Z8001/Z8002 Channel Monitor
System Overview
C-TAC Plus is an embedded system analyzer. It provides simultaneous Real-Time Non-Intrusive (RTNI) monitoring of all key points in the system. The monitoring is done on a completely non-intrusive basis without the injection of wait states or cycle stealing, and does not affect bus timing or message sequencing. C-TAC also provides time correlation of data across multiple processors, backplanes, and networks as well as system level evaluation in the operational environment.
Key Benefits
- Data and event correlation and tracing across multiple processors
and data busses
- Dramatic cost savings in resolving software and integration
problems
- Ability to significantly shorten project schedules
- Significant and affordable improvements in software quality
- Includes both real-time non-intrusive (RTNI) monitoring and emulator debug features
Embedded System Lifecycle Diagram
Z8001/Z8002 Channel
The Z8001/Z8002 Channel is designed to provide continuous RTNI monitoring for the Z8001/Z8002 embedded computer. The monitoring is done on a completely non-intrusive basis, without the injection of wait states or cycle stealing. Software timing and sequencing are not affected by the monitoring function. Multiple channels can be placed in a single C-TAC Plus unit to simultaneously monitor additional processors or busses.
Channel Cross Triggering
The Z8001/Z8002 Channel is able to cross trigger with other channels (processors or buses) or with external equipment
Time-Correlation
All C-TAC Plus Channels use a common time stamp. This feature allows time-correlation of data collected from multiple channels and/or multiple bus channels.
Interactive Debug
Although completely non-intrusive, the Z8001/Z8002 Channel also provides all of the intrusive interactive debug features commonly found in in-circuit emulators including:
- Start, stop, single step
- Hardware Breakpoints
- Load/dump memory
- Examine/deposit memory & registers
Common User Interface
Test setup, control, and post-run analysis are accomplished with a symbolic user interface (Microsoft Windows based), which significantly increases user productivity
Graphical Data Analysis
Graphical analysis software allows the user to plot variable data and profile procedures and code execution quickly and easily
High Volume Data Collection
The Z8001/Z8002 Channel standard configuration provides 120 MBytes of real-time data storage with optional extensions up to 1 Gigabyte
Modes of Operation
Image: Real-time display of up to 250 variables
Log: Continuously recorded trace of user events to disk.
Burst recording rate at target speed. Sustained recording
rate of more than 40,000 events/second.
Snapshot: Re-circulating trace of user events to memory;
delayed triggering for pre-, post- and center-trigger
placement
Code Coverage: Maintains a scoreboard of code locations
accessed during a test
Events Detected
Access Type: Instruction, operand, I/O, DMA, interrupt
Address Value: Up to 250 unique addresses or 83
ranges
Data Value: Signed/unsigned byte, word and long word
formats; hex, octal or decimal; =, ≠, <, >, ≤, ≥, inrange
and out-of-range, comparisons (true arithmetic
ranges in target representation format); multiple values
for binary encoded fields
Actions on Events
Record: Records events in trace memory
Site Transition: Change current state to next state. C-TAC
can be configured to monitor events in 64 different user
definable states.
Trigger: Generates a trigger point to freeze the snapshot
trace. Freeze can be delayed for pre-, post- or centertriggering.
External Trigger: Asserts one of four external trigger
lines. Signals other channels, other C-TAC units or other
equipment that a particular event occurred within the
system.
Time Sync: Asserts the external time sync line when the
event occurs
Timer/Counters: Two timer/counters are available for
control of additional selected recording
Variable Event Post-Run Analysis
Variable Plot: Linear or scatter plot of up to 6 variables as a function of time
Procedure Event Post-Run Analysis
Process Timeline: Flow of program execution at the
procedure level. Graphical presentation of procedure
duration and sequencing.
Code Coverage: Indication of code and data areas
accessed during the test
Auto Symbol Translator
- Optional feature automates test specification setup to significantly reduce data entry time and errors
- Automates conversion of symbolic cross-reference
information provided by the compiler toolset to
C-TAC format
- Automates update of addresses after a software rebuild
C-TAC Plus base unit
Configuration For The Z8001/Z8002 Channel
- Event Detector and Acquisition Card (EDAC) detects and captures all event data specified
- SCSI hard drive records event data captured by the EDAC
- Personality Interface Module (PIM) maps the Z8001/Z8002 hardware and instruction set architecture for interface with the EDAC
- Probe Adapter (PAD) conditions the z8001/z8002 signals for transmission to the PIM
- Target Lead Set (TLS) provides a custom connection between the PAD and the Z8001/Z8002
