Sometimes, you may experience a hang-up related problem during MCU development. Checking the following issues may help you figure out where your issue is.
-
Clock
Observe whether the MCU system clock or other modules (likes Timers or ADC) exist and are functioning properly to ensure its logic operation. The easiest way is to switch the clocks to the related GPIO pins and using a Digital Oscilloscope to measure. -
Supply Voltage
Check whether the supply voltage or MCU internal regulated voltages exist without any unexpected drops or spikes. The best way to do this is using a Digital Oscilloscope with enough bandwidth to detect any unexpected voltage transients. -
Software
In the software application, check whether any software loop is asking for MCU polling for certain flags or waiting on any input signals. For example, an MCU may hang when an ADC loop is waiting for only a specified threshold value from an external sensor input, because this external sensor does not work as expected. -
Current Consumption
-
If the MCU current consumption is very low compared to its low-power mode currents, the MCU may be in sleep mode and not work. In this case, some interrupts are failing to trigger because of a clock or input related malfunction.
-
If the MCU current consumption is unexpected high, physical damage may make the MCU behave abnormally or may cause a latch-up scenario. In such case, a power cycle can help to distinguish between permanent damage or latch-up issues.