IC Trigger Circuits and Event Counters for Selective Debugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional debug networks in ICs consume resources unnecessarily, are inflexible, and fail to provide meaningful data to users, often requiring extensive regression testing and manual data parsing.
Innovation Solution
A secondary circuit structure in ICs that is separate from the primary circuit structure, allowing users to selectively monitor resources, define trigger events, and capture relevant data with on-chip trace buffers, event counters, and trigger circuits, enabling efficient and tailored debugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a debug network is implemented by sharing configurable circuits with the primary circuit structure, then debug functionality is integrated into the IC, but resources available for user design are reduced and any change requires recompiling the entire IC design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the IC into separate circuit structures: a primary circuit structure for user design and a secondary circuit structure for debug functionality. This segmentation allows independent configuration and resource allocation, so debug resources do not compete with user design resources and changes to one do not require recompiling the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts debug functionality from the primary circuit structure into a separate secondary circuit structure. This extraction allows the debug network to operate independently without consuming resources needed for user design while still being integrated into the IC.
2Reliability
If a fixed-function debug network is implemented, then debug resources are dedicated and always available, but resources are wasted when debug functionality is not needed and the network cannot be customized for different user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reconfigurable secondary circuit structure that can be dynamically configured based on user needs. The debug network can be programmed to provide different monitoring and triggering functionality, allowing resources to be adapted to actual requirements rather than being permanently allocated for fixed functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary circuit structure is designed with universal, reconfigurable elements that can perform multiple debug functions. Instead of dedicated fixed-function circuits, the patent uses programmable logic and configurable interconnects that can be adapted to various debugging scenarios, reducing resource waste while maintaining reliability.
3Loss of information
If traditional debug networks monitor all signals continuously, then complete debugging data is captured, but data volume is excessive requiring extensive manual parsing and analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements trigger circuits that selectively capture only relevant debugging data based on predefined conditions. Instead of continuously monitoring all signals, the system captures data partially - only when trigger conditions are met - thereby reducing data volume and parsing time while maintaining completeness of relevant debugging information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses trigger circuits with feedback mechanisms that monitor signals and automatically capture data when specific conditions occur. This feedback-driven selective capture reduces the amount of data requiring manual analysis while ensuring that all relevant debugging information is preserved.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide an integrated circuit (“IC”). The IC includes multiple configurable circuits that configurably perform operations of a user design based on configuration data. The IC also includes a configurable trigger circuit that receives a set of configuration data that specifies an operational event. The configurable trigger circuit also determines whether the operational event has occurred during implementation of the user design of the IC. Additionally, the operational trigger event outputs a trigger signal upon determining that the operational trigger event has occurred.