Power Line Modem Debugging for Low Pin-Count Semiconductor Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for lower pin-count semiconductor devices poses challenges in debugging and testing, as existing solutions require overhead pins that are not always available, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in debugging performance, especially in complex systems with dimensional constraints.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a power line modem within the semiconductor device to facilitate debugging and tracing operations using existing power lines, eliminating the need for external overhead pins by enabling communication through a power line communication channel, which includes a debug module and a power line modem to exchange command and data signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of overhead pins is reduced to meet lower pin-count device requirements, then device integration and pin efficiency are improved, but debugging and testing capabilities deteriorate due to limited availability of overhead pins
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply line is made multi-functional by enabling it to carry both power delivery and debug/trace communication signals simultaneously. The power line modem allows the existing power infrastructure to serve dual purposes, eliminating the need for dedicated debug pins while maintaining full debugging capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses its own power supply infrastructure to provide debugging services. Instead of requiring external debug pins, the system leverages the already-present power lines within the device package to carry debug signals, making the power distribution network serve the additional function of communication.
2Ease of operation
If additional overhead pins are added to improve debugging capability, then debugging and testing capabilities are improved, but device pin-count and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply line is transformed into a multi-functional conduit that simultaneously provides electrical power and carries debug communication signals. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated debug pins, maintaining debugging capability while avoiding any increase in pin-count or device complexity.
3Device complexity
If ultrasound debugging is used to avoid additional pins, then pin-count is reduced, but stability and electromagnetic compatibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The power line modem acts as an intermediary that enables stable and reliable debug communication through the power supply lines. Instead of using unstable ultrasound waves, the modem modulates debug signals onto the existing power infrastructure, providing a stable communication channel that is inherently more reliable than ultrasound-based approaches.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the pin count requirement, allows for continuous functionality checks, and improves debugging performance without increasing board dimensions or costs, enabling efficient debugging in constrained environments, such as automotive and medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
a power line modem coupled with said power supply line and said debug module to exchange said semiconductor die debug command and data signals over said power supply line
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device, for example an integrated circuit such as a microcontroller (MCU) or a digital signal processor (DSP), includes a semiconductor die coupled with a power supply line, a debug module coupled with the semiconductor die to exchange semiconductor die debug command and data signals with the semiconductor die, and a modem coupled with the power supply line. The debug module is arranged to convey the semiconductor die debug command and data signals over the power supply line.