Compiler-Generated Syntax Trees for Flexible Protocol Decoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for decoding physical signals and bitstreams in network communications are time-consuming, error-prone, and limited to specific protocols, making them inflexible and inefficient for handling arbitrary communication protocols.
Innovation Solution
A declarative language-based system that uses compiler-generated abstract syntax trees to decode physical signals, allowing for the specification of protocol declarations that can translate arbitrary physical input signals into protocol-specific bitstreams, enabling flexible decoding across various network protocols without requiring extensive programming expertise or memory access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Turing complete languages (C or Python) are used to write protocol decoders, then the decoders can handle complex protocol specifications, but the development process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate domain-specific language (DSL) that serves as a mediator between protocol specifications and implementation. The DSL provides a structured, declarative way to describe protocols that can be automatically compiled into executable decoder code, eliminating manual programming while ensuring correctness through formal semantics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual decoder programming in Turing-complete languages with an automated compilation process. The compiler systematically translates DSL specifications into optimized decoder implementations, eliminating manual coding errors and reducing development time.
2Reliability
If protocol decoders are specially written for each protocol type, then accurate decoding can be achieved, but the system becomes inflexible and cannot handle arbitrary communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal decoder framework that can handle multiple protocol types through a single system. The domain-specific language and compiler provide a generic mechanism that adapts to different protocols by interpreting their specifications, eliminating the need for separate specialized decoders while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables protocol adaptability by allowing protocol-specific parameters and configurations to be defined in the DSL. The compiler generates decoders with these parameters embedded, allowing the same framework to accurately decode different protocols by changing the specification parameters rather than the underlying system.
3Ease of operation
If conventional declarative languages with regular expressions are used for protocol description, then some protocols can be described, but complex protocol specifications cannot be expressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol description into distinct, structured components within the DSL, such as message definitions, field specifications, and encoding rules. This segmentation allows complex protocols to be described systematically by breaking them into manageable parts while maintaining overall coherence and enabling comprehensive specification coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for converting physical input signals into bitstreams using syntax trees regardless of the physical input signal's protocol. Using declarative language definitions within a protocol declaration, a test and measurement system can compile a syntax tree that automatically translates the input data into a proper bitstream output. The declarative language definitions within the protocol declaration allow custom or standard protocol rules to be written for multiple or arbitrary input protocols without writing unsafe functions, having to access memory, or debugging more complex language codes.