SMP dual-core cleanups

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@ mimpid = 0x01040312 -> Version 01.04.03.12 -> v1.4.3.12
 
 | Date | Version | Comment | Ticket |
 |:----:|:-------:|:--------|:------:|
+| 10.01.2025 | 1.10.9.2 | clean-up SMP dual-core configuration (HW and SW optimizations) | [#1146](https://github.com/stnolting/neorv32/pull/1146) |
 | 09.01.2025 | 1.10.9.1 | fix side-effects of CSR read instructions | [#1145](https://github.com/stnolting/neorv32/pull/1145) |
 | 08.01.2025 | [**:rocket:1.10.9**](https://github.com/stnolting/neorv32/releases/tag/v1.10.9) | **New release** | |
 | 07.01.2025 | 1.10.8.9 | rtl edits and cleanups; add dedicated "core complex" wrapper (CPU + L1 caches + bus switch) | [#1144](https://github.com/stnolting/neorv32/pull/1144) | 

docs/datasheet/cpu.adoc

@@ -123,6 +123,7 @@ The generic type "suv(x:y)" represents a `std_ulogic_vector(x downto y)`.
 | `BOOT_ADDR`        | suv(31:0) | CPU reset address. See section <<_address_space>>.
 | `DEBUG_PARK_ADDR`  | suv(31:0) | "Park loop" entry address for the <<_on_chip_debugger_ocd>>, has to be 4-byte aligned.
 | `DEBUG_EXC_ADDR`   | suv(31:0) | "Exception" entry address for the <<_on_chip_debugger_ocd>>, has to be 4-byte aligned.
+| `ICC_EN`           | boolean   | Implement <<_inter_core_communication_icc>> module. Automatically enabled for the SMP <<_dual_core_configuration>>.
 | `RISCV_ISA_Sdext`  | boolean   | Implement RISC-V-compatible "debug" CPU operation mode required for the <<_on_chip_debugger_ocd>>.
 | `RISCV_ISA_Sdtrig` | boolean   | Implement RISC-V-compatible trigger module. See section <<_on_chip_debugger_ocd>>.
 | `RISCV_ISA_Smpmp`  | boolean   | Implement RISC-V-compatible physical memory protection (PMP). See section <<_smpmp_isa_extension>>.

docs/datasheet/cpu_csr.adoc

@@ -77,9 +77,8 @@ to check if the targeted bits can actually be modified.
 | 0xf14 | <<_mhartid>>    | `CSR_MHARTID`    | MRO | Machine hardware thread ID
 | 0xf15 | <<_mconfigptr>> | `CSR_MCONFIGPTR` | MRO | Machine configuration pointer register
 5+^| **<<_neorv32_specific_csrs>>**
-| 0xbc0 | <<_mxiccrxd>> | `CSR_MXICCRXD` | MRW | ICC RX data
-| 0xbc1 | <<_mxicctxd>> | `CSR_MXICCTXD` | MRW | ICC TX data
-| 0xbc2 .. 0xbc3 | <<_mxiccsr, `mxiccsr0`>> .. <<_mxiccsr, `mxiccsr0`>> | `CSR_MXICCSR0` .. `CSR_MXICCSR3` | MRW | ICC control and status
+| 0xbc0 | <<_mxiccsreg>> | `CSR_MXICCSREG` | MRW | Inter-core communication status register
+| 0xbc1 | <<_mxiccdata>> | `CSR_MXICCDATA` | MRW | Inter-core communication data register
 | 0x800 .. 0x803 | <<_cfureg, `cfureg0`>> .. <<_cfureg, `cfureg3`>> | `CSR_CFUCREG0` .. `CSR_CFUCREG3` | URW | Custom CFU registers 0 to 3
 | 0xfc0 | <<_mxisa>> | `CSR_MXISA` | MRO | Extended machine CPU ISA and extensions
 |=======================
@@ -931,66 +930,49 @@ custom/implementation-specific use (assured by the RISC-V privileged specificati
 | Description | User-defined CSRs to be used within the <<_custom_functions_unit_cfu>>.
 |=======================
 
