X-Git-Url: https://bilbo.iut-bm.univ-fcomte.fr/and/gitweb/blast.git/blobdiff_plain/dd3fe103df79a5a4c2962e2f05fec9a9ed58580d..df84660fd98b39737692d57b68c8b2c2d34af0f1:/FunctionalBlock.cpp?ds=sidebyside

diff --git a/FunctionalBlock.cpp b/FunctionalBlock.cpp
index cb8ceba..7be000a 100644
--- a/FunctionalBlock.cpp
+++ b/FunctionalBlock.cpp
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "FunctionalInterface.h"
 #include "ReferenceInterface.h"
 #include "BlockParameter.h"
+#include "ArithmeticEvaluator.h"
 
 
 FunctionalBlock::FunctionalBlock(GroupBlock *_parent, ReferenceBlock *_reference) throw(Exception) :  AbstractBlock() {
@@ -13,8 +14,26 @@ FunctionalBlock::FunctionalBlock(GroupBlock *_parent, ReferenceBlock *_reference
   reference = _reference;
   parent = _parent;
   name = reference->getName();
+
+  if (reference->getImplementations().isEmpty()) {
+    implementation = NULL;
+    cout << "block has no implementation" << endl;
+  }
+  else {
+    implementation = reference->getImplementations().at(0);
+  }
+  lengthAP = -1;
+  lengthCP = -1;
+  lengthIP = -1;
+  lengthOP = -1;
+  lengthPP = -1;
+  delta = -1;
+  evaluator = NULL;
 }
 
+FunctionalBlock::~FunctionalBlock() {
+  if (evaluator != NULL) delete evaluator;
+}
 
 void FunctionalBlock::parametersValidation(QList<AbstractBlock*>* checkedBlocks, QList<AbstractBlock *> *blocksToConfigure) {
   /*
@@ -41,6 +60,11 @@ bool FunctionalBlock::isFunctionalBlock() {
   return true;
 }
 
+bool FunctionalBlock::isSourceBlock() {
+  if (parent == NULL) return true;
+  return false;
+}
+
 void FunctionalBlock::populate() {
   int i;
   BlockParameter* p;
@@ -91,7 +115,914 @@ QString FunctionalBlock::getReferenceXmlFile() {
     return ((ReferenceBlock *)reference)->getXmlFile();
 }
 
-QString FunctionalBlock::getReferenceHashMd5()
-{
+QString FunctionalBlock::getReferenceHashMd5() {
     return ((ReferenceBlock *)reference)->getHashMd5();
 }
+
+void FunctionalBlock::createPatterns() throw(Exception) {
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::createPatterns()";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif
+  
+  cout << "create patterns for block " << qPrintable(name) << endl;
+  if (evaluator == NULL) evaluator = new ArithmeticEvaluator();
+  if (! isGeneratorBlock()) {
+    try {
+      createDelta();
+      createConsumptionPattern();    
+      createProductionCounter();
+    }
+    catch(Exception e) {
+      throw(e); // rethrow e
+    }
+  }
+  try {
+    createProductionPattern();
+  }
+  catch(Exception e) {
+    throw(e);
+  }
+  cout << "PP of " << qPrintable(name) << endl;
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*,QList<char>* > it(productionPattern);
+  while (it.hasNext()) {
+    it.next();
+    QList<char>* pat = it.value();
+    foreach(char c, *pat) cout << (int)c;
+    cout << endl;
+  }
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::createDelta() throw(Exception) {
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::createDelta()";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif 
+  
+  QString deltaStr = implementation->getDelta();  
+  cout << "delta for " << qPrintable(name) << " = " << qPrintable(deltaStr) << endl;
+  if (deltaStr.isEmpty()) {
+    delta = -1;
+    return;
+  }
+  
+  // look for parameter names  
+  double result = 0;
+  try {
+    result = evaluateExpression(deltaStr);
+  }
+  catch(Exception e) {
+    throw(e);
+  }
+  delta = result;
+  cout << "delta = " << delta << endl;
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::createConsumptionPattern()  throw(Exception) {
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::createConsumptionPattern()";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif
+  
+  lengthCP = -1;  
+  QHash<QString,QString> consPattern = implementation->getConsumptionPattern();  
+  
+  foreach(AbstractInterface* iface, getControlInputs()) {       
+    FunctionalInterface* connIface = AI_TO_FUN(iface);
+    QString refName = connIface->getReference()->getName();    
+    if (! consPattern.contains(refName)) {
+      throw(Exception(NO_IFACE_CP));
+      cerr << "no consumption pattern for reference interface " << qPrintable(refName) << endl;
