Abstract: One feature pertains to an apparatus that includes a memory circuit, a system memory-management unit (SMMU), and a processing circuit. The memory circuit stores an executable program associated with a client. The SMMU enforces memory access control policies for the memory circuit, and includes a plurality of micro-translation lookaside buffers (micro-TLBs), macro-TLB, and a page walker circuit. The plurality of micro-TLBs include a first micro-TLB that enforces memory access control policies for the client. The processing circuit loads memory address translations associated with the executable program into the first micro-TLB, and initiates isolation mode for the first micro-TLB causing communications between the first micro-TLB and the macro-TLB and between the first micro-TLB and the page walker circuit to be severed. The first micro-TLB continues to enforce memory access control policies for the client while in isolation mode.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and systems for managing bus bandwidth allocation in a system on a chip are disclosed. Certain embodiments monitor a high speed bus for a measurement window of time to identify valid bits uniquely associated with transaction requests issued by a master processing engine. The method continues to monitor the bus over the window to identify completed transactions. A latency value is calculated by subtracting a target latency from an actual latency for each completed transaction. The latency value is aggregated in a counter. At the conclusion of the window, if the aggregated latency value is positive, the method may conclude that the average latency per transaction over the window exceeded the target latency per transaction and that the bandwidth allocated to the engine should be increased.

Abstract: Masters request access to a shared resource, such as a shared bus. Usage of the shared bus by each of the masters is monitored, a request to use the shared bus by one of the masters is received, and usage of the shared bus by the master is compared with a corresponding bandwidth threshold. The request is arbitrated if the usage of the shared bus by the master is below the bandwidth threshold, and the request to use the shared bus is granted to the master based on the arbitration.

Abstract: Masters request access to a shared resource, such as a shared bus. Usage of the shared bus by each of the masters is monitored, a request to use the shared bus by one of the masters is received, and usage of the shared bus by the master is compared with a corresponding bandwidth threshold. The request is arbitrated if the usage of the shared bus by the master is below the bandwidth threshold, and the request to use the shared bus is granted to the master based on the arbitration.

Abstract: A high-speed programmable serial port having a finite state machine, a clock generator capable of controlling shifting of bits from a shift register and a shift register having a bit counter capable of maintaining a numbered count of data bits in a serial output. The clock generator and shift register reduce the burdens on a finite state machine, thus improving data throughput and the ability to provided data according to a multitude of data protocols.

Abstract: A processing engine including a processor pipeline 820 with a number of pipeline stages, a number of resources and a pipeline protection mechanism. The pipeline protection mechanism includes, for each protected resource, interlock detection circuitry 1402 for anticipating and/or detecting access conflicts for that resource between the pipeline stages. An output of the interlock detection circuitry is connected to reservation and filtering circuitry 1404 for selection of a shadow register. If a shadow register is available, shadow management circuitry 1406 generates corresponding control signals 1410, 1412 to a set of shadow registers 1400. By writing into a selected register, a pipeline conflict is resolved. At a later cycle, a delayed write to a corresponding target register restores the pipeline. Conflicts that cannot be resolved are merged by merge circuitry 1440 to form stall control signals for controlling the selective stalling of the pipeline to avoid the resource access conflicts.

Abstract: A processor (100) is provided that is a programmable fixed point digital signal processor (DSP) with variable instruction length, offering both high code density and easy programming. Architecture and instruction set are optimized for low power consumption and high efficiency execution of DSP algorithms, such as for wireless telephones, as well as pure control tasks. The processor includes an instruction buffer unit (106), a program flow control unit (108), an address/data flow unit (110), a data computation unit (112), and multiple interconnecting busses. Dual multiply-accumulate blocks improve processing performance. A memory interface unit (104) provides parallel access to data and instruction memories. The instruction buffer is operable to buffer single and compound instructions pending execution thereof. A decode mechanism is configured to decode instructions from the instruction buffer. The use of compound instructions enables effective use of the bandwidth available within the processor.

Abstract: A high-speed programmable serial port having a finite state machine, a clock generator capable of controlling shifting of bits from a shift register and a shift register having a bit counter capable of maintaining a numbered count of data bits in a serial output. The clock generator and shift register reduce the burdens on a finite state machine, thus improving data throughput and the ability to provided data according to a multitude of data protocols.