Newsletter in December 2025

                                       - Like a surveillance camera 
                                - In contrast to Percepio Tracealyzer
                            - Support for IAR Embedded Workbench
                 - Car manufacturer BMW relies on Percepio Tracealyzer
                        - More than just internal system programming
                                - Time for (time)gifts, time for thanks

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From a technical perspective, Percepio Detect can be viewed as a trigger system that stores trace and debug information when certain events or conditions occur — for example, processor fault exceptions, a thread exceeding its CPU time budget, or latency exceeding a defined warning threshold.  Detect is implemented entirely in software and requires no additional hardware, so it works even on production units without debug ports, even in the field. Detect integrates Percepio Tracealyzer for visualizing event traces leading up to the detection point, as well as a core dump viewer that displays the detailed status of the running thread, such as the call stack, function arguments, and variable values. These two complementary perspectives, combined with Detect, provide unparalleled insights for post-mortem debugging.

Like a surveillance camera Think of Percepio Detect as a kind of surveillance camera for your firmware—it constantly monitors, but only stores data when something unusual happens, such as crashes or performance anomalies. By providing comprehensive debugging information on demand while minimizing the overall data volume, Detect enables continuous observability over an unlimited period of time, even on resource-constrained devices such as 32-bit microcontrollers. Detect is designed to provide deep insight into sporadic issues such as crashes, errors, or performance anomalies during embedded software development and testing, even when they occur outside the debugging environment, reducing the need for manual reproduction of issues. Detect also supports profiling of real-time performance requirements and helps uncover hidden functional risks that might otherwise go unnoticed, such as near misses in timing or resource constraints.

In contrast to Percepio Tracealyzer Unlike the standalone Percepio Tracealyzer, Percepio Detect is designed for automated monitoring of multiple devices and team collaboration. The web-based dashboard provides a quick overview and easy access to alerts, traces, and post-mortem debugging sessions for the entire team. Unlike most other observability solutions, however, Percepio Detect is not a vendor-hosted cloud service, but a Docker package that you host yourself. This gives you full control over your data and eliminates the need to upload sensitive device data and IP addresses to external service providers. Percepio Detect™ 2025.2 is now available for evaluation here. The new version includes many improvements for broader platform support, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, and easier integration into CI/CT pipelines.

Support for IAR Embedded Workbench   One of the most important new features in Detect 2025.2 is support for IAR Embedded Workbench on ARM Cortex-M devices, including extended core dumps with call stacks and TraceRecorder snapshots. This gives IAR users a complete post-mortem debugging function even in standalone mode without a connected debug probe. In addition, the Detect target library can now output data via the ITM unit, which is available in many ARM Cortex-M devices. Thanks to powerful support for ITM data logging, this can be easily integrated into IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM. IAR I-Jet supports high-speed SWO in Manchester mode, allowing Detect alerts to be transmitted in just a few milliseconds. This enables unobtrusive reporting of alerts and anomalies with comprehensive diagnostics without having to stop the device or abort the test. There is also an interesting possibility to combine Percepio Detect with IAR C-Run for unified runtime monitoring and diagnostics.  The two tools complement each other in terms of runtime behavior: C-Run detects low-level problems within a single thread, such as the use of invalid pointers or integer overflows, while  Detect targets system-level problems that affect multiple threads, such as thread starvation and deadlocks. This integration is not yet included in the product, but can be provided upon request. Read more here.

Car manufacturer BMW relies on Percepio Tracealyzer Percepio Tracealyzer is now helping BMW monitor and optimize software performance in the IP-based integration platform for body and comfort functions in the next generation of vehicles. Tracealyzer provides insight into the runtime behavior of software and supports BMW in the development of high-performance software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The platform enables the integration of proprietary metrics, is scalable, and can be seamlessly integrated into existing data acquisition systems. In view of the increasing software orientation in the automotive industry, Percepio is also promoting the use of observability tools to accelerate development and testing and thus increase software quality and reliability among other OEMs and suppliers. From real-time tracing during development (Percepio Tracealyzer) to proactive anomaly detection during system testing (Percepio Detect) to remote diagnostics during deployment (Percepio DevAlert), Percepio's tools enable faster development, improved software quality, and reduced risk. Percepio already works with technology providers such as ARM, NXP, STMicroelectronics, the Linux Foundation, and the Zephyr Project.

More than just internal system programming Flasher supports custom applications and board testing SEGGER announces a powerful new feature for its entire range of Flasher In-System Programmers (ISPs), including Flasher Portable PLUS, Flasher PRO, Flasher Compact, and the gang programmers Flasher Hub-4, Flasher Hub-12, and Flasher ATE2. In addition to programming a target image, these devices can now also run user-defined applications or apps, offering completely new flexibility for the programming workflow. SEGGER Flasher can do much more than just program firmware. Users can now run one or more apps and integrate them into the programming process. For example, a test app can perform a self-diagnosis on a target board and check not only whether a chip is programmed, but also whether the entire system is functioning correctly. The introduction of in-system testing as an integral part of ISP is a groundbreaking development in the field of embedded systems. “It's amazing what's possible with these custom apps,” says Rolf Segger, founder of SEGGER. "Programming, securing, testing – flasher apps can do it all. Our customers also appreciate that all programming algorithms are included. Switching to another supported device is easy and free of charge." In addition to performing board tests, apps can unlock a target chip, perform field-programmable gate array programming, or even execute boundary scans. This new functionality makes the SEGGER Flasher a universal tool for any production environment. Apps can be programmed with the Flasher SDK in C, which includes the compiler and app builder needed for creation and testing. Sample code is also included to help you get started. With the ability to run custom apps seamlessly, SEGGER takes ISP flexibility to a whole new level.

Time for (time)gifts, time for thanks    Last year, the holidays flew by for me. Too much commotion and remaining business activities prevented me from realizing my resolutions and really “slowing down.” In today's professional life, there is always pressure and time stress; we are literally driven by deadlines and tasks. But nothing is getting better: the pace is constantly increasing — and with it, hecticness and time pressure. All the methods for optimal time management are of little help. Some people feel that they are being controlled by others and no longer in control of their own lives. Does that make sense? Time is our most valuable asset. Everyone has all the time in the world, and yet sometimes they have none. Everyone decides for themselves how to use their time, and then often wastes it on unimportant things. We often don't take enough time for the people who are really important in our lives. With all the hustle and bustle around us, it's easy to loose sight of what's important in life. Christmas is just around the corner – the season of giving. How about giving only what is most important to you this year: your time. Give your time to the people who are important to you, your partner, your family, your children and grandchildren – and your friends.  But don't forget to give yourself the gift of time, time for small pleasures, neglected hobbies and your soul. So that we know once again where the center of our lives lies. With this in mind, I wish you a peaceful Christmas, a celebration of conscious gifts of time, a celebration that will remain a lasting positive memory. And have a great start to the new year! Of course, I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to you. Thank you for the pleasant and productive cooperation over the past year and for your contribution to our business success.

I look forward to being there for you again next year, in the 22nd year since our company was founded. Stay curious — and above all, stay healthy. Sincerely yours, Marian A. Wosnitza PS: I will be happy to write to you again on February 1.   „Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." (Konfuzius)