Variable register block structure for supporting different scene applications of MCU (Microprogrammed Control Unit) chip

Abstract

The invention discloses a variable register block structure supporting different scene applications of an MCU chip, and belongs to the technical field of chip design, the variable register block structure is applied to the MCU chip, the MCU chip comprises a core, an instruction memory, a data memory and a variable register block, the core is used as a main device, and the instruction memory is used as an auxiliary device. The register block module, the instruction memory, the data memory and the variable register block are used as slave devices; wherein the core is respectively connected with the instruction memory, the data memory and the variable register group through a bus; and the variable register group is used as slave equipment and accesses registers in the variable register group through the core. The variable register block disclosed by the invention can be used as different functional modules in different working scenes; by using the variable register block structure, more flexible and changeable applications can be provided, and meanwhile, the relatively fixed area and power consumption can be reduced; and a certain protection effect is also achieved for the exposure risk of starting the ROM.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of chip design technology, specifically relating to a variable register group structure that supports different application scenarios of MCU chips. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, MCU chips use different modules to operate in different scenarios. For example, during initial operation, the corresponding program needs to be executed from the boot ROM (Read-Only Memory). After the chip boots up, it needs to read the user's instruction execution code from the IMEM (Instruction Memory) and the data for computation from the DMEM (Data Memory). Each module also has corresponding control registers for mode control. However, the function executed by each module is relatively fixed, and not every module is working at all times. Furthermore, because the physical location of modules is fixed, such as the boot ROM, there is a potential security risk of instruction exposure. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a variable register group structure that supports different application scenarios for MCU chips. This structure can provide flexible address space and register contents, thereby enabling register supplementation for different functions under different chip operating scenarios. Adopting this variable register group structure can save chip area and reduce chip power consumption. Furthermore, compared to the traditional boot ROM (read-only memory) structure, placing instructions in different registers also improves security and solves the problems mentioned in the background section.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a variable register group structure that supports different application scenarios of MCU chips, applied in MCU chips, wherein the MCU chip includes a core, an instruction memory, a data memory and a variable register group, characterized in that the core acts as a master device, while the instruction memory, the data memory and the variable register group act as slave devices; The core is connected to the instruction memory, data memory, and variable register set via a bus. The variable register set acts as a slave device, accessing its internal registers through the core. In its respective operating mode, the variable register set can select the control registers of multiple slave devices. The variable register group has four operating modes: initial mode, operating mode 1, operating mode 2, operating mode 3, and operating mode 4.

[0005] Preferably, the variable register set includes an address mapper, a register set, and a function selector; The address mapper changes the base address of the current module via the bus to select the address mapping. In different operating modes, it performs different functions through the address selection register group. The register set consists of multiple registers, whose default values ​​will be stored in read-only memory as instructions to implement the function of the boot instruction in initial mode; The function selector is used to select which slave device to connect to, and controls the selection of different registers to connect to different slave devices. When the register group does not need to be connected to a slave device, it will provide fixed values ​​to the slave device for operation.

[0006] Preferably, when the variable register group is in the initial mode, the variable register group will be used as the boot read-only memory by default, and its reset value will be used as the instruction stored in the read-only memory. The core will fetch the data in the order of the register group to complete the initialization operation after the chip is powered on.

[0007] Preferably, when the variable register group is in working mode one, under normal working conditions, the variable register group becomes part of the instruction memory by changing the address mapper, and the internal instructions are moved into the register group in advance by the data transport module.

[0008] Preferably, when the variable register group is in working mode two, under normal working conditions, the variable register group becomes part of the instruction memory by changing the address mapper, while temporarily storing data internally.

[0009] Preferably, when the variable register group is in working mode three, under normal working conditions, the variable register group is used as a stack and a queue by changing the address mapper within it.

[0010] Preferably, when the variable register group is in working mode four, the variable register group changes the address mapper and the function selector to select the data to the corresponding slave device, and then uses it as the control register of the slave device. If the function selector does not select working mode four, a fixed value will be sent to the slave device as the value of the control register.

[0011] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: This invention supports register group structures for different application scenarios of MCU chips. These register groups will be used as different functional modules in different working scenarios. Using this structure, more flexible and varied applications can be provided, while reducing the relatively fixed area and power consumption. It also provides some protection against the exposure risks of the boot ROM (read-only memory). Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a diagram of the register group chip structure that supports different application scenarios of MCU chips according to the present invention.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a diagram of the variable register group structure that supports different application scenarios of MCU chips according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0015] Currently, MCU chips use different modules to operate in different scenarios. For example, during initial operation, the corresponding program needs to be executed from the boot ROM (Read-Only Memory). After the chip boots up, it needs to read the user's instruction execution code from the IMEM (Instruction Memory) and the data for computation from the DMEM (Data Memory). Each module also has corresponding control registers for mode control. However, the function executed by each module is relatively fixed, and not every module is working at all times. Furthermore, because the physical location of modules is fixed, such as the boot ROM, there is a potential security risk of instruction exposure.

[0016] The purpose of this invention is to provide a variable register group structure that supports different application scenarios for MCU chips. This structure can provide flexible address space and register contents, thereby enabling register supplementation for different functions under different chip operating scenarios. Adopting this register group structure can save chip area and reduce chip power consumption. Furthermore, compared to the traditional boot ROM (read-only memory) structure, placing instructions in different registers also improves security and solves the aforementioned problems.

