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C4.3 ETM trace unit functional description

This section describes the functionality of the ETM trace unit.

The following figure shows the main functional blocks of the ETM trace unit.

Trace out

FIFO

Debug APB

Filtering and triggering

resources

Trace generation

Core interface

block

Core

interface

ATB

CORECLK

ETM

Figure C4-1 ETM functional blocks

Core interface

This block monitors the behavior of the core and generates P0 elements that are essentially

executed branches and exceptions traced in program order.

Trace generation

The trace generation block generates various trace packets based on P0 elements.

Filtering and triggering resources

You can limit the amount of trace data generated by the ETM through the process of filtering.

For example, generating trace only in a certain address range. More complicated logic analyzer

style filtering options are also available.

The ETM trace unit can also generate a trigger that is a signal to the trace capture device to stop

capturing trace.

FIFO

The trace generated by the ETM trace unit is in a highly-compressed form.

The FIFO enables trace bursts to be flattened out. When the FIFO becomes full, the FIFO

signals an overflow. The trace generation logic does not generate any new trace until the FIFO is

emptied. This causes a gap in the trace when viewed in the debugger.

Trace out

Trace from FIFO is output on the AMBA ATB interface.

C4 Embedded Trace Macrocell

C4.3 ETM trace unit functional description

reserved.

C4-395

Non-Confidential

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