Multiplexing Logic for Signal Partitioning in Debug Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing debugging and testing software applications face performance issues due to excessive signals (stalls and events) generated during the debugging process, which overwhelm hardware systems and present unnecessary information to users.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to group and filter signals based on user-specified criteria using multiplexing logic that partitions status signals into classes, allowing users to select and receive only relevant stall or event class information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If debugging software monitors all hardware status signals (stalls and events), then comprehensive debugging information is obtained, but hardware system performance deteriorates and information overload occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the comprehensive set of status signals into multiple classes based on user-specified criteria. The multiplexing logic divides stalls and events into different categories, allowing selective monitoring of specific signal classes rather than all signals simultaneously. This segmentation reduces the total number of signals processed while maintaining access to comprehensive debugging information when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial monitoring by allowing users to select only specific classes of status signals relevant to their debugging needs. Instead of monitoring all possible stalls and events (excessive action), the system monitors a subset (partial action) determined by user criteria, thereby reducing performance impact while providing sufficient debugging information.
2Loss of information
If all status signals are presented to the user, then complete system status is visible, but user interface becomes cluttered with undesired information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates specific classes of status signals from the complete set using multiplexing logic. Users can select which classes to view, effectively taking out only the relevant information from the full system status. This extraction process filters out undesired information while preserving complete system status visibility for those who need it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complete system status into multiple classified groups based on user-specified criteria. This segmentation allows the user interface to display only the relevant segment (class) of status information at any given time, improving usability by preventing information overload while maintaining the option to view complete status when necessary.
3Ease of operation
If user-specified criteria are used to filter signals, then relevant information is provided, but additional processing complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiplexing logic as an intermediary component between the hardware status signals and the user interface. This intermediary implements the filtering based on user-specified criteria, managing the processing complexity within the hardware layer rather than requiring complex software processing. The multiplexing logic acts as a mediator that simplifies the overall system architecture by handling classification and filtering tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising generating status signals comprising stall and event information associated with a hardware system. The method also comprises multiplexing logic partitioning the status signals into classes according to one or more user-specified partition criteria.