Waveform Capture via Multicycle Signal Grouping in Emulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic circuit emulation systems face challenges in capturing and analyzing intermediate signals due to limited hardware pins, which can limit the maximum emulation speed despite using faster clocks.
Innovation Solution
An emulation system that groups signals based on the number of clock cycles required for update, using sampling clocks set according to the minimum number of cycles for each group, and generates a waveform capture frame to test and verify the circuit design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If signals are bundled to reduce hardware pin usage, then the number of pins required is reduced, but the maximum emulation speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides signals into multiple groups based on their update characteristics (number of clock cycles to update). Each group is sampled independently with its own sampling clock, allowing different groups to be captured at different rates. This segmentation enables the system to handle more signals without proportionally increasing pin count while maintaining high emulation speed for critical signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sampling parameters (sampling clock frequency and phase) dynamically based on the signal group characteristics. By adjusting the sampling rate and phase for different signal groups, the system optimizes the balance between pin utilization and emulation speed, allowing faster sampling for signals that update frequently and slower sampling for stable signals.
2Device complexity
If all signals are sampled at the same rate, then sampling is simplified, but signals with different update frequencies cannot be captured efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments signals into groups based on their update characteristics (number of clock cycles to update). Each group is assigned a dedicated sampling clock with appropriate frequency and phase, allowing efficient capture of signals with different update rates without requiring a single high-speed sampling clock for all signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic sampling where each signal group has its own sampling clock that can be independently configured. This allows the sampling system to adapt to different signal characteristics, capturing fast-changing signals at higher rates and stable signals at lower rates, optimizing overall capture efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes determining a plurality of signals that have been selected for waveform capture, forming, based on a respective numbers of clock cycles for the plurality of signals to update, a first group of signals and a second group of signals, sampling the first group of signals according to a first sampling clock signal to produce a first set of sampled signals, and sampling the second group of signals according to a second sampling clock signal to produce a second set of sampled signals. The method also includes generating a waveform capture frame based on the first set of sampled signals and the second set of sampled signals.