Abstract: A system for monitoring hardware events in a computer system implements a hardware event monitor of control registers and has programmable generic fields which can be internally or externally programmed for monitoring events ranging from simple operations to complex event sequences. Using programmed criteria incorporated into the hardware event monitor to events within said computer system are monitored by initiating successive compares of programmed criteria with processing events. The hardware event monitor can trigger external actions upon successful detection of compares indicating that all criteria programmed into the hardware event monitor have been achieved. None of the bits within the Control Registers are mutually exclusive which allows multiple scenarios to be programmed. The hardware event monitor and system trace controls act as a single unified entity with remote programming of said hardware event monitor and trace controls over a UBUS to permit capturing and logging problem debugging and instrumentation data for use in remote system administration, technical support assistance, field and customer engineering applications, and performance analysis, and hardware error injection for recovery and diagnostic testing, and enabling dither to break resource deadlocks.

Abstract: Current network management depends on centralized monitoring, analysis, and control by operations staff who must manipulate detailed and often obscure element instrumentation. This complex and labor-intensive management paradigm has been stretched to its limits by the scale and complexity of emerging networks. This article describes the use of delegated agents to distribute and automate management functions. With delegated agents, management intelligence can be dynamically embedded in elements and domains so that networked systems can be programmed to be self-managed.

Abstract: In a companion paper (Spencer et al.), an overview and problem definition was presented for a well-defined benchmark structural control problem for a model building configured with an Active Mass Driver (AMD). A second benchmark problem is posed here based on a high-fidelity analytical model of a three-storey, tendon-controlled structure at the National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER). The purpose of formulating this problem is to provide another setting in which to evaluate the relative effectiveness and implementability of various structural control algorithms. To achieve a high level of realism, an evaluation model is presented in the problem definition which is derived directly from experimental data obtained for the structure. This model accurately represents the behaviour of the laboratory structure and fully incorporates actuator/sensor dynamics. As in the companion paper, the evaluation model will be considered as the real structural system. In general, controllers that are successfully implemented on the evaluation model can be expected to perform similarly in the laboratory setting. Several evaluation criteria are given, along with the associated control design constraints. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract: This paper describes a client-server architecture for the remote control of instrumentation over the Internet network. The proposed solution allows multi-user, multi-instruments sessions to be obtained by means of a queueing process and provides instrument locking capability. Client applications can be easily developed by using conventional high-level programming languages or well-assessed virtual instrumentation frameworks. Performance tests are reported, which show the low overhead due to network operations with respect to the direct control of the instruments.

Abstract: SvPablo is a language independent performance analysis and visualization system that supports analysis of applications written in a variety of languages and executing on both sequential and parallel systems. In addition to capturing application data via software instrumentation, SvPablo also exploits hardware performance counters to capture the interaction of software and hardware. Both hardware and software performance data are summarized during program execution, enabling measurement of programs that execute for hours or days on hundreds of processors.

Abstract: Electroanalysis introduces the techniques and areas of application of modern electroanalysis, which has a particularly important role within current environmental concerns, both in the laboratory and in the field. The text begins by describing the basic principles of the necessary electrochemistry and then moves on to electrochemical sensors and their mode of functioning. Potentiometric sensors are described, including many types of selective electrode. Following this, amperometric and voltametric sensors are discussed together with the various instrumentation and electrode modification strategies to enhance sensitivity and selectivity. A final chapter shows the range of applications of modern electroanalysis, with particular emphasis on trace species, and indicates future trends.

Abstract: A profile feedback optimization system is provided. The system accepts as input an original application and produces an optimized version of the application. The system first instruments the original application through an instrumentation process such that when it executes, it generates profile data. During instrumentation, the system configures images in the application to trap any function calls to critical functions. This allows the instrumented version of the application to execute transparently and appear as the original version. The instrumentation process converts each original image of the application to a version that references other instrumented images. The instrumentation process also configures the operating system to execute the instrumented version instead of the original version when the user selects the application for execution. Once instrumented, the instrumented application is executed. During execution, profile data produced from the instrumented images is saved in a database. Once profile data has been generated, an optimization process is used to optimize the original version of the application based upon the profile data. The optimized version is also configured to execute just as the original application, but references optimized images instead of original images.

