Protocol Event Recording Circuit for Non-Intrusive FlexRay Debugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication controller units face challenges in debugging during high event rate periods, such as startup phases, due to intrusive methods that disrupt protocol execution and consume system resources, making it difficult to derive the reason for malfunction in communication systems like FlexRay.
Innovation Solution
An advanced communication controller unit with a protocol event recording circuit that filters and stores protocol event data without interrupting the protocol execution, allowing for non-intrusive debugging by configuring parameters to select relevant events for recording and storing them in a memory device, such as a FIFO buffer, for later analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If status information is traced by accessing and reading from status registers during protocol execution, then debugging information can be acquired, but system resources are consumed and protocol execution may be disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing protocol event data in a buffer memory during protocol execution without interruption. The trace data is captured and stored in advance, allowing debugging information to be retrieved later without consuming system resources during critical protocol operations. This resolves the contradiction by separating the data capture phase (during execution) from the data retrieval phase (during debugging).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary buffer memory structure that mediates between the protocol execution path and the debugging observation path. This buffer acts as a decoupling element, allowing protocol events to be recorded without requiring real-time access to status registers during execution. The intermediary buffer enables debugging information to be obtained without directly interfering with the protocol execution flow.
2Loss of information
If breakpoints are inserted to interrupt protocol execution for reading status information, then detailed status data can be obtained, but protocol execution is interrupted and other nodes continue changing states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by allowing protocol execution to proceed uninterrupted while simultaneously capturing trace data in the buffer memory. The protocol state machine continues its normal operation without interruption, ensuring that other nodes maintain consistent state transitions. The useful action of protocol execution continues uninterrupted while debugging information is captured as a side effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies copying by creating a duplicate record of protocol events in the buffer memory rather than directly reading the original status registers during execution. This copy mechanism allows the original protocol execution to proceed unchanged while a parallel copy of the event data is maintained for debugging purposes, ensuring state consistency is not compromised.
3Productivity
If only part of events are traced during high event rates to reduce influence on protocol flow, then system disturbance is reduced, but complete debugging information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automated event filtering mechanism within the buffer memory that selectively stores relevant protocol events based on pre-configured criteria. The system automatically determines which events to capture without requiring manual intervention or reducing the overall event rate. This allows complete protocol execution to continue while the buffer intelligently captures only the most diagnostically valuable events, maintaining both execution efficiency and information completeness.
Data Source
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AI summary
An advanced communication controller unit for a distributed communication system having a plurality of communication controller units, at least one being an advanced communication controller unit, each coupled to a communication medium and adapted to communicate using a communication is presented. The advanced communication controller unit comprises a protocol event recording circuit having a monitoring input connected to at least one protocol event data transmission path of the advanced communication controller unit and a debug output connected to a memory device; and adapted to filter protocol event data received from the monitoring input depending on at least one configuration parameter and to provide filtered protocol event data to the debug output. A method for recording protocol events using a protocol event recording circuit in an advanced communication controller unit and a vehicle comprising at least one advanced communication controller unit are also disclosed.