Static stack-usage analysis for PowerPC

StackAnalyzer for PowerPC statically determines the worst-case stack usage of tasks in safety-critical applications written or gene­rated in C, C++ or Ada and compiled to run on 32-bit or 64-bit PowerPC processors.

Key features

• Static analysis of binary files, exactly as they are executed in the final system.
• Clear and precise information on the worst-case stack usage by tasks, procedures, basic blocks, and individual instructions.
• Recursions, function pointers, inline assembly code, and library-function calls are all taken into account.
• Automatic recognition of dead code.
• Exceptionally fast analysis of complex real-world software.
• Freely selectable entry points for the analysis, so you can focus on the worst-case path or other areas of interest, and speed up the analysis even further.
• Difference analysis for comparing the stack usage before and after making changes to your system.
• Customizable XML reports for documentation and certification.
• Feature-rich GUI with graphical and textual views for analysis results, statistics, control flow, source code, assembly code, DWARF debug info, symbol tables, configuration files, and more.
• Command-line mode for easy integration into automated build processes.
• Plugins for TargetLink and Jenkins. Custom builds for SCADE and Raptor.
• Seamless integration with other analysis tools from AbsInt — e.g. TimingProfiler for profiling the worst-case execution time.

Your benefits

• StackAnalyzer lets you prevent stack overflow for all possible inputs and task executions under any circumstances — without wasting hardware resources.
• StackAnalyzer requires no code instrumentation, no testing, no measuring, no modification of your system, no modification of your toolchain, and it will not be misled by potential flaws in debug information.
• Using StackAnalyzer is essential in meeting current safety standards such as ISO 26262, DO-178B/C, IEC-61508, and EN-50128, where statically analyzing your stack usage is part of the architec­tural safety requirements.

Supported processor derivates

• General 32-bit and 64-bit PowerPC processors with PPC and VLE instruction set
• AltiVec is not supported
• Supported CPUs include, but are not limited to:
  • PowerPC MPC5200
  • PowerPC MPC555, MPC561, MPC562, MPC563, MPC564, MPC565, MPC566
  • PowerPC MPC5533, MPC5534
  • 
    PowerPC MPC5553, MPC5554
  • PowerPC MPC5561
  • PowerPC MPC5566
  • PowerPC MPC5668G
  • PowerPC MPC5674F
  • PowerPC MPC5777M
  • 
    PowerPC MPC8247, MPC8248, MPC8271, MPC8272
  • PowerPC MPC8250, MPC8255, MPC8260, MPC8264, MPC8265, MPC8266
  • PowerPC MPC8270, MPC8275, MPC8280
  • PowerPC MPC8240, MPC8241, MPC8245
  • PowerPC MPC8349E
  • PowerPC MPC755
  • 
    PowerPC MPC7448
  • PowerPC PPC750
  • ST SPC58NE84
  • ST SPC58NN84

For the purposes of licensing and pricing, StackAnalyzer for 32-bit PowerPCs and StackAnalyzer for 64-bit PowerPCs are treated as two separate products.

Supported compilers

• Diab compiler from Wind River (C, C++, and Ada source code)
• GHS compiler from Green Hills (C, C++, and Ada source code)
• AdaCore GNAT Pro compiler (C, C++, and Ada source code)
• The formally verified CompCert compiler
• GNU C/C++ Compiler (GCC)
• HighTec GNU C/C++ Compiler
• CodeWarrior from Freescale/NXP
• SCORE compiler from DDC-I

The standard license covers one compiler of your choice. Additional compilers can be unlocked for a surcharge.

Latest improvements

• Release 24.10:
  • Improved loop-bound computation
  • Improved handling of memory serialized instructions for e200
• Release 24.04:
  • Improved automatic switch-table decoding and TOC detection for 64-bit DiabData binaries
  • Improved user manual
• Release 23.10:
  • Improved detection of mismatches between user annotations and actual values determined by the analysis
  • Improved iterative decoding
• Release 23.04:
  • Analysis of dynamically linked ELF files

Qualification support

Your usage of StackAnalyzer for PowerPC can be qualified according to ISO 26262, DO-178B/C, and other safety standards. We offer Qualification Support Kits that help you simplify and automate your qualification process.

Independent reviews

• TU Munich, Institute of Flight System Dynamics (MPC8349)

Availability

StackAnalyzer for PowerPC is available as:

• a standalone tool
• an integral part of the SCADE Suite from Ansys
• an integral part of the Raptor toolchain from New Eagle

System requirements for the standalone tool

• Windows: 64-bit Windows 10 or 11
• Linux: 64-bit CentOS/RHEL 7 or compatible
• 4 GB of RAM (16 GB recommended)
• 4 GB of disk space
• The Linux version requires the libxcb-* family of libraries to be installed
• Support for macOS High Sierra 10.13 or newer is possible on request for a surcharge

Free trial

You can try StackAnalyzer for free, on your own applications, for a period of 30 days.

Request your free trial package today, complete with free online training and tech support.

Also available

• TimingProfiler for PowerPC
• ValueAnalyzer for PowerPC
• aiT WCET Analyzers for e200, e300, MPC5xx, MPC7448, PPC750, MPC755
• TimeWeaver for e5500