An Accurate State Visualization of Multiplexed and PWM Fed Peripherals in the Virtual Simulators of Embedded Systems

Abstract

A method of precise and real-like embedded systems peripherals visualization in virtual simulations is presented in the article. For high frequency peripheral inputs, blended graphics of real-look representations of peripherals are used, allowing for an accurate visualization with consideration of their input signal nature based on PWM and multiplexing schemes. An accurate simulator of a didactic embedded system called MKD-51 is introduced as a plug in for Keil μVision IDE. A comparison with a real microprocessor system using multiplexing seven-segment LED modules as well as LED bar fed by PWM is shown. The achieved quantity results are included to illustrate compliance with real devices and improvements in visualization accuracy due to applying additional blending mapping function. Brightness estimation differences of LED visualization compared to a real device are at a single percentage level for seven-segment multiplexed modules.

Keywords

• virtual simulator
• embedded system simulation
• peripherals visualization
• PWM visualization
• multiplexing visualization
• Keil μVision plugin