Extensible Communication Framework for Multi-Protocol Software Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor testing technologies face challenges in maintaining readability and maintainability due to differences in communication protocol interfaces across various protocols and development languages, leading to non-unification and non-standardization of communication processes.
Innovation Solution
An extensible communication framework is introduced, defining a unified communication interface comprising device, channel, and protocol interfaces, allowing for the implementation of new communication protocols without affecting upper-layer business logic, enabling convenient software code maintenance and function addition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different communication protocols are developed using corresponding communication libraries with protocol-specific interface definitions, then each protocol can be implemented with its own interface functions, but the codes of the business logic layer face interface function calls with the same function but different names, destroying readability and maintainability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a unified communication interface that can accommodate multiple different communication protocols (TCP/UDP, GPIB, COM, etc.). The interface defines standard function names and parameters that work across all protocols, allowing the business logic layer to operate with a single standardized interface while the underlying protocol-specific implementations handle the actual communication variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different communication protocols use different interface function names and parameters across development languages, then each protocol can be optimized for its specific requirements, but the integration of different protocol developments becomes complex and hard to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer - the unified communication interface - that sits between the business logic layer and the protocol-specific implementations. This intermediary translates and standardizes interface calls, allowing different protocols with their original interface definitions to coexist while presenting a consistent interface to the upper layers. The interface acts as a mediator that harmonizes the differences between various protocol implementations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If communication protocols for different devices are implemented without a unified framework, then each device can communicate with its specific protocol, but the communication process becomes non-unified and non-standardized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into distinct layers: the business logic layer, the unified communication interface layer, and the protocol-specific implementation layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be developed and maintained independently. The unified interface layer ensures standardized communication patterns while the lower layer handles protocol-specific variations, thereby maintaining both adaptability and standardization.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an extensible communication framework supporting multiple communication protocols, for connecting a software platform and a device. The extensible communication framework comprises a communication interface and a communication model, wherein the communication interface comprises a device interface, a channel interface and a protocol interface. The communication model calls the device interface, the channel interface and the protocol interface during communication. When the software platform is connected with the device, a class is created in the device interface, the class is inherited from the device interface; a channel protocol is newly created in the channel interface, the channel protocol is inherited from the channel interface; a sub-protocol interface is created in the protocol interface, the sub-protocol interface is inherited from the protocol interface. The software platform communicates with the device through the communication model, and the class, the channel protocol and the sub-protocol interfaces are called during communication. The present invention makes software code maintenance and function addition become very convenient, and ultimately ensures the product software quality.