MICRO/SLD-51 Product Release Notes

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This document contains information related to the latest version of the Micro Computer Control MICRO/SLD-51 8051 Simulator/C Language Debugger. The information contained in this document is more up to date than the printed manual. As a result, where information in the manual conflicts with information in this document, the information in this document will supersede manual information.

Product Update V2.2

Version 2.2 corrects a problem with the "View" command and with "Configuration" command selection of the 80C51 processor.

Product Update V2.1

Version 2.1 of MCC's MICRO/SLD Source Language Debugger corrects a problem with debug command memory map specifiers. In the previous release, specifying a memory map in certain debug commands would give indeterminate results.

Introducing V2.0

Although a variety of new and powerful features has been added to Version 2.0 of MCC's MICRO/SLD Source Language Debugger, the main emphasis of this version is to provide a simple and easy way to simulate additional internal and external hardware devices. This is achieved with the enhanced Breakpoint and Load Commands, and the introduction of Macro Commands and Include Command Files.

Detailed information on command operation is provided in the "Command Reference" section of the product manual.

V2.0 Product Enhancements

The new features include:

New 8051 Chips Supported CMOS Low Power Modes Supported Breakpoint Command Enhanced Macro Command Added Include Command File Added Save/Load Commands Enhanced Assembler Command Enhanced View Command Enhanced PC Symbol Now Recognized Invocation Command Line Enhanced UART Single-Step Prompt Multiple Commands Per Line Supported Display Previous Command (Shift/F3) Abort Command Entry Symbol Support Added To Jump Bit Instructions

New 8051 Chips Supported

MICRO/SLD-51 now supports a wider variety of 8051 based processors. The new chips, including CMOS processors, are selectable with the Configuration Command.

CHIPS SUPPORTED

8031 8032 8051 8052 80C31 80C51 8751 8752

CMOS Low Power Modes Supported

Power-Down and Idle Modes are now supported for CMOS processors. Both modes are entered by setting the appropriate bits in the PCON Special Function Register. Idle Mode can be terminated with an Interrupt or a Reset.

Power-Down Mode can only be terminated with a Reset. For Low Power Modes to be effective, the appropriate CMOS processor must be selected with the Configuration Command.

Breakpoint Command Enhanced

The Breakpoint Command has been enhanced with several new options. These include a type specifier for data breaks, a pass count, pass count reload, and a Break debug command that is automatically executed when the break event occurs.

Break commands provide a simple and easy way to simulate additional on-chip or external hardware devices. They can also be used to temporarily implement undeveloped program sections, to replace sections of code containing errors, or to generate precisely controlled fault conditions for testing of proper program response.

Macro Command Added

Complex debug commands can now be installed in a series of Macro Commands for instant recall and execution. Macro Commands can be called up from the keyboard or executed directly from breakpoint events.

Include Command File Added

The Include Command permits a series of debug commands to be read and executed from a predefined Command File. This allows a complex series of debug commands to be performed at debugger invocation time, or in response to keyboard input, or breakpoint events.

Save/Load Commands Enhanced

This release expands the capabilities of the Save and Load Commands.

The Save Command now supports an optional Map Specifier. The Map Specifier overrides the default save map (i.e. Code) and permits any address range in any memory map to be saved in a Hex file on disk.

The Load Command now supports an optional Map Specifier AND a symbol Append option. The Map Specifier overrides the default load map (i.e. Code) and permits the loading of code or data into a specific memory map. The Append option overrides the default action of purging all previously loaded symbols when loading an Object or Hex file.

The Save/Load enhancements are useful in at least two ways.

First, the Map Specifier option permits the saving and/or loading of any memory map. Data areas can now be initialized from a file, or saved for a later debugging session. Also, in response to a break event, blocks of memory can be loaded from a disk file to simulate the action of internal or external hardware devices.

Second, the Load Command Append option will protect Object file symbols when a data or "patch" file is loaded. Program code or data corrections can be saved in one or more Hex files on disk. These Hex "patch" files can later be loaded over an Object file without losing the Object file symbols.

Assembler Command Enhanced

The Assembler now includes a new user interface and recognizes the symbol "$" as the address of the current instruction.

