Hierarchical multi-component trace facility using multiple buffers per component

An apparatus for locating errors in an embedded system, the apparatus comprising:

• a plurality of buffers;
• a tracing module communicating with the plurality of buffers, the tracing module configured to make a record of events occurring during operation of a segment of program code which are useful for finding and correcting errors and to selectively transmit the records of events to the plurality of buffers, the tracing module configured to timestamp each record of an event that is stored in a buffer;
• each buffer in the plurality of buffers configured to store a different type of event together with information about the event;
• and
• a merging module configured to selectively combine the records of events from the plurality of buffers into a common list of events organized in chronological order.

A method of tracking errors in an embedded system, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of buffers configured to store records of events useful in finding and correcting errors;
• tracing the events occurring during operation of a segment of program code;
• and
• selectively storing the records of events within the plurality of buffers.

A method of tracking errors in an embedded system, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of buffers configured to store records of events useful in finding and correcting errors;
• tracing the events occurring during operation of a segment of program code;
• selectively storing the records of events within the plurality of buffers;
• merging records of events from the plurality of buffers into a common record of events;
• and
• organizing the list of events in chronological order.

A method of tracking errors in an embedded system, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of buffers configured to store records of events useful in finding and correcting errors;
• tracing the events occurring during operation of a segment of program code;
• selectively storing the records of events within the plurality of buffers;
• and
• storing the records of events in separate buffers according to types of the events, the types of events comprising errors, warnings, and messages.

An embedded system capable of tracking errors in a segment of program code, the embedded system comprising:

• a plurality of storage locations configured to store records of events useful in finding and correcting errors;
• means for tracing the events occurring during operation of a segment of program code;
• means for selectively storing records of the events within the plurality of storage locations;
• and
• means for storing the records of events in separate storage locations according to types of the events, the types of events comprising errors, warnings, and messages.