[0017] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment of the invention specifically provides a variable register group structure that supports different application scenarios of MCU chips. It is applied to MCU chips, which include a core, an instruction memory, a data memory, and a variable register group. The core is characterized as a master device, while the instruction memory, data memory, and variable register group are slave devices. The core is connected to the instruction memory, data memory, and variable register set via a bus. The variable register set acts as a slave device, accessing its internal registers through the core. In its respective operating mode, the variable register set can select the control registers of multiple slave devices. The variable register group has four operating modes: initial mode, operating mode 1, operating mode 2, operating mode 3, and operating mode 4.

[0018] As an embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 2 As shown, the variable register set includes an address mapper, a register set, and a function selector; The address mapper changes the base address of the current module via the bus to select the address mapping. In different operating modes, it performs different functions through the address selection register group. The register set consists of multiple registers, whose default values ​​will be stored in read-only memory as instructions to implement the function of the boot instruction in initial mode; The function selector is used to select which slave device to connect to, and controls the selection of different registers to connect to different slave devices. When the register group does not need to be connected to a slave device, it will provide fixed values ​​to the slave device for operation.

[0019] In this invention, the variable register group acts as a slave device of the MCU chip. By changing the address mapper, the following functions can be achieved in different operating modes of the chip: 1. Initial Mode: The variable register set will be used as the boot ROM (read-only memory) by default. Its reset value will be used as the instruction stored in the ROM. The Core will fetch the data in the order of the register set to complete the initialization operation after the chip is powered on.

[0020] 2. Working Mode 1: Under normal operating conditions, the variable register set can be made part of the IMEM (Instruction Memory) by changing its address mapper. Internal instructions can be pre-loaded into the register set via DMA (Data Transfer Module).

[0021] 3. Working Mode Two: Under normal operating conditions, the variable register set can be transformed into part of the DMEM (Data Memory Unit) by changing its address mapper. It can also temporarily store data internally.

[0022] 4. Working Mode Three: Under normal operating conditions, the variable register set can be used as a stack and a queue by changing its address mapper.

[0023] 5. Working Mode Four: Under normal operating conditions, the variable register set can select the corresponding slave device by changing its address mapper and function selector, and then use it as the slave device's control register. If the function selector is not set to operating mode four, a fixed value will be sent to the slave device as the control register value.

[0024] Table 1 shows the functional implementation of the variable register group as a slave device of the MCU chip in different operating modes by changing the address mapper:

[0025] This invention supports register group structures for different application scenarios of MCU chips. These register groups will be used as different functional modules in different working scenarios. By adopting this structure, more flexible and varied applications can be provided, while reducing the relatively fixed area and power consumption. It also provides some protection against the exposure risks of the boot ROM (read-only memory).

[0026] Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of the invention.

[0027] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this invention without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this invention and their equivalents, this invention also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A variable register group structure supporting different application scenarios of MCU chips, applied in MCU chips, wherein the MCU chip includes a core, instruction memory, data memory, and a variable register group, characterized in that, The core acts as the master device, while the instruction memory, data memory, and variable register set act as slave devices. The core is connected to the instruction memory, data memory, and variable register set via a bus. The variable register set acts as a slave device, accessing its internal registers through the core. In its respective operating mode, the variable register set can select the control registers of multiple slave devices. The variable register group has four operating modes: initial mode, operating mode 1, operating mode 2, operating mode 3, and operating mode 4.

2. The variable register group structure supporting different application scenarios of MCU chips according to claim 1, characterized in that, The variable register set includes an address mapper, a register set, and a function selector; The address mapper changes the base address of the current module via the bus to select the address mapping. In different operating modes, it performs different functions through the address selection register group. The register set consists of multiple registers, whose default values ​​will be stored in read-only memory as instructions to implement the function of the boot instruction in initial mode; The function selector is used to select which slave device to connect to, and controls the selection of different registers to connect to different slave devices. When the register group does not need to be connected to a slave device, it will provide fixed values ​​to the slave device for operation.

3. The variable register group structure supporting different application scenarios of MCU chips according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the variable register group is in initial mode, it will be used as the boot read-only memory by default. Its reset value will be used as the instruction stored in the read-only memory. The core will fetch the data in the order of the register group to complete the initialization operation after the chip is powered on.

4. The variable register group structure supporting different application scenarios of MCU chips according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the variable register set is in working mode one, under normal working conditions, the variable register set becomes part of the instruction memory by changing its address mapper, and the internal instructions are moved into the register set in advance by the data transport module.

5. The variable register group structure supporting different application scenarios of MCU chips according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the variable register group is in working mode two, under normal working conditions, the variable register group becomes part of the data memory by changing its address mapper, while temporarily storing data internally.

6. The variable register group structure supporting different application scenarios of MCU chips according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the variable register set is in working mode three, under normal working conditions, the variable register set can be used as a stack and a queue by changing the address mapper within it.

7. The variable register group structure supporting different application scenarios of MCU chips according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the variable register group is in working mode four, the variable register group changes the address mapper and the function selector to select the data to the corresponding slave device, and then uses it as the control register of the slave device. If the function selector does not select working mode four, a fixed value will be sent to the slave device as the value of the control register.

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