Abstract: A method and system within a data processing system are disclosed for directly accessing code during a process by taking a trace by way of using an interruption. According to the present invention, the processor is programmed to generate a trace interrupt after each branch, or at the end of each basic block from the current process. This allows generation of exactly the same number of interruptions as would be produced by an instrumentation approach but without having to know where the basic blocks are in advance. By programming the performance monitor feature to count instructions, the exact size of each basic block is known. At each interrupt, the address of the beginning of the next basic block is saved which is the address where the interruption came from. Tracing information for the previous basic block including its address and its size (the current value of a counter) is created. If the current process is a process to be traced, the tracing information is stored in a trace buffer, the counter is reset to zero returning back to the process from the interrupt.

Abstract: Register transfer level (RTL) source code is synthesized to generate a gate-level representation and to generate instrumentation logic corresponding to one or more statements in the RTL source code. The instrumentation logic comprises logic circuitry in addition to that of the gate-level representation. The instrumentation logic indicates an execution status for the corresponding RTL statement(s) during gate-level simulation.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an instrumentation system, wherein the present invention includes an improved instrument driver software architecture. The instrument driver software architecture of the present invention provides a number of features, including instrument interchangeability, i.e., the use of interchangeable virtual instruments or interchangeable instrument drivers, improved performance, an improved attribute model, improved range checking, and improved simulation features, among others.

Abstract: Process studies and improvement efforts typically call for new instrumentation on the process in order to collect the data they have deemed necessary. This can be intrusive and expensive, and resistance to the extra workload often foils the study before it begins. The result is neither interesting new knowledge nor an improved process. In many organizations, however, extensive historical process and product data already exist. Can these existing data be used to empirically explore what process factors might be affecting the outcome of the process? If they can, organizations would have a cost-effective method for quantitatively, if not causally, understanding their process and its relationship to the product. We present a case study that analyzes an in-place industrial process and takes advantage of existing data sources. In doing this, we also illustrate and propose a methodology for such exploratory empirical studies. The case study makes use of several readily available repositories of process data in the industrial organization. Our results show that readily available data can be used to correlate both simple aggregate metrics and complex process metrics with defects in the product. Through the case study, we give evidence supporting the claim that exploratory empirical studies can provide significant results and benefits while being cost effective in their demands on the organization.

Abstract: A data collection system for a computer network in which a data collection agent has a harmonization library and a plurality of data sources are distributed throughout the computer network. The data collection agent is provided in communication with the data sources via components' instrumentation entities.

Abstract: As flow cytometry laboratories involve themselves in more multi-site domestic and international clinical trial and research studies, it becomes imperative that they develop and adopt qualitative and quantitative standardization. This standardization does not need to be at the instrument-design level but it may evolve from a general consensus on instrument setup, internationally accepted standardized procedures, and quantitative fluorescence intensity units. Instrument condition, age, and setup as well as model and manufacturer all affect the overall instrument performance and quantitative characteristics. Therefore, when working with multiple instruments, platforms, or sites, a standard window of analysis is essential. Furthermore, we should strive to characterize instrument performance and quantitative indices so that data can be compared directly. The same thoughts and ideals hold true for standardizing procedures and reagents. Clones, conjugation, incubation times, pH, temperature, and other environmental conditions all combine to affect the qualitative and quantitative cellular indices that we are attempting to measure. Data are presented that illustrates why standardization is needed and how we have attempted to achieve it in our laboratories.

