IP-XACT Address Map Debugging for SoC Address Transformation Errors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of creating a system-level address map in complex integrated circuits (ICs) is time-consuming and error-prone, especially for modern SoCs, due to manual handling of address analysis, which includes unreachable targets, register and memory aliasing, and overlapping addresses.
Innovation Solution
A system-level address map is generated using a software tool that creates a tree representation of the IC, traverses the system from targets to initiators, and reports the results in text and graphical formats, identifying errors such as masked addresses and overlaps, and allows interactive configuration updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual address analysis is performed by system designers, then detailed address map creation is possible, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating the system-level address map through software tools that traverse the interconnect tree and calculate address transformations, eliminating the need for manual designer intervention in the address analysis process
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of address analysis by designers is replaced with an automated software-based system that uses tree traversal algorithms and data models to compute address maps, substituting human effort with computational automation
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual address analysis is performed, then complex address schemes can be handled, but human errors increase in complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system handles complex address schemes independently without human intervention, using software tools to traverse the interconnect tree and calculate address transformations, thereby eliminating human errors while maintaining full capability to handle complex address configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by reporting the generated address map and detected issues (such as unreachable targets, aliasing, and overlaps) to the user in text and/or graphic formats, enabling verification and debugging of the automated results
3Loss of information
If detailed address analysis is performed manually, then comprehensive address map is created, but the process becomes tedious and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs comprehensive address analysis by traversing the entire interconnect tree and evaluating each target node, ensuring complete address map generation without manual effort, thereby maintaining information completeness while dramatically improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically calculating address transformations and generating the complete address map before user review, ensuring all address information is comprehensively analyzed and documented in advance
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with various embodiments and aspects of the invention, systems and methods are disclosed that create a system-level address map and create a report. A system description of an electronic system (e.g., integrated circuit (IC)) is received that includes configuration parameters. A tree representation of the system is created based on the interconnect of the system. Each port of the system is assigned a tree node. To create a corresponding system-level address map, the tree representation is traversed from target(s) to initiator(s), calculating the address transformation at each node. A report of the system-level address map is created, and defects such as address duplication, missing addresses, etc. can be identified and reported to the user.