Embedded Toolsmiths has added support for a new PowerQUICC III chip targeting networking and telecom to its JTAG emulator and debugger. The Guardian-SE emulator and Agile-DB debugger now support Freescale's MPC8548E, and offer many debugging functions useful to embedded Linux developers, the company… says.

(Click for larger view of Guardian-SE JTAG ICE)

The newly supported MPC8548E began shipping in January, and represents the high end of the PowerQUICC III line's MPC854x family. Freescale describes its MPC854x line as “next-generation” networking chips built on 90-nanometer process technology clockable up to 1.333GHz. Embedded Toolsmiths says its tools support the entire MPC854x family, including the MPC8548E, MPC8547E, MPC8545E, and MPC8543E.

The Embedded Toolsmiths tools also support older PowerQUICC III chips, it says, including the MPC8540 communications processor with RapidI/O, MPC8541E security processor, MPC8555E, and MPC8560. The tools also support 4xx-series PowerPC chips from AMCC.

Embedded Toolsmiths says its Guardian-SE JTAG ICE and Agile-DB source-level debugger can be used for:

• Board and hardware bring-up — reset, step, and run the target. Set and view target registers, MMU, and cache. Test RAM (DDR, SRAM…), program Flash, and peek and poke devices using scripts and macros
• Bootloader, firmware, and software debug — reset, step, and run the target. Set hardware and software breakpoints in RAM- and Flash-based code. View source code, assembly code, and data variables. Debug popular boot loaders, such as U-Boot, Redboot, and others.
• Linux debug — debug the kernel, drivers, and loadable modules
• Manufacturing test — test RAM (DDR, SRAM), I/O devices, program Flash, and peek and poke devices with scripts and macros. Create custom buttons and attach commands for popular tests. Erase, programm and verify multiple images to multiple Flash devices and Flash device types

Additional claimed features include:

• Support for Linux and Windows host platforms
  
• One system supports all PowerPC processors — no firmware changes required
  
• Can be used with GDB, DDD, Insight, Eclipse, and other open-source tools for cost-effective debug
  
• Hot-plug into crashed or running systems without disturbing target status
  
• Automatic identification of supported processors and flash memory devices
  
• High speed downloads, Flash programming, and single-stepping via JTAG
  
• Data Book view of on-chip registers
  
• MMU and cache displays allow viewing and changing target state
  
• GUI preferences allows custom data arrangements
  
• Turnkey Flash operations for popular manufacturers including AMD, Intel, Atmel, Spansion, Fujitsu, Micron Technologies, NEC, Sharp, Toshiba, ST Micro, and Silicon Storage

Embedded Toolsmiths will demonstrate its PowerQUICC III debugging solutions at the Embedded Systems Conference in Boston this week.

 
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