Structured virtual registers for embedded controller devices

Abstract

Techniques for using structured virtual registers in embedded systems are described. A virtual register structure definition provides a map of virtual registers within an embedded controller. The virtual registers are externally accessible and correspond to memory locations within the embedded controller. In various embodiments, an embedded controller and/or an external entity may store data in or read data from the virtual registers using the virtual register structure definition. The problems of manual tracking of virtual register addresses and manual transcription of virtual register addresses to program code are ameliorated. When the virtual register map changes, logical references in program code to particular virtual registers need not necessarily be changed.