National Semiconductor Corporation

Alberto Sandbank

Gideon Intrater

Oved Oz

Yachin Afek

Israel Greiss

Meir Tsadik

Amos Intrater

Lev Epstein

Moshe Doron

Omri Viner

Iddo Carmon

Ronny Cohen

Zvi Greenfeld

Yehezkel Tzadik

Itael Fraenkel

Lior Katzri

Raya Levitan

Ilan Shimony

Sidi Yomtov

Andy Birenbaum

Ohad Falik

Yair Baydatch

Aharon Ostrer

A data processing technique with which a CPU core accesses memory devices over a bus. Some of the memory devices are on-chip, and some may be off-chip. In order to optimize its operation, the CPU core accesses the on-chip devices via a core buffer interface unit ('BIU') which has been tuned to on-chip operation. Off-chip devices communicate with the CPU core via a system BIU which translates the on-chip bus transactions to meet the off-chip device requirements.

Microprocessor-based data processing apparatus that commences a next

The present invention is directed to various features of an integrated data processing system that includes a general purpose (GP) CPU core for processing data in accordance with a GP instruction set and a digital signal processor (DSP) module for processing data in accordance with command-list code. The DSP module is operable to execute the command-list code independent of and in parallel with execution of the GP instruction set by the CPU core. The system also includes test hook functions for facilitating production testing of the system.

Testing hooks for testing an integrated data processing system

An integrated data processing system includes a shared internal bus for transferring both instructions and data. A shared bus interface unit is connected to the shared internal bus and connectable via a shared external bus to a shared external memory array such that instructions and data held in the shared external memory array are transferrable to the shared internal bus via the shared bus interface unit. A general purpose (GP) central processing unit (CPU) is connected to the shared internal bus for retrieving GP instructions. The GP CPU includes an execution unit for executing GP instructions to process data retrieved by the GP CPU from the shared internal bus. A digital signal processor (DSP) module connected to the shared internal bus, the DSP module includes a signal processor for processing an externally-provided digital signal received by the DSP module by executing DSP command-list instructions. Execution of DSP command-list code instructions by the DSP module is independent of and in parallel with execution of GP instructions by the GP CPU. A shared internal memory that holds command-list code instructions and is connected for access by the DSP module for retrieval of command-list code instructions for execution by the DSP module and for access by the GP CPU for storage and retrieval of instructions and data.

Integrated data processing system including CPU core and parallel,

An integrated data processing system includes a shared internal bus for transferring both instructions and data. A shared bus interface unit is connected to the shared internal bus and connectable via a shared external bus to a shared external memory array such that instructions and data held in the shared external memory array are transferrable to the shared internal bus via the shared bus interface unit. A general purpose (GP) central processing unit (CPU) is connected to the shared internal bus for retrieving GP instructions. The OP CPU includes an execution unit for executing GP instructions to process data retrieved by the GP CPU from the shared internal bus. A digital signal processor (DSP) module connected to the shared internal bus, the DSP module includes a signal processor for processing an externally-provided digital signal received by the DSP module by executing DSP command-list instructions. Execution of DSP command-list code instructions by the DSP module is independent of and in parallel with execution of GP instructions by the GP CPU. A shared internal memory that holds command-list code instructions and is connected for access by the DSP module for retrieval of command-list code instructions for execution by the DSP module and for access by the GP CPU for storage and retrieval of instructions and data.

Integrated CPU core and parallel, independently operating DSP module and

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Natanya, Israel

Alberto Sandbank