Decoupled Real-Time Clock for Embedded System Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for designing and verifying embedded systems lack the necessary control and flexibility to independently manage real-time events, as the real-time clock and processor clock typically share the same time base, making it difficult to start, stop, or pause real-time operations without disrupting the system.
Innovation Solution
The real-time clock signal is decoupled from the processor clock signal, allowing for independent control of the real-time clock and event signals, which can be generated by software running on a workstation or external systems, enabling separate time bases for the application and physical domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the real-time clock and processor clock share the same time base, then the system maintains simple timing synchronization, but the ability to independently control real-time operations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timing system into two independent components: a processor clock for driving the processor and a real-time clock for triggering software tasks. This segmentation allows each clock to operate with its own time base and be controlled independently, resolving the contradiction between control flexibility and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the real-time clock signal generator) that bridges the processor clock and the software task execution. This intermediary allows the real-time clock to be controlled independently while still coordinating with the processor, enabling flexible control without direct coupling.
2Ease of operation
If the real-time clock is suspended to pause real-time operations, then debugging control is improved, but the processor clock may be interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the control of the real-time clock from the processor clock, the patent enables independent suspension of real-time operations during debugging without affecting processor execution. The processor clock continues uninterrupted while the real-time clock can be paused, resolved, and resumed independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The real-time clock acts as an intermediary between the processor clock and task execution. Suspending the real-time clock pauses task execution without stopping the processor, as the intermediary buffers the control signal and allows independent manipulation of the timing relationship.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the real-time clock operates at a different time base than the processor clock, then independent control is achieved, but timing synchronization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that allow the system to track and adjust the relationship between the real-time clock and processor clock. By monitoring the timing relationships and providing feedback control, the system maintains synchronization awareness even with different time bases, resolving the contradiction between independent control and synchronization difficulty.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus that can used to control real-time events (e.g., the real-time clock) during the design, simulation, or verification of an embedded system. In one exemplary embodiment disclosed herein, for example, a real-time clock signal is generated and tasks defined by an embedded software application are triggered with the real-time clock signal. In this embodiment, the embedded software application is executed by an embedded processor with a real-time operating system (“RTOS”), and the real-time clock signal is controllable independent of a processor clock signal driving the embedded processor in a manner that allows the real-time clock to have a different time base than the processor clock.