Data processing system having an input/output coprocessor with a separate visibility bus
First Claim
1. A data processing system, comprising:
- a central processing unit for executing first instructions;
a peripheral bus, coupled to the central processing unit; and
an input/output coprocessor, coupled to the peripheral bus, the input/output coprocessor comprisinga plurality of front-end channels having a plurality of input/output terminals, the plurality of front-end channels for receiving a time-base value, and in response, for providing a time-base reference for input signals and for generating output signals using the time-base reference, wherein the time-base value is used by the plurality of front-end channels to implement a timer function;
a back-end processor, coupled to the plurality of front-end channels, for controlling operation of the plurality of front-end channels in response to executing second instructions, wherein the second instructions are different than the first instructions;
a visibility bus, coupled to the back-end processor, for providing visibility of internal registers of the back-end processor for development of the second instructions, wherein the visibility is provided independent of the central processing unit; and
a storage unit, coupled to the back-end processor, for storing the second instructions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data processing system includes a central processing unit (CPU) (20), a peripheral bus (32), and an input/output (I/O) coprocessor (38). The CPU (20) and the I/O coprocessor (38) are coupled to the peripheral bus (32). The I/O coprocessor (38) has a plurality of front-end channels (50) for receiving a time-base, and in response, for providing a time-base reference for input signals and generating output signals using the time-base reference. A back-end processor (80) controls operation of the plurality of front-end channels (50) in response to executing instructions. A visibility bus (40), coupled to the back-end processor (80), is for providing visibility of the internal registers of the back-end processor (80) independent of the CPU (20). The visibility is provided for development of the instructions executed by the back-end processor (80).
8 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A data processing system, comprising:
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a central processing unit for executing first instructions; a peripheral bus, coupled to the central processing unit; and an input/output coprocessor, coupled to the peripheral bus, the input/output coprocessor comprising a plurality of front-end channels having a plurality of input/output terminals, the plurality of front-end channels for receiving a time-base value, and in response, for providing a time-base reference for input signals and for generating output signals using the time-base reference, wherein the time-base value is used by the plurality of front-end channels to implement a timer function; a back-end processor, coupled to the plurality of front-end channels, for controlling operation of the plurality of front-end channels in response to executing second instructions, wherein the second instructions are different than the first instructions; a visibility bus, coupled to the back-end processor, for providing visibility of internal registers of the back-end processor for development of the second instructions, wherein the visibility is provided independent of the central processing unit; and a storage unit, coupled to the back-end processor, for storing the second instructions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A data processing system, comprising:
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a central processing unit for executing first instructions; a peripheral bus, coupled to the central processing unit; and an input/output signal coprocessor, coupled to the peripheral bus, the input/output signal coprocessor, comprising a plurality of front-end channels having a plurality of input/output terminals, the plurality of front-end channels for receiving a time-base value, and in response, for providing a time-base reference for input signals and for generating output signals using the time-base reference, wherein the time-base value is used by the plurality of front-end channels to implement a timer function; a back-end processor for controlling operation of the plurality of front-end channels in response to executing second instructions, wherein the second instructions are different than the first instructions; a bus interface unit, coupled to the plurality of front-end channels, to the back-end processor, and to the peripheral bus, for allowing bidirectional communications between the plurality of front-end channels, the back-end processor, and to the peripheral bus; a visibility bus, coupled to the back-end processor, for providing visibility of internal registers of the back-end processor for program development of the second instructions, wherein the visibility is provided independent of the central processing unit; and a storage unit, coupled to the back-end processor, for storing the second instructions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A data processing system having a central processing unit, an input/output coprocessor, and a peripheral bus for coupling the input/output coprocessor to the central processing unit, the input/output coprocessor comprising:
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a plurality of front-end timer channels having a plurality of input/output terminals, each of the plurality of front-end timer channels for receiving a time-base value, and in response, providing a timer function; a back-end processor for controlling operation of the plurality of front-end timer channels in response to executing instructions, wherein instructions executed by the back-end processor are different than instructions executed by the central processing unit; a bus interface unit, coupled to the plurality of front-end timer channels, to the back-end processor, and to the peripheral bus, for allowing bidirectional communications between the plurality of front-end timer channels, the back-end processor, and to the peripheral bus; a visibility bus, coupled to the back-end processor, for providing visibility of internal registers of the back-end processor for instruction programming development, wherein the visibility is provided independent of the central processing unit; and a storage unit, coupled to the back-end processor via a dedicated bus, the storage unit for storing the instructions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification