Web-Based Development Tool with Remote Test Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid pace of advancements in debugging and profiling techniques for target processors renders existing development tools inadequate, as they are often distributed infrequently and fail to provide the most up-to-date functionality to users.
Innovation Solution
A web-hosted development tool system that includes applets running within a web browser, allowing for remote updates and interaction with an external test platform via a programmable target device, with digital signature authentication to ensure secure access to the test platform.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If development tools are distributed as local applications, then users have access to tool functionality, but the tools cannot be updated frequently to incorporate latest debugging and profiling techniques
Solution Approach 1:
A web server acts as an intermediary between the tool developer and the user's browser. The server hosts the development tool as web pages and applets, allowing frequent updates on the server side while users always access the latest version through their browser without manual updates. This resolves the contradiction by enabling continuous updates (improving reliability) while maintaining ease of access (ease of manufacture).
Solution Approach 2:
The development tool transitions from a static local application to a dynamic web-based system. The tool can be updated dynamically on the server without requiring users to download new versions, enabling the functionality to evolve continuously with the latest debugging and profiling techniques while maintaining user access. This dynamic nature resolves the contradiction between keeping tools up-to-date and maintaining ease of distribution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If development tools are updated frequently, then users gain access to latest features, but users must manually update or download new versions
Solution Approach 1:
The web server serves as an automatic update mechanism, pushing latest features to users whenever they access the tool through their browser. Users don't need to manually update or download new versions; the server automatically provides the latest functionality. This resolves the contradiction by making latest features accessible (improving adaptability) while eliminating manual update requirements (improving ease of operation).
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-updating functionality where the web-based tool automatically retrieves and applies updates from the server whenever the user accesses it. The tool serves itself with the latest features without requiring user intervention for updates, resolving the contradiction between providing latest features and maintaining ease of operation.
3Productivity
If web-based development tools are provided, then continuous updates are enabled, but security concerns arise regarding access to external test platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The web browser acts as a secure intermediary between the web-based development tool and the external test platform. Digital signatures on the applets provide cryptographic verification of the tool's identity and integrity, allowing the browser to grant secure access to the test platform only for authenticated tools. This resolves the contradiction by enabling continuous updates through web delivery (improving productivity) while implementing security measures through digital signatures and browser-mediated access (reducing security risks).
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the security parameter from trusting local applications to trusting cryptographically-signed web applets. Digital signatures transform the security model by providing verifiable authentication mechanisms that work in the web environment. This parameter change enables continuous updates while maintaining security, as the signatures verify the tool's authenticity regardless of how frequently it is updated on the server.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising: a server; a computer terminal coupled remotely to the server via a network and installed with a web browser; and an external test platform, connected externally to the computer terminal, the test platform comprising a programmable target device and interface circuitry operable to communicate between the computer terminal and the target device. The server hosts a development tool available for download to the web browser via the network. The development tool comprises: one or more applets to be run by the web browser, and one or more web pages for display by the web browser to provide a user-interface for the development tool including to provide access to the one or more applets. The one or more applets at least comprise code-analysis applet software programmed so as when run by the web browser to operate said interface circuitry to: load code to be tested from the computer terminal onto the target device for test operation.