Instruction Tracer Circuitry for Non-Intrusive Logging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuits face challenges in efficiently logging commands executed by processing units without impacting performance or execution time, particularly in systems requiring multiple processing units for advanced features, as traditional logging methods can cause resource contention and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit with an instruction tracer circuitry that intercepts store instructions, retrieves logging data, and generates logging packets without stalling the processing unit, allowing non-intrusive monitoring and reducing resource contention by direct coupling to the processing unit, and optionally adding time references and memory addresses to enhance debugging features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional logging methods are used to log commands executed by processing units, then logging functionality is provided, but resource contention and increased latency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the logging function from the main processing unit by introducing a separate instruction tracer circuitry that operates independently. This circuitry is specifically designed to trace store instructions and generate logging packets without interfering with the processing unit's normal execution, thereby eliminating resource contention while maintaining logging functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The instruction tracer circuitry acts as an intermediary between the processing unit and the logging system. It intercepts store instructions, retrieves logging data, and generates logging packets through a dedicated path that does not share resources with the processing unit, thus avoiding resource contention and latency issues.
2Ease of operation
If store instructions are intercepted to retrieve logging data, then non-intrusive monitoring is achieved, but additional circuitry is required
Solution Approach 1:
The instruction tracer circuitry is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a tracing mechanism for software profiling and as a logging system. It can trace any store instruction to a predetermined memory region, making it a universal solution that handles various logging scenarios without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The instruction tracer circuitry automatically traces store instructions and generates logging packets without requiring external intervention or complex configuration. It self-manages the tracing process by detecting store instructions, retrieving logging data, and generating packets autonomously, which simplifies the overall system operation despite the added circuitry.
3Reliability
If logging data is stored in a predetermined memory region, then logging is enabled, but memory resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system allocates a predetermined memory region specifically for logging data before the logging process begins. This pre-allocation ensures that logging data has a dedicated storage location without interfering with other memory usage, and the memory region is optimized for the specific purpose of storing logging information efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The predetermined memory region is designated with specific local characteristics suitable for logging data storage. This dedicated memory area has optimized access patterns and storage characteristics that are locally tailored for logging operations, improving efficiency compared to using general-purpose memory resources.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes at least one processing unit for executing instructions of at least one computer program. The at least one computer program includes at least one logging command with at least one store instruction to store logging data within a memory region. The integrated circuit includes at least one instruction tracer circuitry configurable for tracing instructions executed by the at least one processing unit, and respectively coupled to the at least one processing unit. Wherein the at least one instruction tracer circuitry is configured to i) intercept the at least one store instruction to the memory region when executed by the at least one processing unit; ii) retrieve the logging data from the intercepted store instruction; and iii) generate a logging packet including the logging data.