Debug Arm Zena CSS Reference Software Stack with Arm Development Studio
Introduction
Getting started
Launch the FVP
Configure the model
Create debug connections
Debug RSE from reset
Debug Safety Island code
Debug primary compute and Linux
Next Steps

  Log an issue

  Fork and edit

  Discuss on Discord

About this Learning Path

Skill level:  Introductory
Reading time:  1 hr
Last updated:  23 Sep 2025
Skill level:
  Introductory
Reading time:
  1 hr
Last updated:
  23 Sep 2025
Author:Ronan Synnott, Arm
Arm IP:Cortex-A Cortex-R
Tags: Performance and Architecture Linux Arm Development Studio Arm Zena CSS FVP
Author:
  • Ronan Synnott, Arm
Arm IP:
Cortex-A Cortex-R
Tags:
Performance and Architecture Linux Arm Development Studio Arm Zena CSS FVP

Who is this for?

This introductory topic is for software developers who want to use Arm Development Studio to explore and debug the Arm Zena Compute Subsystem (CSS) Reference Software Stack on a Fixed Virtual Platform (FVP).

What will you learn?

Upon completion of this Learning Path, you will be able to:

  • Set up and save a debug configuration for the Arm Zena CSS FVP
  • Start Runtime Security Engine (RSE) debug at reset and step through early boot
  • Attach to and debug Safety Island (SI) firmware
  • Attach to the Linux kernel on the primary compute cores and debug user space processes

Prerequisites

Before starting, you will need the following:

  • Ubuntu 22.04 host machine
  • Arm Development Studio 2024.1 or later with a valid license - for support see the Install Guide for ADS
  • Basic understanding of the Arm Zena CSS software stack, Armv8-A/Armv9-A cores, and Linux
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