Tool/software:
Hello,
I’m diving into the world of C2000 microcontrollers and thought I’d share my experience as I transition from working with STM32 microcontrollers and the IAR ARM Compiler. Having primarily worked with STM32 devices, I’m familiar with their robust debugging capabilities, especially the ability to monitor variables in real time without halting code execution.
One feature I found particularly valuable in the IAR environment is real-time variable monitoring. Using SWD (Serial Wire Debug), the debugger pulls global variable data at a refresh rate of ~100Hz. This is incredibly useful for observing changes in variables during runtime without interfering with the application’s execution.
My Question:
I’m currently working with Code Composer Studio (CCS) on a TMS320F28P65x development board and have encountered a challenge. While I can add variables to the Watch Window, I haven’t found a straightforward way to pull variable data in real time (at a similar refresh rate of 50-100Hz) without impacting code execution.
In CCS, I experimented with breakpoint watchpoints combined with the "Refresh All Windows" feature, but this approach interrupts the application and isn’t a true real-time solution. I want to monitor variables in a table-like view that updates periodically without affecting execution speed.
Could this be a limitation of the XDS110 Debug Probe, which I’m currently using? Would upgrading to an XDS200 provide the desired capability for real-time variable monitoring? Alternatively, is there a specific setting or plugin in CCS for enabling this functionality?
Summary:
- What I need: A real-time variable monitoring solution in CCS, similar to IAR’s SWD-based implementation.
- Current setup: TMS320F28P65x dev board + XDS110 Debug Probe.
- Target refresh rate: 50-100Hz for global variable updates.
- Workarounds tried: Breakpoint watchpoints + "Refresh All Windows" – unsuitable due to execution interference.
If anyone has experience with C2000 microcontrollers and can shed light on this, or if this is a known limitation of the XDS110/XDS200 or CCS itself, I’d greatly appreciate your insights.
