Dynamic range assessment in block diagram systems

• US 8,812,269 B1
• Filed: 05/24/2005
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The MathWorks, Inc.
• Inventors: Orofino, Donald Paul II
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivas, Omar Fernandez
• Assistant Examiner(s): GEBRESILASSIE, KIBROM K
• Application Number:
  US11/137,006
• Time in Patent Office: 3,374 Days
• Field of Search: 717/105, 717/124, 717/125, 717/127, 717130-132, 717/153, 717/167, 715/763, 715/764
• US Class Current: 703/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3096 wherein the means or processing minimize the use of computing system or of computing system component resources, e.g. non-intrusive monitoring which minimizes the probe effect: sniffing, intercepting, indirectly deriving the monitored data from other directly available data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/323 Visualisation of programs or trace data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3452 Performance evaluation by statistical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3466 Performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/86 Event-based monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/34 Graphical or visual programming

Abstract

Remote monitoring tools are provided for non-intrusively and synchronously interacting with graphical models. The remote monitoring tools are dynamically connected to the graphical model without requiring the addition of components to the model definition. The remote monitoring tool can perform dynamic range assessment on the graphical model.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a user interface associated with a remote monitoring tool,

the providing the user interface being performed by a device, and

the user interface enabling a user to;

track and select one or more elements associated with an operation of the remote monitoring tool, and

input configuration information associated with the operation of the remote monitoring tool,

the configuration information being stored in a model associated with the remote monitoring tool;

receiving, via the user interface, information indicating data of interest associated with the model,

the model being provided via a graphical modeling environment, and

the receiving the information indicating the data of interest being performed by the device;

invoking the remote monitoring tool synchronously with an execution of the model in the graphical modeling environment,

the remote monitoring tool being connected to the model via an event-listener application programming interface,

the event-listener application programming interface enforcing a synchronization of data being transferred between the model and the remote monitoring tool using one or more of;

a pre-execution callback,

a post-execution callback, or

an occurrence of an event associated with the data of interest,

the invoking the remote monitoring tool being performed by the device;

executing the remote monitoring tool during the execution of the model,

the executing the remote monitoring tool being performed by the device;

the non-invasively monitoring, via the event-listener application programming interface, the data of interest based on the one or more of the pre-execution callback, the post-execution callback or the occurrence of the event,

the non-invasively monitoring the data of interest being performed by the device;

performing a dynamic range assessment based on monitoring the data of interest,

the performing the dynamic range assessment being performed by the device;

determining, based on performing the dynamic range assessment, a dynamic range associated with the data of interest,

the dynamic range including a maximum data value and a minimum data value, and

the determining the dynamic range being performed by the device; and

providing a result of the dynamic range assessment for display during the execution of the model,

the providing the result for display being performed by the device.

2. The method of claim 1, where receiving the information indicating the data of interest includes:

receiving the information indicating the data of interest during the execution of the model.

3. The method of claim 1, where receiving the information indicating the data of interest includes:

receiving the information indicating the data of interest prior to the execution of the model.

4. The method of claim 1, where receiving the information indicating the data of interest includes:

receiving a selection of a portion of the model via the graphical modeling environment.

5. The method of claim 1, where the remote monitoring tool is expressed using block diagram primitives.

6. The method of claim 1, where the remote monitoring tool is expressed using textual programming primitives.

7. The method of claim 1, where the model includes a block, and

where receiving the information indicating the data of interest includes:

receiving a selection of the block.

8. The method of claim 1, where the model includes a signal line, and

where receiving the information indicating the data of interest includes:

receiving a selection of the signal line.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

indicating, based on the information indicating the data of interest, a selection of the data of interest, via a display of the model, using an indicator.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

indicating that a portion of the model is to be monitored during the execution of the model to collect the data of interest using an indicator displayed in conjunction with the portion of the model.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing a reference associated with the remote monitoring tool in the model; and

where invoking the remote monitoring tool includes;

invoking the remote monitoring tool based on the reference.

