Performing Advanced Profiling on LabVIEW Embedded for ADI Blackfin Applications with VisualDSP++
PrintOverview
One of the advantages of combining LabVIEW graphical programming with C, is the ability to quickly develop an embedded application graphically while still leveraging the powerful profiling tools from within the Analog Devices VisualDSP++ environment. This document outlines the steps necessary to build an embedded application in LabVIEW Embedded Module for Blackfin Processors, and then load that executable into VisualDSP++ for advanced profiling.
Table of Contents
Build the Application in LabVIEW (Debug Mode)
In the Embedded Project Manager, open the build options by selecting Target >> Build Options...
Be sure to select Debug as the Build Configuration, as shown below. For Debug mode, select Non-instrumented (via JTAG/EZ-KIT USB).
Load the Executable (.dxe) into VisualDSP++
After building the application, close the Embedded Module for Blackfin Processors and open VisualDSP++.
Load the executable that was created from LabVIEW, by selecting File >> Load Program... and navigating to the pre-built embedded project directory.
In this case, a shipping example "Fixed Point Arithmetic.dxe" was built in the LabVIEW Embedded Module for Blackfin was built in LabVIEW, and then loaded in VisualDSP++.
When profiling the executable, a wide range of profiling tools are available from VisualDSP++, such as the linear profiler. This can be accessed by selecting Tools >> Linear Profiling >> New Profile.
Since the application has already been built, it can immediately be ran be selecting Debug >> Run.
As the executable runs, the histogram representing the linear profile will be shown. Since we are profiling the "Fixed Point Arithmetic" example, notice most of the CPU time is spent looking up data in a look-up table, and then actually performing the arithmetic operation.
For more information on using VisualDSP++, please refer to the VisualDSP++ 4.0 User Guide.
Conclusion
In only a few steps, an embedded application built with the LabVIEW Embedded Module for Blackfin Processors, may be loaded into VisualDSP++ for advanced profiling.
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