+    }
+    QList<char>* pattern = NULL;
+    try {
+      pattern = expandPattern(consPattern.value(refName));
+    }
+    catch(Exception e) {
+      throw(e);
+    }
+    consumptionPattern.insert(connIface,pattern);
+    if (lengthCP == -1) {
+      lengthCP = pattern->size();
+    }
+    else {
+      if (pattern->size() != lengthCP) {
+        throw(Exception(INVALID_IFACE_CP_LENGTH));
+      }
+    }
+  }          
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::createProductionPattern() throw(Exception){  
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::createProductionPattern()";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif
+  
+  lengthPP = -1;  
+  QHash<QString,QString> prodPattern = implementation->getProductionPattern();  
+  
+  foreach(AbstractInterface* iface, getControlOutputs()) {    
+    FunctionalInterface* connIface = AI_TO_FUN(iface);
+    QString refName = connIface->getReference()->getName();    
+    if (! prodPattern.contains(refName)) {
+      throw(Exception(NO_IFACE_PP));      
+    }
+    QList<char>* pattern = NULL;
+    try {
+      pattern = expandPattern(prodPattern.value(refName));
+    }
+    catch(Exception e) {
+      throw(e);
+    }
+    productionPattern.insert(connIface,pattern);
+    if (lengthPP == -1) {
+      lengthPP = pattern->size();
+    }
+    else {
+      if (pattern->size() != lengthPP) {
+        throw(Exception(INVALID_IFACE_PP_LENGTH));
+      }
+    }
+  }      
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::createProductionCounter() throw(Exception) {
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::createProductionCounter()";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif
+  
+  QStringList counterParts = implementation->getProductionCounter().split(",");
+  foreach(QString s, counterParts) {
+    cout << "cont part = " << qPrintable(s) << endl;
+    bool ok;
+    double val = s.toDouble(&ok);
+    if (ok) {
+      productionCounter.append(val);
+    }
+    else if (s.at(0) == '{') {
+      s.remove(0,1);
+      s.chop(1);
+      QStringList gen = s.split(":");
+      if (gen.size() != 3) {
+        throw(Exception(INVALID_IFACE_PC));
+      }
+      int start = 0;
+      int nb = 0;
+      int step = 0;
+      for(int i=0;i<3;i++) {        
+        double result = 0.0;
+        try {
+          result = evaluateExpression(gen.at(i));
+        }
+        catch(Exception e) {
+          throw(e);
+        }
+        if (i==0) start = result;
+        else if (i==1) nb = result;
+        else if (i==2) step = result;
+      }
+      for(int j=0;j<nb;j++) {
+        productionCounter.append(start+j*step);
+      }
+    }
+    else {      
+      double result = 0.0;
+      try {
+        result = evaluateExpression(s);
+      }
+      catch(Exception e) {
+        throw(e);
+      }
+      productionCounter.append(result);      
+    }
+  }
+  foreach(int val, productionCounter) {
+    cout << val << ",";
+  }
+  cout << endl;
+}
+
+QList<char>* FunctionalBlock::expandPattern(const QString& patternIn) throw(Exception) {
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::expandPattern()";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif
+  
+  QList<char> lst;
+  QString  p = patternIn;
+  p.append(')');
+  int offset = 0;  
+  QList<char>* patternOut = new QList<char>();
+  try {
+    patternOut->append(expandPatternRecur(p,&offset));
+  }
+  catch(Exception e) {
+    throw(e);
+  }
+
+  return patternOut;
+}
+
+QList<char> FunctionalBlock::expandPatternRecur(const QString& patternIn, int *offset) throw(Exception) {
+  
+  QList<char> patternOut;
+
+  while ((*offset < patternIn.size()) && (patternIn.at(*offset) != ')')) {
+    
+    QChar c = patternIn.at(*offset);
+    if (c == '(') {
+      *offset += 1;
+      try {
+        patternOut.append(expandPatternRecur(patternIn,offset));
+      }
+      catch(Exception e) {
+        throw(e);
+      }
+    }
+    else if (c == '0') {
+      patternOut.append(0);
+    }
+    else if (c == '1') {
+      patternOut.append(1);
+    }
+    else if (c == 'X') {
+      patternOut.append(-1);
+    }
+    else if (c == '{') {
+      *offset += 1;
+      QString expr = "";      
