Personal Computer User Manual

3-1
3
3PPCBug Firmware
Introduction
The PPCBug firmware is the layer of software just above the hardware.
The firmware provides the proper initialization for the devices on the
MVME5100 upon powerup or reset.
This chapter describes the basics of the PPCBug and its architecture. It also
describes the monitor (interactive command portion of the firmware), and
provides information on using the PPCBug debugger and the special
commands. A complete list of PPCBug commands is also provided.
For full user information about PPCBug, refer to the PPCBug Firmware
Package User’s Manual and the PPCBug Diagnostics Manual, listed in
Appendix C, Related Documentation.
PPCBug Overview
The PPCBug debugger firmware is a powerful evaluation and debugging
tool for systems built around Motorola microprocessor. Facilities are
available for loading and executing user programs under complete
operator control for system evaluation. The PPCBug provides a high
degree of functionality, user friendliness, portability, and ease of
maintenance.
The PPCBug also achieves its portability because it was written entirely in
the C programming language, except where necessary to use assembler
functions.
PPCBug includes commands for:
❏ Display and modification of memory
❏ Breakpoint and tracing capabilities
❏ A powerful assembler and disassembler useful for patching
programs