Pseudo Dedicated Debug Port via Application Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current debug methods for general-purpose processors either provide limited visibility and control through application interfaces or a wide range of capabilities but require a dedicated debug interface, which can be intrusive and impractical for remote or deployed systems, especially when the system becomes inoperable.
Innovation Solution
The solution creates a pseudo dedicated Debug Port by utilizing an application interface that offers expanded debug capabilities, allowing concurrent use with other system activities, enabling remote debugging through Access Points like USB, Ethernet, and WLAN, and supporting specialized APs such as CONFIGURATION-AP and SECURITY-AP, ensuring operability even when the system is inoperable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated debug interface is used, then a wide range of visibility and control is provided, but the system becomes intrusive and impractical for remote or deployed systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the application interface multi-functional by enabling it to provide both its original application functions and debug functions. The application interface is configured to allow a debug control function to access debug features through it, effectively making it serve dual purposes: normal application communication and debugging operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the debug interface functionality with the application interface. Instead of using a separate dedicated debug interface, the debug control function is integrated through the existing application interface, combining what were previously separate functions into a unified interface that handles both application and debugging tasks.
2Reliability
If an application interface is used for debug, then the system remains operable during debug, but the debug capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The application interface is enhanced to provide extended debug capabilities while maintaining system operability. It now supports not only basic application communication but also comprehensive debug functions including access to debug features, visibility into processor state, and control operations, all while the system continues to run.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent configures the application interface in advance to support debug operations. The interface is pre-configured with the necessary protocols and access methods that allow the debug control function to operate through it, enabling debugging to be performed before any system failures occur and maintaining operability throughout the debugging process.
3Ease of operation
If an application interface is used for debug, then remote debugging is enabled, but the available bandwidth is reduced for other system activities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interface bandwidth by implementing priority-based access control. The application interface is divided into different access priorities, allowing critical system activities to maintain high-bandwidth access while debug operations utilize available bandwidth during idle or low-priority periods. This segmentation enables remote debugging capability while minimizing impact on overall system productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is shown to provide remote access to one or more debug access points whose functions include capabilities other than accessing memories across an application interface such as USB, IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet) and other protocols. The capabilities available include all or many of the capabilities provided by a dedicated debug interface.