The ERAD module is shown in Figure 3-1.

The ERAD enhances the debug and system analysis capabilities of the device external to the CPU. The C28x CPU alone has two analysis resources; Analysis Unit 1 (AU1) and Analysis Unit 2 (AU2). The first analysis unit counts events or monitors address buses. The second analysis unit monitors address and data buses. The two analysis units can be configured for hardware breakpoints or hardware watch points, and additionally the first analysis unit can be configured as a benchmark counter or event counter. The ERAD module further expands this capability to provide additional hardware breakpoints, hardware watch points, and counters for profiling, as well as other advanced features. The ERAD module can be utilized by the debugger, and also by the application software. For many real-time systems, it is not always possible to connect a debugger and perform an intrusive debug. Under these situations, the user's code has the ability to set up and control the ERAD module in order to debug and profile the system without disturbing the end application.

The ERAD module consists of eight enhanced bus comparator (EBC) units and four system event counter (SEC) units. The EBC units monitor buses and generate output events. The SEC units can be used with EBC units to profile and analyze the system. These units are described in detail in the following sections.