Graphical Model Transformation via Intermediate Representation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conversion of graphical models directly into target languages, with or without intermediate representations (IR), is inefficient and resource-intensive, and lacks effective validation and simulation capabilities, leading to potential undesirable behavioral changes during the translation process.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that convert a graphical model into an intermediate representation (IR), alter the IR, and then convert it back into a new or updated graphical model, allowing for efficient and customizable design and simulation, enabling visual inspection and corrective action to ensure no behavioral changes are introduced during the transformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If graphical models are converted directly into target languages, then code generation is achieved, but simulation efficiency is poor and resource consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate representation (IR) as a mediator between graphical models and target languages. The IR serves as a bridge that allows efficient manipulation and validation before final code generation, avoiding direct conversion bottlenecks and enabling separate optimization of simulation and code generation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The conversion process is segmented into distinct phases: graphical model to IR conversion, IR manipulation and validation, and IR to target language conversion. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, with simulation and validation occurring on the IR rather than requiring full target language compilation.
2Productivity
If graphical models are converted directly into target languages, then code generation is achieved, but validation and simulation capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs validation and simulation actions on the intermediate representation before final target language code generation. This preliminary validation ensures model correctness and detects errors early in the design process, preventing propagation of defects to the final generated code.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where simulation results and validation outcomes on the IR are used to refine and correct the intermediate representation before code generation. This feedback mechanism ensures that generated code accurately reflects validated design intentions.
3Productivity
If an intermediate representation is used for translation, then code generation is enabled, but behavioral changes during translation cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the graphical model in the form of an intermediate representation that preserves behavioral characteristics. This IR copy can be simulated and validated to ensure behavioral fidelity before generating target code, allowing detection of any behavioral changes introduced during translation.
Solution Approach 2:
Simulation and validation of the IR provide feedback on behavioral fidelity, comparing expected behavior with actual behavior after translation. This feedback mechanism detects unwanted behavioral changes and allows corrections before final code generation.
4Ease of manufacture
If target language code is generated, then physical system construction is enabled, but design revisions are inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate representation serves as a flexible mediator that allows efficient design revisions. Changes can be made to the IR and propagated back to the graphical model or directly to code generation without requiring full recompilation, enabling rapid iteration while maintaining the ability to generate target language code for physical system construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism for converting a graphical model of a system into an intermediate representation (IR) of a model is discussed. The mechanism alters the IR, and uses the altered IR to create a new or updated graphical model of the system that may be viewed and simulated by a user. Once the user is satisfied with the alterations to the IR, the IR or the graphical model may be used to generate code in a target language to enable the building of the physical system being designed. The use of the altered IR to generate a new or updated graphical model allows a more efficient and customizable design and simulation process than is typically found by simulating code that has been converted to target languages. The generation of the graphical model based on the altered IR allows a user to visually inspect the changes to the system, and the simulation of the graphical model based on the altered IR allows corrective action to be taken to account for any changes that occurred during the transformation of the model.