Integrated Circuit Simulation Synchronization via Delta Cycle Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional integrated circuit simulation systems fail to maintain a consistent hardware state across multiple processor modules, leading to diminished simulation value due to their sequential nature, which results in inconsistent states during investigation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that introduces a delta cycle for simulation synchronization, allowing simulation to be stopped at points where all modules are synchronized, enabling investigative agents to examine the state effectively by using a simulation stopper software that maintains a list of active requests and ensures all modules are in a consistent state before stopping the simulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If simulation is performed in a sequential manner for multiple processors, then the simulation can be executed, but the hardware state becomes inconsistent across modules at any single point in the simulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces periodic synchronization points (delta cycles) within the simulation process. At these periodic intervals, all processor modules are forced to synchronize their state, ensuring consistency. The simulation alternates between executing processor instructions and performing synchronization operations, creating a rhythmic pattern of execution-synchronization-execution that maintains state consistency while enabling continuous simulation progress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a simulation manager as an intermediary component that coordinates between multiple processor modules and investigative agents. The simulation manager receives stop requests, determines appropriate synchronization points, and controls when simulation should pause to maintain consistency. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of multi-processor coordination from individual modules, enabling consistent state management across the entire simulation system.
2Ease of operation
If an investigative agent stops simulation to investigate hardware state, then debugging can be performed, but the hardware state of one module does not correspond to the hardware state of another module
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the simulation manager monitors simulation progress and module state consistency. When an investigative agent requests a stop, the simulation manager receives this feedback, evaluates whether stopping at the current point would maintain consistency, and either grants the stop request at a synchronized point or delays it until the next synchronization point. This feedback loop ensures that debugging operations only occur when all modules are in a consistent state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary synchronization actions before allowing investigative agents to stop the simulation. The simulation manager proactively advances the simulation to the next synchronization point where all modules will be consistent, then pauses at that predetermined safe point. This preliminary action of pre-synchronizing ensures that when debugging occurs, all modules are guaranteed to be in a consistent state, eliminating the need for complex state reconciliation during investigation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processors are simulated together, then the interaction between processors can be analyzed, but the sequential simulation approach creates inconsistent simulated hardware state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the simulation process into distinct phases: execution phases where individual processors advance their instructions, and synchronization phases where all processors align their states. This segmentation allows each processor to be simulated independently during execution phases while maintaining overall system consistency through periodic synchronization phases. The investigative agents can then stop at these clearly defined phase boundaries where state consistency is guaranteed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for simulating hardware is disclosed wherein stopping the simulating for investigating a state of the simulating is constrained to occur at points of simulation synchronization. A delta cycle may be inserted into a simulation to provide a point of simulation synchronization. The delta cycle may be inserted at the beginning of a simulation loop.