Interrupt Circuitry for Diagnosing Unresponsive Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In data processing systems, determining why processing circuitry has become unresponsive is challenging due to the need to balance outputting sufficient diagnostic data without overwhelming amounts of information, and security concerns around accessing data managed by unresponsive circuitry.
Innovation Solution
A data processing apparatus and method that includes interrupt generating and receiving circuitry to route interrupts to handler processing circuitry, allowing access to data managed by unresponsive processing circuitry, enabling diagnosis and potential data recovery or secure data handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If trace data is output to diagnose unresponsive processing circuitry, then diagnostic information is obtained, but the amount of data becomes overwhelming and complicates analysis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary diagnostic information (register states, instruction pointers, condition codes) from the processing circuitry at the moment of unresponsiveness, rather than outputting comprehensive trace data. This selective extraction provides sufficient diagnostic information while avoiding overwhelming data volumes that would complicate analysis.
2Loss of information
If data is accessed from unresponsive processing circuitry for diagnosis, then diagnostic information is obtained, but security concerns arise regarding access to managed data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where another processing circuitry, upon receiving an interrupt signal, safely accesses the data managed by the unresponsive circuitry. This intermediary access allows diagnostic information to be obtained without creating direct security vulnerabilities, as the access is controlled and purposeful rather than unauthorized.
3Loss of time
If recording of transactions starts after processing circuitry becomes unresponsive, then the event has already occurred and diagnostic value is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by capturing and holding the state of the processing circuitry (register values, instruction pointers, condition codes) at the exact moment the unresponsive event occurs, through the interrupt mechanism. This ensures diagnostic information is preserved immediately when needed, eliminating the timing issue that would prevent recording after the event.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing apparatus is provided comprising first processing circuitry. Interrupt generating circuitry generates an outgoing interrupt in response to the first processing circuitry becoming unresponsive. Interrupt receiving circuitry receives an incoming interrupt, which indicates that second processing circuitry has become unresponsive, and in response to receiving the incoming interrupt, causes the data processing apparatus to access data managed by the second processing circuitry.