Understanding embedded-system-boot techniques

Accessing the reset configuration
Engineers often implement the design by means of an external buffer or a line driver, such as the 74LVC125, which drives either a logic one or a logic zero to the pins for reset configuration (Figure 4).

The reset signal usually connects to the enable pin of a tristate buffer—that is, an external line driver—so any change from one to zero or vice versa to the input of the tristate buffer appears as an input to the pins that eventually handle the reset configuration. This approach provides additional flexibility and control. For example, if one of the buffers controls whether PLL is enabled or disabled during boot-up, a buffer output can allow users to enable the PLL when the buffer connects to the drain-to-drain voltage and conversely disable it when the buffer connects to the source-to-source voltage. The number of pins available for this purpose usually constrains this approach. Note, too, that most external line drivers, such as that of the 74LVC125, integrate groups of four or eight buffers. To limit the implementation’s cost, define the buffer numbers in multiples of four.

Understanding embedded-system-boot techniques figure 5You can also load the reset configuration through an external serial interface. For a highly integrated complex microprocessor, it is impractical to either dedicate or share pins for the numerous available power-up options. This scheme conversely involves loading the chip-reset- configuration data from an external serial memory (Figure 5).

In a typical implementation flow, when system reset asserts, the chip establishes communication with the serial memory, subsequently transferring reset-configuration information to the microcontroller. Upon serial-data reception, the microcontroller configures system registers based on the received data and deasserts reset. This method provides the maximum flexibility in configuring options in system registers because serial memories can store a large number of data bytes.

In advanced serial-configuration schemes, the serial memory can even hold software code. In such cases, the system reads both reset-configuration data and boot code from external serial memory during the microprocessorreset sequence, thereby requiring few I/O pins. By reading data stored in, for example, external SPI (serial-peripheral- interface) memory, the system would also need to configure the SPI memory’s clock frequency along with the powerup options for the microprocessor and optionally load code into the microprocessor’s memory. The system would have to accomplish all these tasks before the negation of device reset, thereby ensuring that the chip is properly configured when exiting the reset state. Serial memories’ low cost, simple implementation, high flexibility, and optional software-boot code often make this option the preferred one for booting or loading the reset configuration.