2.2 Using Code Coverage in a Safety Environment

Attention: To use the MPLAB Analysis Tool Suite in a Safety Environment, you must use a functional safety version of the Microchip compiler. See 1.2 Licenses for MPLAB XC C Compilers. Additional information about functional safety can be found at www.microchip.com/en-us/solutions/functional-safety/mplab-development-ecosystem-for-functional-safety.

Code Coverage has been designed according to the Microchip Development Tools standard process. Microchip asserts certain Assumptions of Use (AoUs) to meet technical and functional safety requirements at the system level. The AoUs are described below. References to some of these AoUs can be found in other sections in this manual, where they are addressed as part of a specific topic being discussed.

It is the responsibility of the System Integrator to address all the AoUs listed in this manual and to ensure that the AoUs listed have been observed by every component or item, contributed to the application being analyzed by Code Coverage.

The System Integrator has two options:

  • Make sure each assumption is fulfilled
  • Disregard the assumption

In both cases, the System Integrator shall provide evidence of the fulfillment and/or a detailed explanation of why disregarding the assumption will not violate a safety requirement, or how the assumption has been sufficiently addressed in a different manner.

As indicated by the classification documents provided by Microchip along with the functional safety version of the compiler, the Code Coverage tool is classified TCL 1. This classification is based on the assumptions of use and use cases provided in the FMEA.

Table 2-1. Degree of Obligation
Shall Binding
Should Recommendation
Assumption of Use Description
[AoU-01-COV] The tool user shall provide a corroborating data source or methodology.
[AoU-02-COV] The Code Coverage tool shall only be used in conjunction with supported Functional Safety versions of the MPLAB XC compilers.
[AoU-03-COV] Code Coverage shall be used in conjunction with a bona fide Functional Safety process.
[AoU-04-COV] Code Coverage shall be used with a suitable version of the MPLAB X IDE.
[AoU-05-COV] Users of Code Coverage shall possess a valid license.
[AoU-06-COV] Code Coverage shall only be used during development and debugging, and shall not be used in the application while in operation by the end user.
[AoU-07-COV] Code Coverage shall not be used outside of a safe and controlled testing environment.
[AoU-08-COV] Code Coverage shall only be used on supported Microchip microcontrollers, microprocessors and DSCs.
[AoU-09-COV] Tests shall be run to completion and the application in a quiescent state before examining and analyzing code coverage data.