12. The method of claim 1, where the remote monitoring tool is included in a set of remote monitoring tools;

where non-invasively monitoring the portion of the model includes;

monitoring, using another remote monitoring tool, included in the set of remote monitoring tools, a portion of another model.

13. The method of claim 1, where the remote monitoring tool is expressed using block diagram primitives, and

where invoking the remote monitoring tool synchronously with the execution of the model includes:

aggregating the block diagram primitives and elements included in the model into an execution engine.

14. The method of claim 1, where the event-listener application programming interface enforces the synchronization of the data being transferred using the group identifiers and the occurrence of the event;

and

where invoking the remote monitoring tool synchronously with the execution of the model includes;

registering, using the listener application programming event-listener application programming interface, interest in specific execution events associated with the execution of the model.

15. The method of claim 1, where invoking the remote monitoring tool synchronously with the execution of the model includes:

providing the remote monitoring tool expressed in block diagram primitives;

providing a callback system for incorporating the remote monitoring tool,

the callback system comprising;

an engine for generating callbacks,

the callbacks including at least one of the pre-execution callback or the post-execution callback;

generating, using the engine, the callbacks synchronously with block diagram execution events; and

registering, using the event-listener application programming interface, interest in specific execution events associated with the model.

16. An electronic device comprising:

a processor to;

provide a user interface associated with a remote monitoring tool,

the user interface enabling a user to;

track and select one or more elements associated with an operation of the remote monitoring tool, and

input configuration information associated with the operation of the remote monitoring tool,

the configuration information being stored in a model associated with the remote monitoring tool;

determine data of interest associated with the model,

the model being provided via a graphical modeling environment, and

the remote monitoring tool being connected to the model using an event-listener application programming interface,

the event-listener application programming interface enforcing a synchronization of data being transferred between the model and the remote monitoring tool using one or more of;

a pre-execution callback,

a post-execution callback, or

an occurrence of an event associated with the data of interest,

invoke the remote monitoring tool synchronously with an execution of the model,

execute the remote monitoring tool during the execution of the model,

non-invasively monitor the data of interest using the remote monitoring tool based on the one or more of the pre-execution callback, the post-execution callback or the occurrence of the event,

perform, based on monitoring the data of interest, a dynamic range assessment,

determine, based on the dynamic range assessment, a dynamic range associated with the data of interest,

the dynamic range including a ratio of a maximum data value to a minimum data value, and

provide, for display, a result of the dynamic range assessment during execution of the model.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, where, when determining the data of interest, the processor is to:

determine the data of interest during the execution of the model.

18. The electronic device of claim 16, where, when determining the data of interest, the processor is to:

determine the data of interest prior to the execution of the model.

19. The electronic device of claim 16, where, when determining the data of interest, the processor is to:

receive a selection of a portion of the model during the execution of the model via the graphical modeling environment, and

determine the data of interest based on the selection.

20. The electronic device of claim 16, where the remote monitoring tool is expressed using block diagram primitives.

21. The electronic device of claim 16, where the remote monitoring tool is expressed using textual programming primitives.

22. The electronic device of claim 16, where the model includes a block;

and

where, when determining the data of interest, the processors is to;

receive a selection of the block, and

determine the data of interest based on the selection.

23. The electronic device of claim 16, where the model includes a signal line, and

where, when determining the data of interest, the processors is to:

receive a selection of the signal line, and

determine the data of interest based on the selection.

24. The electronic device of claim 16, where, when determining the data of interest, the processor is to:

determine the data of interest based on one or more of;

execution events, or

an occurrence of a condition.

25. The electronic device of claim 16, where the processor is further to:

store a reference associated with the remote monitoring tool in the model; and

where, when invoking the remote monitoring tool, the processor is to;

invoke the remote monitoring tool based on the reference.