Abstract: Accurate instrumentation amplifiers with a long-term stability of only a few ppm per year are required for applications such as satellites and downhole oil wells, where accessibility is difficult or maintenance or re-calibration are unacceptable. Pressure measurements in downhole oil wells require extreme precision while the operating temperatures may exceed 250/spl deg/C. Conventional accurate and long-term-stable amplifiers rely on accurate and stable feedback components. In practice, the inaccuracy is limited to about 10/sup -3/. Moreover, calibration or trimming cannot guarantee good long-term amplifier stability. This instrumentation amplifier for such applications uses dynamic feedback.

Abstract: It is desirable for software developers to be able to conveniently obtain feedback from users of applications. It is known for developers and others to use code instrumentation for gathering various types of data relating to applications and their uses. The use of compile time instrumentation may be practical for some situations but it has significant drawbacks when used to provide indications of user interaction with applications. The present invention relates to the use of run time instrumentation for providing feedback from users of object oriented applications where the applications have unique object identifiers and support dynamic data exchange. The invention utilizes a setup software tool to create a monitor input file which indicates which objects of the application should be monitored when a user interacts with them.

Abstract: The use of artificial intelligence techniques introduces a new set of problems related to the characterization of the new instrumentation and measurement procedures, incorporating some components based on these instrumentation-processing technologies. Research is needed to define and evaluate suitable methodologies and techniques in order to identify and specify the accuracy, the precision, and the confidence of the measurements performed by using these advanced instrumentation and measurement procedures, in particular with respect to the algorithmic choices embedded in the related software and the computing system itself. For the near future, these are the challenges of the research communities in the areas of instrumentation and measurement as well as in computer science and engineering.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed that utilize the expressiveness of hardware description languages for efficiently and comprehensively monitoring performance characteristics of a digital circuit design during simulation. According to the present invention, a design entity that is part of a digital circuit design is first described utilizing a hardware description language. Next, an instrumentation entity is described utilizing the same hardware description language. Thereafter, the design entity is instantiated in at least one instance within a simulation model of a digital circuit design. Finally, the instrumentation entity is associated with the design entity utilizing a non-conventional call, such that the instrumentation entity may be utilized to monitor each instantiation of the design entity within the simulation model without the instrumentation entity becoming incorporated into the digital circuit design.

Abstract: Automatic software instrumentation is usually done at the machine level or is targeted at specific program behavior for use with a particular monitoring application. The paper describes CCI, an automatic software instrumentation tool for ANSI C designed to serve a broad range of program execution monitors. CCI supports high level instrumentation for both application-specific behavior as well as standard libraries and data types. The event generation mechanism is defined by the execution monitor which uses CCI, providing flexibility for different monitors' execution models. Code explosion and the runtime cost of instrumentation are reduced by declarative configuration facilities that allow the monitor to select specific events to be instrumented. Higher level events can be defined by combining lower level events with information obtained from semantic analysis of the instrumented program.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed that utilize the expressiveness of hardware description languages for selectively disabling instrumentation during simulation of a digital circuit design. According to the present invention, an instrumentation entity, described utilizing a hardware description language to include an output signal to indicate an occurrence of an event during simulation, is implemented into a simulation model of a digital circuit design. Next, the output signal is associated with a unique output storage element. Finally, a disable mechanism uniquely associated with said output signal is provided, such that the output signal may be selectively masked by disabling the storage element during simulation testing of the digital circuit design.

Abstract: Mel Siegel / The Robotics Institute / Carnegie Mellon University /Pittsburgh PA 15213 USA / 412 268 8802 / FAX 412 268 5569on the web at http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~mws, click on link “FAST-TRACK route to my Lab’s publications”1998 IEEE International Workshop on Emerging Technologies, Intelligent Measurements and Virtual Systems for Instrumentation and Measurements(ETIMVIS’98), Minnesota Club, St. Paul, MN, USA - May 15-16, 1998Remote Enhanced Visual Inspection of Aircraft by a Mobile Robot, page 1 of 10 pages/usr10/mws/mss/etimvis98/text/etimvis98t-final.mkr as of April 16, 1998 2:12 pm

