Hi Experts,
Let me start by providing some background.
We have designed an ASIC: 8051 + non standard peripherals (timers etc)
- FLASH + RF frontent for a product used in wireless communications.
The 8051 currently has a single breakpoint register, and we have managed to integrate with the Keil debugger (single stepping and breakpoints seem to work OK)
Anyway, we are now looking at the next generation of this device, for which S/W and F/W will be written by the user. We will therefore need to produce a "good development board/environment etc" for users".
During (potential) customer visits, lots of buzzwords have been mentioned
- In circuit simulator (is this the same as in circuit probe)
- Trace
- Breakpoints and single step
The problem is, we didn't design the 8051 core, and we are not really a F/W development house. We are generally hardware designers who hack (if we have a S/W problem, we can generally simulate).
So, I guess I am looking for opinions on what "S/W development" features you
- can't live without
- are useful
- you never really use
For the RTL coders amongst you, how easy (or what is the requirement for) H/W support for the feature you mention. Are these things generally based on JTAG?
Any other pointers/links/comments greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Steven