Embedded Software, Task-level Debugging Techniques And Tools

In the development process of embedded system, object software needs to be debugged by means of cross-debugging. Using traditional debugging tools user can control program execution only by common ways such as setting breakpoint to implement basic debugging functions. The information of running programs users can get is just the register, memory and symbol state. However, nowadays embedded applications tend to be more complicated and most of them provide OS support and adopt multi-task programming. All above require cross-debugger that can provide special task-level debugging support.Based on the embedded debugging tools(LambdaGDB and LambdaTRA) which have basic debugging features , this thesis introduces some key technologies involved in a task-level debugging tool, including task recognition, running control, dynamic load/unload and binding task or task group to debug, etc. The task-level debugging system adopts cross-debugging mode, which means both of the debugger of host, LambdaGDB, and the debug agent of target, LambdaDA, support task-level debugging feature. The former sends debugging commands and receives the execution results, and the latter receives debugging commands and executes them. The task-level debugging function implementation is the linchpin of the whole debugging system. It runs as a task under OS support and is perceptive to the existence of task to be debugged, and so it can handle them and implement task-level debugging function. The system adopts module and hiberarchy design, has powerful functions, real time features, portability and is easy-clipped which meets the requirements of variable users.This thesis describes the design idea and implementation of the task-level debugging system as follows:Chapter 1 introduces the embedded software debugging technologies including its status, the importance of developing task-level debugging system and situation in our country and abroad.Chapter 2 presents the requirement analysis of task-level debugging software which consists of the main function, implementation environment and the development limits of the system.Chapter 3 describes the system design as a whole, including the systemstructure design, the command interface involved in task-level debugging in debugger and host, and the debugging agent module design.Chapter 4 specifies the key technology analysis of task-level software debugging agent, including the pinch point of the task-level debugging technology and the solution.Chapter 5 describes the implementation of the primary module, that is, the solution of the debugging agent module.Chapter 6 summarizes the whole thesis, including the progress, features, creation and evolvement in the future of the task- -level debugging system. In the end the thesis brings some appendixes relative to the system.