Direct memory access (DMA) controller, electronic device using the DMA controller and method of operating the DMA controller

An electronic device, comprising:

• a processor configured to generate a control command, wherein the control command is configured to set an operation mode of a DMA controller;
• a memory containing a privilege area and a normal area;
• and
• the DMA controller coupled to the processor and the memory through a bus and comprising:
• a DMA channel;
• a configuration interface, wherein the DMA controller receives the control command through the configuration interface;
• and
• a mode register configured to store a register value corresponding to the control command, wherein when the register value is a first value, the DMA channel operates in a privilege mode, and when the register value is a second value, the DMA channel operates in a normal mode;
• wherein when the DMA channel is operating in the privilege mode, the DMA channel is able to access the privilege area and the normal area, and when the DMA channel is operating in the normal mode, the DMA channel is able to access the normal area but unable to access the privilege area.

A method of operating a DMA controller, the DMA controller is configured to access a memory containing a privilege area and a normal area, the method comprising:

• searching for a DMA channel in an idle state in the DMA controller;
• controlling the DMA channel to operate in a privilege mode by setting a register value of a mode register of the DMA channel;
• setting a memory address register and a byte count register of the DMA channel;
• and
• controlling the DMA channel to perform data transfer based on the memory address register and the byte count register.