FPGA Signal Monitoring for Real-Time Functional Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing and analyzing the execution of functional components in programmable gate arrays, such as FPGAs, are inefficient and lack real-time coverage analysis capabilities, particularly in the context of vehicle control units.
Innovation Solution
A programmable gate arrangement with detection elements that monitor signal changes to determine the execution of functional parts and provide detection values, allowing for real-time coverage analysis, integrated with a computer arrangement and processor unit for evaluation and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional testing methods are used for programmable gate arrays, then testing can be performed, but real-time coverage analysis capabilities are lacking and testing efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
Detection elements are integrated into the gate array configuration before testing begins. These elements are pre-positioned to monitor specific functional parts, enabling automatic coverage tracking as soon as testing starts, eliminating the need for post-test analysis and achieving real-time coverage measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection elements continuously monitor signal changes and provide real-time feedback about which functional parts are being executed. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic coverage analysis during testing, allowing immediate identification of tested versus untested functional parts without delaying the testing process.
2Measurement precision
If detection elements are integrated into the gate array, then real-time coverage analysis is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gate array is segmented into functional parts, each potentially monitored by dedicated detection elements. This segmentation allows precise tracking of individual functional part execution while keeping each detection element's task simple and focused, managing complexity through modular organization of monitoring responsibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Detection elements are designed as universal components that can monitor any functional part of the gate array. Rather than creating specialized monitoring hardware for each functional part, the same detection element structure is reused across different locations, reducing overall device complexity through component standardization while maintaining comprehensive coverage capability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The application relates to a programmable gate arrangement (FPGA) which is configured to execute a function (FKT) and to use at least one signal (SIG) by at least one functional part (FT) of the function (FKT) when executing the function (FKT), wherein the gate arrangement (FPGA) has at least one detection element (EE) which is configured to determine, using a change in the signal (SIG), whether the at least one functional part (FT) is being executed on the gate arrangement (FPGA) when executing the function (FKT), and to provide at least one detection value (EW) dependent on the determination.The application further relates to a computer arrangement (10) comprising such a gate arrangement (FPGA), a use of such a computer arrangement (10), a test device comprising such a computer arrangement (10), and a method for generating configuration data (72) for programming such a gate arrangement (FPGA).