+      while ((*offset < patternIn.size()) && (patternIn.at(*offset) != '}')) {
+        expr += patternIn.at(*offset);        
+        *offset += 1;
+      }
+      if (*offset == patternIn.size()) {
+        throw(Exception(INVALID_IFACE_PATTERN));
+      }
+      double repeat = 0;
+      try {
+        repeat = evaluateExpression(expr);
+      }
+      catch(Exception e) {
+        throw(e);
+      }
+      // repeat just the last value in currentGroup
+      char last = patternOut.last();
+      //cout << "repeat last char " << repeat << " times : " << (int)last << endl;
+      
+      for(int i=1;i<(int)repeat;i++) {
+        patternOut.append(last);
+      }
+    }    
+    *offset += 1;
+  }
+  
+  // must check if after ), there is a {
+  if ((*offset < patternIn.size()-1) && (patternIn.at(*offset+1) == '{')) {
+    *offset += 2;
+    QString expr = "";      
+    while ((*offset < patternIn.size()) && (patternIn.at(*offset) != '}')) {
+      expr += patternIn.at(*offset);        
+      *offset += 1;
+    }
+    if (*offset == patternIn.size()) {
+      throw(Exception(INVALID_IFACE_PATTERN));
+    }
+    double repeat = 0;
+    try {
+      repeat = evaluateExpression(expr);
+    }
+    catch(Exception e) {
+      throw(e);
+    }
+    /*
+    cout << "repeat last group " << repeat << " times : ";
+    foreach (char c, currentGroup) cout <<(int)c;
+    cout << endl;  
+    */
+    QList<char> single = patternOut;
+    for(int i=1;i<(int)repeat;i++) {
+      patternOut.append(single);
+    }    
+  }  
+  return patternOut;
+}
+
+double FunctionalBlock::evaluateExpression(const QString& expression) throw(Exception) {
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::evaluateExpression()";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif
+    
+  QHash<QString,double> vars;
+  evaluator->setExpression(expression);
+  QList<QString> varNames = evaluator->getVariableNames();
+  foreach (QString name, varNames) {
+    QString paramName = name;
+    paramName.remove(0,1);
+    BlockParameter* param = reference->getParameterFromName(paramName);    
+    if (param == NULL) {
+      throw(Exception(EVAL_PARAM_UNKNOWN));
+    }
+    bool okVal;
+    int val = param->getDoubleValue(&okVal);
+    if (!okVal) {
+      throw(Exception(EVAL_PARAM_NOVALUE));      
+    }
+    vars.insert(name,(double)val);    
+  }
+  
+  evaluator->setVariablesValue(vars);
+  double result = 0.0;
+  try {
+    result = evaluator->evaluate();
+  }
+  catch(int index) {
+    cerr << "Error at index " << index << ": " << qPrintable(evaluator->getError()) << endl;
+    throw(Exception(EVAL_INVALID_EXPR));
+  }
+  return result;
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::createInputPattern()  throw(Exception) {
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::createInputPattern())";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif
+  
+  lengthIP = -1;
+  foreach(AbstractInterface* iface, getControlInputs()) {      
+    ConnectedInterface* connIface = AI_TO_CON(iface);
+    QList<char>* out = connIface->getConnectedFrom()->getOutputPattern();
+    if (out->size() == 0) {
+      clearInputPattern();
+      throw(Exception(NO_IFACE_IP));
+    }
+    if (lengthIP == -1) {
+      lengthIP = out->size();
+    }
+    else {
+      if (out->size() < lengthIP) lengthIP = out->size();
+    }
+    
+    QList<char>* in = new QList<char>(*out);
+    foreach(char c, *in) {
+      cout << (int)c;
+    }
+    cout << endl;    
+    inputPattern.insert(connIface,in);    
+  }
+  // search the last valid group in IP,
+  while(! isValidDataGroup(inputPattern,lengthIP-1)) {
+    //removeDataGroup(inputPattern,lengthIP-1);
+    lengthIP -= 1;
+  }
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::createAdmittance(int nbExec) throw(Exception) {
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::createAdmittance()";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif  
+  // firstly, copy CP in AP
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*,QList<char>* > iterC(consumptionPattern);
+  while (iterC.hasNext()) {
+    iterC.next();
+    QList<char>* pattern = new QList<char>(*(iterC.value()));
