Integrated Protocol Analyzer and Software Debugger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software developers face difficulties in debugging complex systems with multiple internal and external communication channels and protocols, as they often need to switch between non-integrated tools that do not communicate effectively, hindering the debugging process, especially in modern embedded systems where software functionality overlaps with hardware.
Innovation Solution
Integration of software debuggers and protocol bus analysis tools within a unified environment, allowing for synchronized control and recording of code execution and communication traffic, enabling real-time triggering and filtering, and automatic data capture based on code breakpoints or protocol events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If developers use separate non-integrated tools for software debugging and protocol analysis, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the developer must switch between tools and the tools do not communicate effectively, increasing time loss and reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines software debugger functionality and protocol analyzer functionality into a single integrated device. The integrated device includes a processor that executes software code and a protocol analyzer that captures communication traffic, with both functions controlled through a unified interface. This merging eliminates the need for developers to switch between separate tools, directly resolving the contradiction by maintaining functional optimization while eliminating tool-switching time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions including software code execution, software debugging, protocol analysis, and communication traffic capture through a single unified platform. The device can operate in different modes and handle various debugging scenarios through its multi-functional capabilities, allowing one device to replace multiple specialized tools and thereby improving productivity without sacrificing the specialized functionality of each component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If developers use multiple non-integrated tools for debugging, then each tool can operate independently with specialized features, but the complexity of managing multiple tools and their interactions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple specialized tools into a single integrated device that maintains the specialized capabilities of each component while eliminating the complexity of managing multiple independent tools. The integrated device includes a processor for code execution and a protocol analyzer for communication capture, both controlled through a unified interface, thereby reducing management complexity while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device acts as an intermediary platform that coordinates between software debugging operations and protocol analysis functions. The unified control interface serves as a mediator that allows developers to access and control both specialized functionalities through a single point of interaction, thereby reducing the complexity of managing multiple tools while maintaining the specialized features of each.
3Measurement precision
If protocol analysis is performed manually through separate devices, then detailed protocol inspection is possible, but the debugging process becomes more time-consuming and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines protocol analysis capabilities with software debugging functionality in a single integrated device. The protocol analyzer captures communication traffic while the processor executes and debugs software code, and both functions are accessible through a unified interface. This merging allows detailed protocol inspection to be performed without time loss from switching between separate devices, as the protocol analysis occurs concurrently with software execution in the same toolset.
4Manufacturing precision
If developers need to correlate software execution with hardware communication, then accurate debugging is possible, but requiring switching between non-integrated tools impedes the process
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated device merges software code execution monitoring with hardware communication traffic capture in a single unified platform. The processor executes software while the protocol analyzer simultaneously captures communication traffic, and both datasets are available for correlation analysis through the same interface. This integration enables accurate correlation between software execution and hardware communication without the productivity loss from switching tools, as both data sources are accessible concurrently within the same environment.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, the subject matter described in this disclosure can be embodied in methods, systems, and program products for controlling a protocol analysis device when a code execution breakpoint is encountered. The method includes displaying computer code in a user interface of a software development program. The computer code includes a breakpoint. The computing system receives user input to cause a first hardware device to execute the computer code. The computing system instructs the first hardware device to execute the computer code. The computing system instructs a protocol analysis device that is in communication with the computing system to begin recording data that is transmitted between the first hardware device and a second hardware device. The computing system determines that execution of the computer code has reached the breakpoint and as a result instructs the protocol analysis device to start or stop recording the data.