Sysprof

Applicable for STM32MP13x lines, STM32MP15x lines

1 Article purpose[edit]

This article provides the basic information needed to start using the Linux kernel tool: sysprof[1].

2 Introduction[edit]

The following table provides a brief description of the tool, as well as its availability depending on the software packages:

Yes: this tool is either present (ready to use or to be activated), or can be integrated and activated on the software package.

No: this tool is not present and cannot be integrated, or it is present but cannot be activated on the software package.

Tool STM32MPU Embedded Software distribution STM32MPU Embedded Software distribution for Android™
Warning white.png Warning
STM32MPU Embedded Software distribution for Android™ is no more supported by ST. You can contact our ST partner, Witekio, who can help you to port and maintain it on STM32MP15 platform.
Name Category Purpose Starter Package Developer Package Distribution Package Starter Package Developer Package Distribution Package
sysprof Monitoring tools sysprof[1] is a statistical, system-wide profiler for Linux. It helps in finding the functions in which a program spends most of its time.

sysprof proposes a user interface available directly on the board display screen.

Yes Yes Yes No No No

3 Installing the trace and debug tool on your target board[edit]

3.1 Using STM32MPU Embedded Software distribution[edit]

sysprof is installed by default and ready to be used with all STM32MPU Embedded Software Packages.

 which sysprof
/usr/bin/sysprof

Sysprof is integrated in weston image distribution through openembedded-core package: openembedded-core/meta/recipes-core/packagegroups/packagegroup-core-tools-profile.bb.

PROFILE_TOOLS_X = "${@bb.utils.contains('DISTRO_FEATURES', 'x11', 'sysprof', , d)}"
...
RRECOMMENDS_${PN} = "\
   ${PERF} \
   trace-cmd \
   blktrace \
   ${PROFILE_TOOLS_X} \
   ${PROFILE_TOOLS_SYSTEMD} \
   "

4 Getting started[edit]

Warning white.png Warning
sysprof is working only with screen resolution at least 700x1200, so it doesn't work on STM32MP135x-DK Discovery kit More info green.png and STM32MP157x-DKx Discovery kit More info green.png
  • Starting sysprof on the board: Need to specify the display to be used, for example:
 sysprof --display=/run/user/1000/wayland-1
Sysprof proposes a User interface through the board X interface to the display. It might be more convenient to plug a mouse (and optionally a keyboard) to use the tool interface.

Sysprof new.png

  • Recording
Clicking on the top left Record button launches the recording. Recording is stopped by clicking on the top left Stop button (that replaces the record button).
The following report is then available on the board display:

Sysprof report.png

5 To go further[edit]

Several options are available to the user in order to filter the report, and then study the results:

  • Possibility to browse on Functions list, Descendants list
  • Possibility to select a certain period of the CPUs graph.
  • Possibility to save traces, to make screen shots...

Sysprof menu.png

6 References[edit]


  • Useful external links
Document link Document Type Description
Sysprof from Gnome Standard Wiki page
Profiling using Sysprof User manual Linux.com