Distributed Source Code Debugging for Embedded Systems

Embedded system debuggers deal with several layers of target system abstraction, including circuit, machine code, assembly code, procedural code and extension code layers. The Luxdbg debugger contains an explicit API for each of these layers, providing opportunities for networked distribution at any of them. Having evolved in an environment of assembly code debugging for small-footprint signal processing systems, Luxdbg has concentrated on distributing the machine code layer of abstraction. Network efficiency is achieved by using a demand paging mechanism borrowed from operating systems. Paging minimizes network traffic and system call overhead in exchanging processor state between the debugger and its remote target processors. Luxdbg also uses an extension of the Composite Design Pattern to aggregate and to synchronize multiple processors and processes. A research version is adding networked distribution at the procedural code abstraction layer, based on the JavaTM Debug Interface. It is also adding extension code distribution in support of multiple, communicating debuggers.