Adapter System for Closed-Loop ASIC and Sensor Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The verification of integrated circuit designs, particularly for portable consumer electronics, is time-consuming due to the complexity of simulating correct operation with high-speed image sensors, as conventional software-based simulation tools are inefficient and often lack accurate models for dynamic sensor device operations, leading to the need for real-time testing with actual sensor devices.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional speed adjustment adapter system enables dynamic closed-loop testing between high-speed sensor devices and emulated ASIC designs by performing data rate conversion and command bridging, allowing for the use of actively generated multimedia data and responsive control commands, thereby facilitating flexible verification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional software-based circuit simulation tools are used to verify ASIC designs with high-speed image sensors, then design verification can be performed, but simulation times become excessive and verification speed is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary device between the emulated ASIC and the real sensor device. This adapter manages the speed mismatch by buffering sensor data and generating test stimuli at rates compatible with the emulated ASIC, while still enabling interaction with the high-speed real sensor. The adapter acts as a mediator that translates between different data rates without requiring the emulated ASIC to directly handle high-speed data streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment capabilities where the adapter can operate at different data rates depending on the testing requirements. The system can dynamically switch between various operational modes to match the capabilities of the emulated ASIC with the actual sensor device, enabling flexible verification at appropriate speeds rather than being constrained to a fixed simulation rate.
2Measurement precision
If real fabricated sensor devices are used instead of testbench-based models, then verification accuracy improves, but device complexity and setup difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter serves as a complexity-managing intermediary that interfaces the simple emulated ASIC with the complex real sensor device. It handles the complexity of data rate conversion, buffering, and protocol translation, thereby shielding the emulated ASIC from the complexities of working directly with high-speed real sensors. This allows verification accuracy to improve through real device testing while keeping the tested system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified representation of the real sensor device through the adapter, which replicates essential sensor behaviors and data generation capabilities at manageable speeds. This copying approach allows the system to benefit from real sensor verification while maintaining a simplified testing architecture that doesn't require direct integration with the full complexity of the actual sensor device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real sensor devices generating continuous high-speed data are used, then dynamic verification is enabled, but data rate management and buffering become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is specifically designed to manage data rate disparities by acting as a buffer between the high-speed real sensor and the emulated ASIC. It receives continuous high-speed data from the sensor, processes and rates it appropriately, and presents it to the emulated ASIC at manageable speeds. This intermediary buffering mechanism enables dynamic verification capabilities while abstracting away the complexity of data rate synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic data rate adjustment where the adapter can adapt its operation based on the emulated ASIC's processing capabilities and the sensor's output rate. This dynamic rate matching enables the system to maintain flexibility and versatility in testing while automatically managing data flow complexity through adaptive speed adjustment rather than fixed-rate buffering.
4Productivity
If pre-generated sensor data streams are used in adapters, then data can be provided at manageable speeds, but flexibility and responsiveness to ASIC control commands are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter maintains continuous operation by continuously receiving data from the real sensor device and continuously generating test stimuli for the emulated ASIC. Rather than relying on pre-generated static data streams, the adapter sustains an ongoing dynamic data flow that adapts to real-time conditions, ensuring both manageable processing speeds and full responsiveness to control commands throughout the testing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter implements feedback mechanisms where control commands from the emulated ASIC are transmitted to the real sensor device, and the sensor's responses are captured and processed back through the adapter. This closed-loop feedback system enables the adapter to dynamically adjust its operation based on actual ASIC needs and sensor responses, maintaining full testing flexibility while managing data rates through active feedback-driven rate adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer program product for dynamic closed loop testing of an emulated ASIC interfaced to a sensor device. An adapter adjusts non-pre-recorded active sensor device data to be readable by an emulated ASIC design by adjusting data rates and performing formatting per a selected compatible interface. The adapter also adjusts control commands generated by the emulated ASIC design, including those generated in response to received and evaluated sensor device data, to be readable by the sensor device. The control commands dynamically cause changes in the data the sensor device subsequently outputs. Exemplary sensor devices include cameras that generate multimedia data in consumer electronics devices.