Hardware Safety Diagnostics Engine for Processor Signal Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing diagnostic tests for processors are inefficient and introduce latency due to their software-based nature, which complicates the determination of active and idle modules during runtime, leading to unnecessary testing of unused modules.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Hardware Safety Diagnostics Engine (HSDE) circuitry within the processor, which identifies signal chains used by applications, determines when modules are idle, and runs diagnostic tests independently of software, reducing latency and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If software-based diagnostic tests are used, then diagnostic functionality can be implemented, but latency increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces software-based diagnostic tests with a hardware-based diagnostic engine that operates independently of the software execution path. This hardware engine directly monitors signal chains and module states, eliminating the latency introduced by software context switching and instruction processing, thereby resolving the contradiction between diagnostic functionality and execution speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic engine performs preliminary identification of active signal chains and module states before diagnostic testing begins. By pre-determining which modules are actively used and which are idle, the system can selectively apply diagnostics only where needed, reducing unnecessary testing time and improving overall efficiency while maintaining safety coverage.
2Reliability
If all modules are tested to ensure safety, then reliability improves, but device complexity and testing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies diagnostic testing locally only to signal chains and modules that are currently active or potentially active, rather than uniformly testing all modules. The diagnostic engine identifies which specific modules are used by the application and targets diagnostics accordingly, maintaining safety assurance for critical paths while reducing unnecessary testing complexity in inactive areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic strategy dynamically adapts to the current execution state of the application, continuously monitoring which modules are active and adjusting the diagnostic scope accordingly. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain comprehensive safety coverage when needed while simplifying testing when modules are idle, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
3Productivity
If runtime diagnostic testing is implemented, then productivity monitoring improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic engine operates periodically, monitoring module states and signal chain activity at intervals rather than continuously. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain runtime monitoring capability for productivity tracking while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous monitoring, as the diagnostic logic can be clock-gated or put into low-power states between monitoring cycles.
Data Source
AI summary
An example apparatus includes: interface circuitry; and diagnostic circuitry configured to: determine a set of signal chains that may be used by an application, a signal chain in the set to include an ordered sequence of one or more circuit modules; identify a first signal chain from the set that was used by the application; and run, in response to a determination that the circuit modules in the first signal chain are idle, a diagnostic test on the first signal chain.