Author: System on Chips

ARM Cortex-M Bus Matrix 4×2 Architecture and Internal Connectivity The ARM Cortex-M series of processors often utilize a bus matrix to manage data flow between multiple masters and slaves within the system. A 4×2 bus matrix, as referenced in the discussion, is a specific configuration where four master ports and two slave ports are interconnected….

Cortex-A15 MPCore Monitor Debug Mode Configuration Challenges The Cortex-A15 MPCore processor provides advanced debugging capabilities, including the ability to operate in Monitor Debug Mode. This mode allows developers to debug software without halting the core, enabling real-time debugging and analysis of system behavior. However, enabling Monitor Debug Mode on the Cortex-A15 MPCore can be challenging…

ARMv7 MMU Configuration and Databus Faults in TI RTOS on Sitara AM335x The ARMv7 architecture, particularly when implemented in complex System-on-Chip (SoC) designs like the Texas Instruments (TI) Sitara AM335x, introduces advanced features such as the Memory Management Unit (MMU), which can lead to unexpected behaviors like databus faults when not properly configured. This issue…

ARM Cortex-M Thumb Mode Restrictions on PC Access The Program Counter (PC) in ARM architectures is a critical register that holds the address of the next instruction to be executed. Accessing the PC directly in assembly code can be useful for various purposes, such as implementing position-independent code, debugging, or dynamic branching. However, the ability…

Ethernet Interrupts Limited to Core0 Despite SMP Linux Configuration In a typical ARM Cortex-A53-based system running a 64-bit SMP Linux kernel (version 4.9), interrupts are expected to be distributed across all available cores to ensure balanced workload and optimal performance. However, in this scenario, Ethernet interrupts are observed to be arriving exclusively on Core0, even…

L2 Cache Initialization and Event Counter Monitoring in Cortex-A9 with PL310 The initialization of the L2 cache in ARM Cortex-A9 systems using the PL310 controller is a critical step in ensuring optimal system performance. The L2 cache, when properly configured, can significantly reduce memory access latency by caching frequently accessed data. However, improper initialization or…

ARM64 SMC Call Concurrency and EL3 Entry Mechanisms The ARM64 architecture introduces a robust mechanism for handling Secure Monitor Calls (SMC), which are essential for transitioning between different exception levels, particularly into EL3, the highest privilege level. SMC calls are synchronous exceptions triggered by software to request services from the Secure Monitor, which operates in…

Illegal Memory Access and Fault Handling Mechanism in Cortex-M3/M4 The ARM Cortex-M3 and Cortex-M4 processors are designed with robust fault handling mechanisms to detect and manage illegal memory accesses, among other issues. When a program attempts to write to an illegal memory location, the processor is expected to trigger a MemManage fault. If the MemManage…

ARMv7 Secure and Non-Secure Mode Stack Pointer Configuration In ARMv7 architectures, the management of stack pointers (SP) in secure and non-secure modes is a critical aspect of system design, particularly when dealing with TrustZone technology. TrustZone introduces a hardware-based security extension that partitions the system into secure and non-secure worlds, each with its own set…

ARM Cortex-M33 NOCP Usage Fault During WIC Sleep and Wake-Up The ARM Cortex-M33 processor, with its TrustZone security extension, introduces a complex interplay between secure and non-secure states, particularly when dealing with the Floating-Point Unit (FPU). A common issue arises when a non-secure thread enters Wait-for-Interrupt (WIC) sleep mode, and a secure handler subsequently wakes…