+    admittance.insert(iterC.key(), pattern);    
+  }
+  lengthAP = lengthCP;
+  int clock = 0;  
+  cout << "trigger 1 at c.c. 0" << endl;
+  for(int i=1;i<nbExec;i++) {
+    // searching for the clock cycle for which a new exec starts
+    int nbGroup = 0;
+    while ((clock < lengthAP) && (nbGroup < delta)) {
+      if (isValidDataGroup(admittance,clock)) nbGroup+=1;
+      clock += 1;
+    }
+    while ((clock < lengthAP) && (! isValidDataGroup(admittance,clock))) clock+=1;
+    cout << "trigger " << (i+1) << " at c.c. " << clock << endl;
+    int sc = clock;
+    // combine CP with AP at sc
+    for(int j=0;j<lengthCP;j++) {
+      // first case : column of CP must be placed beyond AP's end.
+      if (sc == lengthAP) {
+        cout << i << "," << j << " append in AP at " << sc << endl;
+        appendToPattern(consumptionPattern,j,admittance,1);
+        lengthAP += 1;
+        sc += 1;	       
+      }
+      // second case : CP and AP can be combined directly (i.e. no X | 1 to do)
+      else if (canCombinePatterns(consumptionPattern,j,admittance,sc)) {
+        cout << i << "," << j << " combine at " << sc << endl;
+        combinePatterns(consumptionPattern,j,admittance,sc);
+        sc += 1;
+      }
+      // third case : CP has an X column
+      else if (isOnlyXDataGroup(consumptionPattern,j)) {
+        cout << i << "," << j << " shift rigth AP to combine at " << sc << endl;
+        shiftRightPattern(admittance,sc);
+        lengthAP += 1;
+        if (! canCombinePatterns(consumptionPattern,j,admittance,sc)) {
+          cerr << "Abnormal case when combining AP and CP" << endl;
+        }
+        combinePatterns(consumptionPattern,j,admittance,sc);        
+        sc += 1;
+      }
+      // fourth case : AP has an X column
+      else if (isOnlyXDataGroup(admittance,sc)) {
+        cout << i << "," << j << " jump c.c. for CP at " << sc << endl;        
+        sc += 1;
+        j -= 1;
+      }
+      else {
+        throw(INVALID_DELTA_CP);        
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  // turn all X into 0
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*,QList<char>* > iterA(admittance);
+  while (iterA.hasNext()) {
+    iterA.next();
+    QList<char>* pattern = iterA.value();
+    for(int i=0;i<pattern->size();i++) {
+      if (pattern->at(i) == -1) pattern->replace(i,0);
+      cout << (int)(pattern->at(i));
+    }
+    cout << endl;
+  }  
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::checkInputPatternCompatibility() throw(Exception) {
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::checkInputPatternCompatibility()";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif
+    
+  // firstly, create input pattern
+  try {
+    createInputPattern();
+  }
+  catch(Exception e) {
+    throw(e);
+  }
+  int nbExec = createTriggers();
+  cout << qPrintable(name) << " will exec. " << nbExec << " times." << endl;
+  
+  try {
+    createAdmittance(nbExec);
+  }
+  catch(Exception e) {
+    cout << "cannot create admittance" << endl;
+    throw(e);
+  }
+  
+  int clock = 0; // index in IP  
+  int i = 0; // index in AP  
+  while ((clock < lengthIP) && (i < lengthAP)) {
+     
+    // if AP is a valid group, search for the next valid group in IP
+    if (isValidDataGroup(admittance,i)) {
+      while ((clock < lengthIP) && (! isValidDataGroup(inputPattern,clock))) clock++;
+      if (clock == lengthIP) {
+        cerr << "Abnormal case: end of IP has been reached without finding a valid group" << endl;
+        throw(Exception(IP_END_NULLCOL));        
+      }
+    }    
+    /* at that point 2 cases of compat : IP(clock) and AP(i) are equal valid group, or
+       are both null columns
+    */
+    if (! samePatterns(inputPattern,clock,admittance,i)) {
+      cout << "AP(" << i << ") and IP(" << clock << ") are not equal" << endl;
+      throw(Exception(IP_AP_NOTCOMPAT)); // IP and AP not compatible
+    }
+    clock++;
+    i++;
+  }
+  if (clock < lengthIP) {
+    throw(Exception(AP_TOO_SHORT));
+    cerr << "Abnormal case: AP is to short" << endl;   
+  }  
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::computeOutputPattern(int nbExec) throw(Exception) {
