Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Embedded Trace
- Thomas Preußer ,
- Smitha Gautham ,
- Abhi Rajagopala ,
- Carl Elks ,
- Alexander Weiss
Abstract
Decades of advances in computer architecture, software-intensive
applications and system integration have created significant challenges
for embedded systems designers and test engineers. Intrusive software
instrumentation and breakpoint-based debugging are often viewed as the
primary options for observing operational system internals. This narrow
sight creates complicated test flows and convoluted debugging
procedures. Modern embedded computing systems offer Embedded Trace as
the technological answer to the encountered observability conundrum.
Although an integral part of virtually all modern processors, it is
frequently overlooked. Its technical foundations are little known to
application engineers, test engineers, and project managers. This
article explains Embedded Trace as an essential technology in the
testing and debugging toolbox. It highlights its capabilities,
limitations and opportunities.