Research And Implementation Of Embedded Linux Kerenel Debugging Techonology

With the more embedded system adopting the embedded Linux operating system, desire of embedded Linux kernel debugging tools become stronger. Embedded Linux kernel debugging technology has been a hot spot in embedded system domain.This paper systematically studied current mainstream embedded system debugging technologies such as the ICE (In-circuit Emulator), OCD (On Chip Debug), simulator, debugging agent technology and so on. Through contrasting factors such as debugging capabilities, application scope and cost, we choose the debugging agent technology as research direction of embedded Linux kernel debugging technology. Then, we analyzed source code of KGDB that is based on debugging agent technology, abstracted the architecture of KGDB, and understood the operational principle of important components of KGDB. Finally, we found some problems of KGDB, and analyzed causations of these problems.For overcoming defects of KGDB, this paper proposed a design scheme based on LKM (Loadable Kernel Module) technology. The new scheme improved architecture of debugging agent, provided unified interface for modifying embedded Linux kernel, defined nice interface between modules, and preliminarily implemented the functions of debugging agent.Compared with KGDB, the new scheme only lost a little debugging function, but made improvements in stability, flexibility and portability. The new scheme reduced the coupling degree between debugging agent and embedded Linux, and rarely modifies the embedded Linux kernel. Working with GDB, the debugging agent based on new scheme could provide a debugging platform, which has more stable debugging functions, more friendly interface, more debugging efficiency, and lower cost. The new scheme has nice prospects for application...