slxdecode

slxdecode [OPTIONS] <input_trace_file>
slxdecode [OPTIONS] -o <output_file> <input_trace_file>

-h, --help
    Displays usage information and exits.

-V, --version
    Displays version information and exits.

-o <file>, --output <file>
    Specifies the output file for the decoded trace. If not specified, output typically goes to standard output (stdout).

-s <file>, --symbols <file>
    Provides the path to an ELF or AXF symbol file. This file is crucial for slxdecode to translate raw addresses in the trace into meaningful function names and source code lines.

-v, --verbose
    Enables verbose output, providing more detailed information during the decoding process, which can be useful for debugging the decoding itself.

<input_trace_file>
    The path to the raw binary trace file generated by a Silicon Labs debugger. This is a mandatory argument.

slxdecode is a specialized command-line utility provided as part of the Silicon Labs Tool Kit (sltk). Its primary function is to decode raw trace data generated by Silicon Labs' XAP (eXtended Application Processor) based microcontrollers. These trace files, often captured by hardware debuggers during embedded system development, contain low-level execution information.

slxdecode translates this binary trace data into a human-readable format, typically showing program execution flow, function calls, and data accesses. This tool is invaluable for debugging complex embedded software, performance profiling, and understanding real-time system behavior on Silicon Labs platforms. It often works in conjunction with a symbol file (e.g., an ELF or AXF file) generated by the compiler to provide symbolic information like function names and variable addresses, making the decoded output much more meaningful to developers. Without the slxdecode tool, interpreting raw trace data would be an extremely challenging and time-consuming task.

slxdecode is highly specific to Silicon Labs XAP architecture trace formats. It will not work with trace files from other architectures (e.g., ARM Cortex-M without Silicon Labs specific extensions, RISC-V) or different tracing methodologies. A suitable symbol file is often required for the decoded output to be fully meaningful, as raw addresses are less useful than symbolic names. The tool's functionality and options might depend on the specific version of the sltk package installed.

slxdecode expects a proprietary binary trace format generated specifically by Silicon Labs debuggers or trace modules connected to XAP-based MCUs. This format is not openly documented or interchangeable with generic trace formats.

While slxdecode can process a trace file without a symbol file, the output will consist primarily of raw hexadecimal addresses. Providing a corresponding ELF or AXF symbol file from the compiled application is crucial for the tool to resolve addresses to function names, line numbers, and variable names, making the trace output readable and actionable for software developers.

slxdecode has been developed as part of the Silicon Labs ecosystem of development tools, primarily to support the debugging and analysis of software running on their XAP-based microcontrollers. Its evolution is tied to the advancements in Silicon Labs' silicon offerings and debugging probes. It serves as a backend processing tool for the raw trace data captured by their hardware debuggers, enabling developers to gain deeper insights into runtime behavior, which is critical for complex embedded systems. Its continuous development ensures compatibility with new chip revisions and trace formats.

sltk(1), objdump(1), readelf(1)