Embedded controller software and algorithm development tool

This paper describes the design and implementation of a flexible tool for use in developing embedded software and software algorithms. This tool is new and novel because of its capability of monitoring variables used in multiple internal processes (tasks) inside a modern micro-controller while simultaneously acquiring digital and analog data from a physical system that the micro-controller is connected to. Many types of analog and digital signals (e.g. thermocouples, strain gauges, speeds, solenoid signals) that are not monitored by the processes inside the controller can Ire acquired. The internal micro-controller data is time aligned with the external digital and analog data so that information, on events and conditions that a control algorithm internal to the controller is subjected to, can be obtained and correlated to the internal state of the process running in the micro-controller. All data acquired with this fool is processed and sent to a host laptop computer via TCP/IP on an Ethernet link and archived directly on the hard-drive of the laptop. Another novelty and new development with this fool is a new file format that accommodates large data files and allows for a post-analysis software package to be used to analyze the data.