Event-Driven Memory Snapshots for Embedded System Failures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Embedded systems lack efficient mechanisms to generate memory snapshots during trigger events, such as failures or exceptions, due to limited computing resources and the absence of persistent storage, which hinders the determination of event causes, especially when hardware components are involved.
Innovation Solution
The embedded system identifies memory segments associated with the event, places descriptors indicating these segments, and notifies the host computing system to retrieve and generate a memory snapshot, incorporating event-specific path information to capture hardware and software states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If embedded systems use limited computing resources and lack persistent storage, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to generate memory snapshots during events is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a host computing system as an intermediary that assumes the role of memory snapshot generation and event analysis. The embedded system simply provides memory access and event notification, while the host system performs the complex operations of capturing memory states, generating snapshots, and analyzing events. This mediator approach allows the embedded system to remain simple while gaining sophisticated event analysis capability through the host's resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides functionality between the embedded system and the host computing system. The embedded system handles low-level memory access and event detection, while the host system handles high-level snapshot generation and analysis. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the embedded system remaining simple and the host system providing complex analysis capabilities.
2Productivity
If embedded systems do not capture hardware module states, then memory snapshot generation is simplified, but event cause determination becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the embedded system continuously maintain memory regions that store hardware module states and event path information. When an event occurs, these pre-positioned memory regions are immediately accessible to the host system, eliminating the need for complex real-time capture of hardware states. The embedded system prepares the necessary data structures in advance, enabling rapid snapshot generation while capturing comprehensive event information including hardware module states.
3Device complexity
If embedded systems lack event path tracking, then system simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision of event causes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating a simplified representation of the event path and hardware states in memory regions that can be read by the host system. Instead of complex real-time tracking, the embedded system copies relevant state information into predetermined memory locations at the time of event occurrence. This copying approach preserves the essential information needed for event cause analysis while maintaining system simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
An embedded system in a host computer is provided. During operation, the embedded system can detect an event in the embedded system. Here, the event can trigger the generation of a memory snapshot of the embedded system. The embedded system can then determine a set of memory segments of a memory in the embedded system for inclusion in the memory snapshot. Subsequently, the embedded system can insert a set of descriptors corresponding to the set of memory segments into the memory. Here, a respective descriptor indicates a memory segment associated with a core dump from the embedded system. The embedded system can send a notification to the host computer to generate the memory snapshot comprising the set of memory segments based on the set of descriptors.