Structured Virtual Registers for Embedded Controller Memory Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The difficulty in determining the location of virtual registers in embedded systems' memory makes manual configuration tedious and error-prone, especially when the layout changes, leading to potential fragmentation and errors in software updates.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual register structure definition that allows for structured access and management of virtual registers, enabling external access via buses and direct memory access, with the option to delay or deny access, and using a local copy of the structure definition for efficient data storage and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual registers are implemented in memory without a structured definition, then flexibility and ease of adding registers are improved, but the difficulty of determining register locations and the error-proneness of manual configuration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual register structure definition enables the system to automatically determine and manage register locations without manual intervention. The structured definition serves itself by providing the information needed to locate and access virtual registers, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual register structure definition acts as an intermediary between the host system and the virtual registers in memory. It provides a structured interface that simplifies access to register locations, mediating between the external host and the internal memory implementation details.
2Ease of manufacture
If manual determination of virtual register locations is used, then implementation simplicity is improved, but tediousness and error-proneness of program development increase
Solution Approach 1:
The structured definition enables automatic determination of virtual register locations through compilation, eliminating manual determination tasks. The system serves itself by using the structure definition to automatically map and access register locations, saving developer time and reducing errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of determining register locations with an automated compilation process. The compiler automatically translates high-level code references into the appropriate memory addresses based on the structure definition, substituting manual work with automated mechanical processing.
3Quantity of substance
If physical hardware registers are added to increase functionality, then the number of accessible registers is improved, but hardware design complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtual registers that are copies or simulations of physical hardware registers, implemented in software memory rather than physical hardware. This allows the system to provide access to many more registers without adding physical hardware, reducing complexity while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The structured virtual register definition provides a universal interface that can access both physical hardware registers and software-implemented virtual registers through the same mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle different types of registers uniformly without increasing hardware complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for using structured virtual registers in embedded systems are described. A virtual register structure definition provides a map of virtual registers within an embedded controller. The virtual registers are externally accessible and correspond to memory locations within the embedded controller. In various embodiments, an embedded controller and/or an external entity may store data in or read data from the virtual registers using the virtual register structure definition. The problems of manual tracking of virtual register addresses and manual transcription of virtual register addresses to program code are ameliorated. When the virtual register map changes, logical references in program code to particular virtual registers need not necessarily be changed.