Wireless Debugging Interfaces for Miniature Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional debugging systems that incorporate system-on-chip and integrated circuits require wired connections, which are becoming impractical due to the trend of smaller form-factors and reduced wired ports, necessitating a new solution for debugging, especially in devices with limited or no physical access for wired connectors.
Innovation Solution
Implementing wireless debugging protocols that convert multi-wire debug protocols into serial signals for transmission over wireless technologies like Bluetooth, allowing debugging of devices with asynchronous and serial-synchronous interfaces, and enabling in-situ diagnostics in devices with small or sealed form factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired debugging connections are used, then debugging reliability is maintained, but device form-factor reduction and port reduction become impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. Specifically, it substitutes physical cables and connectors with wireless protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular) to transmit debugging signals, thereby eliminating the need for physical ports while maintaining debugging functionality across smaller form factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication modules and protocol converters as intermediaries between the debugger and the device under test. These intermediaries translate traditional wired debug protocols into wireless communication formats, enabling debugging without direct physical connection
2Volume of moving object
If device size is reduced, then portability and integration are improved, but wired debugging access becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical connectors and cables by implementing wireless debugging interfaces. Small devices can be debugged remotely through wireless protocols without requiring physical access to the device, making debugging equally accessible regardless of device size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes wireless debugging interfaces universal across different device types and sizes. The same wireless debugging protocol can be applied to wearables, implants, smartphones, and other small devices, providing a unified debugging solution that works across the entire product portfolio
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless debugging is implemented, then device versatility and remote access are improved, but protocol compatibility complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses protocol converter modules as intermediaries that handle the complexity of protocol translation. These converters receive wireless signals using various protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular) and translate them into standard debugging protocols that the device under test can understand, isolating the complexity from the main system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functional wireless debugging interfaces that can operate with multiple wireless protocols simultaneously. A single debugging system can switch between Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular connections depending on what the target device supports, reducing the need for multiple specialized debugging tools
4Ease of manufacture
If wired ports are reduced, then manufacturing cost and device simplicity are improved, but debugging capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical ports and connectors with integrated wireless communication circuits. This substitution eliminates the need for additional wired ports while maintaining full debugging capability, thereby simplifying manufacturing without sacrificing diagnostic functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges wireless communication functionality into the existing device architecture, combining it with other wireless modules (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular) already present in modern devices. This consolidation avoids adding separate debugging hardware and reduces overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Existing multi-wire debugging protocols, such as 4-wire JTAG, 2-wire cJTAG, or ARM SWD, are run through a serial wireless link by providing the debugger and the target device with hardware interfaces that include UARTs and conversion bridges. The debugger interface serializes outgoing control signals and de-serializes returning data. The target interface de-serializes incoming control signals and serializes outgoing data. The actions of the interfaces are transparent to the inner workings of the devices, allowing re-use of existing debugging software. Compression, signal combining, and other optional enhancements increase debugging speed and flexibility while wirelessly accessing target devices that may be too small, too difficult to reach, or too seal-dependent for a wired connection.