Optimized-incrementing, time-gap defect detection apparatus and method
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. An apparatus for programmatically detecting time-gap defects in a computer system comprising at least two devices interconnected to one another, the apparatus comprising:
- a memory device configured to store data structures comprising executables and operational data;
a processor operably connected to the memory device to process the data structures;
a controller configured to control an exchange of data between the at least two devices; and
the memory device, wherein the data structures further comprise a detection module, executable by the processor and comprising;
an operation module configured to initiate an exchange of data producing a data stream between the at least two devices;
an interrupt module configured to interrupt the exchange of data and insert into the exchange of the data stream a delay time value dynamically calculated according to a numerical search method; and
a verification module configured to determine whether an error occurred as a result of the delay time in the exchange and remained undetected to the computer system.
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Abstract
Programmatic detection of time-gap defects in computer system hardware where data is corrupted without detection by the computer system. A detection module initiates data transfers between devices in a computer system. An interrupt service routine interrupts the process by inserting a delay into the data transfer. The detection module then checks for time-gap defects by determining if data was corrupted which went undetected by the computer system. The detection module may repeat the data transfer and insert successively longer delays until a time-gap defect is detected or until a maximum delay value is reached. The results of any time-gap defects found may be output to a user. The length of the delays inserted into a data transfer may be determined dynamically using an iterative search technique to more rapidly converge on time-gap defects. Both bisection and Fibonacci search methods are examples that may be used.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for programmatically detecting time-gap defects in a computer system comprising at least two devices interconnected to one another, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory device configured to store data structures comprising executables and operational data; a processor operably connected to the memory device to process the data structures; a controller configured to control an exchange of data between the at least two devices; and the memory device, wherein the data structures further comprise a detection module, executable by the processor and comprising; an operation module configured to initiate an exchange of data producing a data stream between the at least two devices; an interrupt module configured to interrupt the exchange of data and insert into the exchange of the data stream a delay time value dynamically calculated according to a numerical search method; and a verification module configured to determine whether an error occurred as a result of the delay time in the exchange and remained undetected to the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An article including a computer readable medium configured to store data structures comprising executables and operational data, the data structures comprising:
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a controller driver configured to facilitate an exchange of data between at least two devices in a computer system, and to detect errors occurring in the exchange; a detection module configured to detect errors originating with the controller driver and yet not detected by the controller driver, the detection module comprising; an operation module configured to initiate an exchange of data producing a data stream between the at least two devices; an interrupt module configured to interrupt the exchange of data and insert into the exchange of the data stream a delay time value dynamically calculated according to a numerical search method; and a verification module configured to determine whether an error occurred as a result of the delay time in the exchange and remained undetected by the controller driver. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method for programmatically detecting time-gap defects in computer system components, the method comprising:
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providing a detection module configured to execute on a processor to initiate errors by introducing time gaps into data streams, detect errors, and verify reporting of errors in data exchanges and operations, controlled by controllers, between devices in a computer system; loading the detection module onto a computer system comprising a processor, a memory, at least two devices connected to support an exchange of data with one another, and controllers for controlling the exchange; and executing the detection module by the processor to detect the errors occurring and remaining otherwise undetected by the computer system due to the time gaps. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification