# Configuring The Hexagon Processor

## Overview

TRACE32 uses script files to load Hexagon binary images into the
hardware debug platform ([Script files](https://docs.qualcomm.com/doc/80-N3040-23/topic/loading-hexagon-images.html#script-files)). This
chapter describes how the script file is used to configure the
Hexagon processor for executing the loaded image. It covers the
following topics:

- Basic configuration
- Semihosting configuration
- RTOS application configuration

## Basic configuration

The following TRACE32 properties must be set for all binary images:

- Processor version
- Symbol information

### Processor version

The Hexagon processor version must be specified. For more information
on processor versions see the *Hexagon Programmer’s ReferenceManual*.

Here is an example of the relevant code in the load script file:

System.cpu HexagonV4M
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### Symbol information

To use TRACE32, application symbol information must be loaded along
with the application image.

Here is an example of the relevant code in the load script file:

data.load.elf *filename*
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Note

TRACE32 defines many other commands that can be used in load
scripts. For more information see the following documents in the
Lauterbach TRACE32 documentation: general\_func.pdf, general\_ref\_a.pdf
through general\_ref\_z.pdf, ide\_func.pdf, and ide\_ref.pdf.

## Semihosting configuration

For applications that execute on a hardware target (or on the Hexagon
simulator in a virtual platform), a host runtime environment must be
simulated by the debugger using the ARM ANGEL interface. This process
is known as *semihosting*.

To support the runtime environment the following configuration must
be performed:

- The debugger must set a hardware breakpoint at the trap0 handler.
- The debugger must be informed about the trap0 handler symbol. The
ANGEL address defaults to EVB+0x20.
- The debugger must be informed about the (application-specific) heap
and stack locations.

Here is an example of the relevant code in the load script file:

; --- Semi-hosting Setup ---
    ;
    ;
    break.set event_handle_trap0 /onchip
    term.reset
    term.heapinfo 0x0 0x10000 0x10000 0x10000
    
    term.method ANGEL event_handle_trap0
    
    term.scroll on
    term.mode string
    term.gate
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## RTOS applications

To support the runtime environment for RTOS application systems, the
following configuration must be performed:

- RTOS awareness module
- Memory management
- Load symbol information

For more information see the appropriate Hexagon RTOS documentation.

Last Published: Oct 06, 2026

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