26. The electronic device of claim 16, where the remote monitoring tool is included in a set of remote monitoring tools;

where, when monitoring the data of interest, the processor is to;

monitor other data of interest, associated with an execution of another model, using another remote monitoring tool included in the set of remote monitoring tools; and

where, when providing the result for display, the processor is to;

provide, for display, the other data of interest.

27. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, the instructions comprising:

one or more instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

determine data of interest associated with a model of a dynamic system,

the model being provided via a graphical modeling environment;

invoke a remote monitoring tool synchronously with an execution of the model in the graphical modeling environment,

the remote monitoring tool being connected to the model via an event-listener application interface,

the event-listener application programming interface enforcing a synchronization of data being transferred between the model and the remote monitoring tool using one or more of;

a pre-execution callback,

a post-execution callback, or

an occurrence of an event associated with the data of interest, and

the remote monitoring tool providing a user interface that enables a user to;

track and select one or more elements associated with an operation of the remote monitoring tool, and

identify configuration information for configuring the operation of the remote monitoring tool,

the configuration information being stored in a model associated with the remote monitoring tool;

execute the remote monitoring tool during the execution of the model,

non-invasively monitor the data of interest based on the one or more of the pre-execution callback, the post-execution callback or the occurrence of the event;

perform a dynamic range assessment based on monitoring the data of interest;

determine, based on the dynamic range assessment, a dynamic range associated with the data of interest,

the dynamic range including a ratio of a maximum data value to a minimum data value; and

provide, for display, a result of the dynamic range assessment during the execution of the model.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, where the one or more instructions to determine the data of interest include:

one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

determine the data of interest during the execution of the model.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, where the one or more instructions to determine the data of interest include:

one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

determine the data of interest prior to the execution of the model.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, where the one or more instructions to determine the data of interest include:

one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

receive, during the execution of the model and via the graphical modeling environment, a selection of a model element included in the model, and

determine the data of interest based on the selection.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, where the instructions further comprise:

one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

express the remote monitoring tool using block diagram primitives.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, where the instructions further comprise:

one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

express the remote monitoring tool using textual programming primitives.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, where the model includes a block;

and

where the one or more instructions to determine the data of interest include;

one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

receive information identifying the block, and

determine the data of interest based on the information identifying the block.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 27, wherein where the model includes a signal line and,

where the one or more instructions to determine the data of interest include:

one or more instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to;

receive information identifying the signal line, and

determine the data of interest based on the information identifying the signal line.

35. A method comprising:

determining data of interest associated with a model of a dynamic system,

the model being provided in a graphical modeling environment, and

the determining the data of interest being performed by one or more processors of a device;

invoking a remote monitoring tool synchronously with an execution of the model execution in the graphical modeling environment,

the invoking the remote monitoring tool being performed by the one or more processors,

the remote monitoring tool being connected to the model via an event-listener application programming interface,

the event-listener application programming interface enforcing a synchronization of data being transferred between the model and the remote monitoring tool using one or more of;

a pre-execution callback,

a post-execution callback, or

an occurrence of an event associated with the data of interest, and

the remote monitoring tool providing a user interface that enables a user to;

track and select one or more elements associated with an operation of the remote monitoring tool, and

identify configuration information for configuring the operation of the remote monitoring tool,

the configuration information being stored in a model associated with the remote monitoring tool;

executing the remote monitoring tool, during the execution of the model, to cause the remote monitoring tool to non-invasively monitor the data of interest based on the one or more of the pre-execution callback, the post-execution callback or the occurrence of the event,

the executing the remote monitoring tool being performed by the one or more processors,

performing a dynamic range assessment based on the data of interest,

the performing the dynamic range assessment being performed by the one or more processors;

determining, based on the dynamic range assessment, a dynamic range associated with the data of interest,

the dynamic range including a ratio of a maximum data value to a minimum data value, and

the determining the dynamic range being performed by the one or more processors;

providing the result of the dynamic range assessment for display during the execution of the model,

the providing the result for display being performed by the one or more processors; and

modifying the model based on the result of the dynamic range assessment,

the modifying the model being performed by the one or more processors.