Method and system for writing NV memories in a controller architecture, corresponding computer program product and computer-readable storage medium

US7409251B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Wolfgang Buhr · Hamburg, DE
• Detlef Mueller · Glinde, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 2002
• Grant date: Aug 5, 2008
• Expiry date: Nov 26, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q20/35765
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The invention describes a method and an arrangement for writing to NV memories in a controller architecture, together with a corresponding computer program product and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which may be used in particular to speed up writing or programming processes in NV code memories of microcontrollers, such as for example smart card controllers.The method consists in extending the instruction set of the controller by so-called MOVCWR (move code write) instructions, which make it possible to write a defined data word (byte) to a defined destination address within an NV code memory. The data word (byte) is here written to the correct position of the cache page register of the respective NV memory and the page address pointer register of the memory is updated with the associated page address. If an MMU (memory management unit) is present, this MOVCWR writing to the cache page register takes place, like MOVC reading or code fetch, under the control of this MMU.