International Business Machines Corporation

Michael Charles Cogswell

Steven Michael Douskey

Paul L Wiltgen

Guy Richard Currier

John Robert Elliott

Sharon Denos Vincent

James Maurice Wallin

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.

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Rochester, MN, United States of America

Michael Charles Cogswell