Processor Event Wait Timer Counter Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring the time to return to the RUN status after an EVTWAIT instruction in power supply systems consume external timer resources, which is inefficient and can impact real-time performance in systems requiring strict timing control.
Innovation Solution
A processor with a built-in timer counter and event input control unit that measures the time to return to the RUN status without using external timer resources, by incrementing a counter value from an initial value and stopping when a wait event is detected, allowing for real-time measurement of the WAIT period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an external timer is used to measure the time between standby and restart, then the measurement can be achieved, but external timer resources are consumed and program size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing timer counter unit, originally designed for other timing functions in the EPU, is made multi-functional by enabling it to also measure the WAIT period. The timer counter unit already exists for other purposes, and by adding the capability to capture its count value during WAIT status transitions, the system achieves time measurement without adding dedicated measurement hardware or increasing program size significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The timer counter unit serves itself by providing its count value directly to the status control unit when needed for WAIT period measurement. Instead of requiring an external timer to perform the measurement, the system uses its own internal timer counter resource, making the measurement function self-contained and eliminating the need for additional external timing resources.
2Measurement precision
If an external timer is used to measure the WAIT period, then the time can be measured, but the processing time increases and real-time performance is impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The timer counter unit is already running and maintaining its count value before the WAIT status is entered. When the EPU transitions to WAIT status, the timer counter has already been counting, so no additional setup or startup time is needed. The measurement is ready immediately when the WAIT period ends, eliminating delays associated with starting external timers.
Solution Approach 2:
The time measurement function is merged with the existing timer counter unit operations. The status control unit utilizes the already-running timer counter and simply captures its value at the appropriate moment, combining the measurement function with existing timing operations rather than implementing a separate measurement mechanism that would add processing overhead.
3Measurement precision
If external timer resources are consumed for measurement, then the time can be measured, but the processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is extracted from the external timer domain and integrated into the internal EPU resources. By taking the time measurement capability out of the external timer realm and using the internal timer counter unit instead, the system eliminates the overhead of external timer management while maintaining accurate measurement capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
An event processing method of a processor according to one or more embodiments may include detecting an event input, which notifies an occurrence of an event, detecting a wait event by an event input, changing a status from an execution status to a wait status and outputs a count start signal by an event wait instruction, and changes a status from the wait status to the execution status and outputs a count end signal by the detection of the wait event, incrementing a counter value from an initial value by output of the count start signal, and ends counting by output of the count end signal; and receiving and storing a count value of the timer counter by output of the count end signal.