摘要:
The present invention provides an 8-bit microcontroller capable of supporting expanded addressing capability in one of three address modes. The microcontroller operates in either the traditional 16-bit address mode, a 24-bit paged address mode or in a 24-bit contiguous address mode based on the setting of a new Address Control (ACON) Special Function Register (SFR). The 24-bit paged address mode is binary code compliant with traditional compilers for the standard 16-bit address range, but allows for up to 16M bytes of program memory and 16M bytes of data memory to be supported via a new Address Page (AP) SFR, a new first extended data pointer (DPX) SFR and a new second extended data pointer (DPX1) register. The 24-bit contiguous mode requires a 24-bit address compiler that supports contiguous program flow over the entire 24-bit address range via the addition of an operand and/or cycles to either basic instructions.
摘要:
Methods, systems, and arrangements enable efficient reprogramming of a memory block of a microcontroller. Two blocks of memory each have a different logical location with respect to a processor of the microcontroller. The first memory may store vector information to be executed by the processor. The second memory may store data information. The logical location of each memory block is dependent on the value of a pre-determined bit in a specified register. When a user wishes to reprogram the contents of the first memory, the user enters new code into the second memory. Upon completion, the value of the pre-determined bit is changed, and the logical locations of the first and second memories are interchanged. In effect, the newly entered code from the second memory is accessed as if it were in the first memory (e.g., from an addressing perspective), and the processor may execute the new program (e.g., after the processor undergoes a system reset).
摘要:
A microprocessor on-board RAM provides both the usual random access by addressing and a subset of memory cells with their contents continually available on a secondary bus paralleling the data bus. This secondary bus may be used for register indirect addressing without a separate register read when the RAM subset includes the registers for register indirect addressing. The processor also has a two stage output driver for limiting maximum output current and feedback-controlled clock period partitioning.
摘要:
A battery-backed microprocessor which enters a known state on power-down. This is achieved, even if the microprocessor does not permit a single-cycle reset, by providing clock intercept circuitry on chip. When system power failure is detected, the clock intercept circuitry disconnects the external clock, activates a reset command, and then generates several clock cycles using an internal clock generator after the reset command. As many clock cycles are generated as is needed, with the particular architecture being used, to reach a predetermined state.
摘要:
A microprocessor on-board RAM provides both the usual random access by addressing and a subset of memory cells with their contents continually available on a secondary bus paralleling the data bus. This secondary bus may be used for register indirect addressing without a separate register read when the RAM subset includes the registers for register indirect addressing. The processor also has a two stage output driver for limiting maximum output current and feedback-controlled clock period partitioning.
摘要:
Preferred embodiments include systems with two processors and an interconnected modem, one processor functioning as a control for both the modem and the second processor. This permits remote communication with the second processor for test or reconfiguration purposes.
摘要:
A nonvolatile microcontroller (or microprocessor) with improved security against tampering, including attempts at active intrusion. According to this invention, a battery-backed microcontroller includes encryption and power management functions, and is combined with a battery and a volatile semiconductor memory (e.g. an SRAM). The microcontroller supplies power to the semiconductor memory (either from a system power supply or from the battery). When a security violation is detected, the microcontroller wipes its encryption registers, and also grounds the power-output pin to the memory. This will destroy all data in the volatile memory.
摘要:
Interrupt circuitry for a processor comprises a plurality of interrupt inputs, an interrupt output, combinatorial logic with a plurality of combinatorial logic inputs connected to the plurality of interrupt inputs and with a combinatorial logic output connected to the interrupt output wherein an interrupt output signal at the interrupt output is a function of interrupt signals at the plurality of interrupt inputs; and an interrupt mode select connected to the combinatorial logic wherein an interrupt mode select signal from the interrupt mode select controls the function. The interrupt mode select signal from the interrupt mode select selects the function to be either AND or OR. The circuitry also comprises a mask register having a plurality of mask register inputs and a plurality of mask register outputs, the plurality of mask register inputs connected to the plurality of interrupt inputs and the plurality of mask register outputs connected to the plurality of combinatorial logic inputs wherein a mask register bit pattern in the mask register conditions a corresponding subset (possibly empty) of the interrupt signals at the plurality of interrupt inputs to make the function and the interrupt output signal at the interrupt output not depend upon the corresponding subset.
摘要:
Backup battery switching circuitry for a microcomputer or a microprocessor includes circuitry for selectively coupling a backup battery to a power supply output terminal of the microcomputer or microprocessor for powering an external circuit such as a static RAM. The backup battery voltage is normally coupled to the power supply output terminal in the absence of a primary power source, but may be isolated from the power supply output terminal when a predetermined voltage is applied to a logic input pin and a predetermined sequence of events is executed by the microcomputer or microprocessor.
摘要:
Methods, systems, and arrangements enable increased security for a processor, including by implementing block encryption. The block may include multiple instructions and/or operations to be executed by the processor. The block may also include multiple bytes that are read into the processor byte by byte. Once a block-wide encrypted buffer has been filled from an external memory source, the block may be decrypted using an encryption algorithm (e.g., the Data Encryption Standard (DES), the triple DES, etc.), and the decrypted block may be forwarded to a decrypted buffer. The decrypted block may thereafter be moved into a cache, which may optionally be organized into an equivalent block width (e.g., for each way of a multi-way cache). Therefore, when a processing core/instruction decoder needs a new instruction, it may retrieve one from the cache, directly from the decrypted buffer, or from external memory (e.g., after undergoing decryption).