topic Re: In-Target Probe? in Software Archive

In-Target Probe?

rao — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 12:28:52 GMT

I'm not sure which forum my question really belongs to. What I like to do is to essentially be able to acess the instruction addresses (as they are executed) and the data (and their addresses) as a program executes. After going wandering around a few intel sites, I noticed the "in-target" probe gives the capability to look at the data I'm interested in. However, I couldn't quite find any other details as to how I would be able to access that information. Can someone point me in the right direction?

- Thanks,
- Rao.

Re: In-Target Probe?

Intel_Software_Netw1 — Wed, 01 Dec 2004 05:49:54 GMT

We forwarded this question to our engineering contacts, who responded:

Standard software debuggers allow you to attach to a running process and stop execution at any point. While halted, you can look at the instructions, their memory locations, and data currently stored in variables. You can single step, or run until some other point in the program. Debuggers are available for Windows*, Unix*, and Linux* environments.

An In-Target Probe (ITP) is a hardware device that allows you to stop the processor and look at many things, including instructions and variable values. An ITP is an expensive piece of hardware, however, and also allows you to look at many other things on the processor and motherboard. ITPs are typically used to debug hardware (processors and motherboards) prior to production.

If you are interested in analyzing some software, then a software debugger is the way to go. They are much cheaper than an ITP, and much more user friendly. If you want to debug a new piece of hardware, then the ITP is what you need.

Regards,

Lexi S.

IntelSoftware NetworkSupport

http://www.intel.com/software

Message Edited by intel.software.network.support on 12-02-2005 08:52 PM

Re: In-Target Probe?

rao — Tue, 07 Dec 2004 12:43:27 GMT

Thanks for the info. I understand the probe is more expensive, but being able to look at the processor bus, addresses, is what I need. From the documents I looked at so far, I couldn't quite understand how the probe lets me see the see the processor signals. For example, I might like to know the address of an instruction that is going to be executed. Any pointers to such documents would be helpful. If the information is proprietary, any info on what I need to do get the information would be helpful.

- Thanks,
- Rao.

Re: In-Target Probe?

Intel_Software_Netw1 — Thu, 09 Dec 2004 02:08:00 GMT

Software debuggers allow you to view everything except the system bus itself. An in target probe has a specialized piece of hardware that you have to physically install in your computer. This specialized piece of equipment allows you to capture all the traffic on the system bus. One supplier which can provide this hardware is American Arium (www.arium.com). Because an in target probe is a specialized piece of hardware, and the software to control it is also complex, this item is extremely expensive. We make no recommendation of this product; they are one supplier that can readily be found on the Internet using a web search.

A good software debugger can provide most of the functionality of the in-target probe without the cost. Among other things, a good software debugger can display addresses of all instructions that will be executed as well as the contents of all the general registers and the addresses and data stored at any memory location. Another tool that might interest you is the Intel VTune Performance Analyzer. This piece of software will analyze your executable and count a wide variety of events that are internal to the processor (including signals). You can download a trial version of VTune for free from the Intel web site (www.intel.com/software/products).

Regards,

Lexi S.

IntelSoftware NetworkSupport

http://www.intel.com/software

Message Edited by intel.software.network.support on 12-02-2005 08:53 PM

Re: In-Target Probe?

skustomper — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 02:21:31 GMT

Hello,
I have also searched thoroughly for information regarding "probe mode" or the in-target probe. I am interested in the instructions: PMENTER, PMEXIT, PMNOW, WRSUBPIR, READPDR0, READPDR1,PMSETTHID, PMCLRTHID, ARRAYFRZ, CRBUSGO, CRBUSNOGO, CRPRELOAD, CRBUSPOLL,
CRCANCEL, TSENCAT, TSENTHROT, DATSERIAL, TESTMODE, ISCANDATMODE, STOPCLK, STARTCLK, ALLCLKEN, ALLCLKDIS, ISCANDATMODE, TSCANTIMER, TSCAN, TSCANSETUP, TSCANCREG, TSCANFNCNTR, IOTESTLOAD,IOTESTMODE, BSCANREAD, BRKPTCTL[A,B], FUSECTL, FUSESHIFT, FUSECSR, FUSESSR, PHASEDSHIF, LOCK, UNLOCK, TAPSTATUS, TAPSTATUSPRVT and VIEWPLL. I am looking to develop specialized applications using intel processors and have not been able to find any information regarding the jtag interface of the pentium and up processors. I am quite familiar with what the in target probe does, but what I am really looking for is the specifications or the developers guide that describes this interface, any terminations required, errata and the instructions I listed previously.

