Replicating Test Data in Memory Cache with Non-Naturally Aligned Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generating test cases for processors with varying memory alignment boundaries is labor-intensive and resource-costly, as prior art methods struggle to efficiently test all valid alignment scenarios while preserving necessary boundaries.
Innovation Solution
Replicating test data into a memory cache with non-naturally aligned data boundaries, allowing for the generation of test cases for a section of memory that can be replicated and tested using a single test, while preserving double word and quad word boundaries, thereby reducing the time needed to generate test cases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If test cases are generated for each valid alignment boundary separately, then comprehensive test coverage is achieved, but the time and resources required for test case generation and simulation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The test data is divided into segments with specific alignment boundaries (e.g., 2-byte, 4-byte, 8-byte boundaries). Each segment contains test data aligned to a specific boundary, allowing the testing system to efficiently test multiple alignment scenarios by processing segmented data rather than generating separate test cases for each boundary.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the alignment boundary parameter within the test data structure itself. By embedding multiple alignment boundaries (2-byte, 4-byte, 8-byte) within a single test data structure, the system can test different alignment scenarios by varying the boundary parameter rather than creating separate test cases for each alignment type.
2Reliability
If multiple test cases are created for multiple alignment boundaries, then all valid boundaries are tested, but the complexity of test case management and simulation overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single test case structure is designed to serve multiple alignment boundary testing purposes. The test data structure includes fields that can represent different alignment boundaries (2-byte, 4-byte, 8-byte) within the same structure, allowing one test case to perform the function of multiple specialized test cases.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple alignment boundary test scenarios are merged into a single integrated test case structure. Instead of managing separate test cases for each boundary type, the system combines all alignment boundary testing requirements into one unified test case that can be executed once to validate all boundaries.
3Reliability
If test data is replicated throughout memory with proper alignment preservation, then comprehensive alignment testing is achieved, but the memory resources and replication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a dimensional aspect to test data replication by organizing test data in a hierarchical structure with segments at different alignment levels (2-byte, 4-byte, 8-byte boundaries). This multi-dimensional organization allows efficient memory utilization while achieving comprehensive alignment coverage, as each dimension targets specific boundary requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Test data segments are nested within a hierarchical structure where smaller aligned segments (e.g., 2-byte boundaries) are contained within larger aligned segments (e.g., 4-byte, then 8-byte boundaries). This nesting allows the same memory space to serve multiple alignment testing purposes simultaneously, reducing overall memory resource requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Data is replicated into a memory cache with non-naturally aligned data boundaries to reduce the time needed to generate test cases for testing a processor. Placing data in the non-naturally aligned data boundaries as described herein allows replicated testing of the memory cache while preserving double word and quad word boundaries in segments of the replicated test data. This allows test cases to be generated for a section of memory and then replicated throughout the memory and tested by a single test branching back and using the next strand of the replicated test data in the memory cache.