The new user interface now provides a prompt of the existing instruction at the current address to aid in finding the instruction you want to change.

The symbol "$" (i.e. current location) has now been added to the Assembler. This new feature makes it easier to enter Jump instructions.

View Command Enhanced

The View Command now includes new options for controlling the display of the UART View Screen. Automatic flipping to the UART Screen can now be disabled/enabled with the View Command. Turning off flipping while tracing a program makes the screen scroll more smoothly.

Invocation Command Line Enhanced

This release expands the capabilities of the MICRO/SLD Invocation Command Line. Now, all MICRO/SLD Commands are now supported from the debugger invocation command line.

A "/monochrome" command in now accepted on the invocation command line. This command forces MICRO/SLD into two-color monochrome mode even if you have a non-monochrome adapter. This mode is automatically entered if you have a monochrome adapter.

On some non-monochrome systems, the two-color mode makes the display easier to read.

UART Single-Step Prompt

MICRO/SLD timeshares the PC keyboard between the Target Processor Environment UART and the Source Debug Environment. When the UART View Screen is visible, keyboard input is directed to the UART. At all other times, keyboard input is directed to the debugger command processor. When single-stepping a program, keyboard input is normally directed to the debugger. This would prohibit keyboard input to the UART while single-stepping.

MICRO/SLD now overcomes this problem by monitoring program access to the UART receiver ready status bit. When this bit is tested by a program executing in the Target Processor Environment, the user is prompted for possible keyboard input by a momentary display of the UART View Screen. While the UART View Screen is visible, keyboard input is directed to the UART.

Multiple Commands Per Line Supported

Multiple debug commands are now accepted on a single command line. Multiple commands, separated with a "/" character, permit more complex debug actions to occur on a single command line.

Terminating a command line with a "/" character overrides the user prompt/verify sequence used in some debug commands.

Display Previous Command (Shift/F3)

The restoration of the previous debug command can now be achieved by pressing the Shift/F3 key combination. The previous debug command, starting with the current character position, is recalled.

Abort Command Entry

The Alt Key can now be used to abort a debug command entry in progress.

Symbol Support Added To Jump Bit Instructions

Both Assembly Mode Tracing and Unassembly now display the symbolic name of the jump address in Bit Jump instructions. Previously, these instructions only displayed the numeric value of the jump address.

V2.0 Product Corrections

Timer Correction

This version of the debugger corrects a problem with the 8051 Timers. Previously, and under certain conditions, an active timer could increment more than once per machine cycle. This could result in premature timer overflow, and the possible early generation of a timer interrupt.

V1.2 Product Enhancements

Enter Command Correction

This new version of the debugger corrects a problem with the Enter Command. Previously, entering data with the Enter Command while the Data Watch Window was open could cause unexpected results.

V1.1 Product Enhancements

Enhanced Statement Label Processing

This version of the debugger differentiates the expanded label information included with the MICRO/C-51 V1.4 Run-Time Library from information generated by the compiler. This enhancement improves the display of symbolic information when debugging in Mixed or Assembly Mode.

General Notes

Variable Names

MICRO/SLD-51 supports symbolic names up to 32 characters in length. Symbolic names can be used in many debugging commands such as Data Watch and Breakpoint.

Please note that MICRO/C-51 currently truncates names over 8 characters in length. These truncated names are passed on to the debugger in the 8051 object file.

If you are programming with MICRO/C-51, AND use names greater than 8 characters in length, only the first 8 characters of these names should be used in debugging commands.

Demonstration Batch File

A demonstration DOS batch file is supplied on the product diskette. This demo batch file can be used as an initial introduction to MICRO/SLD. Running this batch file will automatically load the enclosed program file "demo.mco", open a Data Watch window on a program variable, and cause the debugger to enter Trace Mode. At that point press the indicated key to trace program execution.

To run the demo batch file type:

demo<ENTER>

at the DOS prompt.

Changes to Documentation

The following describes changes made to the User's Manual after the manual was printed.

No additional information is available.

Updates are available to registered users. Proof of ownership (i.e. a photocopy of an original product diskette) of a previous version is required.