SoC Debug Network with Central and Local Controllers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of semiconductor chips, such as System on Chips (SoCs), leads to longer design and verification times due to the difficulty in debugging errors during the design process, necessitating an efficient debugging technique to improve reliability and reduce development time.
Innovation Solution
A system-on-chip with a network for debugging Intellectual Property (IP) that includes a central controller and local controllers, which communicate to detect and transmit error information, allowing for efficient error detection and recovery within the design process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the degree of integration of semiconductor chip is increased, then the functionality and processing capability are improved, but the design and verification time is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The debugging system is segmented into a central controller and multiple local controllers, each responsible for specific IP blocks. This segmentation allows parallel debugging operations across different IP blocks, significantly reducing the overall debugging time while maintaining comprehensive coverage of the high integration system.
Solution Approach 2:
Debugging resources and controllers are pre-configured within the chip design before verification. The local controllers are integrated with respective IP blocks, enabling immediate error detection and information retrieval without requiring external debugging equipment, thus reducing verification time.
2Productivity
If the degree of integration of semiconductor chip is increased, then the processing capability is improved, but the debugging difficulty is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
Local controllers act as intermediaries between the central controller and individual IP blocks. When an error occurs in a highly integrated system, the central controller can query the specific local controller managing the affected IP block, which then provides targeted error information. This intermediary structure simplifies debugging complexity by breaking down the large system into manageable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The debugging system implements feedback mechanisms where local controllers continuously monitor their respective IP blocks and immediately report errors to the central controller. This real-time feedback enables quick identification and resolution of debugging issues in complex high integration systems, reducing the difficulty of detecting and measuring errors.
3Measurement precision
If additional hardware or software is added for debugging, then the error detection capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The debugging functionality is merged with the existing chip architecture by integrating local controllers within the chip itself rather than adding separate external debugging equipment. This merging approach provides comprehensive error detection capability while minimizing additional hardware complexity, as the debugging resources share the same physical substrate as the functional IP blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The local controllers are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as part of the normal chip operation and as debugging agents. These controllers can perform regular operational tasks while simultaneously monitoring for errors and providing debugging information, thus improving error detection capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a system-on-chip. A central controller is configured to, in response to a request from a host, generate a first signal for requesting error information related to an error from a design of an IP. A local controller is configured to generate a second signal including the error information of the target IP if the request from the host is determined to be for the target IP based on the first signal.