Patent ID: 8079022
Filing Date: 2011-12-13
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for debugging hardware-related software, wherein the hardware-related software comprises simulated modules and non-simulated modules, the method comprising the steps of: during a first execution of the hardware-related software while the non-simulated modules are executed in parallel with the simulation of the simulated modules, periodically saving to a file (i) input/output information comprising hardware stimuli and responses resulting from processing the hardware stimuli and (ii) hardware state information; re-executing the software until a divergence is detected between the saved hardware stimuli and stimuli presented during the re-execution; halting the execution of the non-simulated modules at a point at which the divergence is detected; waiting until the simulated modules are synchronized with the point at which the divergence is detected; reinstating the execution of the non-simulated modules in parallel with the execution of the simulated modules; using the saved input/output information and hardware state information, initiating a subsequent re-execution of the hardware-related software starting at an intermediate execution point prior to where the divergence was detected; and debugging the hardware-related software based at least in part based on the subsequent re-execution.