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6 not using an external coprocessor, 7 stc operations, 8 undefined instructions – Epson ARM.POWERED ARM720T User Manual

Page 130: 9 privileged instructions, Not using an external coprocessor -10, Stc operations -10, Undefined instructions -10, Privileged instructions -10, Table 8-4, Cpntrans signal meanings -10

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8: Coprocessor Interface

8-10

EPSON

ARM720T CORE CPU MANUAL

8.6

Not using an external coprocessor

If you are implementing a system that does not include any external coprocessors, you must

tie both EXTCPA and EXTCPB HIGH. This indicates that no external coprocessors are

present in the system. If any coprocessor instructions are received, they take the undefined

instruction trap so that they can be emulated in software if required.
The coprocessor-specific outputs from the ARM720T core can be left unconnected:

CPnMREQ

CPnTRANS

CPnOPC

CPnCPI

CPTBIT.

You must tie off EXTCPDOUT.
You must tie the external coprocessor data bus enable, EXTCPDBE, LOW.

8.7

STC operations

If you are using an external coprocessor, you can perform STC operations in cachable regions

with the cache enabled. However, the STC operation is treated as a series of nonsequential

transfers on the AMBA bus.

8.8

Undefined instructions

The ARM720T processor implements full ARM architecture v4T undefined instruction

handling. This means that any instruction defined in the

ARM Architecture Reference Manual

as UNDEFINED, automatically causes the ARM720T processor to take the undefined

instruction trap. Any coprocessor instructions that are not accepted by a coprocessor also

result in the ARM720T processor taking the undefined instruction trap.

8.9

Privileged instructions

The output signal CPnTRANS enables you to implement coprocessors, or coprocessor

instructions, that can only be accessed from privileged modes. The signal meanings are shown

in Table 8-4.

The CPnTRANS signal is sampled at the same time as the instruction, and is factored into the

coprocessor pipeline Decode stage.

Note:

If a User-mode process (CPnTRANS LOW) tries to access a coprocessor instruction

that can only be executed in a privileged mode, the coprocessor must respond with

EXTCPA and EXTCPB HIGH. This causes the ARM720T processor to take the

undefined instruction trap.

Table 8-4 CPnTRANS signal meanings

CPnTRANS

Meaning

LOW

User mode instruction

HIGH

Privileged mode instruction