Adding Debug Hardware and Software

In designing the hardware and software for an embedded microprocessor system, most of the attention is given to the actual application. However, all embedded systems must be debugged eventually. The addition of selected hardware and software can simplify the debug process. Almost any embedded system can benefit from the strategic addition of hardware and software for debugging. Depending on cost and size constraints, the hardware may not be installed but instead connected to the circuit only when data collection actually is required. However, the software must support the functionality regardless of whether the hardware is installed or not. This chapter focuses on adding debug capability that allows operation of the software to be traced to provide a history of what has happened when something goes wrong. The chapter also rationalizes the utility of the techniques even for users who have access to sophisticated emulators..