IP Library Granted Patent US 9,733,952
Granted Patent B2
US 9,733,952 · App. 14/353,999 · Granted Aug 15, 2017

Microprocessor, and method of managing reset events therefor

Inventors: Thomas Luedeke (Oberbergkirchen, DE); Markus Baumeister (Munich, DE); Carl Culshaw (Wigan, GB)
Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
G06F9/442G06F1/24G06F9/44505G06F11/076G06F11/0721
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,733,952
App. No.
14/353,999
Granted
Aug 15, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A microprocessor comprises at least one reset management module. The at least one reset management module is arranged to detect a reset event, determine if at least one reset condition has been met upon detection of the reset event, and cause at least a part of the microprocessor to remain in a reset state upon determining that the at least one reset condition has been met.

Claims (66)

1. A microprocessor comprising:

a reset management module arranged to:

detect a first reset event of the microprocessor;

determine a first number of reset events, including the first reset event, that have been detected;

determine if a reset condition has been met based on whether the first number of reset events meets a threshold value, upon detection of the reset event;

reset a first part of the microprocessor in response to the reset condition not being met;

detect a second reset event of the microprocessor;

determine a second number of reset events, including the first and second reset events that have been detected; and determine if the reset condition has been met based on whether the second number meets a threshold value;

reset the first part of the microprocessor and a second part of the microprocessor upon determining that the reset condition has been met.

2. The microprocessor of claim 1 , wherein the reset management module comprises at least one reset controller comprising a counter, and the at least one reset controller is arranged to:

increment/decrement a value of the at least one counter upon detection of a reset event.

3. The microprocessor of claim 2 , wherein the threshold value is configurable.

4. The microprocessor of claim 2 , wherein the at least one reset controller comprises at least one timer, and the at least one reset controller is arranged to:

initialise the at least one timer upon detection of a reset event; and

re-initialise the at least one counter upon expiry of the at least one timer.

5. The microprocessor of claim 2 , wherein the reset management module is arranged to re-initialise the at least one counter upon at least one from a group comprising at least one of:

receiving a software generated re-initialise signal; and

powering up of the microprocessor.

6. The microprocessor of claim 2 , wherein the microprocessor comprises multiple processing cores and the reset management module comprises an access controller arranged to:

receive requests to update the at least one counter of the reset management module; and

perform arbitration of received requests to update the at least one counter.

7. The microprocessor of claim 6 , wherein the access controller is arranged to, upon receipt of a request to update the at least one counter from a first processing core:

provide an indication of the received request to update the at least one counter to at least one further processing core; and

to update the at least one counter upon receipt of confirmation of the update from the at least one further processing core.

8. The microprocessor of claim 7 , wherein the request to update the at least one counter received from the first processing core comprises an access key.

9. The microprocessor of claim 8 , wherein the indication of the received request to update the at least one counter provided by the access controller to the at least one further processing core comprises the access key received from the first processing core.

10. The microprocessor of claim 7 , wherein the access controller is arranged to update the at least one counter upon receipt of confirmation of the update from each of the further processing cores.

11. The microprocessor of claim 1 , wherein the reset management module is arranged to:

detect a destructive reset event;

determine if a second reset condition has been met upon detection of the destructive reset event; and

cause at least a part of the microprocessor to remain in a reset state upon determining that the second reset condition has been met.

12. The microprocessor of claim 1 , wherein the reset management module is arranged to output a reset hold signal upon determining that the reset condition has been met.

13. The microprocessor of claim 12 wherein the microprocessor further comprises at least one reset module arranged to receive the reset hold signal output by the reset management module, and to hold the second part of the microprocessor in a reset state upon receipt of the reset hold signal.

14. The microprocessor of claim 1 implemented as an integrated circuit device comprising at least one die within a single integrated circuit package.

15. A method of managing reset events of a microprocessor, the method comprising:

detecting a first reset event;

determining a first number of reset events, including the first reset event, that have been detected;

determining if a reset condition has been met based on whether the first number of reset events meets a threshold value;

resetting a first part of the microprocessor in response to the reset condition not being met;

detecting a second reset event of the microprocessor;

determining a second number of reset events, including the first and second reset events, that have been detected;

determining if the reset condition has been met based on whether the second number meets a threshold value; and

resetting the first part of the microprocessor and a second part of the microprocessor upon determining that the reset condition has been met.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

incrementing or decrementing, by a reset controller, a value of a counter upon detection of the first reset event;

receiving, by an access controller of the reset management module, requests to update the at least one counter of the reset management module; and

performing, by the access controller, arbitration of received requests to update the at least one counter.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

detecting a destructive reset event;

determining if a second reset condition has been met upon detection of the destructive reset event; and

causing at least a part of the microprocessor to remain in a reset state upon determining that the second reset condition has been met.

18. A method of managing reset events of a microprocessor, the method comprising:

detecting a first reset event, wherein the first reset event causes a complete reset of at least a portion of the microprocessor;

determining a first number of reset events, including the first reset event, that have been detected;

determining if a reset condition has been met based on whether the first number of reset events meets a threshold value;

resetting a first part and a second part of the microprocessor in response to the reset condition not being met;

detecting a second reset event of the microprocessor;

determining a second number of reset events, including the first and second reset events, that have been detected;

determining if the reset condition has been met based on whether the second number meets a threshold value;

resetting the first part of the microprocessor and a second part of the microprocessor upon determining that the reset condition has been met.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

performing, by an access controller of a reset management module, arbitration of received requests to update a counter of the reset management module.

20. The method of claim 18 , further comprising:

detecting a destructive reset event;

determining if a second reset condition has been met upon detection of the destructive reset event; and

cause the microprocessor to remain in a reset state upon determining that the second reset condition has been met.

Assignments (26)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040925 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Feb 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V. F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 052917/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 11759915 AND REPLACE IT WITH APPLICATION 11759935 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 040928 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Jan 17, 2020
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 052915/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0387 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051030/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042985 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051029/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12298143 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 042762 FRAME 0145. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Oct 22, 2019
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051145/0184 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050744/0097 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2019
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 050745/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042985/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12681366 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039361 FRAME 0212. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded May 9, 2017
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 042762/0145 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040626 FRAME: 0683. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 7, 2016. Recorded Jan 12, 2017
From: NXP SEMICONDUCTORS USA, INC. (MERGED INTO); FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC. (UNDER)
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 041414/0883 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
To: NXP USA, INC.
Reel/Frame 040626/0683 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 7, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP B.V.
Reel/Frame 040928/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: NXP, B.V., F/K/A FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 040925/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 14/258,829 AND REPLACE ITWITH 14/258,629 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037444 FRAME 0082. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OFSECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Aug 10, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039639/0332 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT OF INCORRECT APPLICATION 14/258,829 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 037444 FRAME 0109. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS. Recorded Aug 10, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039639/0208 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE APPLICATION 12092129 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038017 FRAME 0058. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT. Recorded Jul 14, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039361/0212 →
SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 16, 2016
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 039138/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Mar 7, 2016
From: NXP B.V.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 038017/0058 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 5, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037444/0109 →
ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 5, 2016
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
Reel/Frame 037444/0082 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded Dec 21, 2015
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 037357/0903 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2014
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 033460/0337 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2014
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 033462/0293 →
SUPPLEMENT TO IP SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 1, 2014
From: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 033462/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 24, 2014
From: LUEDEKE, THOMAS; BAUMEISTER, MARKUS; CULSHAW, CARL
To: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
Reel/Frame 032750/0361 →
Priority Claims (1)
WO PCT/IB2011/055259 · Nov 23, 2011 · international
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140317395A1 · Oct 23, 2014