AM2634: PRU: unit tests

Nicolas B.

Part Number: AM2634

Hi,

I have written some code for both PRUs of PRU-ICSSM. I would like to run some unit tests (ideally automatized) on the algorithms and to make things more complex, the code is partially written in assembly. Therefore, unit testing by compiling for my PC is not possible.

Is there any tool/method recommended by TI to test the firmware of PRUs?

Thank you and have a nice day. Br, Nicolas

over 2 years ago

0 Frank Livingston over 2 years ago

TI__Mastermind 29388 points

Hi Nicolas,

Can you please elaborate on the requirements for of your (automated) unit test setup?

Regards,
Frank

0 Nicolas B. over 2 years ago in reply to Frank Livingston

Prodigy 180 points

Hi Frank,

Unit testing directly on PRU, in my project, would cover only algorithmic functions. Therefore, I wouldn't require to have mocking and stubbing. Furthermore, code coverage is, from my point of view very complex to get on PRU. So I would keep that out of scope. Therefore, a simple solution similar to uCUnit that is based on printf() for feedback/report would be enough. I have tried to use printf() principle but I couldn't find how to activate that printf returns to CCS console.

Br,

Nicolas

0 Frank Livingston over 2 years ago in reply to Nicolas B.

TI__Mastermind 29388 points

Hi Nicolas,

Thanks for the feedback. I need to reach out to the SW team on this topic. I'll get back with you as soon as possible.

Regards,
Frank

+1 Frank Livingston over 2 years ago in reply to Nicolas B.

TI__Mastermind 29388 points

Hi Nicolas,

I got the following response from internal experts.

TI doesn't perform unit tests on PRU.

Using printf() on PRU is not very efficient since it consumes a lot of instructions and cycles, and PRU has limited data and instruction memory.

One suggestion is to use a C API from R5F to unit test algorithms executing on the PRU.

There are many standard unit test framework exists here like unity : Unity — Throw The Switch which is used by MCU SDK.

Regards,
Frank

0 Nicolas B. over 2 years ago in reply to Frank Livingston

Prodigy 180 points

Hi Frank,

thank you very much for the update. I will then go in that direction.

Regards, Nicolas

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AM2634: PRU: unit tests