Abstract:
In an embodiment, a system on a chip (SOC) includes a component that remains powered when a central processing unit (CPU) processor and a memory controller of the SOC are powered off. The component may include a sensor capture unit to capture audio samples from an audio detector circuit and write them to a memory of the component. A processor of the component may be configured to search the audio samples for a predetermined pattern during a time when the CPU processor and the memory controller are powered down. In some embodiments, based on the audio samples filling to a threshold level in the memory of the component and a lack of detection of the predetermined pattern, the component is configured to wake up the memory controller and a path to the memory controller in order to write the audio sample to a memory controlled by the memory controller.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a system on a chip (SOC) includes a component that remains powered when the remainder of the SOC is powered off. The component may include a sensor capture unit to capture data from various device sensors, and may filter the captured sensor data. Responsive to the filtering, the component may wake up the remainder of the SOC to permit the processing. The component may store programmable configuration data, matching the state at the time the SOC was most recently powered down, for the other components of the SOC, in order to reprogram them after wakeup. In some embodiments, the component may be configured to wake up the memory controller within the SOC and the path to the memory controller, in order to write the data to memory. The remainder of the SOC may remain powered down.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for protecting boot variables is disclosed. A computer system includes a main processor and an auxiliary processor. The auxiliary processor includes a non-volatile memory that stores variables associated with boot code that is also stored thereon. The main processor may send a request to the auxiliary processor to alter one of the variables stored in the non-volatile memory. Responsive to receiving the request, the auxiliary processor may execute a security policy to determine if the main processor meets the criteria for altering the variable. If the auxiliary processor determines that the main processor meets the criteria, it may grant permission to alter the variable.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a system on a chip (SOC) includes a component that remains powered when the remainder of the SOC is powered off. The component may include a sensor capture unit to capture data from various device sensors, and may filter the captured sensor data. Responsive to the filtering, the component may wake up the remainder of the SOC to permit the processing. The component may store programmable configuration data, matching the state at the time the SOC was most recently powered down, for the other components of the SOC, in order to reprogram them after wakeup. In some embodiments, the component may be configured to wake up the memory controller within the SOC and the path to the memory controller, in order to write the data to memory. The remainder of the SOC may remain powered down.
Abstract:
Systems, apparatuses, and methods for modifying access permissions in a processor. A processor may include one or more permissions registers for managing access permissions. A first permissions register may be utilized to override access permissions embedded in the page table data. A plurality of bits from the page table data may be utilized as an index into the first permissions register for the current privilege level. An attribute field may be retrieved from the first permissions register to determine the access permissions for a given memory request. A second permissions register may also be utilized to set the upper and lower boundary of a region in physical memory where the kernel is allowed to execute. A lock register may prevent any changes from being made to the second permissions register after the second permissions register has been initially programmed.
Abstract:
Data processing systems with interrupts and methods for operating such data processing systems and machine readable media for causing such methods and containing executable program instructions. In one embodiment, an exemplary data processing system includes a processing system, an interrupt controller coupled to the processing system and a timer circuit which is coupled to the interrupt controller. The interrupt controller is configured to provide a first interrupt signal and a second interrupt signal to the processing system. The processing system is configured to maintain a data structure (such as, e.g., a list) of time-related events for a plurality of processes, and the processing system is configured to calise the entry of a value, representing a period of time, into the timer circuit. The timer circuit is configured to cause an assertion of the first interrupt signal in response to an expiration of the time period.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a system on a chip (SOC) includes a component that remains powered when the remainder of the SOC is powered off. The component may include a sensor capture unit to capture data from various device sensors, and may filter the captured sensor data. Responsive to the filtering, the component may wake up the remainder of the SOC to permit the processing. The component may store programmable configuration data, matching the state at the time the SOC was most recently powered down, for the other components of the SOC, in order to reprogram them after wakeup. In some embodiments, the component may be configured to wake up the memory controller within the SOC and the path to the memory controller, in order to write the data to memory. The remainder of the SOC may remain powered down.
Abstract:
In an embodiment, a system on a chip (SOC) includes a component that remains powered when the remainder of the SOC is powered off. The component may include a sensor capture unit to capture data from various device sensors, and may filter the captured sensor data. Responsive to the filtering, the component may wake up the remainder of the SOC to permit the processing. The component may store programmable configuration data, matching the state at the time the SOC was most recently powered down, for the other components of the SOC, in order to reprogram them after wakeup. In some embodiments, the component may be configured to wake up the memory controller within the SOC and the path to the memory controller, in order to write the data to memory. The remainder of the SOC may remain powered down.
Abstract:
A method and system are described for reducing latency in a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) link between a host and an endpoint. In the described embodiments, an interrupt is issued from the endpoint to the host using the PCIe link. Then, while the interrupt is pending at the host, the PCIe link is prevented from entering a power-saving mode with an exit latency greater than a predetermined time period.