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AssigneeNational Instruments Corporation
InventorsHugo A. Andrade, Brian Keith Odom, Cary Paul Butler, Joseph E. Peck, Newton G. Petersen
Estimating the term…
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.
A system for debugging a program which is intended to execute on a reconfigurable device, the system comprising:
A system for debugging a measurement program which is usable to configure a reconfigurable measurement device, the system comprising:
A system for debugging a reconfigurable measurement system, the system comprising:
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:
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:
A memory medium comprised in a computer system, comprising:
A memory medium containing program instructions which are executable to perform:
A memory medium containing program instructions which are executable to perform:
A memory medium comprised in a computer system, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Functional testing: tester hardware, i.e. output processing circuits
Functional testing: generation of test inputs, e.g. test vectors, patterns or sequences ; with adaptation of the tested hardware for testability…
Circuit design: for reconfigurable circuits, e.g. field programmable gate arrays [FPGA] or programmable logic devices [PLD]
Computing and data processing
Term end not estimated
The present invention relates to measurement and control, and particularly to measurement devices with programmable logic for performing interface, measurement, and control functions.
Scientists and engineers often use measurement or instrumentation systems to perform a variety of functions, including laboratory research, process monitoring and control, data logging, analytical chemistry, test and analysis of physical phenomena, and control of mechanical or electrical machinery, to name a few examples. An instrumentation system typically includes transducers and other detecting means for providing “field” electrical signals representing a process, physical phenomena, equipment being monitored or measured, etc. Exemplary transducers include thermocouples, strain gauges, pressure sensors, microphones and cameras. As one example, detectors and/or sensors are used to sense the on/off state of power circuits, proximity switches, pushbutton switches, thermostats, relays or even the presence of positive or negative digital logic-level signals. The instrumentation system typically also includes interface hardware for receiving the measured field signals and providing them to a processing system, such as a personal computer. The processing system typically performs data analysis and presentation for appropriately analyzing and displaying the measured data.
Often, the field signals may comprise high common-mode voltages, ground loops, or voltage spikes that often occur in industrial or research environments which could damage the computer system. In that case, the instrumentation system typically includes signal conditioning circuitry, such as isolation circuitry, e.g., opto-couplers, for eliminating ground-loop problems and isolating the computer from potentially damaging voltages. Signal conditioning modules are typically provided for conditioning the raw field voltage signals by amplifying, isolating, filtering or otherwise converting the signals to appropriate signals for the computer system. In one embodiment, the analog signals are then provided to a plug-in data acquisition (DAQ) input/output (I/O) board, which is plugged into one of the I/O slots of a computer system. The DAQ board may include analog-to-digital (A/D) converters for converting the analog signals to corresponding digital signals. The computer system may have an I/O bus and connectors or slots for receiving I/O boards. Of course, other types of computer systems and 1/O buses may be used to implement a processing system.
A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a networked RIO measurement system, according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 1A-1E illustrate various embodiments of a RIO system;
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood however, that drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed. But on the contrary the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternative following within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Incorporation by Reference
The following U.S. Patents and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein.