2 Introduction

impulse is a powerful visualization and analysis workbench designed to help engineers understand, analyze, and debug complex semiconductor and multi-core software systems. It provides a seamless integration into IDE frameworks and supports a growing set of extensions, such as IoT, language IDEs, and reporting tools.

With its client-server architecture, impulse divides workloads between signal-providing tasks (on a simulation or application server) and local analysis tools, ensuring efficient performance. Engineers can use their favorite web IDE to analyze logs, traces, and simulation data without transferring large amounts of data or relying on local tools.

impulse’s open extension mechanisms allow users to adapt it to their specific needs. Whether defining custom data formats, implementing acquisition interfaces, creating specialized diagrams, or integrating a 3D chart engine, impulse offers unparalleled flexibility. Its lightweight frontend and powerful Java backend enable the creation of high-performance, complex analysis applications.

Features

Data Integration

• Supports log, wave, trace files, and live data streams.
• Connects via TCP streams, pipes, serial interfaces, and external hardware.
• Synchronizes multiple signal sources for unified analysis.

Customizable Views

• Create tailored views with structured navigation.
• Switch between views for efficient signal interpretation.
• Use diagrams to visualize signals across domains like time and frequency.

Signal Processing

• Combine signals using mathematical operations.
• Decode data with protocol parsers.
• Generate reference signals and extract statistical insights.

Sample Tables

• Tabular representation synchronized with viewers.
• Real-time updates for streaming data.
• Configurable columns for custom value representation.

Automation

• Background processing of large datasets.
• Automatic conflict detection and pattern identification.
• Statistical extraction for performance insights.

Understanding Key Terminology

When working with the impulse Viewer, it is essential to understand the key terms used throughout this manual. Below, we define the terms Sample, Signal, Record, and View, which form the foundation of the impulse Viewer.

Sample

A sample is a value or an event uniquely positioned on an axis that describes a domain, such as time or frequency. Examples of samples include:

• A log event.
• An analog value change.
• A digital transition (e.g., 0 → 1).

Signal

A signal is a sequence of samples organized along a rising domain, such as time. While two samples may share the same position on the axis, the direction of the axis always increases. Examples of signals include:

• A log or trace over time.
• A simulated analog voltage over frequency.
• A digital simulation of a semiconductor.

Record

A record is a collection of signals organized in a hierarchical structure, such as a tree with folders. Records may also include additional supporting elements, such as calculations or imported data. Examples of records include:

• The content of a wave file.
• A log file.
• A trace file.

In addition to signals, a record can contain:

• Scopes: These act like folders, organizing signals and other elements into a structured hierarchy.
• Includes: These allow the import of other files, enabling the reuse of data and configurations across records.
• Analysis: These can calculate new signals from existing content, providing insights or derived information.
• Interfaces: impulse’s flexible signal adaptors enable connections to any signal source, whether through simple data interfaces, configurable readers, external libraries, or complex hardware setups.
• Proxies: These act as proxies for signals, enabling dynamic and flexible interactions within the record structure.
• Relations: These build up connections between signals, proxies, and scopes, facilitating structured interactions and dependencies within the record.

View

A view provides a presentation for a set of signals. Views are not bound to a specific file or input, allowing flexibility in reusing them for different signal sets. Users can switch between these presentations to analyze data effectively.

Inside a view, you will find:

• View Signals: These use a specific type of diagram to display signal data.
• View Folders: These organize the presentation in a hierarchical structure, enabling users to hide or show parts of the presentation as needed.

Functional Blocks

Each developer’s workflow and challenges are unique, requiring customized setups for data capturing, visualization, and analysis. impulse uses extendable and configurable functional blocks (e.g., serializers, signal processors, diagrams, views, producers, adaptors, search engines, formatters, etc.) to enable seamless integration of all required components.

Serializer

A serializer allows for reading and writing external content. It facilitates the import and export of data in various formats, enabling integration with external tools and workflows.

Signal Processor

A signal processor creates new signals from existing ones or from scratch. It combines signals using mathematical operations, extracts meaningful patterns, and implements protocol parsers to decode data. By generating reference signals and transforming raw inputs, signal processors enhance analysis, debugging, and overall system performance.

Diagram

A diagram provides a specific visualization for signals. It represents signal data in various forms, such as time-domain plots, frequency-domain charts, or custom visual representations.

Producer

A producer generates new content from existing content. It can create signals, records, or other data elements based on predefined rules or transformations.

Adaptor

An adaptor serves as an interface to external systems. It connects impulse to hardware devices, libraries, or data sources, enabling seamless data acquisition and interaction.

Search Engine

A search engine helps locate samples within signals. It enables users to efficiently find specific events, patterns, or values, even in large datasets.

Formatter

A formatter converts signal values into text. It is used to represent signal data in a human-readable format, such as for logs, tables, or reports.

Conclusion

impulse is a versatile and powerful tool designed to meet the needs of engineers working with complex systems. Its flexible architecture, extensive features, and customizable components make it an essential workbench for visualization, analysis, and debugging. By leveraging its capabilities, users can streamline their workflows, gain deeper insights, and enhance productivity in their projects.