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::computeOutputPattern()";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif
+  
+  /* case 1: the block is a generator for which output pattern
+     must be computed for a nbExec following executions
+  */
+  
+  
+  if (nbExec > 0) {
+    cout << "computing output pattern of " << qPrintable(name) << " for " << nbExec << " executions" << endl;
+    foreach(AbstractInterface* iface, getControlOutputs()) {
+      FunctionalInterface* connIface = AI_TO_FUN(iface);
+      // create output pattern
+      QList<char>* pp = productionPattern.value(connIface);
+      QList<char>* pattern = new QList<char>(*pp);
+      for(int i=1;i<nbExec;i++) pattern->append(*pp);
+      // assign pattern to interface
+      connIface->setOutputPattern(pattern);
+      // store it in QMap
+      outputPattern.insert(connIface,pattern);      
+    }
+  }
+  else {
+    cout << "computing output pattern of " << qPrintable(name) << endl;
+    
+    // in case of inputPattern not created, do it
+    if (lengthIP <= 0) {
+      // collect the input patterns for each input    
+      try {
+        createInputPattern();
+      }
+      catch(Exception e) {
+        throw(e);
+      }
+      cout << "input pattern array initialized with min. len " << lengthIP << endl;
+    }
+    
+    // initialize the output pattern    
+    lengthOP = 0;
+    foreach(AbstractInterface* iface, getControlOutputs()) {
+      FunctionalInterface* connIface = AI_TO_FUN(iface);      
+      lengthOP = lengthIP+productionPattern.value(connIface)->size();
+      QList<char>* pattern = new QList<char>();
+      for(int i=0;i<lengthOP;i++) pattern->append(0);
+      connIface->setOutputPattern(pattern);
+      outputPattern.insert(connIface,pattern);
+    }
+    cout << "output pattern array initialized" << endl;
+    
+    int clock = 0;
+    nbExec = 0;
+    // search for the beginning of the first execution.
+    while ((clock < lengthIP) && (! isValidDataGroup(inputPattern,clock))) clock++;
+    cout << "found 1st exec clock: " << clock << endl;
+    
+    while (clock < lengthIP) {
+      // initialize counters for current execution.
+      int p = 0; // index in production pattern
+      int o = 0; // clock+o will give the clock cycle of each output group
+      int cip = 0; // clock+cip give the clock cycle of an input group
+      int ccp = 0; // ccp give a column in the consumptio pattern
+      int nip = 0; // number of input data groups already consumed during the current execution, used while exploring IP
+      int ncp = 0; // number of input data groups already consumed during the current execution, used while exploring CP
+      bool cannotCompleteExec = false;
+      for(int m=0;m<productionCounter.size();m++) {
+        // search for the first production in PP
+        while (!isValidDataGroup(productionPattern,p)) {
+          p += 1;
+          o += 1;
+        }
+        int gap = 0; // count the number of extra null columns
+        // search for PC(m) valid input group in IP
+        while (nip < productionCounter.at(m)) {
+          if (clock+cip < lengthIP) {
+            if (isValidDataGroup(inputPattern,clock+cip)) nip += 1;
+            cip += 1;
+            gap += 1;
+          }
+          else {
+            cannotCompleteExec = true;
+            break;
+          }        
+        }        
+        
+        if (cannotCompleteExec) break; // no need to go further since the next search of input data group will lead to go outside inputPattern
+        
+        // search for PC(m) valid input group in IP
+        while (ncp < productionCounter.at(m)) {
+          if (isValidDataGroup(consumptionPattern,ccp)) ncp += 1;
+          ccp += 1;
+          gap -= 1;
+        }
+        o += gap; // to take into acocunt of extra null columns
+        combinePatterns(productionPattern,p,outputPattern,clock+o);
+        p += 1;
+        o += 1;
+      }
+      
+      if (cannotCompleteExec) break; // no need to go further since the next search of input data group will lead to go outside inputPattern
+      
+      // current exec. taken into accunt
+      nbExec += 1;
+      
+      // search for the next exec.
