Configurable Accelerator Debugging via Shared Stream Switch

Solution Overview

Problem

Hardware debug architectures for accelerators face challenges in inflexibility and high cost due to the need for additional dedicated hardware and resources, such as specialized buses and memories, which complicates debugging.

Innovation Solution

A debug and trace unit integrated within the hardware accelerator using internal components, such as registers, to monitor and output trace data via a shared stream switch, eliminating the need for dedicated resources and interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dedicated hardware and resources (specialized buses, dedicated memories) are added for debugging, then debugging capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebugging capabilityVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the existing stream switch and internal registers to serve dual purposes: their original functions for data streaming and configuration storage, plus additional functions for debugging and tracing. The stream switch handles both normal data traffic and trace data output, while internal registers store both configuration data and debugging information, eliminating the need for separate dedicated debugging hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by allowing the hardware accelerator to perform its own debugging and tracing functions using its internal resources. The debug and trace unit utilizes the accelerator's existing stream switch and registers to monitor data signals, count events, trigger actions, and output trace data, thereby the system debugs itself without requiring external dedicated debugging infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If dedicated hardware and resources are added for debugging, then debugging capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebugging capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the existing stream switch and internal registers to serve dual purposes: their original functions for data streaming and configuration storage, plus additional functions for debugging and tracing. The stream switch handles both normal data traffic and trace data output, while internal registers store both configuration data and debugging information, eliminating the need for separate dedicated debugging hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by allowing the hardware accelerator to perform its own debugging and tracing functions using its internal resources. The debug and trace unit utilizes the accelerator's existing stream switch and registers to monitor data signals, count events, trigger actions, and output trace data, thereby the system debugs itself without requiring external dedicated debugging infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If dedicated debugging interfaces and resources are implemented, then debugging capability is improved, but adaptability and flexibility decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebugging capabilityVSAvoiddebugging flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the debugging and tracing functionality configurable and adaptable rather than fixed. The debug and trace unit can be configured to monitor different data signals, set different event counters, define different triggers, and select different output destinations based on dynamic configuration, allowing the debugging system to adapt to various debugging needs and scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by enabling the existing stream switch and internal registers to serve dual purposes: their original functions for data streaming and configuration storage, plus additional functions for debugging and tracing. The stream switch handles both normal data traffic and trace data output, while internal registers store both configuration data and debugging information, eliminating the need for separate dedicated debugging hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12554605B2Self-contained and configurable debugging mechanism for stream-based hardware accelerators

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 STMICROELECTRONICS INT NV

AI summary

A hardware accelerator includes a plurality of functional circuits, a stream switch, a plurality of direct memory access (DMA) channels coupled to the plurality of functional circuits via the stream switch to stream data to and from functional circuits of the plurality of functional circuits, and a debug and trace unit coupled to the stream switch, wherein in operation, the debug and trace unit monitors a set of data signals to and from the stream switch via wired probes and implements one or more event counters, one or more triggers, and one or more tracers using components internal to the hardware accelerator including one or more registers of the hardware accelerator, and wherein the one or more tracers output trace data packets via the stream switch.