Modified Harvard architecture processor having data memory space mapped to program memory space with erroneous execution protection
US7243372B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 23, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jul 10, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/0793
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A processor has an architecture that provides the processing speed advantages of the Harvard architecture, but does not require two separate external memories in order to expand both data memory and program instruction memory. The processor has separate program memory space and data memory space, but provides the capability to map at least a portion of the program memory space to the data memory space. This allows most program instructions that are processed to obtain the speed advantages of simultaneous program instruction and data access. It also allows program memory space and data memory space to be expanded externally to the processor using only one external memory device that includes both program instructions and data. The processor includes a program memory space operable to store program instructions and data, a data memory space operable to store data, and mapping circuitry operable to map at least a portion of the program memory space to the data memory space. The program memory space may be internal to the processor. The processor may further comprise a page register operable to specify a location of the program memory space that is mapped to the data memory space.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.