Datasheet

277
SAM9261 [DATASHEET]
Atmel-6062O-ATARM-SAM9261-Datasheet_21-Jun-16
26.7.3.3 Interrupt Vectoring
The interrupt handler addresses corresponding to each interrupt source can be stored in the registers AIC_SVR1
to AIC_SVR31 (Source Vector Register 1 to 31). When the processor reads AIC_IVR (Interrupt Vector Register),
the value written into AIC_SVR corresponding to the current interrupt is returned.
This feature offers a way to branch in one single instruction to the handler corresponding to the current interrupt,
as AIC_IVR is mapped at the absolute address 0xFFFF F100 and thus accessible from the ARM interrupt vector at
address 0x0000 0018 through the following instruction:
LDR PC,[PC,# -&F20]
When the processor executes this instruction, it loads the read value in AIC_IVR in its program counter, thus
branching the execution on the correct interrupt handler.
This feature is often not used when the application is based on an operating system (either real time or not).
Operating systems often have a single entry point for all the interrupts and the first task performed is to discern the
source of the interrupt.
However, it is strongly recommended to port the operating system on AT91 products by supporting the interrupt
vectoring. This can be performed by defining all the AIC_SVR of the interrupt source to be handled by the
operating system at the address of its interrupt handler. When doing so, the interrupt vectoring permits a critical
interrupt to transfer the execution on a specific very fast handler and not onto the operating system’s general
interrupt handler. This facilitates the support of hard real-time tasks (input/outputs of voice/audio buffers and
software peripheral handling) to be handled efficiently and independently of the application running under an
operating system.
26.7.3.4 Interrupt Handlers
This section gives an overview of the fast interrupt handling sequence when using the AIC. It is assumed that the
programmer understands the architecture of the ARM processor, and especially the processor interrupt modes
and the associated status bits.
It is assumed that:
1. The Advanced Interrupt Controller has been programmed, AIC_SVRs are loaded with corresponding
interrupt service routine addresses and interrupts are enabled.
2. The instruction at the ARM interrupt exception vector address is required to work with the vectoring
LDR PC, [PC, # -&F20]
When nIRQ is asserted, if the bit “I” of CPSR is 0, the sequence is as follows:
1. The CPSR is stored in SPSR_irq, the current value of the Program Counter is loaded in the Interrupt link
register (R14_irq) and the Program Counter (R15) is loaded with 0x18. In the following cycle during fetch at
address 0x1C, the ARM core adjusts R14_irq, decrementing it by four.
2. The ARM core enters Interrupt mode, if it has not already done so.
3. When the instruction loaded at address 0x18 is executed, the program counter is loaded with the value read
in AIC_IVR. Reading the AIC_IVR has the following effects:
 Sets the current interrupt to be the pending and enabled interrupt with the highest priority. The current
level is the priority level of the current interrupt.
 De-asserts the nIRQ line on the processor. Even if vectoring is not used, AIC_IVR must be read in
order to de-assert nIRQ.
 Automatically clears the interrupt, if it has been programmed to be edge-triggered.
 Pushes the current level and the current interrupt number on to the stack.
 Returns the value written in the AIC_SVR corresponding to the current interrupt.
4. The previous step has the effect of branching to the corresponding interrupt service routine. This should start
by saving the link register (R14_irq) and SPSR_IRQ. The link register must be decremented by four when it