Debugging a program intended to execute on a reconfigurable device using a test feed-through configuration

• US 7,024,660 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2001
• Issued: 04/04/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: National Instruments Corporation (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Odom, Brian Keith, Peck, Joseph E., Andrade, Hugo A., Butler, Cary Paul, Petersen, Newton G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zhen, Wei Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STEELMAN, MARY J
• Application Number:
  US10/055,691
• Publication Number:
  US 20030192032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,618 Days
• Field of Search: 717/124, 716/34, 716 16- 18, 716/4, 714/25, 714/33, 714/39, 714/27, 714/31
• US Class Current: 717/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/263 Generation of test inputs, e.g. test vectors, patterns or sequences ; with adaptation of the tested hardware for testability with external testers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/273 Tester hardware, i.e. output processing circuits G06F11/263 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 30/34 for reconfigurable circuits, e.g. field programmable gate arrays [FPGA] or programmable logic devices [PLD]

Abstract

A system and method for debugging a program which is intended to execute on a reconfigurable device. A computer system stores a program that specifies a function, and which is convertible into a hardware configuration program (HCP) and deployable onto a programmable hardware element comprised on the device. The HCP is generated based on the program, specifies a configuration for the programmable hardware element that implements the function, and further specifies usage of one or more fixed hardware resources by the programmable hardware element in performing the function. A test configuration is deployable on the programmable hardware element by a deployment program, where, after deployment, the programmable hardware element provides for communication between the fixed hardware resources and the program. The program is executable by a processor in the computer system, where during execution the program communicates with the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element.

Claims

1. A system for debugging a program which is intended to execute on a reconfigurable device, the system comprising:

a reconfigurable device, comprising;

a programmable hardware element; and

one or more fixed hardware resources coupled to the programmable hardware element; and

a computer system comprising a processor and a memory;

wherein the computer system is coupled to the reconfigurable device;

wherein the memory stores the program specifying a function, wherein the program is convertible into a hardware configuration program which specifies a configuration for the programmable hardware element that implements the function, and wherein the hardware configuration program further specifies usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources by the programmable hardware element in performing the function;

wherein the programmable hardware element is further configurable with a test feed-through configuration, wherein, after configuration with the test feed-through configuration, the programmable hardware element provides for communication between the program and the one or more fixed hardware resources; and

wherein, for debugging purposes, the program is further executable by the processor of the computer system to test performance of the function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein during execution of the program in the computer system, the program is operable to communicate through the programmable hardware element configured with the test feed-through configuration to invoke the one or more fixed hardware resources.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein execution of the program on the computer system simulates execution of the hardware configuration program on the programmable hardware element.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer system includes a display for displaying one or more panels, wherein the one or more panels display information specifying the functionality of the program.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the program is a measurement program which is executable to perform a measurement function.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the program is an automation program which is executable to perform an automation function.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the program is a simulation program which is executable to perform a simulation function.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the program is a control program which is executable to perform a control function.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory stores the test feed-through configuration in a pre-compiled format.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the program is a graphical program.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the program includes one or more I/O primitives, wherein the one or more I/O primitives are convertible into a portion of a hardware configuration program to invoke the one or more fixed hardware resources, and wherein the one or more I/O primitives are executable in the program on the computer system to communicate through the programmable hardware element to the fixed hardware resources.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the programmable hardware element comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

13. The system of claim 1,

wherein the programmable hardware element is configured to implement a processor, wherein the device further comprises a memory, and wherein a portion of the program is stored in the memory;

wherein the program is compiled for the implemented processor; and

wherein, for debugging purposes, the compiled program is executable on the implemented processor to test performance of the function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources.

14. The system of claim 1,

wherein the one or more fixed hardware resources are operable to provide one or more of:

a control and data path to the computer system;

I/O interfacing to an external system;

optimized hardware elements; and

basic operating services.

15. The system of claim 1,

wherein the one or more fixed hardware resources comprise fixed hardware including one or more of:

analog to digital converters (ADCs), digital to analog converters (DACs), and digital lines.

16. A system for debugging a measurement program which is usable to configure a reconfigurable measurement device, the system comprising:

the reconfigurable measurement device comprising;

a programmable hardware element;

one or more fixed hardware resources coupled to the programmable hardware element; and

a computer system comprising a processor and a memory;

wherein the computer system is coupled to the reconfigurable measurement device;

wherein the memory stores the measurement program specifying a measurement function;

wherein the programmable hardware element is further configurable with a test feed-through configuration, wherein, after configuration with the test feed-through configuration, the programmable hardware element provides for communication between the one or more fixed hardware resources and the measurement program; and

wherein, for debugging purposes, the measurement program is further executable by the processor of the computer system to test performance of the measurement function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources.

