The SEC units provide system
profiling, analysis, and debug capability. The SEC units contain counters that can
enhance the debug and profiling process in various types of system scenarios such
as:
- Profiling code segments
- Counting duration between
specified memory reads and writes
- Counting system events (such as
interrupts)
- Counting duration between system
events
- System timer
- Measuring the number of wait
states in code segments
- Measuring the maximum amount of
time spent in between a pair of events, measured over multiple iterations
- Chaining counters to link events
or create larger counters
Furthermore, the SEC unit has the
capability to:
- Function as a counter capable of
counting:
- Any of the match events
generated by the EBC units.
- Events generated by the
EBC units. These events can be used to start and stop the counting.
- System events including
the interrupts to the interrupt controller, and timer interrupts. These
system events can be used to start and stop the counting.
- More information on the
input sources for the SEC units can be found in Section 13.3.1.4.
- Generate an interrupt or a watch
point if the count reaches a reference value.
- Perform
counter operation in one of the following two modes:
- Duration mode: The
counter counts the CPU cycles as long as the event is active.
- Event mode: The counter
counts only the positive edge of the event signal. This is effectively
counting the number of times the event transitions from inactive to
active.