Microprocessor 5

2Debugging and Testing

This chapter focuses on development, debugging and testing for MPUs (MicroProcessor Units) for evaluating the performance of components and microcontroller programmers. It begins by describing the first electronic boards developed by designers. Debugging is then addressed from the hardware and software perspectives. The chapter concludes by addressing the testing aspect.

2.1. Hardware support

Various systems make it possible to evaluate an MPU. Moreover, programmers have been developed for microcontrollers.

2.1.1. Generic electronic boards

Before designing an application, a developer can take advantage of a range of generic electronic boards initially provided by microprocessor manufacturers, then by third-party companies. They make it possible to evaluate components and to quickly produce demonstration programs. In increasing order of performance, and with the caveat that there are subtle differences between them, there are starter kits, evaluation boards and development boards. The first, because of their very low cost, are made up only of a microprocessor and a minimal set of connectors. Evaluation boards have a more complete set of connectors and additional peripheral components, such as a more advanced initialization circuit or components that belong to an associated family of circuits. Development boards are evaluation boards to which the necessary components have been added for developing simple prototypes, that is, additional components such as ...