High Speed Debug Hub for Integrated Circuit Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional debug interfaces like JTAG are unable to handle the high data rates required for modern integrated circuits (ICs), limiting the effectiveness of debugging and the ability to debug circuit designs due to lower data transfer rates.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed debug hub within the IC that communicates with a host system through high-speed interfaces, translating debug commands to data streams and conveying them to debug cores, and receiving debug data from these cores to send back to the host system, supporting data rates in the gigabit per second range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If JTAG interface is used for debugging, then compatibility with host system is improved, but data transfer rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a debug hub as an intermediary component between the host system and debug cores. This hub translates between different interface protocols, allowing the host system to communicate with multiple debug cores at high speeds without requiring direct high-speed connections to each core. The hub acts as a mediator that maintains compatibility while enabling high-speed data transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the debugging function into multiple independent debug cores, each capable of operating at high speeds. Instead of having a single debug interface serving all debugging needs, the system divides debugging tasks across multiple cores that can be accessed individually through the debug hub, allowing parallel high-speed operations.
2Speed
If high-speed interface is used for debugging, then data transfer rate is improved, but interface complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The debug hub is designed as a universal interface that handles multiple functions: it communicates with the host system, routes data to multiple debug cores, translates between different protocols, and manages address mapping. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high-speed capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses address translation and mapping mechanisms that effectively create virtual copies of the debug core interfaces from the host system's perspective. The debug hub maintains multiple address spaces and routing tables that replicate the interface functionality, allowing the host to access multiple cores through a standardized interface without needing to manage complex direct connections to each core.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple debug cores are supported, then debugging capability is improved, but routing complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms in the form of status registers and control signals that allow the debug hub to track which cores are active, their current states, and routing requirements. This feedback information enables the hub to dynamically adjust routing decisions and manage multiple cores efficiently without requiring complex static routing configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The debug hub employs dynamic routing capabilities where the routing paths are determined in real-time based on current system state rather than being fixed. The hub can dynamically select which cores to access, how to route data between cores and the host system, and adjust address mappings on-the-fly, simplifying the management of multiple debug cores.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes a high-speed interface configured to communicate with a host system for debugging and a debug hub coupled to the high-speed interface. The debug hub is configured to receive a debug command from the host system as memory mapped data. The integrated circuit also includes a plurality of debug cores coupled to the debug hub. Each debug core is coupled to the debug hub by channels. The debug hub is configured to translate the debug command to a data stream and provide the data stream to a target debug core of the plurality of debug cores based on an address specified by the debug command.