Packing Circuitry for Trace Protocol Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Data processing systems with multiple trace data sources face challenges in combining trace data streams due to incompatible trace protocols, leading to increased pin count and separate inputs/outputs, and require flexible formatting for trace data analysis.

Innovation Solution

A data processing apparatus that includes a trace data receiver and packing circuitry to convert source trace data streams into a packed trace data stream with acceptance data elements of varying bit-length, allowing for flexible formatting and compatibility with different trace protocols, while ensuring source data elements remain recoverable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate trace mechanisms are provided for each trace data source, then each data processing element can be separately traced, but pin count increases and separate inputs/outputs are required for each trace data source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrace capabilityVSAvoidpin count

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate trace data streams from different data processing elements are merged into a single combined trace data stream. The packing circuitry consolidates trace packets from multiple sources (processor core, DSP, memory system) onto one output interface, reducing pin count while maintaining individual trace capability for each element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single trace output interface serves multiple data processing elements simultaneously. The universal trace mechanism can handle trace data from any combination of trace sources through the packing circuitry, eliminating the need for dedicated separate outputs for each element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate trace mechanisms are provided for each trace data source, then each data processing element can be separately traced, but separate inputs and outputs need to be provided for each trace data source

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrace capabilityVSAvoidinput/output requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If different source trace protocols are used for different trace data sources, then each data processing element can use its own protocol, but incompatible trace data formats prevent combination into a single stream

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidformat compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packing circuitry acts as an intermediary between trace sources with different protocols and the trace accepting circuitry. It receives trace packets in various source protocols, applies appropriate packing rules to standardize the format, and outputs a unified trace stream that maintains protocol-specific information while ensuring compatibility with the trace accepting circuitry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The packing circuitry dynamically changes format parameters based on the source protocol being processed. Different packing rules are applied depending on the protocol type, transforming diverse trace data formats into a standardized output format that preserves the essential characteristics of each source while ensuring compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If trace data is converted to a predetermined format for trace accepting circuitry, then compatibility with trace analysis tools is improved, but flexibility in formatting is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformat flexibilityVSAvoidformat compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8001428B2Packing trace protocols within trace streams

Publication Date: 2011.08.16 ARM LTD

AI summary

A data processing apparatus is provided with packing circuitry 130 arranged to receive said source data elements from said trace data receiver and applies a packing protocol to said source data elements to pack data of source data elements of a source trace stream into a packed trace data stream for supply to trace accepting circuitry in a format comprising acceptance data elements. The acceptance data elements have a bit-length that is not a factor of the source data element bit-length. In some arrangements the source data elements are non byte-sized data elements. In alternative arrangements, the packing circuitry packs a first positive integer number of source data elements into a data chunk comprising a second, different positive integer number of acceptance data elements. In further alternative arrangements the source trace protocol has a variable packet size and the data chunk is formed from a first portion comprising data of the source data elements and a further portion comprising a size-indicating code.