-
 {empty} +
 [discrete]
-===== **`mxiccrxd`**
+===== **`mxiccsreg`**
 
 [cols="<1,<8"]
 [frame="topbot",grid="none"]
 |=======================
-| Name        | <<_inter_core_communication_icc>> RX data
+| Name        | <<_inter_core_communication_icc>> status register
 | Address     | `0xbc0`
-| Reset value | `0x00000000`
+| Reset value | `0x40000000`
 | ISA         | `Zicsr` & `X`
-| Description | RX data from selected link. Buffered by a 4-entries-deep and 32-bit wide FIFO.
-This CSR is hardwired to all-zero if there is just a single CPU core in the system.
+| Description | Shows the status of the core's inter-core communication link (message queue / FIFO status flags).
+The entire CSR is read-only. However, write accesses are ignored.
+This CSR is hardwired to all-zero if the <<_dual_core_configuration>> is disabled.
 |=======================
 
-
-{empty} +
-[discrete]
-===== **`mxicctxd`**
-
-[cols="<1,<8"]
-[frame="topbot",grid="none"]
+.`mxiccsreg` CSR Bits
+[cols="^1,^2,^1,<5"]
+[options="header",grid="rows"]
 |=======================
-| Name        | <<_inter_core_communication_icc>> TX data
-| Address     | `0xbc1`
-| Reset value | `0x00000000`
-| ISA         | `Zicsr` & `X`
-| Description | TX data for selected link. Buffered by a 4-entries-deep and 32-bit wide FIFO.
-This CSR is hardwired to all-zero if there is just a single CPU core in the system.
+| Bit  | Name [C] | R/W | Description
+| 0    | `CSR_MXICCSREG_RX_AVAIL` | r/- | Set if RX data from the other core is available.
+| 1    | `CSR_MXICCSREG_TX_FREE`  | r/- | Set if there is free space for TX data for the other core.
+| 31:2 | -                        | r/- | Reserved; hardwired to zero.
 |=======================
 
+
 {empty} +
 [discrete]
-===== **`mxiccsr`**
+===== **`mxiccdata`**
 
 [cols="<1,<8"]
 [frame="topbot",grid="none"]
 |=======================
-| Name        | <<_inter_core_communication_icc>> control and status
-| Address     | `0xbc2` (`mxiccsr0`)
-|             | `0xbc3` (`mxiccsr1`)
-| Reset value | `0x40000000`
+| Name        | <<_inter_core_communication_icc>> data register
+| Address     | `0xbc1`
+| Reset value | `0x00000000`
 | ISA         | `Zicsr` & `X`
-| Description | Link selection and status. Note that `mxiccsr1` is just a mirrored copy of `mxiccsr0`.
-This CSR is hardwired to all-zero if there is just a single CPU core in the system.
-|=======================
-
-.`mxiccsr` CSR Bits
-[cols="^1,^2,^1,<5"]
-[options="header",grid="rows"]
-|=======================
-| Bit  | Name [C] | R/W | Description
-| 1:0  | `CSR_MXICCSR_LINK_MSB : CSR_MXICCSR_LINK_LSB` | r/w | Link select. The value in this memory corresponds
-to the ID of the core to which a connection is to be established via a link. The ICC data registers <<_mxiccrxd>>
-and <<_mxicctxd>> will only access the queue FIFOs of the selected link. Note that only bit 0 is writable. Bit 1
-is hardwaired to zero.
-| 29:2 | -                      | r/- | Reserved; hardwired to zero.
-| 30   | `CSR_MXICCSR_TX_FREE`  | r/- | Set if there is free space for TX data for the selected link.
-| 31   | `CSR_MXICCSR_RX_AVAIL` | r/- | Set if RX data from the selected link is available.
+| Description | This CSR provides access to the inter-core communication message queues that are implemented
+as simple FIFOs. Writing to this register will put data into the message queue so it can be read by the other
+core. Reading from this register will return data received from the other core (i.e. this CSR has side effects
+when reading). A read access will return all-zero of no RX data is available from the other core.
+This CSR is hardwired to all-zero if the <<_dual_core_configuration>> is disabled.
 |=======================
 
