On 21/04/08 15:17 +0200, llandre wrote:
Hi all,
I'm going to start my first Geode-based project. I was googling around to understand which debugging techniques are available for this processor. So far I found:
- (old fashioned) burn boot flash and see what happens (flash
programming can be performed with external programmer or via JTAG)
- ROM emulator (see for example
http://wiki.laptop.org/go/ROM_Emulators_for_OLPC or http://www.tech-tools.com/er3.htm)
I'm wondering if it is possible to avoid the long burn-debug-recode cycle. For example, in case JTAG debugger is available, I should be possible to download the boot code in RAM (on-chip or external) and execute it under debugger control (I often used this technique in ARM/PowerPC-based embedded systems). I was having a look at Geode LX databook and I found that the GeodeLink Control Processor provides 1KB SRAM that could be suitable for this purpose. Anybody implemented such solution? Any comment or advice will be appreciated.
The quickest and best option is a ROM emulator - I recommend the Artec dongle, which was actually developed for a Geode platform:
http://www.coreboot.org/Artecgroup_programmable_LPC_dongle
Using a good ROM emulator results in a faster turn around cycle then JTAG, and is more reliable too.
Jordan