Embedded software debugging using virtual filesystem abstractions

We present a scalable technique to simplify the software debugging process for embedded systems that is based on the use of distributed filesystem abstractions. In this technique, the principal building blocks within embedded systems comprising “system-on-chip” (SoC) devices export debugging interfaces realized with filesystem abstractions. These filesystem interfaces are composed in a manner consistent with the hardware hierarchy and provide a portable interface to concurrently debug software executing in the various processing elements within the embedded system. We illustrate application of the model to support the various software debugging requirements unique to SoCs, many of which traditional methods are ill-equipped to deal with. We also present an architecture that may be used to realize distributed filesystem abstractions within resource constrained embedded architectures.