STL Diagnostic Data Harvesting via Virtual Tunnels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Software Test Libraries (STLs) for Functional Safety do not allow for the external harvesting of diagnostic test data, requiring timely and costly in-house diagnostic and troubleshooting processes, especially in automotive and industrial systems, where hardware failures cannot be remotely collected or dynamically analyzed.
Innovation Solution
A software framework and service that enables the collection and external communication of STL diagnostic test data through the cloud or fog system, using virtual tunnels for secure one-way data access, allowing for remote error analysis and live streaming of diagnostic data, and equipping System-on-Chip (SoC) with STL capabilities to harvest and communicate relevant data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional STLs are used for functional safety, then diagnostic test data can be collected locally, but external harvesting of diagnostic data is not possible, requiring costly in-house diagnostic processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based intermediary system that acts as a mediator between the embedded STL diagnostic data and external users. The cloud platform receives diagnostic data from multiple sources, processes it centrally, and enables remote access without modifying the original STL implementation, thus maintaining functional safety while enabling external harvesting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions diagnostic data access from a single local dimension to multiple dimensions by enabling data to be accessed both locally at the embedded system and remotely via cloud infrastructure, creating a multi-dimensional access architecture that preserves original functionality while adding external capabilities
2Measurement precision
If in-house diagnostic processes are used, then diagnostic data can be analyzed, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-processing and structuring diagnostic data in the cloud before it is needed, creating ready-to-analyze data repositories with standardized formats and pre-computed metrics, so that when diagnostic analysis is required, the work is already partially completed, reducing both time and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of diagnostic data in the cloud that can be analyzed remotely without affecting the original data sources. Multiple copies can be distributed to different analysts or systems simultaneously, enabling parallel analysis and reducing overall diagnostic time while maintaining data integrity
3Productivity
If hardware failures occur in remote systems, then system operation continues, but remote monitoring and live streaming of diagnostic data is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes continuous feedback loops where diagnostic data is continuously collected from operating systems, transmitted to the cloud platform, and made available for real-time monitoring. This ongoing feedback enables remote systems to be monitored without interrupting their operation, and failure information is captured and transmitted as it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by implementing continuous data collection and transmission mechanisms that operate throughout the system lifecycle. The diagnostic data stream continues uninterrupted from the embedded system through the cloud platform, enabling continuous remote monitoring and immediate detection of hardware failures without system downtime
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure generally provides methods, systems and apparatus for functional safety systems. In one implementation, a shim layer of software codes that maps into register information collects diagnostic error data. The data is then channeled through one or more virtual tunnels into a Host-based STL. The virtual tunnels are unidirectional to only provide Read access and thereby prevent unauthorized Write access. In another embodiment, the information is provided to external subscribers. The external subscribers may gain access to different levels of data according to the subscription level.