+      clock += 1;      
+      nip = 0;
+      while ((clock < lengthIP) && (nip < delta)) {
+        if (isValidDataGroup(inputPattern,clock)) nip += 1;
+        if (nip < delta) clock += 1;
+      }
+      cout << "found exec " << nbExec << " at clock: " << clock << endl;
+    }
+    // find the last valid output data group
+    while(! isValidDataGroup(outputPattern,lengthOP-1)) {
+      removeDataGroup(outputPattern,lengthOP-1);
+      lengthOP -= 1;
+    }
+
+    // clear input pattern
+    clearInputPattern();
+  }  
+}
+
+/*
+
+void FunctionalBlock::computeOutputPattern(int nbExec) throw(Exception) {
+  static QString fctName = "FunctionalBlock::computeOutputPattern()";
+#ifdef DEBUG_FCTNAME
+  cout << "call to " << qPrintable(fctName) << endl;
+#endif
+
+  // case 1: the block is a generator for which output pattern
+  //   must be computed for a nbExec following executions
+
+  if (nbExec > 0) {
+    cout << "computing output pattern of " << qPrintable(name) << " for " << nbExec << " executions" << endl;
+    foreach(AbstractInterface* iface, getControlOutputs()) {
+      FunctionalInterface* connIface = AI_TO_FUN(iface);
+      // create output pattern
+      QList<char>* pp = productionPattern.value(connIface);
+      QList<char>* pattern = new QList<char>(*pp);
+      for(int i=1;i<nbExec;i++) pattern->append(*pp);
+      // assign pattern to interface
+      connIface->setOutputPattern(pattern);
+      // store it in QMap
+      outputPattern.insert(connIface,pattern);
+    }
+  }
+  else {
+    cout << "computing output pattern of " << qPrintable(name) << endl;
+
+    // in case of inputPattern not created, do it
+    if (lengthIP <= 0) {
+      // collect the input patterns for each input
+      try {
+        createInputPattern();
+      }
+      catch(Exception e) {
+        throw(e);
+      }
+      cout << "input pattern array initialized with min. len " << lengthIP << endl;
+    }
+
+    // initialize the output pattern
+    lengthOP = 0;
+    foreach(AbstractInterface* iface, getControlOutputs()) {
+      FunctionalInterface* connIface = AI_TO_FUN(iface);
+      lengthOP = lengthIP+productionPattern.value(connIface)->size();
+      QList<char>* pattern = new QList<char>();
+      for(int i=0;i<lengthOP;i++) pattern->append(0);
+      connIface->setOutputPattern(pattern);
+      outputPattern.insert(connIface,pattern);
+    }
+    cout << "output pattern array initialized" << endl;
+
+    int clock = 0;
+    nbExec = 0;
+    // search for the beginning of the first execution.
+    while ((clock < lengthIP) && (! isValidDataGroup(inputPattern,clock))) clock++;
+    cout << "found 1st exec clock: " << clock << endl;
+
+    while (clock < lengthIP) {
+      // initialize counters for current execution.
