Virtual Processor In Situ Debugging Legacy SoC Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hardware emulators and debuggers require external components and are cumbersome for debugging legacy systems, making it difficult to perform in situ debugging without interrupting the system's normal operation.
Innovation Solution
An in situ disassembler/debugger system that uses existing hardware capabilities within the product to emulate older hardware in software, allowing for real-time debugging and disassembly without external hardware or software, enabling backward compatibility and user visibility into a data processor's operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hardware emulators or debuggers are used to debug legacy systems, then debugging capability is achieved, but device complexity increases due to requiring external hardware components and connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the legacy processor architecture that runs alongside the original system. This virtual processor replica enables debugging functionality by simulating the legacy hardware environment in software, eliminating the need for physical external emulator hardware while maintaining full debugging capability for legacy systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical external hardware debugger system with a software-based virtual processor environment. By substituting physical external debugging equipment with a virtualized software solution that runs on the same platform, the system eliminates complex external hardware connections while preserving debugging functionality
2Reliability
If external hardware debuggers are connected to target systems, then debugging access is obtained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome connection requirements and system interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the debugging environment with the target system by running the virtual processor and debugger tools within the same computational platform. This integration allows debugging access to legacy systems without requiring separate external hardware connections, making the debugging process as easy to operate as running any other software application
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual processor acts as an intermediary between the modern processing environment and legacy system requirements. It provides a software-based interface that mediates debugging access to legacy architectures without requiring physical external hardware connections, simplifying the operator interface while maintaining full debugging capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy hardware is emulated using external hardware emulators, then backward compatibility is achieved, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming setup and external component requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates software-based copies of legacy processor architectures that can be instantiated and configured rapidly. These virtual processor copies provide backward compatibility with legacy systems without requiring time-consuming external hardware setup, enabling developers to quickly emulate legacy environments for debugging and development tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual processor environment allows dynamic configuration and parameter changes to match different legacy system architectures. This flexibility enables backward compatibility with various legacy hardware platforms through software configuration rather than physical hardware changes, significantly improving debugging efficiency and productivity
4Ease of operation
If in situ debugging is implemented without external components, then ease of operation improves by allowing real-time debugging, but device complexity increases due to software emulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual processor platform provides universal debugging capability across multiple legacy architectures through a single software environment. This multi-functional approach allows real-time debugging of different legacy systems without requiring separate external hardware emulators for each architecture, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
The example embodiments are directed to a system and method for a virtual processor that enables real-time in situ disassembly and debugging. In one example, the method includes implementing a virtual processor in field programmable gate array (FPGA) programmable logic, the virtual processor comprising a virtual version of a target system, capturing data representative of operations in the virtual processor using a bus access device configured to provide direct access to components of the virtual processor, streaming the data to the embedded processor, storing the data in the memory device, and performing in-situ disassembly and debugging.