What if my target device doesn't support trace?

25-Jul-2025
Sampling

With this approach, you can periodically sample variables (data variables or program execution) via a debug port. The concept of Profiler Sampling is mainly used for statistical analysis or sampling rather slowly changing variables and cyclic program execution.


Emulation Adapter 

Available for some architectures, which feature a bigger CPU package (this is only possible when such a bigger, super-set device is available). BlueBox tools connect directly to the Emulation adapter, which is connected to the Target hardware through the pin count conversion board (which is the same format as the smaller CPU package). In some cases, the bigger CPU  package might already have trace capabilities, which can be used directly.

 

SWAT

TASKING Software trace tool enables recording of trace events by using instrumentation without dedicated on-chip hardware trace logic. The SWAT library is linked with the application, and the acquired data is read via the standard debug port using iC7pro or iC7max.


Architecture specific software trace solutions

SFT
Some CPUs (e.g. Renesas RH850) support special instructions, which generate messages on the debug port. The application must be instrumented to generate these messages and the trace method is therefore called Software trace.


Slow Run

winIDEA Analyzer supports Slow Run, a method in which the application is executed by stepping through the application. This method does not support real-time execution but can be used to measure statement coverage on a small scale (e.g. during unit testing).


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