Event Logging Transient Error Detector High Resolution Timestamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing server systems struggle to accurately record the sequence of events due to the low time resolution of Real-Time Clock (RTC) used for event logging, making it difficult for maintenance staff to diagnose malfunctions, and current debugging methods require significant resources and time.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a high frequency clock signal and a clock counter generates precise time stamps, allowing event logs and their corresponding timestamps to be recorded with high resolution, enabling accurate determination of event sequences and storage in non-volatile memory for fault analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RTC is used to record event logs with second-level time resolution, then the system can record event occurrence moments, but multiple events occurring in the same second cannot be distinguished by their sequence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time measurement into two distinct components: a coarse time component from the RTC (second-level precision) and a fine time component from a high-frequency clock counter (nanosecond-level precision). This segmentation allows the system to capture both the general time reference and the precise sequence ordering of events, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and information loss.
2Measurement precision
If an oscilloscope is used to measure circuit signals with nanosecond-level precision, then event timing can be accurately detected, but large storage space and significant manpower are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the electronic device automatically generates and stores high-precision time stamps for event logs using an internal high-frequency clock counter. This eliminates the need for external oscilloscope equipment and manual debugging operations, achieving nanosecond-level precision while reducing device complexity and operational burden.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using expensive external measurement equipment like oscilloscopes, the patent creates an internal copy of the timing measurement capability by implementing a high-frequency clock counter within the electronic device itself. This internal timing system replicates the measurement precision of external equipment while avoiding their complexity and operational requirements.
3Measurement precision
If high-frequency clock signal is used to generate precise time stamps, then event sequence can be accurately determined, but more storage space is required in random access memory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously counting clock cycles in the high-frequency clock counter and preparing time stamp data in advance. When an event occurs, the pre-computed time stamp data is immediately captured and stored, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations and reducing the processing and storage overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device and a method for event logging are provided. The electronic device includes a random access memory (RAM), a non-volatile memory, a transient error detector, and a clock counter. When a status of input-output ports in the electronic device changes, the transient error detector takes the status of the input-output port and its change as one of the event logs, obtains a time stamp corresponding to the one of the event logs according to a count value counted by the clock counter, and sequentially and temporarily stores the one of the event logs and a corresponding time stamp to the RAM. And, the transient error detector determines whether the event log is a cause to fault. When the event log is the cause to fault, the transient error detector stores the event logs and the corresponding time stamps in the RAM to the non-volatile memory.