VisualDSP++ 4.5 Loader and Utilities Manual - Analog Devices

Boot Streams
Introduction
The loader utility’s output (.ldr file) is essentially the same executable
code as in the input .dxe file; the loader utility simply repackages the executable
as shown in Figure 1-2.
.DXE FILE
CODE
DATA
SYMBOLS
DEBUG
INFORMATION
A .DXE FILE INCLUDES:
- DSP INSTRUCTIONS (CODE AND DATA)
- SYMBOL TABLE AND SECTION INFORMATION
- TARGET PROCESSOR MEMORY LAYOUT
- DEBUG INFORMATION
.LDR FILE
Figure 1-2. A .dxe File Versus an .ldr File
Processor code and data in a loader file (also called a boot stream) is split
into blocks. Each code block is marked with a tag that contains information
about the block, such as the number of words and destination in the
processor’s memory. Depending on the processor family, there can be
additional information in the tag. Common block types are “zero” (memory
is filled with 0s); nonzero (code or data); and final (code or data).
Depending on the processor family, there can be other block types.
Refer to the following chapters to learn more about boot streams.
VisualDSP++ 4.5 Loader and Utilities Manual 1-15
CODE
DATA
SYMBOLS
DEBUG
INFORMATION
AN .LDR FILE INCLUDES:
- DSP INSTRUCTIONS (CODE AND DATA)
- RUDIMENTARY FORMATTING
(ALL DEBUG INFORMATION HAS
BEEN REMOVED)