On-Target Testing with LinkServer Runner and VS Code

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The release 24.9.75 of LinkServer software and tools includes interesting feature: the ability to use the debug probe for automated on-target testing. It includes a ‘runner’ which can program, launch and run the application on the target through a debug probe. While the target is running, it uses semihosting or UART for communication. This makes it a perfect tool for automated testing, especially in a CI/CD environment. One such environment is running automated tests with CMake and CTest in VS Code.

Automated on-target testing with VS Code and LinkServer
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NXP LinkServer 24.9.75: New GUI for Flash Programming

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NXP has released a new version of the LinkServer software. This is a utility for debugging and using scripting for a wide range of devices and debugging probes. It includes support for the MCU-Link, LPC-Link2, on-board and CMSIS-DAP based debug probes with the ‘LinkFlash’:

Programming with LinkFlash

With the new release, it includes a graphical user interface (GUI) for flash programming. It also includes erasing, verifying, recovery, and saving the memory to a file.

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Automated On-Target Testing with J-Run’s –args Feature

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SEGGER has released a new version of their J-Link tools suite. That suite includes the J-Run utility which loads, executes and monitors the output of the target. Output can be with RTT (Real-Time Transfer) or semihosting. This makes it useful for automated tests with CMake and CTest:

CTest with J-Run

What has been added from the V7.98g release is the ability to send arguments to the running application using the --args command, for example with CMake/CTest:

set (RUNNER_CTEST_COMMAND "$ENV{SEGGER_PATH}/JRun" --verbose --device LPC55S16 --silent --rtt -if SWD)

add_test(
  NAME Led_1
  COMMAND ${RUNNER_CTEST_COMMAND} --args "Led_1" ${TEST_EXECUTABLE}
)

Like applications running on the host, I can now pass arguments to the running application. This is useful to set up the target, or to tell which kind of tests to run.

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Eclipse Workspace Sharing: Team Project Set Export and Import

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In my Eclipse workspace I have many projects, from multiple git repositories.

Eclipse (MCUXpresso) with projects from multiple repositories

How can I share a list of projects, say in a development team? As we all should know: the Eclipse workspace (.metadata folder) should not be shared. So how can I share it? There is a cool feature in Eclipse which does exactly that. It shares a configurable set of workspace projects, even if they are on different git repositories.

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How to Use SystemView Data Plot Feature for Real-time Data Visualization

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There is a new feature in the SEGGER SystemView: the ability to plot any data provided by the application, for example sensor data or any other useful data:

SEGGER SystemView with Data Plot
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Tutorial: GNU Coverage with C++ for Embedded Applications

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In an earlier article I explained how to generate GNU coverage information, for an embedded application written in C.

In this article, I show the steps and configuration needed to use GNU gcov targeting an embedded application with C++.

GNU gcov Coverage with C++ Application
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How to Use GNU Coverage (gcov) in a Freestanding Environment for Embedded Systems

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The GNU Coverage (gcov) is a source code analysis tool, and is a standard utility in the GNU gcc suite. It works great in a hosted environment (e.g. Linux or Windows), where you have plenty of resources and a file system. But the gcov tools is relevant and usable for restricted embedded systems too. I have used it for years with the help of debug probes and file I/O semihosting. But semihosting does not come for free, depends on a library with support for constructors and destructors, plus relies on file I/O.

Fortunately, there is a way to use gcov without debugger, semihosting, file I/O and special system initialization: using a freestanding environment:

gcov in freestanding environment with embedded target

This article explains how to collect coverage information using a data stream for example over UART or USB-CDC. Key benefits are less code side, no need for a debugger or on-target file system, improved performance, better automation and flexible data collection.

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SMD Cut Tape Organization with Transparent Containers

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For many of my PCB projects I’m using cut-tape SMD components. So far I have used to keep the components in the little bags as shipped by Mouser and others.

But keeping all the components in bags for multiple projects is not ideal: it takes a lot of time to go through the inventory. What I wanted is an easy and simple storage system at least for the ‘common’ parts used in multiple projects.

Organizing SMD Cut Tapes
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MCUXpresso IDE v11.10: Easy MCU-Link Firmware Update with Eclipse

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A new eclipse-based NXP MCUXpresso IDE v11.10 is available With this new release, it includes an even easier firmware update mechanism for the MCU-Link (LinkServer) debug probes.

MCU-Link based debug probes with a FRDM-K22F board
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Customizable DIY RFID Business Card and Badge Holder with Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Tools

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In case you are looking for an unusual business card, company badge or event badge holder, then this article is for you: A DIY RFID badge and business card with bling-bling addressable RGB LEDs to impress your customer, clients, friends at work or at a conference, packed with electronics. Plus it includes 10 original tools from Victorinox, the manufacturer of the Swiss Army Knife.

Complete Badge and Business Card Solution
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