AXI4 Master to AXI3 Slave Data Transfer Challenges with 64-bit to 32-bit Downsizing When integrating an AXI4 master with an AXI3 slave in a System-on-Chip (SoC) design, one of the most common challenges arises from the mismatch in data widths and burst-length configurations. In this scenario, the AXI4 master is configured to send 64-bit data…
GPIO IP Availability in GlobalFoundries 45RFSOI Node The GlobalFoundries 45RFSOI (45nm RF Silicon-On-Insulator) node is a specialized process technology optimized for radio frequency (RF) and mixed-signal applications. It is widely used in SoC designs for IoT, wireless communication, and automotive applications. One of the critical components in such designs is the General-Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) IP,…
Cortex-R52+ TCM Access Width Specifications and Ambiguities The Cortex-R52+ processor, a highly configurable real-time processor from ARM, is widely used in safety-critical and high-performance embedded systems. One of its key features is the Tightly Coupled Memory (TCM), which provides low-latency, deterministic access for time-critical code and data. The TCM is divided into multiple banks, typically…
AMBA4 AXI4 Protocol Specification Version E vs. AMBA5 AXI5 Protocol Specification Version K The AMBA4 AXI4 Protocol Specification, specifically version E, is a critical document for understanding the AXI4 protocol, which is widely used in ARM-based SoC designs. However, the introduction of AMBA5 and its AXI5 Protocol Specification version K has introduced additional clarifications and…
ARM Realm VM Interrupt Virtualization by Hypervisor The ARM Realm VM (Virtual Machine) architecture introduces a sophisticated mechanism for handling interrupts, which is crucial for ensuring secure and efficient virtualization. In the Realm VM context, interrupts are not directly handled by the guest operating system running within the Realm. Instead, all interrupts are intercepted and…
ARM Cortex-M Exclusive Access Branch Out of Range Error The issue at hand revolves around an assembly code snippet provided in the CoreSight Components Technical Reference Manual (ARM DDI 0314H) on page 310. The code is intended to demonstrate how to perform an exclusive write to the stimulus port of an ARM Cortex-M processor. However,…
Custom SoC vs. Discrete STM32L562: Balancing Parallel Development Tracks When transitioning from a discrete microcontroller-based design, such as the STM32L562, to a custom System-on-Chip (SoC), one of the most critical challenges is managing parallel development tracks. The STM32L562 is a low-power ARM Cortex-M33-based microcontroller, widely used in embedded systems for its balance of performance, power…
ARM Cortex-M7 Atomic Operation Faults on Non-Cacheable Memory Issue Overview: LDREX Bus Faults in Non-Cacheable Memory Regions The ARM Cortex-M7 processor is a high-performance microcontroller core designed for real-time and embedded applications. One of its key features is the Memory Protection Unit (MPU), which allows developers to define memory regions with specific attributes such as…
Cortex-A53 L2 Cache Invalidation Mechanism The Cortex-A53 processor, part of ARM’s Cortex-A series, is a widely used 64-bit ARMv8-A core that features a multi-level cache hierarchy, including L1 and L2 caches. The L1 cache is split into instruction (L1 I-cache) and data (L1 D-cache) caches, while the L2 cache is typically unified, meaning it stores…
4×4 Matrix Keypad Scanning Mechanism and Common Implementation Issues The integration of a 4×4 matrix keypad with an ARM microcontroller involves a scanning mechanism that allows the microcontroller to detect key presses efficiently. The keypad consists of 16 buttons arranged in a 4-row by 4-column matrix. Each row and column is connected to a GPIO…