International Business Machines Corporation

James Maurice Wallin

Steven Michael Douskey

Guy Richard Currier

Paul Allen Ganfield

Leland Leslie Day

Paul L Wiltgen

John Robert Elliott

Sharon Denos Vincent

Michael Charles Cogswell

A data processing system, circuit arrangement, program product, and method thereof utilize a multi-path scan interface that is capable of providing multiple scan paths into a plurality of scan ring segments in an integrated circuit device. The multi-path scan interface utilizes one or more multiplexers coupled between scan in and scan out ports and at least one scan ring segment to provide alternate scan paths depending upon select signals supplied to each multiplexer. With such a configuration, a standardized scan interface may developed for interfacing with a wide variety of scan ring segments, and optionally, for multiple purposes. As a result, the amount of custom circuitry necessary to provide access to scan ring segments is significantly reduced.

Data processing system, circuit arrangement and program product

A data processing system, integrated circuit device, program product, and method thereof utilize a service interface to provide external access to a plurality of cores integrated into an integrated circuit device. The service interface, which may be utilized to perform external data transfer through a service access port in connection with a predetermined service operation, is separate from any function interface that is utilized during regular operation of the device. The service interface includes a plurality of core interface units integrated with selected cores on the device and coupled to the service access port through a master interface unit that is configured to request at least one of the core interface units to initiate execution of a predetermined service operation. As such, a multitude of service operations may be initiated in any number of the cores through a common service access port without occupying a large number of I/O pins and without necessitating interruption of the regular operation of the device.

Multi-core chip providing external core access with regular operation

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, MN, United States of America

James Maurice Wallin