An SPF file is an ASCII text file that uses the Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. It is used by the In-System Sources and Probes Editor to store signal data captured during debugging or testing.
Key Features of SPF Files
- Data Storage: SPF files primarily store information about signals captured by the In-System Sources and Probes Editor. This includes signal values and probe settings.
- XML Format: The use of XML allows for a structured and human-readable format, making it easier to parse and interpret the data.
- Configuration Settings: Beyond just storing data, SPF files can also contain configuration settings for the Sources and Probes Editor. This encompasses preferences like:
- Ordering of signals
- Grouping of signals
- Radix settings (e.g., hexadecimal, decimal, binary) for value display
- In-System Sources and Probes Editor: These files are specific to environments that use the In-System Sources and Probes Editor, which is common in embedded systems development and hardware debugging.
Use Cases
SPF files are valuable in the following scenarios:
- Debugging Embedded Systems: Capturing signal data helps diagnose issues in embedded systems.
- Hardware Verification: Storing probe settings and signal data for repeatable hardware verification tests.
- Collaboration: Sharing debugging configurations and captured data between team members.
- Analysis: Analyzing captured signal trends and behaviors over time.
Example
While the exact content varies depending on the signals and settings, an SPF file would contain XML tags that define the signal names, captured values, and display properties. It would be similar in structure to other XML files.
