US 5,852,564 A · Method and apparatus for interactively displaying signal information during computer simulation of an electrical circuit

Abstract

A computer system simulator concurrently models both processor operation and signal logic behavior and provides a high degree of user interaction and flexibility in the observation and control of signal values and memory contents during the execution of a simulation. During simulation, source equations for signals can be requested for display either through direct input of a signal name or through graphical interface with the simulation display. Signal equations can in this manner be traced back through several levels, which conveniently provides important information during the observation and modification of signal values. Memory areas may be associated with a processor and loaded with data to be executed by that processor during the simulation. The data can be displayed in both numerical and assembly code mnemonic form, and may also be modified by entering numbers or assembly instructions. The simulated processor execution may thus be interactively modified during the simulation. Additionally, the ability to step the simulation backwards through time, and then forward again, is provided.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method of simulating an electronic system with interactive control of a simulation display, said electronic system including an electrical conductor and a first signal applied to the conductor, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing at least one design language source file describing said electronic system, said at least one design language source file comprising a definition equation of the first signal;
b) compiling said at least one design language source file to form a design language object file;
c) invoking a simulator with said design language object file, whereby said electronic system is simulated and simulation information is displayed upon a simulation screen;
d) concurrently with said simulating of said electronic system, selecting by user inputs said first signal for definition display;
and
e) displaying said definition equation of said first signal on said simulation screen concurrently with said simulating of said electronic system.

3 more elements

A computer program product for simulating an electronic system with interactive control of a simulation display, said electronic system including an electrical conductor, and a first signal applied to the conductor, said product comprising:

code for compiling at least one design language source file to form a design language object file, said at least one design language source file describing said electronic system and comprising a definition equation of the first signal;
code for simulating said electronic system as represented by said at least one design language object file, and for displaying simulation information upon a simulation screen;
code for permitting selection, by user input, of said first signal for definition display, said selection occurring concurrently with said simulating of said electronic system;
code for displaying said definition equation of said first signal on said simulation screen concurrently with said simulating of said electronic system;
and
a computer-readable storage medium that stores said codes.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for interactively displaying signal information during computer simulation of an electrical circuit

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for interactively displaying signal information during computer simulation of an electrical circuit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15