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Does anyone know of a relatively inexpensive PowerPC debugger? I've got a few projects with MPC56xx chips, and the code is just too complex to fully work out in Ghidra alone. It doesn't need to be anything fancy. I just need something that can halt the chip, read memory and registers, and step through the code.

Gatecrasher wrote: ↑Sun May 26, 2024 2:41 am Does anyone know of a relatively inexpensive PowerPC debugger? I've got a few projects with MPC56xx chips, and the code is just too complex to fully work out in Ghidra alone. It doesn't need to be anything fancy. I just need something that can halt the chip, read memory and registers, and step through the code.

I have only ever used the multilink FX. I personally have not used it for stepping through code, although this should be possible using CodeWarrior.
This is something that I am going to need shortly also on 56XX processors so might need to tee up some time with you and we can figure it out

Gatecrasher wrote: ↑Sun May 26, 2024 2:41 am Does anyone know of a relatively inexpensive PowerPC debugger? I've got a few projects with MPC56xx chips, and the code is just too complex to fully work out in Ghidra alone. It doesn't need to be anything fancy. I just need something that can halt the chip, read memory and registers, and step through the code.

USBJTAG has had alot of recent success with the newest processors on various GM ecus. I know his software is able to step through code, plus he is happy to add abilities in as needed too.

*edit
Video showing it in use: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzXhQtC ... nel=usbbdm

Have to first get the shadow password first via canbus, then can connect up via BDM to step through code.

I need to read some more, but this isn't very encouraging.

https://www.usbjtag.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?p=63943

It looks like his tool is mostly focused on generic JTAG and BDM protocols. As I understand it, the Freescale CPUs use Nexus protocol, which isn't public.

That's not to say you can't read and write them with common tools. I have a clone Segger Jlink I used to dump my Ford BCM. But it's not capable of doing debugging work. The only tools I've found so far are Lauterbach ($$$$) or the Multilink you mentioned.

He has only just started reflashing/accessing via Nexus in the past few weeks.

Itll be worth contacting about it.

Oh, nice. I'll look into that. Thanks.

Looks like the Multilink needs another $800 worth of software licenses after you buy the hardware. If USBJTAG doesn't pan out, I may just need to give up on this idea.

Gatecrasher wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2024 1:02 pm Looks like the Multilink needs another $800 worth of software licenses after you buy the hardware. If USBJTAG doesn't pan out, I may just need to give up on this idea.

Yikes.. which software were you looking at??

I believe you can use CodeWarrior to connect and step through code using a multilink fx

https://www.pemicro.com/products/produc ... d=15320182

And then there's a separate $200 PROG license if you want to reflash.

Definitely need to look into using CodeWarrior, can use that for free.