PathFinder for PowerPC MPC56x/MPC53x/MPC555

Welcome to the Ashling PowerPC MPC56x Development Tools Support Page

PathFinder for PowerPC MPC56x Debugger Software Status
Current version: 1.1.1
Released on: 4th November 2005

PathFinder for PowerPC MPC56x now includes real-time Code Coverage Measurement

MPC565-related Technical Articles
New features in PathFinder for PowerPC v1.1.1
Download PathFinder for PowerPC v1.1.1
Important Installation Information for USB Operation
Important Installation Information for Opella
Hardware Warranty Service

(Need the Support Page for PathFinder for PowerPC MPC5500 tools? Click here)

Ashling's PathFinder for PowerPC v1.1.1 Debugger (used with Ashling Vitra, Genia and Opella Emulators for MPC56x/MPC53x/MPC555) includes many updates and improvements in response to requests from PowerPC developers.

PathFinder for PowerPC MPC56x ver. 1.1.1 is available for download by registered users of Ashling's Software Update and Support Service.

Consult the library of MPC565-related Technical Articles here

APB165: NEXUS Debug and Trace Connectors for use with Freescale's MPC565 Microprocessors
This article describes the connectors and pin-configurations that are best suited for NEXUS-standard debugging and trace on Freescale's MPC565 (and MPC555) microprocessor families.

APB170: License Transfer
This article outlines how to transfer a License for Ashling's PathFinder Debugger from one PC to another, one location to another, or one directory to another.

APB160: Ashling Vitra, Genia and Opella Emulator and Debugger Product Selection Guide
This article helps you to select the appropriate Ashling Emulator and Debugger for the PowerPC architectures.

APB161: External-Trigger, User-Trace and General-Purpose-I/O on Ashling's Vitra, Genia and Opella Emulators
An optional Extended Trigger and Trace Probe Assembly (TPA-TRIG-TRACE) is available for Ashling's Vitra Emulator and Trace tools that adds the External-Trigger and User-Trace and General-Purpose-I/O capabilities as described in this article (APB161).

APB162: Ashling tools for NEXUS and BDM Debugging on Power PC
This article compares the NEXUS (and BDM) Debug Ports on Freescale's MPC5500 and MPC5xx PowerPC Embedded Microprocessors.

APB171: PowerPC Flash Programming
This article outlines how to use the Ashling PowerPC tools to program on-chip flash and external flash devices on your PowerPC based target.

New Features in the PathFinder for PowerPC MPC56x v1.1.1 Debugger

PathFinder at v1.1.1 and SymFinder-DWARF at v1.0.6.
PathFinder now supports display of "enum" C variables. The value is shown symbolically and numerically. You will need to reconvert your application using the new version of SymFinder (v1.0.6) supplied. If you want to disable "enum" support, use the NOENUM SymFinder switch.
Improved flash programming support. Now supports non-sequential files and images that span flash modules A & B.
Fixed problems with run-thru-reset (MDIO now initialised).
User Manual updated to v3.1. All new features documented.

Important Installation Information for PathFinder
Before downloading PathFinder, please note:

Corporate users should first check with their Tools Support Group before downloading; an authorized Software Update Service login and password is needed to download this software.
Under Windows NT/2000/XP you will need administration privileges to install PathFinder; additionally, all PathFinder users require full access privileges to the PathFinder installation directory at all times.

Download Ashling PowerPC MPC56x software

You will be prompted for your Software Update Service username and password after clicking a download button. Once the username and password have been verified, you will be brought directly to your download.

Download PathFinder-PPC

Unzip using WINZIP, PKZIP for Windows, or Windows Explorer 5.1 or later and run SETUP.EXE from the downloaded file.

Check your Ashling Hardware Warranty status

To check your Ashling Hardware Warranty status, click the button below and enter your Hardware Warranty username and password when prompted.

Check Hardware Warranty status

Please note that software and hardware user logins may be different. For software downloads, use the appropriate (software) username and password.

Important Installation Information for USB Operation

If you see a "New USB hardware found" message after you connect your Genia or Vitra Emulator to your PC using a USB cable, then point the USB driver installation wizard to your PFPPC (PathFinder for PowerPC) directory (or insert your PathFinder CD) to allow installation of the Ashling USB driver.

Important Installation Information for Opella

Please note that the Ashling Opella emulator requires a PC or with a standard Parallel Printer Port configured for Bi-directional mode (also known as PS/2 mode), Extended Capabilities Port (ECP) mode or Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP) mode. Opella will not work correctly if your parallel port is configured for Normal (also known as AT type or ISA compatible) mode. You can configure your parallel port using your PC's CMOS or BIOS settings menu.