# 218: Neutron Star of Dev Boards

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2017-10-06
- Length: 52m
- Episode: 218
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-10-06-218-neutron-star-of-dev-boards
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/218-neutron-star-of-dev-boards

## Summary

Dirk Akeman, partnership marketing manager at SEGGER, explains the architecture and evolution of J-Link debuggers, detailing how internal microcontrollers and FPGAs enable high-speed communication and features like ETM trace. He discusses the company's rigorous testing methodology, which involves maintaining a library of nearly 3,000 evaluation boards and using their own tools for internal development to ensure reliability. Akeman also highlights the shift from reactive debugging to proactive verification using tools like Ozone and SystemView, which allow engineers to profile code coverage and trace interrupts in real-time to prevent bugs before delivery.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-10-06-218-neutron-star-of-dev-boards#t=6) Introduction: Dirk Akeman and SEGGER
- [3:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-10-06-218-neutron-star-of-dev-boards#t=183) Lightning Round: Favorite Tech and Conferences
- [9:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-10-06-218-neutron-star-of-dev-boards#t=546) J-Link Architecture: Microcontrollers and FPGAs
- [15:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-10-06-218-neutron-star-of-dev-boards#t=911) Debugging Software: Ozone and IDE Integration
- [18:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-10-06-218-neutron-star-of-dev-boards#t=1085) Testing Strategy: 3,000 Boards and Internal QA
- [21:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-10-06-218-neutron-star-of-dev-boards#t=1284) High-End Debugging: ETM Trace and Code Coverage
- [27:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-10-06-218-neutron-star-of-dev-boards#t=1673) SystemView: Real-Time Interrupt and Event Tracing
- [33:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-10-06-218-neutron-star-of-dev-boards#t=2012) Onboard Debuggers and ST-Link to J-Link Conversion
- [44:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-10-06-218-neutron-star-of-dev-boards#t=2671) Device Security and Key Storage Risks

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- SEGGER (company)
- J-Link (product)
- Ozone (product)
- SystemView (product)
- ST-Link (product)
- FreeRTOS (product)
- Cortex-M (chip)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [010 - T0015! Part 0x3 - Debug Interfaces](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2018-05-15-010-t0015-part-0x3-debug-interfaces) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [016 - Supercon 2018 Part 1](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2018-11-10-016-supercon-2018-part-1) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [017 - Supercon 2018 Part 2](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2018-11-11-017-supercon-2018-part-2) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [The Toggle Boggle](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-03-05-the-toggle-boggle) (The Amp Hour)
- [System Designer Lets You Try Every Part with Michael Gielda](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2025-03-24-system-designer-lets-you-try-every-part-with-michael-gielda) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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