Embedded Testing, Production and Safety
Testing firmware, debugging tools, compliance, security and functional-safety standards. Logic analysers and oscilloscopes have their own pages in Electronics → Test and Measurement.
This is an overview — pick a sub-topic below.
Sub-topics (20)
Unit Testing Firmware
Test logic on the PC by separating it from hardware access.
Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing
Run real firmware on real hardware with simulated inputs/outputs from a test rig.
Software-in-the-Loop Testing
Run the firmware's control code against a simulated plant on a PC.
Emulation
Run firmware without hardware using emulators like QEMU, Renode or Wokwi.
Fault Injection
Deliberately introduce faults (bit flips, sensor failures, power dips) to test robustness.
Boundary Scan
Test board connections through JTAG without probes (IEEE 1149.1).
Production Testing
Fast automated tests on every manufactured unit: power-up, programming, functional checks, calibration.
EMI and EMC
Electromagnetic interference (emissions) and compatibility (immunity).
ESD Protection
Protect circuits from electrostatic discharge with TVS diodes, resistors and good layout.
Power Profiling
Measure how much current firmware draws over time to optimise battery life.
Protocol Analyzers
Decode bus traffic (I2C, SPI, CAN, USB, BLE) to see exactly what was sent.
Trace Debugging
Record program flow and data without stopping the CPU: ITM/SWO, ETM instruction trace.
Firmware Security
Protect devices from attackers: secure boot, signed updates, disabled debug ports, encrypted secrets.
Secure Boot
Each boot stage verifies the next stage's cryptographic signature before running it.
Root of Trust
Hardware that is trusted by design — immutable boot ROM, secure element or TPM holding keys.
Key Provisioning
Injecting unique keys and certificates into each device securely during manufacturing.
Functional Safety
Ensuring systems reduce risk to acceptable levels even when faults occur.
IEC 61508
The base functional-safety standard for electrical/electronic/programmable systems, with SIL 1–4.
ISO 26262
Functional safety for road vehicles, with Automotive Safety Integrity Levels ASIL A–D.
IEC 62304
Software lifecycle standard for medical device software, with safety classes A–C.
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