MIPI System Trace Module (STM) framework
A generic kernel framework for hardware that emits MIPI System Trace Protocol debug traces, used by silicon debug blocks like Intel's Trace Hub and ARM CoreSight STM. It lets developers and firmware engineers capture low-overhead trace streams from SoCs, primarily for embedded and platform bring-up work rather than end-user features.
recommendation
Worth keeping but documenting its niche, because the framework is still receiving routine upstream maintenance into 2026 and underpins active silicon debug hardware that Intel and ARM continue to ship in current platforms. Real-world deployments are limited to developers and embedded engineers doing platform tracing, so it isn't widely exercised but remains the only upstream home for this class of MIPI STPv2 trace hardware.
repository signals
sources
- lore.kernel.org
As of 2026-04-02 the STM core was still receiving non-removal maintenance patches upstream, indicating the code is not abandoned.
- lore.kernel.org
As of 2026-03-20 the STM code was being adapted for current MM API changes, another sign of active upkeep rather than retirement.
- docs.kernel.org
Kernel documentation describes STM as the generic System Trace Module framework and names Intel Trace Hub and CoreSight STM as example devices.
- docs.kernel.org
Kernel documentation describes Intel Trace Hub as hardware blocks that expose a Software Trace Hub (STH) subdevice implemented as an STM device.
- edc.intel.com
Intel product documentation describes Intel Trace Hub as a silicon debug feature using MIPI STPv2, showing this STM-style hardware exists in shipping platform documentation.
codex reasoning notes (technical)
Local shell inspection of drivers/hwtracing/stm/Kconfig shows this directory is a generic STM class/framework for MIPI STP with Intel Trace Hub and CoreSight STM examples, plus protocol and source modules. lore_file_timeline on drivers/hwtracing/stm/core.c showed fresh 2026 maintenance traffic and no removal-oriented subjects in the sampled recent activity. Web search located current kernel docs for STM and Intel TH, plus Intel platform docs for Trace Hub. Hardware_still_sold_new_in_2025=true is an inference from continued upstream maintenance plus current kernel/vendor documentation for still-relevant SoC debug blocks; deployments are likely niche debug/embedded rather than mass-market, so low deployment and keep-annotate fit better than deprecate/remove.