USB Device with SoC for Multi-Architecture Program Building

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Solution Overview

Problem

Developers face significant time and resource challenges when building programs on alternative CPU architectures, as they need to manage multiple hardware components and platforms.

Innovation Solution

A USB device equipped with a USB interface, memory module, and System-on-a-Chip (SoC) that automatically establishes a communication network with a host machine, allowing developers to build programs on alternative CPU architectures with minimal hardware requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If developers use various platforms to build programs on alternative CPU architectures, then the ability to support multiple architectures is improved, but the device complexity and time required for setup increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for multiple CPU architecturesVSAvoidnumber of hardware components and platforms

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The USB device is designed with a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) that can execute multiple CPU architectures (x86, ARM, MIPS, RISC-V) within a single device. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate hardware platforms for each architecture, directly resolving the contradiction by providing architectural versatility without increasing hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the CPU emulator, development environment, and toolchain into a single integrated USB device. By merging these previously separate components into one unified platform, the solution maintains support for multiple CPU architectures while significantly reducing the number of discrete hardware components developers must manage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If developers use various platforms with multiple hardware components to build on alternative CPU architectures, then the functionality to compile and test programs is improved, but the time required for setup and configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram building capabilityVSAvoidsetup and configuration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The USB device comes pre-configured with a complete development environment including the CPU emulator, compiler toolchain, and necessary software components. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for developers to perform time-consuming setup and configuration steps, allowing immediate productivity upon connecting the device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically establishes a communication network when the USB device is connected to the host machine, and the SoC automatically runs the stored package. This self-service automation eliminates manual configuration steps, directly reducing setup time while maintaining full program building functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If developers use traditional multi-platform setups to build on alternative CPU architectures, then the comprehensive testing capability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram testing capabilityVSAvoidsimplicity of setup and use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The USB device acts as an intermediary between the host machine and the alternative CPU architecture environment. It provides a simplified interface that handles the complexity of multi-architecture testing internally, allowing developers to operate a single device while maintaining comprehensive testing capabilities across multiple architectures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12217051B2Device to build programs on alternative CPU architectures and a method thereof

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 RED HAT LLC

AI summary

A Universal Serial Bus (USB) device configured to build a program, in a host machine, on an alternative CPU architecture. The USB device comprises a USB interface adapted to be communicatively coupled to the host machine. The USB device further comprises a memory module configured to store a package to build on, in the host machine, the alternative CPU architecture. The USB device further comprises a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) configured to access the stored package from the memory module. The SoC is further configured to, when a connection between the USB interface and the host machine is established, automatically run the stored package in the host machine.