Unified Hardware Software Debugging Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debugging integrated circuits with hardware blocks in programmable logic is challenging due to the separation of hardware and software debugging processes, requiring different skill sets and being time-consuming, as conventional methods do not facilitate integrated debugging of both hardware and software effectively.
Innovation Solution
A unified debugging system that integrates hardware and software debugging using a common interface, allowing users to step through hardware operations cycle-by-cycle and record variables, providing recorded values to users, and enabling features like breakpoints typically associated with software debugging for hardware debugging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware and software debugging are performed separately using conventional methods, then each debugging process can be performed with specialized tools, but the overall debugging time increases and requires personnel with two different skill sets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges hardware debugging and software debugging into a single unified debugging process. The system allows software to be stepped through and hardware operations to be observed within the same debugging session, eliminating the need for separate debugging processes and reducing overall debugging time while maintaining comprehensive debugging effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The debugging system provides universal debugging capabilities that work for both hardware and software components. A single debugging interface and toolset can debug both the processor executing software and the hardware blocks performing operations, eliminating the need for separate specialized tools and skill sets.
2Productivity
If hardware blocks are used to perform operations faster than processor software, then overall system performance improves, but debugging becomes more difficult due to the separation of hardware and software debugging processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hardware and software debugging into a unified process where both can be debugged simultaneously in a single session. This allows the performance benefits of hardware blocks to be maintained while eliminating the complexity of separate debugging processes, as the unified debugger can step through software and observe hardware operations together.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional separate debugging methods are used, then specialized hardware debugging tools can be used for hardware blocks, but software engineers cannot perform hardware debugging without detailed hardware knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The debugging system provides universal debugging capabilities that allow software engineers to debug both software and hardware using the same familiar tools and processes. The unified debugger presents hardware operations in a software-friendly manner, allowing software engineers to perform hardware debugging without needing detailed hardware knowledge or specialized hardware debugging tools.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated hardware and software debugging system debugs software running on a processor and debugs hardware blocks that perform operations separate from the processor. Cycle traces are recorded for hardware block operations and the data is presented to a user through the same interface used for software debugging. Where hardware blocks are implemented in configurable circuitry (such as an FPGA) from source code, hardware debugging is linked to the source code to simulate stepping through the source code.