Method for Analyzing Backtrace Information of ESP32 Crash

Recently, after upgrading the ESP32 firmware to LVGL 9.2.2 + MicroPython 1.25, previously functioning code began to experience crashes and restarts. At this point, the following error message can be seen:

A fatal error occurred. The crash dump printed below may be used to help
determine what caused it. If you are not already running the most recent
version of MicroPython, consider upgrading. New versions often fix bugs.

To learn more about how to debug and/or report this crash visit the wiki
page at: https://github.com/micropython/micropython/wiki/ESP32-debugging

LVGL MicroPython 
IDF version : 67c1de1e
Machine     : Generic ESP32 module with SPIRAM with ESP32

Guru Meditation Error: Core  0 panic'ed (Interrupt wdt timeout on CPU0).

Additionally, there will be a long string of Backtrace information, such as:

Backtrace: 0x400858d6:0x3ffc0760 0x401a15f4:0x3ffc0800 0x401a7365:0x3ffc0870 0x401d0470:0x3ffc0890 0x401d04ad:0x3ffc08d0 0x401a7365:0x3ffc08f0 0x401b925d:0x3ffc0910 0x40089475:0x3ffc09c0 0x400894c5:0x3ffc0a00 0x400834fd:0x3ffc0a30 0x4008763d:0x3ffc0a50 0x0004001e:0x00000000 |<-CORRUPTED

This type of error Backtrace information can help us locate the function in the code where the crash occurred. Referring to the article Decoding ESP32 back trace, we can use the built-in <span>xtensa-esp32s3-elf-addr2line</span> tool from ESP-IDF along with the compiled <span>.elf file</span> for analysis.

1. Using the xtensa-esp32s3-elf-addr2line Tool

<span>xtensa-esp32s3-elf-addr2line</span> is a command-line tool in the ESP32 compilation toolchain that can convert crash addresses back to C++ source code locations (function name + line number), making it easier for us to locate bugs.

Typically, the <span>xtensa-esp32s3-elf-addr2line</span> tool is already installed with the ESP-IDF installation. We just need to navigate to the esp-idf folder and set the environment variable changes for ESP-IDF to use this tool. Taking the <span>lvgl-micropython</span> project as an example, the steps are as follows:

Open the command line and navigate to the <span>lvgl-micropython</span> project’s <span>lib/esp-idf</span> folder:

cd ~/lvgl_micropython/lib/esp-idf

Set the environment variable changes for ESP-IDF:

source export.sh

2. Locate the .elf File

Generally, the <span>.elf file</span> is located in the <span>lvgl_micropython/lib/micropython/ports/esp32/build-ESP32_***</span> folder, named <span>micropython.elf</span>. Since this file path is quite long, it is recommended to copy it to the home directory for easier access later. For example, you can use the following command to copy it:

cp ~/lvgl_micropython/lib/micropython/ports/esp32/build-ESP32_*/micropython.elf ~/

3. Analyzing the Backtrace

After completing the above steps, use the <span>xtensa-esp32s3-elf-addr2line</span> tool to analyze the Backtrace information. The specific command is as follows:

xtensa-esp32-elf-addr2line -pfiaC-e ~/micropython.elf 0x400858d6:0x3ffc0760 0x401a15f4:0x3ffc0800 0x401a7365:0x3ffc0870 0x401d0470:0x3ffc0890 0x401d04ad:0x3ffc08d0 0x401a7365:0x3ffc08f0 0x401b925d:0x3ffc0910 0x40089475:0x3ffc09c0 0x400894c5:0x3ffc0a00 0x400834fd:0x3ffc0a30 0x4008763d:0x3ffc0a50 0x0004001e:0x00000000

After executing the above command, the tool will output the analysis results:

Method for Analyzing Backtrace Information of ESP32 Crash

The output results include function names and line numbers, helping us to more intuitively understand the specific location of the code crash, thus facilitating our troubleshooting and repair work.

Recommended Reading:

  • Compile an LVGL-Micropython firmware in three simple steps

  • Compile Micropython firmware for ESP32-S3 to support cameras like OV2640

  • Compile OpenMV firmware for ESP32S3-EYE to enable machine vision learning
  • ESP32S3-BOX3 keyboard example based on LVGL
  • ESP32 handheld device implementing a timetable based on LVGL
  • Modular remote-controlled car: Camera remote-controlled car

Method for Analyzing Backtrace Information of ESP32 Crash

Related posts

  1. Build Your Desktop Electronic “Aircraft Carrier” with the Arduino Development Platform! 3D Printed Test Platform Integrates Development Boards, Breadboards, and Power Supply to Boost Your Development Efficiency
  2. Smart Recognition of Handwritten Digits Using ESP32 4.3-Inch Screen
  3. Academician Gao Wen, Chairman of GCC SAC: Building a National Highway for AI Computing Power to Make It as Convenient as Electricity
  4. This HTTP Request Library Makes API Calls More Elegant – Axios
  5. Common Built-in Variables in the Nginx HTTP Module
  6. The Principles of Using Variables and Constants in C Language: A Must-Read!
  7. Innovative Architecture of GoldenDB Distributed Database Integrated with All-Flash SAN Storage for OLTP/OLAP Mixed Load in a Bank
  8. ESP32_Display_Panel: A Versatile Display Driver Library for ESP SoCs, Creating a New Experience in Rapid GUI Development
  9. Comparison of ARM Cortex-A7 and Cortex-A53 Architectures and Selection Guide for Industrial Applications
  10. Basic Knowledge of Ansible for Automated Operations and Maintenance
  11. Is It Harder to Create Than an Atomic Bomb? How Should China’s Semiconductor Industry Break the Deadlock?
  12. Comparison of 9 Type-C Card Readers: Which One Can Solve Multi-Device Transfer Issues?
  13. Say Goodbye to Slow Downloads! A Comprehensive Guide to Linux One-Click Mirror Switching Script and Mirror Sites
  14. Zhengzhou’s New Core Area Planning: A New Positioning for the Sub-City in the 14th Five-Year Plan, Building Three New Cities Based on Two Core Areas!
  15. A Comprehensive Guide to Python Web Scraping: Easy to Understand with Examples
  16. Malicious Go Modules Exposed for Erasing Linux System Data
  17. Remember: Defense in Depth
  18. LVDS Technology and Its Application in FPGA
  19. Automakers Shift Focus: The Race for Semiconductor Materials

Leave a Comment