An in-circuit signal analyzer for mixed signal digital signal processor

The architecture and functionality of a DSP hardware developmental tool called the in-circuit signal analyzer (ICSA) are discussed. This instrument is intended for embedded single chip DSP applications. ICSA is the first tool that allows for target DSP software debug integrated with signal domain analysis. ICSA is a hardware tool built from modular in-circuit emulator technology with an integrated and tightly coupled hardware based real-time signal analysis capability. With the ICSA, the user can perform traditional software domain debug tasks; real-time, in-circuit signal analysis; couple software domain debug with signal analysis through tightly coupled cross trigger mechanisms; and drive target application in real-time with bit-exact test vectors and acquire the resultant output