+      int p = 0; // index in production pattern
+      int o = 0; // clock+o will give the clock cycle of each output group
+      int cip = 0; // clock+cip give the clock cycle of an input group
+      int ccp = 0; // ccp give a column in the consumptio pattern
+      int nip = 0; // number of input data groups already consumed during the current execution, used while exploring IP
+      int ncp = 0; // number of input data groups already consumed during the current execution, used while exploring CP
+      bool cannotCompleteExec = false;
+      for(int m=0;m<productionCounter.size();m++) {
+        // search for the first production in PP
+        while (!isValidDataGroup(productionPattern,p)) {
+          p += 1;
+          o += 1;
+        }
+        int gap = 0; // count the number of extra null columns
+        // search for PC(m) valid input group in IP
+        while (nip < productionCounter.at(m)) {
+          if (clock+cip < lengthIP) {
+            if (isValidDataGroup(inputPattern,clock+cip)) nip += 1;
+            cip += 1;
+            gap += 1;
+          }
+          else {
+            cannotCompleteExec = true;
+            break;
+          }
+        }
+
+        if (cannotCompleteExec) break; // no need to go further since the next search of input data group will lead to go outside inputPattern
+
+        // search for PC(m) valid input group in IP
+        while (ncp < productionCounter.at(m)) {
+          if (isValidDataGroup(consumptionPattern,ccp)) ncp += 1;
+          ccp += 1;
+          gap -= 1;
+        }
+        o += gap; // to take into acocunt of extra null columns
+        combinePatterns(productionPattern,p,outputPattern,clock+o);
+        p += 1;
+        o += 1;
+      }
+
+      if (cannotCompleteExec) break; // no need to go further since the next search of input data group will lead to go outside inputPattern
+
+      // current exec. taken into accunt
+      nbExec += 1;
+
+      // search for the next exec.
+      clock += 1;
+      nip = 0;
+      while ((clock < lengthIP) && (nip < delta)) {
+        if (isValidDataGroup(inputPattern,clock)) nip += 1;
+        if (nip < delta) clock += 1;
+      }
+      cout << "found exec " << nbExec << " at clock: " << clock << endl;
+    }
+    // find the last valid output data group
+    while(! isValidDataGroup(outputPattern,lengthOP-1)) {
+      removeDataGroup(outputPattern,lengthOP-1);
+      lengthOP -= 1;
+    }
+
+    // clear input pattern
+    clearInputPattern();
+  }
+}
+*/
+bool FunctionalBlock::samePatterns(const QMap<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* >& patternSrc, int srcCol, const QMap<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* >& patternDest, int destCol) {
+  
+  if (patternSrc.size() != patternDest.size()) return false;
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterSrc(patternSrc);
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterDest(patternDest);
+  while (iterSrc.hasNext()) {
+    iterSrc.next();
+    iterDest.next();    
+    QList<char>* srcPat = iterSrc.value();
+    QList<char>* destPat = iterDest.value();
+    if (srcCol >= srcPat->size()) return false;
+    if (destCol >= destPat->size()) return false;
+    if (srcPat->at(srcCol) != destPat->at(destCol)) return false;    
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+bool FunctionalBlock::canCombinePatterns(const QMap<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* >& patternSrc, int srcCol, QMap<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > patternDest, int destCol) {
+  if (patternSrc.size() != patternDest.size()) return false;
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterSrc(patternSrc);
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterDest(patternDest);
+  while (iterSrc.hasNext()) {
+    iterSrc.next();
+    iterDest.next();    
+    QList<char>* srcPat = iterSrc.value();
+    QList<char>* destPat = iterDest.value();
+    if (srcCol >= srcPat->size()) return false;
+    if (destCol >= destPat->size()) return false;
+    if ((srcPat->at(srcCol) == -1) && (destPat->at(destCol) == 1)) return false;
+    if ((srcPat->at(srcCol) == 1) && (destPat->at(destCol) == -1)) return false;
+  }
+  return true;
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::combinePatterns(const QMap<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* >& patternSrc, int srcCol, QMap<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > patternDest, int destCol) {
+  if (patternSrc.size() != patternDest.size()) return;
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterSrc(patternSrc);
