Patent ID: 6115763
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
An integrated circuit device, comprising:(a) a plurality of cores disposed on the integrated circuit device;(b) a function interface coupling at least one of the plurality of cores to a function access port to permit external data transfer with the integrated circuit device during regular operation thereof, and(c) a service interface coupling the plurality of cores to a service access port to permit external data transfer with the integrated circuit device in connection with a predetermined service operation responsive to a request received over the service interface, the service interface including:(1) a plurality of core interface units integrated with the plurality of cores on the integrated circuit device, each core interface unit coupled to a core from the plurality of cores; and(2) a master interface unit integrated with the plurality of cores on the integrated circuit device, the master interface unit coupled between the service access port and the plurality of core interface units and configured to request at least a selected one of the plurality of core interface units to initiate execution of the predetermined service operation.