LDRA Integration With TRACE32 Simplifies Code Analysis, Test And Certification

An extension to the LDRA tool suite uses the TRACE32 Debugger to download the code being tested on the target and provide a mechanism for results capture back to the host via a one-click button added into the TRACE32 in-circuit debugger. Given the limited resources of some embedded devices, the integration offers two options for dynamic analysis of executing code. If memory is limited, test results can be streamed back to the host via the ICD. However, if performance is important and memory available, test results can be compressed on the target and uploaded at a suitable time via the one-click upload button.



Software certification aims to test every line of an application's code to ensure that no software errors result in unexpected results or system failures that could result in physical harm or death once the system is deployed and operational, confirmed Ian Hennell, LDRA Operations Director. Achieving this level of certification rigor on small, resource-constrained systems is challenging and has traditionally involved a lot of manual scripting to get information on and off the device. The Lauterbach-LDRA integration reduces that burden and cost, enabling companies to achieve certifiable, high-quality systems via an automated testing process.



Integration Delivers Comprehensive Testing Rigor to Resource-Constrained Applications



The LDRA-Lauterbach integration automates comprehensive, end-to-end testing even on systems where memory and processor resources are limited. Rigorous safety-critical standards such as DO-178C Level A and ISO 26262 ASIL Levels A-D require bidirectional requirements traceability linking each requirement with the code and tests that fulfill it. In addition, every line of code must be fully tested. The LDRA tool suite makes this level of traceability possible, down to the object code, ensuring compliance to the most stringent conditions. Code that remains unexecuted by test data is highlighted graphically. The LDRA tool suite can then generate unit tests and execute this previously unexecuted code, ensuring comprehensive testing of the entire application.



For applications where the target is not yet available, the same integration has been achieved with TRACE32 Instruction Set Simulator. Projects under tight timelines can fully test the application in a simulated environment to preserve budget and schedule limits. By doing this, teams produce better quality of code, significantly reducing the time required for on-target testing and debug. Project costs for certification can be kept to a minimum while preserving top-quality code.