Dynamic Trace Aggregation with Platform Description Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dynamic systems with non-static topologies in the semiconductor and computing industry face challenges in tracing and debugging due to missing information about trace sources, leading to undecodable traces and increased effort in identifying and triaging issues, which hampers product releases.
Innovation Solution
A debug system that uses platform description identifiers (PDIDs) to dynamically describe complex systems, allowing for dynamic changes such as component addition or removal, and provides a hierarchical decoder structure to decode traces effectively, reducing the risk of unusable data and improving trace analysis tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a static assignment of trace sources and protocols is used, then the decoding process is simple and reliable, but the system cannot adapt to dynamic topologies where components are added or removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic trace source identification by replacing static protocol assignments with runtime-determined identification. The system now dynamically assigns trace sources to protocols based on actual system state, allowing adaptation to changing topologies while maintaining decoding reliability through structured identification mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The trace system performs self-identification by embedding source identification information within the trace data stream itself. This self-service mechanism allows the trace system to automatically identify and decode its own sources without external intervention, adapting dynamically to system changes while maintaining autonomous operation.
2Reliability
If no source identification information is provided in the trace stream, then the trace data transmission is efficient with lower bandwidth requirements, but the receiving tool cannot decode the traces without a priori knowledge of the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts source identification information from the trace data stream in a structured manner, separating identification metadata from the actual trace content. This extraction approach enables reliable decoding by providing necessary identification information while minimizing the overhead added to the trace stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies trace sources, determines protocol types, and enables dynamic adaptation to system topology changes. This multi-functional approach ensures reliable decoding without requiring separate identification systems, thereby limiting additional data transmission requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If trace sources are dynamically added or removed in the system, then the system flexibility is improved, but the receiving tool cannot effectively leverage available tracing systems due to missing origin information
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration and identification of trace sources when they are first introduced, creating a baseline knowledge base before dynamic changes occur. This preliminary action ensures that when components are dynamically added or removed, the receiving tool already has the necessary identification information to decode traces from new sources while maintaining awareness of system topology changes.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a first trace source to generate a plurality of first trace messages and a first local platform description identifier to identify the first trace source; a second trace source to generate a plurality of second trace messages and a second local platform description identifier to identify the second trace source; and a trace aggregator coupled to the first and the second trace sources, the trace aggregator to generate a global platform description identifier for the apparatus and output a trace stream including the global platform destination identifier, the first and second local platform description identifiers, the plurality of first trace messages and the plurality of second trace messages. Other embodiments are described and claimed.