公开(公告)号：WO1998025205A1

公开(公告)日：1998-06-11

申请号：PCT/US1997023143

申请日：1997-12-04

Applicant: ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES, INC.

Inventor： ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES, INC. ,  IRETON, Mark, A. ,  CHAMPAGNE, Gerald ,  MARLER, Corbett, A.

IPC: G06F11/20

CPC classification number: G06F9/328 ,  G06F8/66

Abstract: A system and method for performing software patches for embedded system devices in which the firmware of the system is included in non-alterable storage of the device. The patch mechanism provides a means for finding firmware errors, prototyping fixes to the errors and/or prototyping new functionality of the firmware of the embbeded system. The system comprises an embedded system device coupled to an external memory. The device includes a non-alterable memory, including firmware, coupled to a processor. The device further includes a relatively small amount of patch RAM within the device also coupled to the processor. The patches are loaded from the external memory into the patch RAM. The device further includes a means for determining if one or more patches are to be applied. If the device detects a patch to be applied, the system loads the patch from the external memory into the patch RAM. The device also includes a breakpoint register. When the value of the program counter of the processor equals the value in the breakpoint register, a patch insertion occurs, i.e., the processor deviates from executing firmware to executing patch instructions. Preferably, the embedded system device comprises a single integrated circuit. The processor may include a plurality of breakpoint registers. The patch may be encrypted for increased security. Multiple patches may be chained together, and run-time patch replacement is contemplated.

Abstract translation: 一种用于对嵌入式系统设备执行软件补丁的系统和方法，其中所述系统的固件被包括在所述设备的不可更改存储器中。 补丁机制提供了一种用于查找固件错误，原型修复错误和/或原型化嵌入式系统固件的新功能的方法。 该系统包括耦合到外部存储器的嵌入式系统设备。 该设备包括耦合到处理器的不可更改的存储器，包括固件。 该设备还包括在设备内的相对少量的补丁RAM，其也耦合到处理器。 补丁从外部存储器加载到补丁RAM中。 该装置还包括用于确定是否应用一个或多个补丁的装置。 如果设备检测到要应用的补丁，则系统将补丁从外部存储器加载到补丁RAM中。 该器件还包括一个断点寄存器。 当处理器的程序计数器的值等于断点寄存器中的值时，会发生补丁插入，即处理器从执行固件偏离到执行补丁指令。 优选地，嵌入式系统设备包括单个集成电路。 处理器可以包括多个断点寄存器。 可以加密补丁以增加安全性。 多个补丁可以链接在一起，并且考虑运行时补丁更换。