Data processor having selective breakpoint capability with minimal overhead
US4635193A · kind A · utility
55Cited by
15References
5Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 13, 1986 |
| Grant date | Jan 6, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 13, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/34
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A data processor communicates with a peripheral device and selectively sets breakpoints with minimal overhead. The data processor utilizes an instruction register to store instructions to be executed. Control means communicate with the peripheral device to selectively set a breakpoint in a software program. When repetitions of the breakpoint are encountered, an exception handler is only executed at the desired breakpoint to minimize overhead. A control portion of the processor selectively receives a breakpoint instruction and stores the breakpoint instruction in the instruction register.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.