Debugging Complex Hardware Software Issues Questions
Proficiency with embedded debugging tools: JTAG debuggers, logic analyzers, oscilloscopes, and software profilers. Techniques for diagnosing hardware faults, timing issues, memory corruption, and mysterious hardware behaviors. Experience reading datasheets and understanding hardware behavior at the register level.
EasyTechnical
21 practiced
Describe how you would use an oscilloscope to investigate intermittent hardware resets in an embedded device. Specify probe type and grounding, coupling (AC/DC), trigger configuration (edge, single-shot, pre-trigger), bandwidth/sample rate considerations, and what signals you would probe (e.g., VCC, Vbat, RESET, CLK).
MediumTechnical
22 practiced
A peripheral uses DMA to stream high-speed data to external flash. Describe how you would capture DMA bus activity with a logic analyzer: where to probe, how to detect the start/stop of DMA transfers, how to avoid dropped samples at high throughput, and how to reconstruct complete transfers for analysis.
EasyTechnical
29 practiced
List common observable signs of memory corruption on an embedded device (e.g., watch-dog resets, strange jumps, CRC failures). For each sign, name at least one hardware or software tool (JTAG, logic analyzer, software profiler) you would use to confirm and capture evidence.
MediumSystem Design
21 practiced
Memory corruption manifests only under sustained high CPU load. Describe how you would design a test harness and select profiling tools (software profilers, hardware performance counters, instruction trace, JTAG sampling) to induce, capture, and analyze the fault. Which metrics would you collect and how would you correlate them with corruption events?
MediumTechnical
21 practiced
Given a UART peripheral showing framing errors, explain in detail how you would read and interpret relevant memory-mapped registers via JTAG and what diagnostic steps you would take (register snapshots, clock source verification, FIFO status) to determine whether the cause is configuration, timing, or an electrical fault.
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