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterDest(patternDest);
+  while (iterSrc.hasNext()) {
+    iterSrc.next();
+    iterDest.next();    
+    QList<char>* srcPat = iterSrc.value();
+    QList<char>* destPat = iterDest.value();
+    if (srcCol >= srcPat->size()) return;
+    if (destCol >= destPat->size()) return;
+    if ((srcPat->at(srcCol) == -1) && (destPat->at(destCol) == 1)) return;
+    if ((srcPat->at(srcCol) == 1) && (destPat->at(destCol) == -1)) return;    
+    destPat->replace(destCol,destPat->at(destCol) | srcPat->at(srcCol));
+  }  
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::appendToPattern(const QMap<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* >& patternSrc, int srcCol, QMap<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > patternDest, int nbCols) {
+  if (patternSrc.size() != patternDest.size()) return;
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterSrc(patternSrc);
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterDest(patternDest);
+  while (iterSrc.hasNext()) {
+    iterSrc.next();
+    iterDest.next();    
+    QList<char>* srcPat = iterSrc.value();
+    QList<char>* destPat = iterDest.value();    
+    int i=0;
+    while ((srcCol+i < srcPat->size()) && (i<nbCols)) {
+      destPat->append(srcPat->at(srcCol+i));
+      i++;
+    }
+  }  
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::removeDataGroup(QMap<AbstractInterface *, QList<char> *> &pattern, int offset) {
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterSrc(pattern);  
+  while (iterSrc.hasNext()) {
+    iterSrc.next();    
+    QList<char>* srcPat = iterSrc.value();
+    if (offset < srcPat->size()) {
+      srcPat->removeAt(offset);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::shiftRightPattern(const QMap<AbstractInterface *, QList<char> *> &pattern, int offset) {
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterSrc(pattern);  
+  while (iterSrc.hasNext()) {
+    iterSrc.next();    
+    QList<char>* srcPat = iterSrc.value();
+    if (offset < srcPat->size()) {
+      srcPat->insert(offset,0);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+bool FunctionalBlock::isValidDataGroup(const QMap<AbstractInterface *, QList<char> *> &pattern, int offset) {
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterSrc(pattern);  
+  while (iterSrc.hasNext()) {
+    iterSrc.next();    
+    QList<char>* srcPat = iterSrc.value();
+    if (offset >= srcPat->size()) return false;
+    if (srcPat->at(offset) == 1) return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+bool FunctionalBlock::isOnlyXDataGroup(const QMap<AbstractInterface *, QList<char> *> &pattern, int offset) {
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterSrc(pattern);  
+  while (iterSrc.hasNext()) {
+    iterSrc.next();    
+    QList<char>* srcPat = iterSrc.value();
+    if (offset >= srcPat->size()) return false;
+    if (srcPat->at(offset) != -1) return false;
+  }
+  return true;  
+}
+
+void FunctionalBlock::clearConsumptionPattern() {
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterP(consumptionPattern);  
+  while (iterP.hasNext()) {
+    iterP.next();
+    QList<char>* pattern = iterP.value();
+    if (pattern != NULL) delete pattern;
+  }
+  consumptionPattern.clear();
+  lengthCP = -1;      
+}  
+
+void FunctionalBlock::clearProductionPattern() {
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*, QList<char>* > iterP(productionPattern);  
+  while (iterP.hasNext()) {
+    iterP.next();
+    QList<char>* pattern = iterP.value();
+    if (pattern != NULL) delete pattern;
+  }
+  productionPattern.clear();
+  lengthPP = -1;
+}  
+
+void FunctionalBlock::clearInputPattern() {
+  
+  QMapIterator<AbstractInterface*,QList<char>* > iterI(inputPattern);
+  while (iterI.hasNext()) {
+    iterI.next();
+    QList<char>* pattern = iterI.value();
+    if (pattern != NULL) delete pattern;
+  }
+  inputPattern.clear();
+  lengthIP = -1;
+}
+
+int FunctionalBlock::createTriggers() {
+  triggers.clear();
+  /* NB: this method returns the number of executions that have been started
+     but not necessary completed.
+  */
+  if (delta <= 0) return 0;  
+  int offset = 0;
+  // search for the first exec.
+  while ((offset < lengthIP) && (! isValidDataGroup(inputPattern,offset))) offset++;
+  if (offset == lengthIP) return 0;
+  triggers.append(offset);  
+  int nbGroup = 0;
+  for(int i = offset;i<lengthIP;i++) {
+    if (isValidDataGroup(inputPattern,i)) nbGroup++;
+    if (nbGroup == delta+1) {
+      triggers.append(i);
+      nbGroup = 1;
+    }
+  }      
+  return triggers.size();
+}