USB-based Background Mode Debugger For Freescale Processors

The application of an in-circuit emulator (ICE) also called on-circuit debugger (OCD) or background debug mode (BDM) can simplify arduous debugging process for embedded systems. Hardware debuggers allow to use an external computer for debugging, enable single stepping, breakpoints, and other resources provided by desktop computer programmers. The application of such circuits requisites high speed data rate transfers. Efficient communication protocols and USB-based devices can be easily implemented to improve advantages of using BDM interfaces. This paper presents an application of upgradable approach to implement USB-based debugger for Freescale microcomputers consisted of USB and field programmable gate array (FPGA) devices. Moreover the device can properly operate under most popular operating systems like UNIX or MS Windows