Stochastic performance analysis method and apparatus therefor
US6374369B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 16, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2201/865
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A programmable method for analyzing the performance of software using a combination of statistical sampling, hardware events and feedback, and a finite state machine execution model. Performance analysis code is integrated with the object code of the software it is analyzing and profiling. Using hardware timers and triggers, the analysis code records timing information at each timer or trigger event, where some events may be the result of stochastic sampling. At certain times during the execution and termination of the software being profiled, results of the profiling are output. Upon the termination of the software being profiled, post processing is optionally performed on the profiling output timing information, and the result of this post processing provides a human readable indication of where the analyzed software spent its execution time. A system for implementing the profiling method in hardware is also described.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.