Using Tracealyzer for Embedded Systems Analysis

In my latest research project I’m using the NXP FRDM-MCXN947 board. As part of that project I have to collect and export application trace data for later analysis. In that project I’m using the the Tracealyzer product from Percepio.

Trace Data in Percepio Tracealyzer
Trace Data in Percepio Tracealyzer

In this article I describe different ways to export trace data from the embedded target: using generic GDB commands or with an trace exporter in VS Code.

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Semihosting with LinkServer in VS Code

For an university research project, I need to write some console output and the same time write a file with data from the embedded board to the host. A logical choice for this is using semihosting.

Semihosting with LinkServer in VS Code
Semihosting with LinkServer in VS Code
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Build and Debug QEMU in Docker

For an university research project we are implementing a software simulator for the EZH (or SmartDMA) co-prozessor present on some NXP MCUs.

Debugging QEMU in container using VS Code
Debugging QEMU in container using VS Code

This article describes how to setup and build QEMU in a docker container, including debugging QEMU with VS Code.

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Debug C/C++ Apps in Docker with VS Code: A Step-by-Step Guide

Debugging a C/C++ application inside a Docker Container using VS Code is surprisingly easy.

This article shows the needed steps.

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Debugging Linux Apps with VS Code: A Step-by-Step Guide

Recently I have been asked “How can I debug a Linux application with VS Code?”. I’m covering that topic in my ‘Embedded Application Development Course on Linux”.

Debugging Linux Application with VS Code over SSH
Debugging Linux Application with VS Code over SSH

I realized, that I have never covered that topic in any of my blog articles. So here we go: I show how easy it is to use VS Code to debug a Linux application. You can use this for example with an Raspberry Pi. Or for example the NXP i.MX93 which I’m using in this article.

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NXP LinkServer Now Supports ARM 64-bit for Enhanced Development

The latest release of the NXP LinkServer supports ARM 64bit (Debian) besides Windows, Linux and MacOS. With this, I can now develop on an NXP i.MX board. Plus, this enables an inexpensive way for automated on-target tests and CI/CD.

LinkServer running on Raspberry Pi
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3D Printed Rugged Enclosure for MCU-Link Pro

The 3D Printed Rugged Enclosure for NXP MCU-Link Debug Probe has been very useful. I wanted to design something similar for the ‘MCU-Link Pro‘ version of that debug probe. There there is already a laser-cut enclosure for the probe itself. I used the same stack-able rugged box for the debug probe plus all the cables.

NXP MCU-Link Pro Enclosure
NXP MCU-Link Pro Enclosure
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MCU-Link-MR v0.5: Enhanced Debug Probe for ARM Cortex-M

The MCU-Link-MR debug probe has been updated :-).

MCU-Link MR v0.5
MCU-Link MR v0.5

The MCU-Link-MR is a CMSIS-DAP debug probe for ARM Cortex-M devices with extra features for mobile robot and drone debugging. The project is open source and available on GitHub with KiCAD files and BOM.

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3D Printed Rugged Enclosure for NXP MCU-Link Debug Probe

I’m using the NXP MCU-Link CMSIS-DAP debug probe in many of my projects. The debub probe from NXP does not come with an enclosure. I’m traveling to work by train, so I designed a new rugged box and enclosure. The box is small and I can keep all parts inside it.

Rugged boxes and enclosure for NXP MCU-Link debug probes
Rugged boxes and enclosure for NXP MCU-Link debug probes
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