within a longer time range, the zoom-out command is triggered to shrink the time scale of the time axis within the visualization window, allowing you to view waveforms within a longer time range within the same window. Zooming in or out on a waveform is essentially zooming in or out on the time scale of the time axis.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the user can quickly locate the position of frequent waveform transitions by observing the color gradient in the visualization window. When observing the waveform, the user can trigger a command to zoom in on the waveform in the visualization window as needed. Upon detecting the trigger signal for zooming in on the waveform, the number of digital waveform transitions contained in each pixel group at the corresponding time scale is obtained, and the density value of the corresponding pixel group is updated in real time based on the number of digital waveform transitions. When the number of digital waveform transitions in any pixel group is less than a preset transition number threshold, the waveform and its pixel values ​​are displayed normally. Specifically, when the command to zoom in on the waveform is triggered, the time scale in the visualization window is reduced, that is, the time interval corresponding to the same pixel group after the amplification signal is triggered becomes smaller, and the number of digital waveform transitions decreases with the amplification amplitude. The density value of the corresponding pixel group is updated in real time based on the number of digital waveform transitions.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, when a user observes a waveform, they can trigger a command to zoom out of the waveform in the visualization window as needed. Upon detecting a zoom-out trigger signal, the number of digital waveform transitions in each pixel group at the corresponding time scale is obtained, and the density value of the corresponding pixel group is updated in real time based on the number of digital waveform transitions. If the number of digital waveform transitions in any pixel group exceeds a preset transition number threshold, the density value of the corresponding pixel group is updated in real time based on the number of digital waveform transitions. Similarly, specifically, when the zoom-out command is triggered, the time scale in the visualization window is increased, meaning the time interval corresponding to the same pixel group after the zoom-out signal is triggered becomes larger, and the number of digital waveform transitions increases with the zoom-out magnitude. The density value of the corresponding pixel group is updated in real time based on the number of digital waveform transitions.

[0040] It should be noted that the order of the above embodiments of the present invention is merely for descriptive purposes and does not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments. Furthermore, specific embodiments have been described above. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the actions or steps described in the claims can be performed in a different order than that shown in the embodiments and still achieve the desired result. Additionally, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require a specific or sequential order to achieve the desired result. In some embodiments, multitasking and parallel processing are also possible or may be advantageous.

[0041] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, and the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. Each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments.

[0042] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for visualizing digital waveform density, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: Obtain the time interval corresponding to each pixel group in the visualization window, wherein each pixel group includes several pixels; the time interval is obtained by dividing the time scale corresponding to the visualization window into multiple time intervals according to the number of pixel groups in the visualization window; Obtain the number of digital waveform transitions contained in each pixel group, wherein the number of digital waveform transitions is the number of digital waveform transitions within the time interval corresponding to each pixel group; When the number of digital waveform transitions in any pixel group exceeds a preset transition number threshold, the pixel values ​​of the pixels in the corresponding pixel group are updated to density values, and the updated digital waveform is displayed in the visualization window. This allows pixel groups in the visualization window that exceed the preset transition number threshold to exhibit different visual effects depending on the size of the transition number. The density value is assigned according to the number of digital waveform transitions, and the density value is different from the pixel values ​​of the digital waveform itself. The step of allocating density values ​​based on the number of digital waveform transitions includes: Based on historical data at the same time scale within the same visualization window, a pre-defined density interval is established, and this interval is sequentially divided into several different density levels; corresponding density values ​​are then assigned according to the size of each density level; or... Obtain the maximum number of transitions in the digital waveform within the current visualization window. The transition number threshold and the maximum number of transitions together constitute a density interval. Divide this density interval into multiple different density levels and assign density values ​​to corresponding pixel groups according to the density level. Alternatively... Based on the pixel groups in the current visualization window that are greater than the threshold number of jumps, obtain the minimum number of jumps and the maximum number of jumps in the pixel group. The minimum number of jumps and the maximum number of jumps constitute a density interval. Divide the density interval into multiple different density levels and assign density values ​​to the corresponding pixel groups according to the size of the density level.

2. The method for visualizing digital waveform density according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method also includes the following steps: When a trigger signal for amplified digital waveform is detected, the number of digital waveform transitions contained in each pixel group at the corresponding time scale is obtained, and the density value of the corresponding pixel group is updated in real time according to the number of digital waveform transitions. When the number of digital waveform transitions in any pixel group is less than the preset transition number threshold, the digital waveform and its pixel values ​​are displayed normally.

3. The method for visualizing digital waveform density according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method also includes the following steps: When a trigger signal for shrinking a digital waveform is detected, the number of digital waveform transitions contained in each pixel group at the corresponding time scale is obtained, and the density value of the corresponding pixel group is updated in real time according to the number of digital waveform transitions. When the number of digital waveform transitions in any pixel group exceeds a preset transition number threshold, the density value of the corresponding pixel group is updated in real time based on the number of digital waveform transitions.

4. The method for visualizing digital waveform density according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Each pixel group includes three single pixels along the time axis.

5. The method for visualizing digital waveform density according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The density value is any one or more of hue, saturation, or brightness.

6. The method for visualizing digital waveform density according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The density value is obtained by adjusting the pixel value of the pixel group in the RGB channel using a color gradient algorithm. The adjusted color is different from the color of the digital waveform itself.

7. The method for visualizing digital waveform density according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The density value is the grayscale value assigned to the corresponding pixel group according to the grayscale value.

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