Embedded Development and Test Tools support Power Measurement

20 February 2012 - iSYSTEM introduced the iSYSTEM IO module as an add-on for the iC5000 embedded software debug and test platform. It provides the capability to drive and measure digital and analog signals. Input signals can be asynchronously read by iSYSTEMs integrated development environment (IDE) winIDEA or by external applications and scripts using iSYSTEMs open and public "isystem.connect" interface, a generic application programming interface (API).

Additional capabilities include real-time capture, either alongside the on-chip trace or standalone. Output signals can be driven from within WinIDEA  or via "isystem.connect". Besides simple assertion of an output an additional feature offers one or more outputs to be driven by a state machine based waveform generator with input signal trigger capability. iSYSTEMs unit test tool testIDEA uses the "isystem.connect" interface to assert signals prior to the test and verify them after the test. The IDE controlled current measurement feature allows system level power analysis during execution of either the entire application software or even down to the function level.

“With the iSYSTEM IO Module and in addition to the iC5000 – an embedded software development and test platform with unit test functionality - we have achieved another innovative step in converting a pure software development tool into a test tool. This clearly shows that we continuously extend test capabilities in the complete development process.  We have understood the software quality challenge our customers are exposed to and for several years now our strategy has been to enable our customers to master this challenge", says Erol Simsek, CEO of iSYSTEM AG.

Power Measurement

The IO module can be switched to power measurement mode within the iSYSTEM integrated development environment. It supports power and current measurement.  As the current measurement is shunt based a PCB including a shunt resistor is required in order to connect to the IO module as well as to the target. For this purpose iSYSTEM does provide an optional power interface board which holds several user selectable shunt resistors.