TASKING Offers DSP56xxx RTOS-Aware Debug Module for RTXC Kernel

Programmers Zero in on Problems with a System-wide View

Dedham, MA, September 13, 2000 — TASKING, The Embedded Communications Company, significantly cuts the debug time of RTXC-based code for the DSP56xxx through the new RTOS-Aware Debugging Module (RADM) developed for Embedded Power's RTXC kernel. Because of the unique nature of each RTOS and the complexity of a real-time system, developers struggle with the process of identifying and isolating errors at the systems level. The RTXC RADM displays system-wide information about how RTXC and the application behave at a detail (queues, messages, semaphores, etc.) and summary level. As the leading supplier of DSP development tools for DSP56xxx embedded applications, TASKING demonstrates its commitment to the DSP market through expanding its offering to include DSP RTOS-aware debugging.

Fully integrated into the CrossView Pro debugger, TASKING's RTXC RADM enables developers to examine how tasks behave and interact, not only at the usual source and assembly levels, but also at the task-based and RTXC-resource levels. Recognizing that identifying problems in complex multitasking applications is extremely tedious and time-consuming, TASKING gives Motorola DSP56xxx developers the ability to observe intertask communication, synchronization of mechanisms and interrupt service routines. User-friendly features and multiple viewing windows display the type and level of information developers need to zero in on problems in RTXC-based code quickly and easily.

"Embedded Power's RTXC in combination with TASKING's DSP56xxx Tool Suite and the RTXC RADM allow DSP developers unprecedented capability and flexibility to meet the programming and debugging demands of multifunctional applications," notes Alford Frost, COO of Embedded Power Corporation. "With the systems-wide view, developers can penetrate into how the application and RTXC operating system behave and interact to simplify debugging by easily identifying and displaying errors in the debug environment."

"TASKING's RTOS-Aware Debugging Module for the DSP56xxx represents a milestone in the evolution of debugging embedded communications applications," says Laura Horn, TASKING's DSP/32-bit Product Marketing Manager. "With the increasingly complex functionality of today's embedded communications applications, debugging is taking the lion's share of development time. With the DSP56xxx RADM, developers can tackle advanced debugging problems with greater ease and efficiency, regaining the competitive time-to-market edge over other companies."

To ease the debugging process, TASKING has integrated the RTXC RADM and CrossView Pro into a single user interface with no strings or command lines necessary. Developers can display multiple levels of information, examine data structures, obtain summaries on all tasks, view a specific task context, inspect message content, inspect synchronization mechanisms and examine the state of interrupt service routines. Clickable features let developers refresh data after a halt in execution, display or shut off tool bars, and expose detailed information about displayed tasks, semaphores and so on. Customizable text, font and colors enable developers to more quickly identify specific RTOS processes.

Through multiple windows, developers are able to view as much or as little information as they need about the debugging session. Using summary windows, CrossView Pro displays information about specific RTXC components, such as kernel data and time, tasks, mailboxes, queues, memory partitioning, semaphores, resources and timers. Each summary window details a particular object with a simple mouse click. These user-friendly resources boost developer efficiency, giving them the resources they need to produce a high-quality product and reduce time to market.

Availability
TASKING's RTXC RADM is available now as part of a CrossView Pro debugger package for the TASKING DSP56xxx Tool Suite. The package comes complete with the CrossView Pro debugger, simulator, EVM/ADS, and RTXC RADM. Product information is available from the product area of TASKING's web site (www.tasking.com/products/DSP56xxx/RTOS).

About TASKING
TASKING, the Embedded Communications Company, brings together the software technology needed to compete in the embedded communications era. TASKING's award-winning integrated development environment, compiler, debugger, embedded Internet and RTOS offerings support a wide range of DSPs and 8-, 16- and 32-bit microprocessors and microcontrollers for all areas of embedded communications. TASKING, founded in 1974, is a privately held company with headquarters in Dedham, Massachusetts, and engineering, sales and support offices in California, The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK. TASKING's 100,000 licensed users include the world's leading telecom, datacom, wireless and peripheral manufacturers. More information about TASKING can be found at www.tasking.com and www.embeddedcommunications.com.

TASKING, the TASKING logo, The Embedded Communications Company are trademarks of TASKING. All other trademarks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.