Abstract: A central processing unit (2) and a debug module (10) execute concurrent operations without requiring a data processor (3) to operate in a special debug mode. The use of a bus (25) to communicate data, address, and control information between a core (9) and debug module (10) allows debug module (10) to have access the same internal registers and memory locations as central processing unit (2). While debug module (10) and central processing unit (2) both have the ability to access the same internal registers and memory locations, central processing unit (2) may not modify a value stored in a plurality of breakpoint registers (50) when an Inhibit Processor Writes to Debug Registers (IPW) bit in a CSR (FIG. 8) of a plurality of control registers (40) is set. The IPW bit may only be modified by a command provided by an external development system (7).

Abstract: A voltage reference generator circuit (600) that operates at low voltages may be obtained by using a summation circuit (618) to combine a divided bipolar junction voltage signal (616) and a multiplied voltage signal (622) that is proportional to absolute temperature. The voltage reference generator circuit (600) generates a voltage reference which is divided by a divide circuit (620) which produces the divided signal (616), and a voltage reference which is multiplied by a multiply circuit (630) which produces the multiplied signal (622). In another form, a bipolar junction voltage and a voltage that is proportional to absolute temperature may be converted to currents and summed to provide a current which is converted into the reference voltage output.

Abstract: A low voltage differential amplifier 10 or comparator is accomplished by providing an differential amplifier 10 that includes a transistor bias simulator 32 and a capacitance circuit 36. The transistor bias simulator 32 matches the gate to source bias voltage of the load transistor 22 and provides this value to the capacitance circuit 36. The capacitance circuit 36, which is coupled to a biasing reference voltage 38, charges a capacitor 84 based on the difference between the biasing reference voltage 38 and the simulated bias voltage 34. This charged capacitor 86 is used during an auto-zeroing phase to bias the drain to source voltage of the load transistor 22 to a state at which it is just beyond the onset of saturation.