Daemon Monitor for Interrupt Service Routine Debugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current debugging processes in computer systems are inefficient due to the complexity and high cost of hardware tools like logic analyzers and in-circuit emulators, which require human intervention and often result in incorrect observations and high testing costs.
Innovation Solution
An automatic monitoring method using a daemon monitor program that generates and saves entrant and exit codes during interrupt service routines, allowing for detailed debugging information analysis without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware debugging tools like logic analyzers or in-circuit emulators are used, then debugging capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a software-based copy of debugging functionality through a monitor program that runs on the target system itself, rather than using external hardware tools. The monitor program captures debugging information through software interrupt service routines, replicating the core debugging capability of hardware tools like logic analyzers and in-circuit emulators but in a much simpler, software-based form that reduces device complexity and cost.
2Loss of information
If hardware debugging tools are used, then debugging information can be obtained, but loss of time due to human intervention increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-debugging through an automatically running monitor program that continuously monitors system operations without requiring human intervention. The monitor program automatically sets trigger conditions, captures debugging information when conditions are met, and stores results - enabling the system to debug itself and eliminating the time loss associated with constant human monitoring and manual operation of debugging tools.
3Measurement precision
If manual monitoring of debugging processes is performed, then debugging observations can be made, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitor program operates continuously in the background, constantly monitoring system operations and automatically capturing debugging information when trigger conditions are met. This continuous automated monitoring maintains high measurement precision for debugging observations while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating the need for manual, intermittent checking and analysis that characterizes traditional debugging approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
A monitor method of computer system is provided, applying within an interrupt service routine. According to the application of interrupt service, when the interrupt controller sends an interrupt signal to the CPU, the CPU executes a corresponding interrupt service routine based on the interrupt signal, in the meantime, the daemon program generates an entrant code. Before the interrupt service routine stops, the daemon program generates an exit code and saves both the entrant code and the exit code in a storage device. It is benefit for solving the problems occurred in the debugging process according to the entrant code and the exit code of the storage device, and speeding up the process of testing and researching steps.