Translation information retrieval transparent to processor core
View Patent ↗A system for obtaining translation information from a data processing system transparent to the operation of a processor core of the data processing system. In one embodiment, the processor includes a processor core and memory management circuitry. The memory management circuitry stores translation information. The data processing system includes debugging circuitry for obtaining translation information stored in the memory management circuitry and for providing that information externally.
1. A method of obtaining translation information from a data processor, the data processor including a processor core and memory management circuitry, the method comprising:
obtaining translation information from the memory management circuitry, wherein the obtaining is performed transparent to the operation of the processor core, wherein the translation information is utilized in performing processor operations of the data processor, wherein the obtaining further includes:
requesting translation information by debug circuitry from the memory management circuitry; and
receiving the translation information by the debug circuitry from the memory management circuitry in response to the requesting;
providing the translation information external to the data processor.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the translation information includes configuration information.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the translation information includes attribute information.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing the translation information external to the data processor includes providing the translation information to external debug circuitry.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the processor core and the memory management circuitry are implemented on an integrated circuit;
wherein the providing the translation information external to the data processor includes providing the translation information external to the integrated circuit.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving a request for translation information, wherein the request is generated external to the data processor;
wherein the obtaining translation information from the memory management circuitry is obtained in response to the request.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the memory management circuitry includes a translation buffer, wherein the request includes a request for translation information for all entries of the translation buffer.
8. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
wherein in response to receiving the request, searching the memory management circuitry for information corresponding to the request.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:
providing an indication external to the data processor that the memory management circuitry does not include translation information corresponding to the request.
10. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
wherein the request includes an indication of a specific entry of a translation buffer of the memory management circuitry;
wherein translation information provided includes information associated with the specific entry of the translation buffer.
11. The method of claim 6 further comprising:
wherein the request includes an indication of a virtual address;
wherein translation information provided includes information associated with the virtual address in the memory management circuitry.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
placing the data processor in a mode wherein a change in translation information in the memory management circuitry initiates the obtaining.
13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
wherein the obtaining is performed in response to a change in translation information.
14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
using the translation information to debug code being executed by the processor core to develop program code;
installing the program code in a data processing system.
15. The method of claim 1 further comprising:
receiving a request for translation information associated with a specified virtual address, wherein the request is generated external to the data processor;
determining if an indication of the specified virtual address is stored in the memory management circuitry; and
wherein the obtaining includes obtaining information associated with the virtual address from the memory management circuitry if the determining indicates that an indication of the specified virtual address is stored in the memory management circuitry.
16. A data processing system comprising:
a data processor, the data processor including:
a processor core;
memory management circuitry operably coupled to the processor core, the memory management circuitry storing translation information, wherein the translation information is utilized in performing processor operations of the data processor;
debug circuitry, the debug circuitry configured to obtain translation information from the memory management circuitry transparent to the operation of the processor core, wherein the debug circuitry is configured to request translation information from the memory management circuitry transparent to the operation of the processor core and to receive translation information from the memory management circuitry transparent to the operation of the processor core provided in response to a request from the debug circuitry, the debug circuitry coupled to provide obtained information external to the data processor.
17. The data processing system of claim 16 wherein the data processor and the debug circuitry are implemented in an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit including at least one external debug terminal operably coupled to the debug circuitry, the debug circuitry operable to provide the translation information externally via the at least one external debug terminal.
18. The data processing system of claim 17 wherein the debug circuitry is operable to receive external requests for translation information via the at least one external debug terminal.
19. The data processing system of claim 16 wherein the memory management circuitry stores translation information in a translation look aside buffer.
20. The data processing system of claim 16 wherein the memory management circuitry includes a storage device that includes a plurality of entries, wherein each entry of the plurality of entries is configured to store translation information, wherein the translation information stored in each entry includes virtual address information and physical address information.
21. A data processing system comprising:
a data processor, the data processor including:
a processor core;
memory management circuitry operably coupled to the processor core, the memory management circuitry storing translation information, wherein the translation information is utilized in performing processor operations of the data processor;
debug circuitry, the debug circuitry configured to obtain translation information from the memory management circuitry transparent to the operation of the processor core and coupled to provide obtained information external to the data processor;
wherein the debug circuitry includes a memory management debug circuitry portion implemented in the memory management circuitry and a second debug circuitry portion, wherein the memory management debug circuitry portion is operably coupled to the second debug circuitry portion to receive requests for translation information from the second debug circuitry portion and coupled to provide translation information to the second debug circuitry portion.
22. A method of debugging a data processor, the data processor including a processor core and memory management circuitry, the processor core and memory management circuitry are implemented in an integrated circuit, the method comprising:
obtaining translation information from the memory management circuitry wherein the obtaining is performed transparent to the operation of the processor core, wherein the translation information is utilized in performing processor operations of the data processor, wherein the obtaining further includes:
requesting translation information by debug circuitry from the memory management circuitry; and
receiving the translation information by the debug circuitry from the memory management circuitry in response to the requesting;
providing the translation information external to the data processor via at least one external debugging terminal of the integrated circuit;
using the translation information to debug code being executed by the processor core.