Streaming Engine Debug Event Tracking in Autonomous Data Pipelines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Debugging techniques for digital signal processors (DSP) operating on real-time data streams, such as those derived from sensor data, video streams, or radar signals, are ineffective for autonomous streaming engines due to their autonomous operation, which bypasses traditional breakpoint methods.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating debug hardware within the streaming engine to detect and propagate debug events within the data stream, allowing the processor to take action when the data causing the event is consumed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional breakpoint techniques are used for debugging, then debugging is simple for single-processor systems, but debugging becomes ineffective for autonomous streaming engines that manage multi-dimensional data streams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebugging effectivenessVSAvoidapplicability to autonomous streaming engines

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary debugging mechanism that bridges the gap between traditional breakpoint techniques and autonomous streaming engines. Debug events are generated within the streaming engine and propagated through the data pipeline to the processor, allowing breakpoints to effectively debug autonomous data stream processing without halting the engine's autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The debugging system is segmented into distinct components: debug event generation logic within the streaming engine, debug event propagation through the data pipeline, and debug event handling at the processor. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently while maintaining effective debugging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If debug events are tracked through the data pipeline to the processor, then debugging capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebugging capabilityVSAvoiddebug hardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The debugging functionality is merged with the existing data pipeline infrastructure. Debug events are propagated through the same data paths that carry normal data streams, utilizing existing hardware resources rather than adding separate dedicated debugging hardware paths. This reduces overall system complexity while maintaining debugging capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The data pipeline is designed to serve dual purposes: normal data processing and debug event propagation. The same hardware infrastructure that processes data streams also transports debug events, eliminating the need for separate debugging hardware and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the processor halts to process debug events, then debugging accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebug event detection accuracyVSAvoiddata processing throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Debug events are generated and propagated in advance before the processor needs to consume the associated data elements. This preliminary action allows the processor to be notified of debug events ahead of time, enabling accurate debugging without requiring halts during critical data consumption operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The autonomous streaming engine continues its data processing operations continuously without interruption. Debug events are generated and propagated in parallel with normal data flow, maintaining continuous productive action while still enabling accurate debug event detection and handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Speed

If debug events are acted on immediately when generated, then debugging responsiveness is improved, but data scheduling efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebug event response speedVSAvoidmemory bandwidth efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Debug events are generated and propagated preliminarily before the processor consumes the associated data elements. This timing allows debug events to be acted upon at the optimal moment when the processor is ready, improving both responsiveness and maintaining data scheduling efficiency by avoiding premature or delayed handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12625793B2Tracking debug events from an autonomous module through a data pipeline

Publication Date: 2026.05.12 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC

AI summary

Devices, streaming engines and functionality are provided for identifying a debug event associated with a data element of a data stream, and performing debugging when a processor executes a software program in connection with the data stream. The debug event is tracked through a data pipeline to the processor. In an embodiment, the debug event is acted on only when the processor is ready to consume the data element associated with the debug event. In an embodiment, the debug event is determined by monitoring iteration counts of loop counters associated with an address generator and comparing the iteration counts to respective stored count values.