Embedded System Debug Plug-in for Eclipse
Encyclopedia
The Embedded system
debug Plug-ins for Eclipse
allow developers to use Eclipse as their integrated development environment
(IDE) when debugging an embedded system based on different microcontroller
s.
Until recently, embedded developers were forced to use different IDEs when debugging a system based on different microcontrollers because hardware debugger
manufacturers support only a limited set of microcontrollers.
Embedded system debug plug-ins for Eclipse hardware debugger manufacturers offer a solution. Developers may use the Eclipse user interface while the debug plug-in controls the debugger software, which in turn controls the hardware debugger.
of the microcontroller to retrieve internal information.
Different microcontrollers use different physical debug interfaces (also called on chip debug interfaces,e.g. JTAG
, Nexus, BDM
). To access the on chip debug interface, a specific protocol and tight timing with distinct voltage levels on the lines to the microcontroller must be used.
A PC is not capable of controlling the on-chip debug interface directly. A sophisticated level converter between PC and microcontroller is necessary, a so-called hardware debugger. The hardware debugger is controlled by software — usually the integrated development environment (IDE).
Hardware debugger manufacturers support only limited sets of microcontroller families. Because the hardware debugger is controlled by a debugger software, different microcontrollers require different debugger software which causes additional learning effort for the developer.
Embedded system
An embedded system is a computer system designed for specific control functions within a larger system. often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. By contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as a personal...
debug Plug-ins for Eclipse
Eclipse (software)
Eclipse is a multi-language software development environment comprising an integrated development environment and an extensible plug-in system...
allow developers to use Eclipse as their integrated development environment
Integrated development environment
An integrated development environment is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development...
(IDE) when debugging an embedded system based on different microcontroller
Microcontroller
A microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM...
s.
Until recently, embedded developers were forced to use different IDEs when debugging a system based on different microcontrollers because hardware debugger
Debugger
A debugger or debugging tool is a computer program that is used to test and debug other programs . The code to be examined might alternatively be running on an instruction set simulator , a technique that allows great power in its ability to halt when specific conditions are encountered but which...
manufacturers support only a limited set of microcontrollers.
Embedded system debug plug-ins for Eclipse hardware debugger manufacturers offer a solution. Developers may use the Eclipse user interface while the debug plug-in controls the debugger software, which in turn controls the hardware debugger.
More details
To debug an embedded system, the debugger software must have access to the debug interfaceInterface (computer science)
In the field of computer science, an interface is a tool and concept that refers to a point of interaction between components, and is applicable at the level of both hardware and software...
of the microcontroller to retrieve internal information.
Different microcontrollers use different physical debug interfaces (also called on chip debug interfaces,e.g. JTAG
JTAG
Joint Test Action Group is the common name for what was later standardized as the IEEE 1149.1 Standard Test Access Port and Boundary-Scan Architecture. It was initially devised for testing printed circuit boards using boundary scan and is still widely used for this application.Today JTAG is also...
, Nexus, BDM
Background Debug Mode interface
Background Debug Mode interface is an electronic interface that allows debugging of embedded systems. Specifically, it provides in-circuit debugging functionality in microcontrollers...
). To access the on chip debug interface, a specific protocol and tight timing with distinct voltage levels on the lines to the microcontroller must be used.
A PC is not capable of controlling the on-chip debug interface directly. A sophisticated level converter between PC and microcontroller is necessary, a so-called hardware debugger. The hardware debugger is controlled by software — usually the integrated development environment (IDE).
Hardware debugger manufacturers support only limited sets of microcontroller families. Because the hardware debugger is controlled by a debugger software, different microcontrollers require different debugger software which causes additional learning effort for the developer.