17. The system of claim 16,

wherein the measurement program is convertible into a hardware configuration program which specifies a configuration for the programmable hardware element that implements the measurement function, and wherein the hardware configuration program further specifies usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources by the programmable hardware element in performing the measurement function.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the memory stores the test feed-through configuration in a pre-compiled format.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the programmable hardware element comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

20. The system of claim 16, wherein during execution of the program in the computer system, the program is operable to communicate through the programmable hardware element configured with the test feed-through configuration to invoke the one or more fixed hardware resources.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein execution of the program on the computer system simulates execution of the hardware configuration program on the programmable hardware element.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the computer system includes a display for displaying one or more panels, wherein the one or more panels display information specifying the functionality of the program.

23. A system for debugging a reconfigurable measurement system, the system comprising:

a programmable hardware element;

one or more fixed hardware resources coupled to the programmable hardware element; and

a computer system comprising a processor and a memory;

wherein the computer system is coupled to the programmable hardware element;

wherein the memory stores a measurement program specifying a measurement function, wherein the measurement program is convertible into a hardware configuration program which specifies a configuration for the programmable hardware element that implements the measurement function, and wherein the hardware configuration program further specifies usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources by the programmable hardware element in performing the measurement function;

wherein the programmable hardware element is further configurable with a test feed-through configuration, wherein, after configuration with the test feed-through configuration, the programmable hardware element provides for communication between the one or more fixed hardware resources and the program; and

wherein, for debugging purposes, the measurement program is further executable by the processor of the computer system to test performance of the measurement function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein during execution of the program in the computer system, the measurement program is operable to communicate through the programmable hardware element configured with the test feed-through configuration to invoke the one or more fixed hardware resources.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the test feed-through configuration is pre-compiled.

26. The system of claim 23, wherein the computer system includes a display for displaying one or more panels, wherein the one or more panels display information specifying the functionality of the program.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the programmable hardware element comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

28. The system of claim 23, wherein execution of the program on the computer system simulates execution of the hardware configuration program on the programmable hardware element.

29. A method for debugging a program which is usable to configure a reconfigurable system, wherein the reconfigurable system includes a programmable hardware element coupled to one or more fixed hardware resources, the method comprising:

storing a program on a memory of a computer system, wherein the program specifies a function, and wherein the program is operable to be converted into a hardware configuration program and deployed on the programmable hardware element;

wherein the program is operable to be converted into a hardware configuration program that uses the one or more fixed hardware resources when executed on the programmable hardware element;

configuring the programmable hardware element with a test feed-through configuration, wherein, after configuration with the test feed-through configuration, the programmable hardware element provides for communication between the program and the one or more fixed hardware resources; and

for debugging purposes, the computer system executing the program to test performance of the function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources, wherein said executing includes the program communicating with the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said executing the program includes the program invoking the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element configured with the test feed-through configuration.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein said executing the program simulates execution of the hardware configuration program on the programmable hardware element.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

displaying information on a display regarding said executing the program.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the information is useable in debugging the program.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the test feed-through configuration is pre-compiled.

35. The method of claim 29, wherein the computer system includes a display for displaying one or more panels, wherein the one or more panels display information specifying the functionality of the program.

36. The method of claim 29, wherein the program is a measurement program which is executable to perform a measurement function.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein the program is an automation program which is executable to perform an automation function.

38. The method of claim 29, wherein the program is a simulation program which is executable to perform a simulation function.

39. The method of claim 29, wherein the program is a control program which is executable to perform a control function.

40. The method of claim 29, wherein the programmable hardware element comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

41. The method of claim 29,

wherein the one or more fixed hardware resources comprise fixed hardware including one or more of:

analog to digital converters (ADCs), digital to analog converters (DACs), and digital lines.

42. The method of claim 29, wherein said executing includes the one or more fixed hardware resources providing one or more of:

a control and data path to the computer system;

I/O interfacing to an external system;

optimized hardware elements; and

basic operating services.

