Data processing with configurable registers
First Claim
1. In a data processing system, a method comprising:
- providing a plurality of general purpose registers (GPRs) which are included as part of a user'"'"'s programming model for the data processing system;
entering a test mode;
during the test mode, configuring a portion of the plurality of general purpose registers to operate as at least one multiple input shift register (MISR) wherein a portion of a register line is configured to operate in the test mode and a remaining portion of the register line is configured to remain in a normal mode of operation;
during the test mode, each register in the portion of the plurality of general purpose registers generating a signature;
exiting the test mode; and
after exiting the test mode, using the portion of the plurality of general purpose registers as general purpose registers for normal program execution.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data processing system includes functional circuitry which performs at least one data processing function, a register file coupled to the functional circuitry and having a plurality of general purpose registers (GPRs) which are included as part of a user'"'"'s programming model for the data processing system, where a portion of the plurality of GPRs are reconfigurable as test registers during a test mode, and control circuitry which provides a test enable indicator to the register file. The portion of the plurality of GPRs, in response to the test enable indicator indicating the test mode is enabled, operates to accumulate test data from predetermined circuit nodes within the functional circuitry. In one aspect, the portion of the plurality of GPRs are reconfigured as multiple input shift registers (MISRs) during the test mode and generate signatures based on the test data.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a data processing system, a method comprising:
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providing a plurality of general purpose registers (GPRs) which are included as part of a user'"'"'s programming model for the data processing system; entering a test mode; during the test mode, configuring a portion of the plurality of general purpose registers to operate as at least one multiple input shift register (MISR) wherein a portion of a register line is configured to operate in the test mode and a remaining portion of the register line is configured to remain in a normal mode of operation; during the test mode, each register in the portion of the plurality of general purpose registers generating a signature; exiting the test mode; and after exiting the test mode, using the portion of the plurality of general purpose registers as general purpose registers for normal program execution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A data processing system, comprising:
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functional circuitry which performs at least one data processing function; a register file coupled to the functional circuitry and having a plurality of general purpose registers (GPRs) which are included as part of a user'"'"'s programming model for the data processing system, wherein a portion of the plurality of general purpose registers are reconfigurable as at least one test register during a test mode, a portion of a register line of the at least one test register is configured to operate in the test mode and a remaining portion of the register line is configured to remain in a normal mode of operation; and control circuitry which provides a test enable indicator to the register file, wherein the portion of the plurality of general purpose registers, in response to the test enable indicator indicating the test mode is enabled, operate to accumulate test data from predetermined circuit nodes within the functional circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A data processing system, comprising:
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functional circuitry which performs at least one data processing function; a register file having a plurality of general purpose registers (GPRs) which are included as part of a user'"'"'s programming model for the data processing system, wherein a portion of the plurality of general purpose registers are reconfigurable as at least one multiple input shift register (MISR) during a test mode, a portion of a register line of the plurality of general purpose registers is configured to operate in the test mode and a remaining portion of the register line is configured to remain in a normal mode of operation; and control circuitry which provides a test enable indicator to the register file, wherein each register in the portion of the plurality of general purpose registers, in response to the test enable indicator indicating the test mode is enabled, operates as at least a portion of a multiple input shift register (MISR) to generate a signature based on test data received from predetermined circuit nodes within the functional circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification