Handshake Signal Visualization for Sub-Circuit Iteration Debugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debugging and analyzing the parallel activity of sub-circuits in high-level synthesis-generated circuit designs is challenging due to the complexity of correlating multiple handshake signals, requiring expert knowledge and being tedious even for experienced designers.
Innovation Solution
An analyzer tool monitors handshake signals to detect iteration beginnings and ends, generating graphics objects on a timeline to visually represent iteration states, thereby simplifying the debugging and analysis of pipelined circuit designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple handshake signals are monitored to detect iteration states, then debugging accuracy is improved, but analysis complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex signal analysis by creating separate timeline displays for each sub-circuit, with individual graphics objects for each iteration. This divides the monolithic complex signal correlation problem into manageable per-subcircuit per-iteration analysis units, reducing overall complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces graphics objects as intermediary visual elements that mediate between the raw handshake signals and the human analyst. These graphics objects transform complex signal states into intuitive visual representations on timelines, serving as an intermediary layer that simplifies the correlation process while preserving precise iteration state information.
2Measurement precision
If expert knowledge is required to analyze handshake signals, then analysis precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by automatically generating the timeline displays and graphics objects from the handshake signals without requiring manual expert intervention. The system autonomously detects iteration beginnings and ends, creates appropriate visual representations, and presents the analyzed data, thereby eliminating the need for expert knowledge while maintaining analysis precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of expert manual signal analysis with an automated computational system. The analyzer tool performs the complex correlation and detection tasks that previously required human expertise, substituting automated algorithms and visual generation processes for manual expert operation.
3Loss of information
If detailed signal states are displayed, then debugging information completeness is improved, but visual complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional waveform displays to a multi-dimensional timeline representation where iterations are visualized as graphics objects positioned along time axes. This dimensional transformation allows complete iteration information to be presented in a more organized spatial arrangement, reducing visual complexity while maintaining information completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of displaying raw signals and requiring users to interpret iteration states, the patent inverts the approach by directly displaying processed iteration information in intuitive graphics objects. The representation is inverted from signal-centric to iteration-centric, presenting the meaningful information directly rather than requiring users to extract it from complex waveforms.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed approaches monitor states of a plurality of sets of a plurality of handshake signals. Each set of handshake signals is associated with a respective one sub-circuit of a plurality of sub-circuits. For each sub-circuit, a beginning of an iteration by the sub-circuit is detected based on states of the plurality of handshake signals of the set associated with the sub-circuit. A graphics object is generated in response to detecting the beginning of the iteration. The graphics object is displayed on a display device and overlaid on a timeline associated with the sub-circuit. The graphics object has a bound that corresponds to the beginning of the iteration. The end of the iteration is detected based on the states of the associated set of handshake signals, and the graphics object is bounded on the timeline to indicate the end of the iteration.