Understanding embedded-system-boot techniques

Embedded-system reset
Older microcontrollers had a single fixed configuration state for the entire register suite after reset deassertion. This situation translated into fixed values for parameters, such as clock-speed configuration, start-address location, pad slew, drive strength, external-memory- port size, and peripheral enable/disable state. It enforced restrictions on the way users employed chips after reset deassertion. For example, if the system disabled an on-chip oscillator providing a clock to off-chip peripherals at reset, those peripherals would be able to work only after software re-enabled the oscillator.

In simpler systems, such behavior might be acceptable, but it may not meet requirements if that same chip is finding use in more complex applications that require different configurations during reset. To provide flexibility to a configuration of registers after reset, you can implement various microcontroller- based design schemes. Some microcontrollers also support multiconfiguration schemes, in which the system selects any configuration by reading the state of pins during reset. Here we discuss four reset configurations: default, fuse programming, external pins, and serial interface.

Loading default values during bootup is the most common reset configuration, and it requires no special onboard setup (Figure 2). Conversely, it provides no flexibility or options to configure any register. All the registers initialize to fixed values; thus, the chip exits reset in only one fixed state. This approach is the fastest for initializing the system before the boot process, but it is the least powerful mode in terms of capabilities for controlling the system state. It might work for some applications but is less preferable if you use the same microcontroller in varying applications with varying boot requirements.


A system POR asserts internal chip reset, with both signals being active low; when deasserted, it restarts the clock and loads the reset configuration in the system registers. Depending on the system design, other tasks might gate the boot-up process. For example, the system might wait for a PLL (phase-locked loop) to achieve clock locking before the internal reset deasserts and the system begins executing the boot code.

Understanding embedded-system-boot techniques figure 3Fuse programming involves a reset configuration that is the result of programming through a chip’s special test mode, fuses, or on-chip nonvolatileflash registers (Figure 3). This mode implements special bits and registers through either on-chip fuses or an array of nonvolatile-flash-memory registers for configuring reset-control-word information. These registers require write-once capability; therefore, you can program them only once in a chip’s lifetime. This mode usually requires a hardware-setup or software sequence to program these special registers or fuses. Once fuses are programmed and reset is asserted, reset-control-word information is read from the fuses and copied to the desired system registers. The system then internally deasserts the reset and begins executing code.


This scheme provides the flexibility to configure different system-register options but requires the implementation of special fuse registers in the design. Because the fuses are one-time programmable and secure, they can effectively enable and disable functions within the chip, thereby creating “phantom” parts with lower prices. This strategy is common with semiconductor vendors, which sell the same sliver of silicon with different costs and features—achieved by blowing the fuses to enable or disable functions.

You can also reset the configuration through external pins. This scheme uses a group of microcontroller pins to control the reset configuration. These pins are externally pulled high or low during reset to define a configuration option. Once the system reset deasserts, the microcontroller internally latches these values and decodes them to configure the system registers. This scheme provides limited flexibility in selecting control-word configurations. The available number of configurations is directly proportional to the number of pins for this purpose.