To get data from an Embedded Computer System (ECS) one must intrude in some fashion. Low cost approaches typically add software to the ECS to provide instrumentation and/or debugging data. In this approach the amount of data availably is proportional to the degree of intrusion on the real-time process. Higher cost approaches typically use extra hardware to provide this data with inconsequential intrusions. All current methods of ECS testing are limited by differences between the test versions and production versions. More significant limitations are caused by differences between the way the testers uses the ECS, and the way the customers use it.
The invention, SYSTEM FOR RECORDING AND REPLAYING ECS EXECUTION, uses software to add a record and replay capability to ECS systems. This new capability adds complete visibility to the ECS software without compromising its real-time execution. The replay execution is the same as occurred during recording. Because this capability is also implemented in the production systems, all production systems become potential test resources, and the difference between test systems and production systems are minimized. Customer problems (both real and imagined) can now be completely recreated, analyzed, and fixed with a minimum of time and effort.
ECS-Shadow (patent pending & copyrighted) provides embedded software with a Record/Replay capability. This capability provides the following advantages:
1) Data rates of ~2 Kbytes/sec for each MHz of CPU clock.
2) Debug in Replay mode without changing the As-Recorded real-time execution.
3) Include the Record capability in production systems for:
a) Fast problem resolution.
b) Proof of S/W performance in critical applications.
c) Analysis of problem systems, remote systems and systems in unusual environments.
4) Add new analysis capabilities in replay mode, without invalidating the collected data.
Data from real-world systems can now be directly applied toward improving your products and their test setups.
If you are not afraid of being the first to implement a new approach to Embedded S/W, you can get more information from:
