Multicore Processor Debugging via Assignment Matrix Interruption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multicore processor systems face challenges in achieving consistent program state analysis due to the delay in stopping multiple threads, leading to inconsistent data and difficulty in error localization when executing programs with breakpoints and single-step commands.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses an assignment matrix to determine which processor cores to interrupt upon reaching a breakpoint, combined with inter-processor interrupts, allowing for rapid and targeted stopping of threads, ensuring data consistency and synchronizing thread execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional debugging methods are used in multicore processor systems, then the program can be stopped at breakpoints, but the time required to stop all processor cores is in the order of milliseconds, leading to inconsistent program data
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the debugging control by introducing an assignment matrix that divides the multicore system into independently controllable units. Each processor core's interruption is managed separately based on thread assignment information stored in the matrix, allowing precise control over which cores need to be stopped and when, rather than treating all cores as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The assignment matrix is pre-configured with thread-to-core assignment information before debugging begins. This preliminary setup allows the debugging device to immediately determine which processor cores need to be interrupted when a breakpoint is reached, eliminating the need for sequential querying and control during the actual debugging process.
2Reliability
If all processor cores are stopped to ensure data consistency, then reliable error analysis is possible, but the debugging process becomes complex and requires stopping threads that may not be relevant
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by selectively interrupting only those processor cores that are currently executing threads containing the breakpoint or are assigned to those threads. The assignment matrix enables differentiated treatment of processor cores based on their specific thread assignments, rather than applying a uniform stop-all-cores approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The assignment matrix serves as an intermediary data structure between the debugging device and the processor cores. It translates debugging commands into specific core interruption actions by providing the mapping information needed to determine which cores should be stopped, simplifying the control logic while ensuring reliability.
3Productivity
If threads are executed in rapid alternation on single-core systems, then pseudo-multitasking is achieved, but true temporal parallelism and consistent state analysis are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the execution control across multiple processor cores, allowing true parallel execution of different threads simultaneously. Each core executes its assigned thread independently based on the assignment matrix, maintaining both high productivity through parallelism and state consistency through coordinated interruption control.
Solution Approach 2:
The assignment matrix provides a universal control mechanism that works across all processor cores regardless of the number of cores or thread configurations. This multi-functional approach allows the same debugging methodology to be applied whether there are 2 cores or 64 cores, maintaining consistency while adapting to different system configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a multi-core processor system, wherein different of a program are each executed simultaneously by a different respective processor core of the multi-core processor system includes inserting a breakpoint in a first of the threads for interrupting the first processor core and instead executing an exception handling routine. At least one processor core to be additionally interrupted is determined with the exception handling routine on the basis of an association matrix, and an inter-processor interrupt (IPI) is sent to the at least one processor core by the exception handling routine in order to interrupt the at least one processor core.