43. The method of claim 29,

wherein the program includes one or more I/O primitives, wherein the one or more I/O primitives are convertible into a portion of a hardware configuration program to invoke the one or more fixed hardware resources, and wherein said executing includes executing the one or more I/O primitives in the program on the computer system to communicate through the programmable hardware element to the one or more fixed hardware resources.

44. The method of claim 29, wherein the program is a graphical program.

45. The method of claim 29,

wherein the programmable hardware element is configured to implement a processor, wherein the device further comprises a memory, and wherein a portion of the program is stored in the memory;

wherein the program is compiled for the implemented processor; and

wherein, for debugging purposes, the compiled program is executable on the implemented processor to test performance of the function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources.

46. A method for debugging a measurement program which is usable to configure a reconfigurable measurement device, wherein the device includes a programmable hardware element coupled to one or more fixed hardware resources, the method comprising:

storing a measurement program on a memory of a computer system, wherein the measurement program specifies a measurement function, and wherein the measurement program is operable to be converted into a hardware configuration program and deployed on the programmable hardware element;

wherein the measurement program specifies a hardware configuration program that is operable to use one or more fixed hardware resources coupled to the programmable hardware element

configuring the programmable hardware element with a test feed-through configuration, wherein, after configuration with the test feed-through configuration, the programmable hardware element provides for communication between the program and the one or more fixed hardware resources;

for debugging purposes, the computer system executing the measurement program to test performance of the function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources, wherein said executing includes the measurement program communicating with the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the test feed-through configuration is pre-compiled.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein said executing the measurement program includes the measurement program invoking the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element configured with the test feed-through configuration.

49. The method of claim 46,

wherein said executing the measurement program simulates execution of the hardware configuration program on the programmable hardware element.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the information is useable in debugging the measurement program.

51. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

displaying information on a display regarding said executing the measurement program.

52. The method of claim 46, wherein the computer system includes a display for displaying one or more panels, wherein the one or more panels display information specifying the functionality of the measurement program.

53. The method of claim 46, wherein the programmable hardware element comprises an field programmable gate array (FPGA).

54. The method of claim 46,

wherein the one or more fixed hardware resources comprise fixed hardware including one or more of:

analog to digital converters (ADCs), digital to analog converters (DACs), and digital lines.

55. The method of claim 46, wherein said executing includes the one or more fixed hardware resources providing one or more of:

a control and data path to the computer system;

I/O interfacing to an external system;

optimized hardware elements; and

basic operating services.

56. The method of claim 46,

wherein the measurement program includes one or more I/O primitives, wherein the one or more I/O primitives are convertible into a portion of a hardware configuration program to invoke the one or more fixed hardware resources, and wherein said executing includes executing the one or more I/O primitives in the measurement program on the computer system to communicate through the programmable hardware element to the one or more fixed hardware resources.

57. The method of claim 46, wherein the measurement program is a graphical program.

58. The method of claim 46,

wherein the programmable hardware element is configured to implement a processor, wherein the device further comprises a memory, and wherein a portion of the measurement program is stored in the memory;

wherein the measurement program is compiled for the implemented processor; and

wherein, for debugging purposes, the compiled measurement program is executable on the implemented processor to test performance of the function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources.

59. A memory medium comprised in a computer system, comprising:

a program that specifies a function, wherein the program is operable to be converted into a hardware configuration program and deployed on a programmable hardware element;

a hardware configuration program generated based on the program, wherein the hardware configuration program specifies a configuration for the programmable hardware element that implements the function, and wherein the hardware configuration program further specifies usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources by the programmable hardware element in performing the function; and

a test configuration;

a deployment program executable to deploy the test configuration onto the programmable hardware element, wherein, after configuration with the test configuration, the programmable hardware element provides for communication between the one or more fixed hardware resources and the program;

wherein, for debugging purposes, the program is executable by a processor in the computer system, to test performance of the function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources, wherein during execution the program communicates with the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element.

60. The memory medium of claim 59,

wherein the test configuration is a test feed-through configuration.

61. The memory medium of claim 59, wherein execution of the program by the processor simulates execution of the hardware configuration program on the programmable hardware element.

62. The memory medium of claim 59, further comprising:

a display program which is executable to display information on a display regarding said executing the program, wherein the information is useable in debugging the program.

63. The memory medium of claim 59, wherein the test configuration is pre-compiled.

64. The memory medium of claim 59, wherein the program is a measurement program which is executable to perform a measurement function.