Thanks,
Nate.

Re: In-Target Probe?

Intel_Software_Netw1 — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 03:32:07 GMT

If the documentation you are looking for is publicly available, it will be on the Intel Hardware Design site: http://developer.intel.com/

Otherwise, you would need to work with an Intel representative directly in order to receive support for your project. If your company has its own Intel representative, you may wish to inquire whether they are able to assist with this inquiry. Your company's Purchasing Department will normally have your Intel representative's contact information. If you have no contact, please see http://www.intel.com/buy/networking/design.htm under "Design Components".

If your location is not listed, please see an Intel Authorized Distributor and ask for a Field Application Engineer (FAE). Our Intel Authorized Distributor list is also linked from the URL above.

Lexi S.

IntelSoftware NetworkSupport

http://www.intel.com/software

Re: In-Target Probe?

skustomper — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 04:27:14 GMT

I am sure the information is not publically available. However, companies such as american arium and international test technologies must have the documentation because they develop debug tools for intel. I contacted all three of my contacts (all of which said I was not in their region). Oasis' sales phone is disconnected, and the companies I called could not help me nor did they know what I was talking about. Is there any way I can speak with intel directly on this matter? I have contacted both pre-sales and technical support, and searched the entire site for this information. I believe I have exhausted my searches to this point.

Re: In-Target Probe?

skustomper — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 23:14:52 GMT

hello? is anyone there? intel! wake up! your potential customers are trying to reach you, but you refuse to respond! amd was very helpful in helping retrieve the information I needed, quickly. I have called you through every channel, but I get the run around from tech support to pre-sales and back. All of your "field representatives" are unreliable, and never happen to be around when I call, or they can not help me because I am not in their "region".

"If your company has its own Intel representative"

My company does not have one, and it seems like neither does yours (they are all partner companies, not one number to intel)! I need engineering contacts not representatives. I believe if you are to continue to stay in business, you should quickly respond to, and thoroughly evaluate every message on this forum. I have seen to many posts just left hanging, and its discouraging me and many other customers. This company expresses far too much paranoia. The things i am referring to are patented and protected, and Intel and my company does have the proper non-disclosure in place.

So, maybe now that you have heard the true voice of someone who buys your chips, you will have more encouragement to really help me and the people on this forum, and in the world.

Re: In-Target Probe?

Intel_Software_Netw1 — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 02:02:27 GMT

We'resorry you've had trouble contacting Intel reps in your region. This is outside the scope of what we handle here in our software development forums, but we're always happy to try to help point you toward the people who can help.

This type of documentation is kept on the Intel Hardware Design siteat http://developer.intel.com. While it is certainly always worth checking with the Hardware Design support team if you are unable to find something, more often than notany documentationthat can't be locatedon the public siteeither isobsolete, or isconfidential and can only be obtained under NDA from an Intel representative.

If you need assistance locating an Intel rep in your region who can assist with your project, or if you want to reportproblems working with any particular Intel Authorized Distributor around yourdesign issues, that is where we recommend submitting your request. Here is the direct link to theircontact form. You can also send the request to us and we will forward it to them; however, requests sent to them directly will reach them fastest.

Because this technical topic is outside of what we support, we are locking this thread. Please don't hesitate to contact us by email if you have any questions or concerns.

Lexi S.

IntelSoftware NetworkSupport

http://www.intel.com/software