Building a modular system that empowers Large Language Models (LLM) to analyze, debug, and explore embedded firmware — starting with emulation and expanding to real hardware interactions.
Features
- Run embedded firmware in emulators (QEMU, Renode)
- Simulate and inject sensor/peripheral data
- Capture UART, GPIO, I2C, and system logs
- Let an LLM analyze behavior, identify bugs, and propose fixes
- Extend to real hardware (e.g., ESP32-C3) with live sensor inputs and trace tools
Phase 1: Emulation-Based LLM Debugging
Beginning with software-only environments:
- Use Zephyr or FreeRTOS with hardware drivers like BMP280
- Inject synthetic sensor data and simulate anomalies
- Capture full system behavior via logs
- Use Docker containers to automate test runs and keep them reproducible
Phase 1 Journals
- Tuning LLM-Curiosity with Prompts and ScriptsHad a few thoughts today on this LLM Curiosity and how to control it. I am still getting used to this ‘journal’ style of … Continue reading “Tuning LLM-Curiosity with Prompts and Scripts”
- Quick Exploration with Open InterpreterSpent some time on Saturday working on the first exploration into a segregated environment for Firmware compilation and execution using a Docker container. I … Continue reading “Quick Exploration with Open Interpreter”
Phase 2: LLM Driven Real Hardware Exploration
In future phases, I’ll transition to physical microcontrollers and hardware tools:
- Real-time GPIO/UART/bus monitoring
- LLM-guided fuzzing of inputs (sensor emulation, GPIO pulses)
- Use logic analyzers, power tracers, and timing analysis
- Run experiments across many firmware versions and states
Philosophy: Curiosity-Driven Debugging
My goal isn’t just automation — it’s to build a curious agent that learns and reasons like an embedded developer:
- Observe behavior through logs and instrumentation
- Form hypotheses and test them
- Discover unexpected edge cases in firmware logic
- Explain failures and suggest remediations
Eventually, this enables a form of intelligent fuzzing + explanatory debugging, targeted not just at crashes, but at understanding systemic weaknesses in embedded code.