JPH04158485A - Microprocessor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform all the functional block processing in all modes by providing a means which executes a function operated depending on a certain mode by switching to another mode and delivers a result to an original mode. CONSTITUTION:In a microprocessor which supports plural modes, resume processing is used from another mode for the functional block 2 operated depending on the mode, for example, the resume processing by interposing a means 3 for mode conversion including a switch. Thereby, it is possible to realize all the processing of the functional block 2 in all modes provided at a microprocessor 1 inexpensively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a microprocessor that realizes processing execution of the same functional block in a plurality of different operation modes.

(Conventional technology) In recent years, due to advances in semiconductor technology, microprocessors,
Peripheral control LSIs, memory LSIs, and the like have become available at very low prices, and it has become possible to construct relatively high-performance personal computers simply by appropriately combining them. In particular, the improvement in performance of microprocessors has been remarkable, and not only 16-bit but also 32-bit processing has become standard in this type of personal computer.

By the way, the above-mentioned microprocessor operates in a plurality of modes, such as real mode and protected mode. Real mode is a mode that allows the processor to operate with compatibility with conventional machines, and protected mode is a mode used to make full use of the processor's original performance. The basic architecture of the processor is the same in any of the above operating modes, and application programmers can use the same instruction set and addressing regardless of the operating mode.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, when a single microprocessor has multiple operating modes, the role played by each operating mode (
functions) are different. Therefore, in order to realize the same functions, it is necessary to incorporate functions for each operation mode. Therefore, incorporating functions for each operation mode increases costs, which is not desirable in terms of system configuration. Specifically, the instantaneous reproduction function (i.e. -dan,
Resume processing (resume processing) that allows the business to resume from the state immediately before the interruption when the power is turned back on even if the business is interrupted by shutting off the power will be explained. This resume processing is only supported in real mode, and to run it in protected mode, you can either use emulation, or run the modes together and return to the original state (run in real mode and return to protected mode). ) method can be considered.

The present invention relates to the latter, and in a microprocessor having multiple operation modes, a function block that depends on mode A is switched from another mode B to mode A, and after executing the processing of the function block, the operation mode It is an object of the present invention to provide a microprocessor that is equipped with a mechanism to realize the same function on a microprocessor having multiple operating modes without depending on the mode by adding nodeware that returns A to its original mode B. purpose.

[Structure of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a microprocessor having multiple operation modes, which is equipped with a mode converter for mode conversion, and which can switch between certain modes according to required functions. After switching the function block (F) that operates depending on (A) with the above switch and executing the above function block (F) in the mode (A) on which the function depends, the result is changed back to the original by switching with the above switch. It is characterized by having means for transferring to mode (B).

(Function) The present invention relates to functional blocks that operate depending on the mode, such as resume processing, in a microprocessor that supports multiple modes.

Resume processing from other modes is used by interposing means for mode conversion including the above-mentioned switch. This makes it possible to process all functional blocks in all modes of the microprocessor at low cost.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail using the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, numeral 1 is a microprocessor (CPU
) and supports operation in multiple modes. In the embodiment of the present invention, a device equivalent to 80286 or 80386 sold by Intel Corporation in the United States is used. Reference numeral 2 denotes a functional block (F), which is, for example, software logic for resume processing that operates depending on the real mode. Reference numeral 3 denotes a mode converter, which performs round-trip path conversion between the real mode and the protected mode. Expressed more broadly, mode n is converted to mode 1, of which (number of modes - 1) or only one exists.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral S1 is a step for determining the mode, and indicates the necessity of mode conversion, that is, mode switching (swt
ch).

Reference numeral S2 is a mode conversion step, in which the mode is converted to a target mode that matches the execution function.

Reference numeral S3 is a step for executing the requested function (F).

Reference numeral S4 is a step for determining conversion return, and it is determined whether or not the mode should be returned to its original state. Reference numeral S5 is a step for returning the mode, and here the mode is returned to the original mode.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Regarding the various modes (mode 1 to mode n) of the microprocessor 1,
It is assumed that functional block (F)2 operates depending on mode 1. At this time, in order to use the functional block 2 in a mode other than mode 1 (such as mode 2), mode converter 3 once converts mode 2 to mode 1.

After executing the program according to function block 2, the original mode 2 is returned to. This process is explained in detail in the flowchart of FIG.

Specifically, Intel's 16-bit microprocessor 80286 executes the function block 2 that operates in real mode by operating the switch (5w1tch) built into the mode converter 3 according to the requests from the protected mode. By step S4), mode conversion from [real mode to protected mode] and mode conversion from [protected mode to real mode] can be easily realized.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, in a microprocessor that has a plurality of operation modes, when executing a functional block that operates depending on a certain mode, the operation mode can be adjusted according to its function. By having a mechanism that switches to the operating mode, executes the processing of the above functional blocks, switches the operating mode to the original mode, and transfers the processing results of the above functional blocks to that mode, all of the features of a microprocessor can be achieved at low cost. All functional block processing can be realized in this mode.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. 1... Microprocessor (CPU), 2... Functional block (resume processing), 3... Mode converter. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue 1st WJ Figure 2

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A microprocessor having multiple operating modes is provided with a switch for mode conversion, and the switch executes a function that operates depending on one mode by switching it to another mode, A microprocessor comprising means for transferring the result to the original mode. (2) In a microprocessor having multiple operation modes, an operation mode determination means for determining whether or not to change the operation mode, and requesting the operation mode when the operation mode determination means determines to change the operation mode. The operating mode converting means converts the functional block into a desired operating mode corresponding to the functional block, and the operating mode returning means returns the executed operating mode to the original operating mode after the requested functional block is executed in this operating mode. A microprocessor featuring: