Session Manager for Collaborative Hardware Debugging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hardware design and logic development tools lack collaborative features, making it difficult for geographically distributed teams to share and reproduce hardware debug states, leading to inefficiencies in resource consumption and product development cycles.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a client-server platform with microservices that facilitate state retention and sharing, allowing multiple instances of client applications to access and replicate the execution state of a logic design, enabling collaborative logic design and debugging through session management and heterogeneous data source integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional hardware design tools are used without collaborative features, then individual developers can work independently, but geographically distributed teams cannot efficiently share and reproduce hardware debug states

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaborative debugging capabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct components: a session manager that handles collaborative state management, multiple client applications that replicate execution states, and a defect analysis module. This segmentation allows each component to have a specialized function, enabling collaborative debugging without overwhelming system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A session manager acts as an intermediary between multiple client applications and the hardware debug session. It manages the replication and sharing of execution states, coordinating collaboration among distributed team members while abstracting the complexity of state synchronization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple instances of client applications are used to replicate execution state, then collaborative analysis and defect reproduction are enabled, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect reproduction accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of duplicating entire hardware systems, the invention creates software-based copies of execution states within the session manager. Multiple client applications access these replicated state representations, enabling defect reproduction without the resource overhead of physical hardware duplication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The session manager serves multiple functions: it manages execution state replication, coordinates multiple client applications, handles defect analysis, and facilitates collaborative debugging. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each task, optimizing resource utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If a session manager with state replication is implemented, then collaborative debugging among distributed teams is enabled, but the complexity of managing multiple client instances increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaborative development efficiencyVSAvoidsession management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The session manager implements feedback mechanisms that monitor the state of multiple client applications and automatically synchronize execution states. This feedback loop manages the complexity of coordinating multiple instances by providing real-time state information to all participants

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Client applications are designed to automatically replicate and access execution states from the session manager without requiring manual configuration. The system self-manages the complexity of instance coordination, allowing team members to collaborate efficiently without burdening them with system management tasks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11645193B2Heterogeneous services for enabling collaborative logic design and debug in aspect oriented hardware designing

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

A method for collaborative logic designing and debugging of a circuit includes initiating, via a session manager, a hardware debug session that includes a plurality of instances of client applications that can access one or more source-codes associated with a logic design of the circuit, the plurality of instances of client applications configured to replicate an execution state of the logic design. The method also includes analyzing, using an instance of a first client application from the plurality of instances of client applications, a defect in the logic design based on the execution state of the logic design. The method also includes editing, using an instance of a second client application from the plurality of instances of client applications, the one or more source-codes, to repair the defect in the logic design.