Using sign extension to compress on-chip data processor trace and timing information for export
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorGary L. Swoboda
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An emulation parameter indicative of a data processing operation performed by a data processor is exported from the data processor. The parameter value is provided as a plurality of digital bits. After determining that the bits of a first group within the plurality of bits all have the same bit value and that a predetermined bit within a second group of the plurality of bits has a bit value equal to the bit value of the bits of the first group, only the second group of bits is output from the data processor without outputting the first group of bits.
Claims20
A method of exporting from a data processor an emulation parameter value indicative of a data processing operation performed by the data processor, comprising:
- providing the parameter value as a plurality of digital bits;
- detecting a condition wherein the bits of a first group within the plurality of bits all have the same bit value and a predetermined bit within a second group of the plurality of bits has a bit value equal to the bit value of the bits of the first group;
- and
- in response to detection of said condition, outputting from the data processor via terminals thereof only the second group of bits without outputting the first group of bits.
An integrated circuit, comprising:
- a data processor for performing data processing operations;
- a plurality of terminals for outputting information;
- an apparatus for exporting from said integrated circuit an emulation parameter value indicative of a data processing operation performed by said data processor, including an input coupled to said data processor for receiving said parameter value as a plurality of digital bits;
- said apparatus including an evaluator coupled to said input for detecting a condition wherein the bits of a first group within the plurality of bits all have the same bit value and a predetermined bit within a second group of the plurality of bits has a bit value equal to the bit value of the bits of said first group, said evaluator operable for providing condition information which indicates that said condition has been detected;
- and
- said apparatus including a compression determiner coupled to said evaluator and said terminals and said input, said compression determine responsive to said condition information for outputting via said terminals only the second group of bits without outputting the first group of bits.
A data processing system, comprising:
- an integrated circuit, including a data processor for performing data processing operations;
- an emulation controller coupled to said integrated circuit for controlling emulation operation of said data processor;
- said integrated circuit including an apparatus coupled between said data processor and said emulation controller for exporting from said integrated circuit an emulation parameter value indicative of a data processing operation performed by said data processor, said apparatus including an input coupled to said data processor for receiving said parameter value as a plurality of digital bits;
- said apparatus including an evaluator coupled to said input for detecting a condition wherein the bits of a first group within the plurality of bits all have the same bit value and a predetermined bit within a second group of the plurality of bits has a bit value equal to the bit value of the bits of said first group, said emulator operable for providing condition information which indicates that said condition has been detected;
- and
- said integrated circuit including a plurality of terminals coupled to said emulation controller for outputting information to said emulation controller, and said apparatus including a compression determiner coupled to said evaluator and said terminals and said input, said compression determiner responsive to said condition information for outputting to said emulation controller, via said terminals, only the second group of bits without outputting the first group of bits.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.