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OpenTraceView

OpenTraceView is the graphical user interface for visualizing and analyzing captured signals in the OpenTraceLab ecosystem. OpenTraceView Screenshot

Features

  • Fast signal rendering - O(log N) performance at all zoom levels
  • Protocol decoder support - 100+ built-in protocol decoders
  • Trace groups - Organize related signals together
  • Stacked decoders - Chain decoders for complex analysis
  • Export capabilities - Save data in multiple formats
  • Cross-platform - Linux, Windows, macOS support

Key Capabilities

Signal Visualization

  • Multi-channel digital signal display
  • Analog signal support (oscilloscope mode)
  • Customizable colors and layouts
  • Zoom and pan with smooth navigation

Protocol Analysis

  • Automatic protocol detection
  • Real-time decoding during capture
  • Hierarchical decoder stacking
  • Export decoded data to CSV/JSON

Hardware Integration

  • Direct connection to logic analyzers
  • Live capture and analysis
  • Trigger configuration
  • Sample rate optimization

Getting Started

  1. Install OpenTraceView
  2. Connect your logic analyzer - USB connection
  3. Configure channels - Set up signal names and types
  4. Start capturing - Click "Run" to begin acquisition
  5. Add decoders - Select protocols from the Decoders menu

Supported Protocols

OpenTraceView includes decoders for: - Serial: UART, SPI, I²C, RS232/485 - Automotive: CAN, LIN, FlexRay, K-Line - Embedded: ARM ITM/ETM, JTAG, SWD - Audio: I²S, PCM, AC97 - Wireless: NRF24L01, CC1101, Bluetooth - And 100+ more protocols

Advanced Features

Custom Decoders

Write your own protocol decoders in Python: 

import OpenTraceDecode as srd
class Decoder(srd.Decoder):
    api_version = 3
    id = 'my_protocol'
    name = 'My Protocol'
    # ... decoder implementation

Automation

Integrate with scripts and automation: 

# Export decoded data
opentraceview --input capture.sr --export csv --output data.csv
# Batch processing
for file in *.sr; do
    opentraceview --input "$file" --decode i2c --export json
done

Manual and Documentation

Building from Source

Prerequisites

Required dependencies: 

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install build-essential meson ninja-build pkg-config \
  libglib2.0-dev libglibmm-2.4-dev qt6-base-dev qt6-svg-dev \
  libboost-serialization-dev libboost-system-dev

# Fedora/RHEL
sudo dnf install gcc-c++ meson ninja-build pkgconfig \
  glib2-devel glibmm24-devel qt6-qtbase-devel qt6-qtsvg-devel \
  boost-devel

# macOS (with Homebrew)
brew install meson ninja pkg-config glib glibmm qt6 boost

OpenTrace dependencies: 

# Install OpenTraceCapture first
git clone https://github.com/OpenTraceLab/OpenTraceCapture.git
cd OpenTraceCapture && meson setup build && meson compile -C build && sudo meson install -C build

# Install OpenTraceDecode (optional, for protocol decoding)
git clone https://github.com/OpenTraceLab/OpenTraceDecode.git  
cd OpenTraceDecode && meson setup build && meson compile -C build && sudo meson install -C build

Build Steps

# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/OpenTraceLab/OpenTraceView.git
cd OpenTraceView

# Configure build
meson setup builddir --buildtype=release

# Compile
meson compile -C builddir

# Install
sudo meson install -C builddir

Build Options

# Disable protocol decoding support
meson setup builddir -Ddecode=false

# Disable data flow support
meson setup builddir -Dflow=false

# Enable debug stacktraces
meson setup builddir -Dstacktrace=true

# Development build
meson setup builddir --buildtype=debug

Contributing

  • Translations - Help translate the interface
  • Protocol decoders - Add support for new protocols
  • Bug reports - Report issues on GitHub
  • Feature requests - Suggest improvements See our contributing guide for details.