⚙️ RISC-V Debugging and Testing Tools
How to Troubleshoot and Tune Your Open Hardware Projects
Once your RISC-V board is up and running, the next step is learning how to debug and test your code.
Whether you’re working in the Arduino IDE, PlatformIO, or using professional debugging tools, having the right workflow makes all the difference between guesswork and precision.
Debugging RISC-V hardware isn’t complicated — it just takes a little setup and the right mix of software and hardware tools.
🧠 Why Debugging Matters
Debugging allows you to look inside your code as it runs — checking variables, stepping through instructions, and verifying real-time behavior.
For embedded systems like RISC-V, this is essential because:
- There’s no desktop screen or console to watch.
- Hardware and timing issues are common.
- Many bugs only appear when interacting with sensors or peripherals.
Good debugging tools save hours of frustration and make your development process predictable and repeatable.
⚙️ Common RISC-V Debugging Tools
| Tool / Environment | Purpose | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Arduino Serial Monitor | View sensor data and print debug info | Beginners, quick checks |
| PlatformIO Debugger | Step through code, inspect variables, breakpoints | Intermediate to advanced users |
| OpenOCD (Open On-Chip Debugger) | Hardware-level debugging via JTAG or SWD | Professionals, low-level dev |
| GDB (GNU Debugger) | Command-line source-level debugging | Linux users and custom toolchains |
| Segger J-Link | Fast JTAG/SWD adapter with integrated tools | Industry and advanced makers |
These tools range from simple print-based debugging to full hardware tracing and memory inspection.
🧩 Debugging in the Arduino IDE
If you’re using Arduino IDE with a RISC-V board:
- Add
Serial.begin(9600);in your setup and open the Serial Monitor under the Tools menu. - Use
Serial.print()andSerial.println()to display variable values or status messages. - Combine with onboard LEDs for quick visual debugging.
💡 Pro tip: Some RISC-V boards support hardware debugging inside the Arduino IDE using an external JTAG adapter.
🧰 Debugging in PlatformIO
PlatformIO takes debugging to the next level with full support for breakpoints, variable watches, and call stack tracing:
- Install PlatformIO in Visual Studio Code.
- Connect your RISC-V board via USB or JTAG.
- Click the Debug tab to start a session.
- Step through your code line by line and watch how data changes in real time.
PlatformIO automatically integrates with GDB and OpenOCD, making it easier than ever to debug RISC-V firmware like a pro.
🔧 Hardware Debugging Tools
For deeper inspection or timing-critical debugging, use hardware adapters such as:
- FTDI-based USB-to-JTAG interfaces (affordable and widely supported)
- Segger J-Link or DAPLink adapters (professional-grade tools)
- OpenOCD with GDB for flexible, open-source debugging
These allow you to view CPU registers, stack traces, and memory access directly — great for real-time system tuning or troubleshooting complex firmware.
🧪 Testing and Validation Tools
Beyond debugging, testing ensures your code behaves correctly in all conditions:
- Unit testing frameworks in PlatformIO (for automated checks)
- Logic analyzers or oscilloscopes for verifying timing signals
- Power profiling tools (like Joulescope) for low-power RISC-V projects
Testing early and often helps catch performance and timing issues before they reach production.
💬 In Simple Terms
Debugging isn’t just about fixing what’s broken — it’s about understanding how your RISC-V project really works under the hood.