65. The memory medium of claim 59, wherein the program is an automation program which is executable to perform an automation function.

66. The memory medium of claim 59, wherein the program is a simulation program which is executable to perform a simulation function.

67. The memory medium of claim 59, wherein the program is a control program which is executable to perform a control function.

68. The memory medium of claim 59, further comprising:

a graphical program comprising one or more panels for displaying information specifying the functionality of the program.

69. A memory medium containing program instructions which are executable to perform:

storing a measurement program on a memory of a computer system, wherein the measurement program specifies a measurement function, and wherein the measurement program is operable to be converted into a hardware configuration program and deployed on a programmable hardware element;

wherein the hardware configuration program specifies usage of one or more fixed hardware resources by the programmable hardware element;

configuring the programmable hardware element with a test feed-through configuration, wherein, after configuration with the test feed-through configuration, the programmable hardware element provides for communication between the one or more fixed hardware resources and the measurement program;

for debugging purposes, executing the measurement program on the computer system to test performance of the function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources, wherein said executing includes the measurement program communicating with the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element.

70. The memory medium of claim 69, wherein said executing the measurement program includes the program invoking the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element configured with the test feed-through configuration.

71. The memory medium of claim 69, wherein said executing the measurement program simulates execution of the hardware configuration program on the programmable hardware element.

72. The memory medium of claim 69, wherein the program instructions are further executable to perform:

displaying information on a display regarding said executing the measurement program, wherein the information is useable in debugging the program.

73. The memory medium of claim 69, wherein the test feed-through configuration is pre-compiled.

74. The memory medium of claim 69, wherein the computer system includes a display for displaying one or more panels, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement the one or more panels, and wherein the one or more panels display information specifying the functionality of the measurement program.

75. The memory medium of claim 69, wherein the programmable hardware element comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

76. A memory medium containing program instructions which are executable to perform:

storing a program on a memory of a computer system, wherein the software program specifies a function, and wherein the software program is operable to be converted into a hardware configuration program and deployed on the programmable hardware element;

wherein the hardware configuration program specifies usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources by the programmable hardware element;

configuring the programmable hardware element with a test feed-through configuration, wherein, after configuration with the test feed-through configuration, the programmable hardware element provides for communication between the one or more fixed hardware resources and the software program;

for debugging purposes, executing the software program on the computer system to test performance of the function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources, wherein said executing includes the software program communicating with the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element.

77. The memory medium of claim 76, wherein said executing the measurement program includes the program invoking the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element configured with the test feed-through configuration.

78. The memory medium of claim 76, wherein said executing the measurement program simulates execution of the hardware configuration program on the programmable hardware element.

79. The memory medium of claim 76, wherein the program instructions are further executable to perform:

displaying information on a display regarding said executing the measurement program, wherein the information is useable in debugging the program.

80. The memory medium of claim 76, wherein the test feed-through configuration is pre-compiled.

81. The memory medium of claim 76, wherein the software program is a measurement software program which is executable to perform a measurement function.

82. The memory medium of claim 76, wherein the software program is an automation software program which is executable to perform an automation function.

83. The memory medium of claim 76, wherein the software program is a simulation software program which is executable to perform a simulation function.

84. The memory medium of claim 76, wherein the software program is a control software program which is executable to perform a control function.

85. A memory medium comprised in a computer system, comprising:

a user interface program which is executable to receive user input specifying a function;

a configuration generation program which is executable to generate a hardware configuration program based on the user input, where the hardware configuration program is deployable on a programmable hardware element, and wherein the hardware configuration program specifies a configuration for the programmable hardware element that implements the function, and wherein the hardware configuration program further specifies usage of one or more fixed hardware resources by the programmable hardware element in performing the function; and

a test configuration;

a deployment program executable to deploy the test configuration onto the programmable hardware element, wherein, after configuration with the test configuration, the programmable hardware element provides for communication between the one or more fixed hardware resources and the program;

wherein, for debugging purposes, the program is executable by a processor in the computer system to test performance of the function including the usage of the one or more fixed hardware resources, wherein during execution the program communicates with the one or more fixed hardware resources through the programmable hardware element.

86. The memory medium of claim 85,

wherein the test configuration is a test feed-through configuration.

87. The memory medium of claim 85, wherein execution of the program by the processor simulates execution of the hardware configuration program on the programmable hardware element.

88. The memory medium of claim 85, wherein the programmable hardware element comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA).