C166: DEBUG WITH ULINK AND OFF-CHIP MEMORY

Information in this article applies to:

• C166 Version 5.05 or higher
• ULINK USB-JTAG/OCDS Adapter

QUESTION

I am currently using ULINK with an Infineon XC167 in 16-bit demultiplexed mode. On my final production board I will use XC164. This board only has external RAM using 8-bit multiplexed mode.

I know that ULINK allows program testing in on-chip Flash, but I have concerns that it may not work very long since the Flash write cycles are limited.

Is it possible to run test code from it via ULINK from this external RAM?

Which external memory modes are supported by ULINK?

What is the minimum access-speed is needed for off-chip memory?

ANSWER

The realistic endurance of the XC16x Flash ROM is a lot higher than mentioned in the data sheet. In fact, we've been using the same XC16x device for two years and the Flash ROM has never failed.

Infineon states a low endurance since a production chip must keep the memory image 10+ years over the full temperature range. Of course I would not ship a test board as a final product, but we think you can go ahead and use the on-chip Flash ROM even during debugging.

If you still want to use off-chip memory, the ULINK Driver for XC16x can work with any off-chip memory in the same way as the XC16x device. Just copy and configure the file ..\C166\Flash\ExtBusSetup.ini. It contains similar BUS setup as in the START_V2.A66 startup code.

This file is entered under µVision in the dialog Project — Options for Target — ULINK Driver for XC16x Settings — Target Debug Options — CPU Configuration File. The commands of this file are executed before ULINK starts downloading and are used for CPU BUS configurations.

MORE INFORMATION

• ULINK OCDS Interface User's Guide, Debugging, Target Debug Options

SEE ALSO

• ULINK: CONNECTION ISSUES WITH ULINK AND XC161 AC STEP
• C166: DO PERIPHERALS STOP WITH ULINK DEBUGGING

Last Reviewed: Friday, January 12, 2007