Abstract: A system and method for tracing program code within a processor having an embedded cache memory. The non-invasive tracing technique minimizes the need for trace information to be broadcast externally. The tracing technique monitors changes in instruction flow from the normal execution stream of the code. The tracing technique monitors the updating of processor branch target register contents in order to monitor branch target flow of the code. Tracing of the program flow includes tracing instructions both before and after a trace triggering event. The implementation of periodic synchronizing events enables the tracing of instructions occurring before and after a triggering event, and then providing the trace information externally from the processor.

Abstract: A system and method for tracing program code within a processor having an embedded cache memory. The non-invasive tracing technique minimizes the need for trace information to be broadcast externally. The tracing technique monitors changes in instruction flow from the normal execution stream of the code. The tracing technique monitors the updating of processor branch target register contents in order to monitor branch target flow of the code. Tracing of the program flow includes tracing instructions both before and after a trace triggering event. The implementation of periodic synchronizing events enables the tracing of instructions occurring before and after a triggering event.

Abstract: A system and method for tracing program code within a processor having an embedded cache memory. The non-invasive tracing technique minimizes the need for trace information to be broadcast externally. The tracing technique monitors changes in instruction flow from the normal execution stream of the code. The tracing technique monitors the updating of processor branch target register contents in order to monitor branch target flow of the code. A FIFO and serial logic circuitry is utilized to minimize the number of chip pins required to broadcast the information from the chip. The tracing technique utilizes instruction and data breakpoint debug functions to signal an external trace tool that a trace event has occurred.

Abstract: This electronic signal processing system is a subsystem of an automatic focus system for an E-beam lithography tool. This subsystem allows the automatic focus system to achieve resolution of 0.25 microns. An automatic focus system is composed of several subsystems. The first is an optical subsystem which produces a focused image of a source aperture on a transducer, which is the second subsystem. This image moves across the transducer in response to variations of the z-position of the measured surface. The transducer, in this case a linear photodiode array, converts the optical position signal into an electronic signal similar to a television video signal. The signal processing subsystem produces multiple outputs from the electronic signal produced by the transducer. The analog correction output of this subsystem realizes a mathematical function of the measured z-height. This analog output is sent to the focus correction subsystem of the E-beam tool, thus achieving focus correction.