Nios® V Processor: Lockstep Implementation

ID 833274
Date 10/07/2024
Public
Document Table of Contents

2.3.1. NORMAL and SILENT Modes

The fRSmartComp provides the following two mutually exclusive operating modes:

  • NORMAL: the comparator and the timeout safety mechanisms are working.
  • SILENT: the comparator and the timeout safety mechanisms are stopped. This allows smooth Nios® V processor software debugging. Refer to 3.3.4. Debugging CPU Software with SILENT Mode.

The operating modes are orthogonal according to the fRSmartComp states (OD, FCS, and DISABLED). This means the fRSmartComp system state works similarly in NORMAL and SILENT modes. This enables proper Nios V processor software debugging (as the fRSmartComp high-level states and transitions are the same).

The NORMAL mode is active when the SILENT mode is inactive, and vice-versa. Moving from one of these modes to the other is allowed, but some restrictions apply (For more information, refer to Entering SILENT Mode and Exiting SILENT Mode ).

Refer to the following tables for applicable interfaces to perform the specific actions.

Table 9.  Activating NORMAL Mode (Deactivating SILENT Mode)
Interface Actions
Configuration Interface Writes ERRCTRL_FNMODEIN[1:0] register with 2’b01
System Interface Drives SILENTMODE[3:0] to 0x0.
fRNET Interface Writes FRNET_MODEIN[1:0] input with 2’b01
Table 10.  Activating SILENT mode (Deactivating NORMAL mode)
Interface Actions
Configuration Interface Writes the ERRCTRL_FNMODEIN[1:0] register with 2’b10
System Interface Drives SILENTMODE[3:0] to 0xA.
fRNET Interface Writes FRNET_MODEIN[1:0] input with 2’b10
Table 11.  Reading the Current Operating Mode
Interface Actions
Configuration Interface Reads the ERRCTRL_FNMODEOUT register
fRNET Interface Reads the FRNET_MODEOUT[23:0] input

The coding is as follows:

  • Bit[1:0] = 2’b01: SILENT mode not active.
  • Bit[1:0] = 2’b10: SILENT mode active.

This method guarantees the maximum level of robustness, as the current mode is visible outside the fRSmartComp. It is a good safety practice for the System Supervisor to check these values (in ERRCTRL_FNMODEOUT or FRNET_MODEOUT) after changing ERRCTRL_FNMODEIN, SILENTMODE or FRNET_MODEIN.

When the fRSmartComp is in NORMAL mode, do not use the Nios® V processor's debug resources. To implement the Nios® V processor's debug resources for software debugging, set the fRSmartComp to SILENT mode.