Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for providing a cross-linked development and deployment environment for electronic design automation of a system under development comprising: a host computer having a processor and attached peripheral devices; system control software executing in the host computer, the system control software having the ability to control synchronization; a hardware model using actual hardware components for emulating the system under development and in communication with the host computer, the hardware model having a plurality of programmable components and being controlled by the system control software; a software model simulating the system under development and structured to mirror the hardware model, the software model executing under the control of the host computer and the system control software; an analyzer memory for recording machine states during execution of the hardware model, the analyzer memory being in communication with the hardware model and the host computer for synchronization with the software model; event detection logic capable of detecting predetermined types of events occurring in the hardware model for synchronization purposes; and a design database for storing the results recorded as the models are exercised, synchronized, and analyzed under the control of the host computer so that files can be created to program a field programmable final product for deployment.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
206 words
An apparatus for providing a cross-linked development and deployment environment for electronic design automation of a system under development comprising: a host computer having a processor and attached peripheral devices; system control software executing in the host computer, the system control software having the ability to control synchronization; a hardware model using actual hardware components for emulating the system under development and in communication with the host computer, the hardware model having a plurality of programmable components and being controlled by the system control software; a software model simulating the system under development and structured to mirror the hardware model, the software model executing under the control of the host computer and the system control software; an analyzer memory for recording machine states during execution of the hardware model, the analyzer memory being in communication with the hardware model and the host computer for synchronization with the software model; event detection logic capable of detecting predetermined types of events occurring in the hardware model for synchronization purposes; and a design database for storing the results recorded as the models are exercised, synchronized, and analyzed under the control of the host computer so that files can be created to program a field programmable final product for deployment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analyzer memory further comprises at least one circular buffer of user selectable size for recording state information such as event identifier, register contents and state indicators during the execution of the hardware model.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the event detection logic further comprises an internal clock signal source for use in creating a time stamp when recording events in the circular buffer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the system control software further comprises a test vector generator for reading the state information recorded in the circular buffer and storing it into the design database.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the system control software further comprises synchronization logic for reading state information from the design database and inserting it into the software model to enable it to begin execution at a specified state, thereby allowing the hardware model to act as an accelerator for the software model.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the analyzer memory can be set with predetermined states in advance of execution to create a particular test case.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the host computer further comprises a connectivity file stored therein which identifies the structure of the hardware model and enables the hardware model to be reconfigured.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hardware model can be reconfigured to do rapid-turn-prototyping.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hardware model and software model can be executed together under the control of system control software to perform in-system verification.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the design database is used to create a field programmable final product in printed circuit form.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the field programmable final product in printed circuit form can be used as the hardware model under the control of the host computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the design database is used to create a field programmable final product in silicon chip form.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the field programmable final product in silicon chip form can be used as the hardware model under the control of the host computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the software model can be used as a virtual special bond-out clip for the hardware model.