StackAnalyzer by AbsInt: Proven Stack Usage Analysis for Embedded Safety

In safety-critical embedded systems, stack overflows can be catastrophic. Unlike dynamic memory, stack memory must be statically allocated by the programmer—and errors in estimating stack size can lead either to wasted memory or dangerous runtime failures. StackAnalyzer from AbsInt is a powerful static analysis tool designed to solve this problem by automatically determining the worst-case stack usage for each task in your application.

With support for a wide range of processors and compilers, and qualification kits available for safety certification standards, StackAnalyzer is the go-to solution for developers working on real-time systems with stringent reliability requirements.

The Hidden Risk: Stack Overflows in Embedded Systems

Stack memory is used to store function call information, local variables, and return addresses. In embedded applications—especially those running on microcontrollers with limited memory—stack space must be carefully allocated at compile time.

Underestimating stack usage may cause stack overflows, potentially overwriting data or causing unpredictable behavior and system crashes. On the other hand, overestimating stack usage wastes valuable memory, reducing the efficiency of the system.

Unlike other forms of runtime error, stack overflows often occur only under very specific execution paths or rare conditions, making them difficult to catch through testing alone. Moreover, modern software architectures, with recursion, indirect function calls, or dynamically-loaded modules, make it even harder to predict maximum stack usage manually.

The Solution: Static Stack Usage Analysis with StackAnalyzer

StackAnalyzer provides an automated and sound method for determining the maximum stack depth of each task or thread in an application. Unlike tools that rely on testing or debugging information, StackAnalyzer performs binary-level analysis directly on the executable, ensuring accurate and consistent results regardless of the compiler or build configuration.

Key advantages:

• Soundness and completeness: StackAnalyzer’s results are guaranteed to be valid for all input conditions and all task executions. This provides the confidence needed in certified systems.
• No debug info or instrumentation needed: The tool analyzes the compiled binary, allowing you to use the same production code intended for deployment.
• Support for inline assembly and library functions: Many embedded projects rely on low-level assembly routines or third-party libraries. StackAnalyzer includes these in the analysis automatically.
• Handles recursion and function pointers: The tool is capable of analyzing complex call graphs, even when indirect function calls or recursive routines are involved.
• Call graph and control flow visualization: Developers can easily inspect the function call hierarchy and see stack usage contributions at each level of the program.
• Integrated into certification processes: Qualification Support Kits are available to aid in certifying tools and systems in compliance with DO-178B/C, ISO 26262, IEC 61508, EN 50128, and other safety standards.

StackAnalyzer in Practice

Using StackAnalyzer is straightforward and fits naturally into your development workflow. You provide the final executable (e.g., .elf, .out), and the tool performs a full static analysis of the program’s control flow and stack usage.

Developers can annotate their code to specify additional constraints, such as loop bounds or recursion depth, allowing for even tighter and more accurate analysis. The graphical interface provides intuitive navigation of the call graph, showing the critical paths and peak stack usage per function, enabling developers to focus optimization efforts where they matter most.

For larger applications with multiple threads or tasks, StackAnalyzer can analyze each entry point separately, making it suitable for multi-threaded RTOS-based systems.

Wide Range of Supported Target

StackAnalyzer supports an extensive variety of processors and compilers, including:

• ARM (TI, GCC, GHS, Keil MDK, HighTec, clang, etc.)
• PowerPC (32/64-bit, Diab, GCC, GHS, CodeWarrior)
• TriCore, Renesas V850/RH850, RX, SuperH
• x86 (GCC, ICC, clang), RISC-V, LEON2/3/4, ERC32
• MIPS32, ColdFire, M68K, MSP430, C16x/ST10, C28x, dsPIC
• TI C3x/C28x, NEC V850, HCS12, Nios II, and more

If your target processor is not listed, AbsInt offers support and consultation for adding new architectures upon request.

Why You Need StackAnalyzer

StackAnalyzer is indispensable for:

• Preventing stack overflows in mission-critical code.
• Reducing memory waste through precise sizing of stack allocations.
• Achieving compliance with safety standards that mandate proof of memory safety.
• Replacing trial-and-error methods based on testing or rough estimation.
• Improving transparency into stack-related performance and risk.

With StackAnalyzer, developers can prove the absence of stack overflows—not just assume it. This level of assurance is essential in fields where software reliability is directly tied to human safety, such as avionics, automotive systems, industrial automation, medical devices, and space systems.

Conclusion: Memory Safety Starts with StackAnalyzer

StackAnalyzer by AbsInt eliminates one of the most insidious risks in embedded development: the stack overflow. By automating worst-case stack analysis and ensuring comprehensive coverage of all execution paths, StackAnalyzer helps development teams deliver safer, more efficient, and more certifiable software.

Whether you’re working on a lightweight embedded control system or a complex, multi-threaded RTOS application, StackAnalyzer provides the precision, performance, and safety integration you need—so that memory issues remain a problem of the past.