Stack Misalignment Between C Code and SRAM Memory Map The core issue revolves around the misalignment of stack allocation in a C-based testing environment for an ARM Cortex-A53 SoC. The processor executes the startup routines correctly, but when it transitions to the C code, the stack push operation fails because the stack pointer is not…
ARM Cortex Reset Vector as the Starting Point of Code Execution The ARM Cortex processor family, whether Cortex-M or Cortex-A, initiates execution from a specific memory address known as the reset vector. This reset vector is part of the exception vector table, which is a critical component of the ARM architecture. The reset vector is…
ARM Artisan 7nm SRAM Compiler Workflow Overview The ARM Artisan 7nm Single-Port SRAM Compiler is a powerful tool designed to generate highly optimized SRAM instances for advanced process nodes like TSMC’s 7nm CLN07FF41001 technology. The compiler provides a comprehensive set of views and models that are essential for integrating SRAM into System-on-Chip (SoC) designs. These…
Armv8-R AEM FVP Exclusive Monitor Behavior Under cache_state_modelled=0 The Armv8-R AEM FVP (Fixed Virtual Platform) exhibits unexpected behavior when the cache_state_modelled parameter is set to 0. Specifically, the exclusive load/store (LDREX/STREX) instructions, which are critical for implementing atomic operations such as spinlocks, cease to function correctly. This issue is particularly perplexing because the same binary…
Multiple Initiators Accessing Shared Targets via NIC-400 with AXI/AHBLite Interfaces In systems where multiple initiators, such as communication interfaces, are connected to a shared set of targets via the NIC-400 interconnect, the default behavior of the NIC-400 is to employ arbitration logic to manage access to these targets. This arbitration logic is essential in scenarios…
Fast Model Application Loader Misinterprets UNINIT Section in Scatter Loading Script The Fast Model application loader is designed to load executable files (.axf) into the simulation environment, interpreting the scatter loading script to map memory regions correctly. However, a critical issue arises when the loader encounters a memory region marked as UNINIT in the scatter…
Understanding the GDS2 Generation Flow for ARM IPs The process of generating GDS2 (Graphic Data System II) files from ARM IP RTL (Register Transfer Level) involves a series of well-defined steps that transform high-level design descriptions into a physical layout ready for fabrication. ARM IPs such as the SSE-200 and Corstone-201 are complex subsystems that…
Cortex-M0+ JTAG Integration and Debug Verification Challenges Integrating the Cortex-M0+ processor into an SoC and ensuring the correctness of the JTAG interface for debugging is a critical task that requires meticulous attention to detail. The JTAG interface is essential for enabling features such as breakpoint insertion, single-stepping, and real-time debugging via tools like GDB. However,…
AHB 1kB Boundary Constraints and Their Implications The concept of the 1kB boundary in the ARM Advanced High-performance Bus (AHB) protocol is a critical architectural consideration that impacts both the design and verification of ARM-based System-on-Chip (SoC) implementations. The 1kB boundary rule stipulates that AHB bursts must not cross a 1kB address boundary. This means…
CHI Interface Lacks Explicit Privilege Level Indication in TX Request Flit The CHI (Coherent Hub Interface) protocol, developed by ARM, is a high-performance, scalable, and coherent interconnect designed for modern SoCs. Unlike the AXI (Advanced eXtensible Interface) protocol, which includes explicit AxPROT bits to indicate privilege levels (privileged vs. non-privileged access), CHI does not provide…