National Semiconductor Corporation

Motti Beck

Sorin Iacobovici

Ran Talmudi

A processor emulation system for testing processor operation. First and second identical microprocessors are used together with a target system which includes the main memory. One microprocessor performs an in-system emulation (ISE) function by operating in lock step with the second processor which functions as the master processor. A mode control signal is used to switch the microprocessors between a normal operating mode and an ISE mode. Normal microprocessor signals are outputted on predetermined terminals for the processor in the normal operating mode and the parallel contents of the processor program counter are outputted on the same predetermined terminals when the microprocessor is in the ISE mode. The master processor provides output signals to the target system, with the ISE processor and the master processor both receiving signals from the target system. Operation of the master processor can be ascertained by monitoring the program counter output of the ISE processor.

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Tel Aviv, Israel

Motti Beck