Signal Analyzer Buffering for High-Frequency IC Debug Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing debug mechanisms for programmable integrated circuits (ICs) lack sufficient bandwidth to capture high-frequency signals continuously, necessitating a trade-off between capturing signals and time duration, limiting designer visibility into custom designs.
Innovation Solution
A signal analyzer circuit with a circular buffer and FIFO buffer system that opportunistically captures and transmits critical and opportunistic data based on trigger and storage qualifier conditions, using a communication channel to external memory, allowing for extended visibility and efficient data handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing debug mechanisms are used to capture high-frequency signals, then signal capture capability is limited, but bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the buffer system into multiple regions: a circular buffer for continuous sampling and FIFO buffers for trigger-based data storage. This segmentation allows different types of signal data to be handled differently, enabling continuous monitoring without requiring full bandwidth for all signals simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by continuously sampling signals into the circular buffer before any trigger event occurs. When a trigger condition is met, the relevant data is already captured and can be immediately transferred to FIFO buffers for analysis, eliminating the need for high bandwidth during actual debugging events.
2Loss of information
If continuous signal capture is implemented, then designer visibility improves, but memory bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different buffer characteristics to different data needs: the circular buffer provides continuous overwriting storage for general monitoring, while FIFO buffers provide first-come-first-served storage for critical trigger events. This localized optimization ensures memory bandwidth is consumed only when necessary for specific debugging events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements partial action by continuously sampling only the necessary signals into the circular buffer at reduced resolution, and only transferring data to FIFO buffers when trigger conditions are met. This partial sampling approach maintains adequate designer visibility while significantly reducing overall memory bandwidth consumption compared to full continuous capture.
3Loss of information
If more signals are captured, then debugging comprehensiveness improves, but storage capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a temporal dimension to signal capture by implementing a time-based trigger system. Instead of storing all signals indefinitely in a single large buffer, the system captures signals across time using the circular buffer's continuous overwrite capability, and uses triggers to selectively preserve important time windows in FIFO buffers. This dimensional approach allows comprehensive debugging coverage with limited storage capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes a monitored circuit and a signal analyzer circuit. The signal analyzer circuit includes a logic circuit that determines if a condition signal satisfies a condition to generate an output signal. A first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer circuit stores opportunistic data indicated by a monitored signal received from the monitored circuit in response to the output signal indicating if the condition signal satisfies the condition. A communication channel transmits the opportunistic data stored in the FIFO buffer circuit outside the integrated circuit.