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed that utilize the expressiveness of hardware description languages for incrementally compiling instrumentation logic into a simulation model of a digital circuit design. According to the present invention, a simulation model that includes a design entity file of a digital circuit design is generated. Next, an instrumentation entity file is associated with the design entity file, thereby producing an instrumented design entity file. Finally, and during the process of compiling the simulation model, for the instrumented design entity file: searching for a consistent and previously compiled version of said instrumented design entity file. In response to finding a consistent and previously compiled version, loading the consistent and previously compiled version into the simulation model. In response to finding no consistent and previously compiled version, loading and compiling the instrumented design entity file.

Abstract: As modern computer and network technologies develop, computer systems, especially distributed multimedia systems across the Internet, become more and more complex and dynamic. Among the problems of complex and dynamic computer systems are heterogeneity and a high degree of dynamics and unpredictability in their environment, the difficulty in precise modeling, and potential lack of convergence to desirable stable states. These problems call for mechanisms that can control complex and dynamic computer systems effectively without relying on insight into their internal structure nor precise models of their behavior. Furthermore, such mechanisms should be able to adapt across a wide range of possible changes in the heterogeneous software environment. Software feedback, a software technique that uses feedback mechanisms similar to those in hardware feedback systems such as phase-lock loops, plays an important role in making complex and dynamic computer systems adaptive. It already exists in many forms, such as network flow and congestion control, clock synchronization between Internet hosts, intra- and inter-stream synchronization in distributed multimedia streaming systems, and adaptation in multimedia presentation quality. However, the existing feedback mechanisms are implemented in custom ways. They suffer from arbitrary structure and wasted effort due to repeated redesign and re-implementation of logically similar components. To address the issue of building software feedback mechanisms systematically and efficiently for complex and dynamic computer systems, in this thesis, we present a software feedback toolkit and discuss its application in adaptive multimedia systems. We propose a methodology for hierarchical composition of feedback systems on top of simple building blocks. We also introduce the concepts of guard-based meta-adaptation, guarded feedback components, and dynamic component replugging for composing feedback mechanisms that adapt across a wide range of system dynamics based on simple feedback policies with limited domains. We implement the toolkit in C++, with a library of building blocks and a set of tools for simulation and instrumentation. This software feedback toolkit facilitates the development of highly modular, adaptive and extensible feedback systems, and helps the reuse of existing feedback components. Then we demonstrate the application of the software feedback toolkit for building adaptive real-time packet rate control mechanisms, network flow and congestion control mechanisms for multimedia streaming, and an adaptive real-time distributed video player.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed that utilize the expressiveness of hardware description languages for providing comprehensive runtime monitoring during hardware accelerated simulation of a digital circuit design. According to the present invention a design entity forming part of a digital circuit design that will be translated and assembled into a simulation executable model, is described utilizing a hardware description language. Next, an instrumentation entity designed to send a failure signal in response to detecting an occurrence of a failure event within the simulation executable model is described utilizing the same hardware description language. Thereafter, a simulation test is initiated on the simulation executable model utilizing a hardware simulator. Finally, during the simulation test, and in response to receiving a failure signal from the instrumentation entity, the simulation test is terminated such that the failure event may be efficiently identified and diagnosed.

Abstract: Abstract Innovations in crystallographic instrumentation and the rapid development of methods of diffraction measurement have led to a vast improvement in our ability to determine crystal and molecular structure. This up-to-date resource will allow the reader to harness the potential of X-ray diffraction instruments. Different sources of X-radiation used in crystallography are introduced, including synchrotron radiation, as well as a systematic review of detectors for X-rays and basic instruments for single crystal and powder diffractometry. The principles of the diffraction experiment are discussed and related to their practical application with a comparative description of different scan procedures. Diffraction data collection and processing are also reviewed and methods for error correction are described. This book will provide a useful guide for researchers and students starting in this area of science, as well as skilled crystallographers.