Custom IP Interface for Programmable Measurement Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing programmable measurement devices lack the ability for users to directly program the device driver IP, limiting customization and flexibility in accessing data paths and control signals, and requiring users to interact through standard device drivers, which restricts the implementation of custom communication mechanisms and data processing algorithms.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allows users to generate and deploy custom IP to programmable measurement devices, enabling direct communication with standard driver IP and full access to data paths and control signals, while preserving the functionality of standard device drivers and IP, by creating a custom IP interface that integrates with standard device driver APIs without modifying the standard components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users are allowed to directly program the device driver IP, then customization and flexibility are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidprogramming complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a standard driver IP as an intermediary layer between the user application and the device hardware. This standard driver IP provides a fixed, well-defined interface that users interact with, while the underlying custom driver IP handles the complexity of direct hardware programming. The intermediary absorbs the programming complexity, allowing users to achieve customization without directly programming the device driver IP.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the driver functionality into two distinct components: a standard driver IP that provides a fixed interface for users, and a custom driver IP that handles the actual device control and data processing. This segmentation allows the customization capability to be implemented in the custom driver IP while the standard driver IP maintains operational simplicity for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If users interact through standard device drivers, then ease of operation is maintained, but adaptability and access to data paths are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver interface simplicityVSAvoiddata path access flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the driver system have different levels of programmability. The standard driver IP maintains a fixed, simple interface for ease of operation, while the custom driver IP provides full adaptability and access to data paths. This allows users to benefit from simple operation while the system simultaneously provides extensive customization capabilities where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a new dimension to the driver architecture by introducing a dual-layer driver IP structure. Instead of a single flat interface, the system now has two layers: the standard driver IP for simple operations and the custom driver IP for advanced customization. This dimensional change allows both ease of operation and adaptability to coexist by operating at different levels of the architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If custom communication mechanisms are implemented, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication mechanism flexibilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The standard driver IP serves as an intermediary that manages communication between the user application and the custom driver IP. Users can implement custom communication mechanisms in the custom driver IP while interacting with the standard driver IP through the fixed interface. The intermediary absorbs the architectural complexity, allowing communication flexibility without increasing user-facing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9880030B2Extending programmable measurement device functionality

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORP

AI summary

System and method for extending programmable device functionality while preserving functionality of the device driver and driver IP. User input may be received specifying functionality of custom IP for a programmable measurement device with standard driver IP. The custom IP may be generated accordingly, and may be deployable to the programmable measurement device. During operation the custom IP may communicate directly with the standard driver IP and may provide custom functionality of the programmable measurement device while preserving functionality of the standard driver IP on the programmable measurement device and the standard device driver.