Emulator Image Data Packet Pre-Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current emulation methods for image processing systems on emulators face performance issues due to slow data streaming and redundant processing, especially when handling various image file formats, which slows down the emulation process and requires frequent hardware amendments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves pre-processing image files on a workstation to convert them into low-level image data packets offline, which are then loaded and streamed to the emulator's memory for faster online processing, using a verification IP to facilitate efficient data transmission and reduce complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If image files are processed directly during emulation without pre-processing, then the emulation system can handle various image formats flexibly, but the processing speed is slow and redundant operations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by converting image files to low-level data packets before the emulation process. A pre-processing tool converts standard image formats (JPEG, PNG, BMP) into optimized low-level packets that can be directly loaded into emulator memory, eliminating the need for real-time format conversion during emulation and significantly improving processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the image processing workflow into two distinct phases: offline pre-processing (conversion to low-level packets) and online emulation (loading and processing pre-converted packets). This segmentation allows complex format conversion operations to be performed separately from the time-critical emulation process, improving overall productivity.
2Speed
If image files are converted to low-level data packets before loading, then data transfer speed improves, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion to low-level data packets is performed as a preliminary action before emulation. The pre-processing tool converts image files offline, and the resulting packets are stored for rapid loading during emulation. This shifts the time cost from the critical emulation path to a preparatory phase, improving real-time data transfer speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copied representation of image data in low-level packet format. Instead of transferring and converting full image files during emulation, pre-converted packet copies are loaded directly into emulator memory, enabling faster data transfer rates while maintaining data integrity for processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the emulator processes various image file formats directly, then format versatility is maintained, but hardware amendments are required frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary pre-processing tool that handles format conversion. This external tool mediates between various image formats and the emulator, converting all formats to a unified low-level packet structure before loading. The emulator itself requires no format-specific hardware, as all conversion is performed by the intermediary tool, eliminating the need for frequent hardware amendments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the format conversion functionality from the emulator hardware and places it in an external pre-processing tool. By taking out the complex format handling logic from the emulated system, the hardware remains simple and stable, while the external tool provides versatile format support through software-based conversion to low-level packets.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for emulating an image processing system on an emulator may include pre-processing of image files that comprises converting each of the image files to a file of low-level image data packets; when emulating the image processing system on the emulator, loading each of the files of low-level image data packets to a memory of the emulator; reading the loaded file from the memory and streaming that file of said files of low-level image data packets to the emulated image processing system.