 

docs/datasheet/cpu_dual_core.adoc

@@ -1,9 +1,9 @@
 :sectnums:
 === Dual-Core Configuration
 
-.Dual-Core Example
+.Dual-Core Example Programs
 [TIP]
-A simple dual-core example program can be found in `sw/example/demo_dual_core`.
+A set of rather simple dual-core example programs can be found in `sw/example/demo_dual_core*`.
 
 Optionally, the CPU core can be implemented as **symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) dual-core** system.
 This dual-core configuration is enabled by the `DUAL_CORE_EN` <<_processor_top_entity_generics, top generic>>.
@@ -24,24 +24,30 @@ The following table summarizes the most important aspects when using the dual-co
 [cols="<2,<10"]
 [grid="rows"]
 |=======================
+| **CPU configuration** | Both cores use the same cache, CPU and ISA configuration provided by the according top generics.
 | **Debugging** | A special SMP openOCD script (`sw/openocd/openocd_neorv32.dual_core.cfg`) is required to
-debug both cores at one. SMP-debugging is fully supported by RISC-V gdb port.
+debug both cores at one. SMP-debugging is fully supported by the RISC-V gdb port.
 | **Clock and reset** | Both cores use the same global processor clock and reset. If <<_cpu_clock_gating>>
-is enabled the clock of each core can be individually halted by putting it into <<_sleep_mode>>.
-| **Address space** | Both cores have access to the same <<_address_space>>.
+is enabled, the clock of each core can be individually halted by putting the core into <<_sleep_mode>>.
+| **Address space** | Both cores have full access to the same physical <<_address_space>>.
 | **Interrupts** | All <<_processor_interrupts>> are routed to both cores. Hence, each core has access to
 all <<_neorv32_specific_fast_interrupt_requests>> (FIRQs). Additionally, the RISC-V machine-level _external
 interrupt_ (via the top `mext_irq_i` port) is also send to both cores. In contrast, the RISC-V machine level
-_software_ and _timer_ interrupts are exclusive for each core (provided by the <<_core_local_interruptor_clint>>).
-| **RTE** | The <<_neorv32_runtime_environment>> also supports the dual-core configuration. However, it needs
-to be explicitly initialized on each core individually. The RTE trap handling provides a individual handler
-tables for each core.
+_software_ and _timer_ interrupts are core-exclusive (provided by the <<_core_local_interruptor_clint>>).
+| **RTE** | The <<_neorv32_runtime_environment>> fully supports the dual-core configuration and provides
+core-individual trap handler tables. However, the RTE needs to be explicitly initialized on each core
+(executing `neorv32_rte_setup()`).
 | **Memory** | Each core has its own stack. The top of stack of core 0 is defined by the <<_linker_script>>
 while the top of stack of core 1 has to be explicitly defined by core 0 (see <<_dual_core_boot>>). Both
-cores share the same heap, `.data` and `.bss` sections.
-| **Constructors and destructors** | Constructors and destructors are executed on core 0 only.
-(see )
-| **Core communication** | See section <<_inter_core_communication_icc>>.
+cores share the same heap, `.data` and `.bss` sections. Hence, only core 0 setups the `.data` and `.bss`
+sections at boot-up.
+| **Constructors and destructors** | Constructors and destructors are executed by core 0 only
+(see section <<_c_standard_library>>).
+| **Cache coherency** | Be aware that there is no cache snooping available. If any level-1 cache is enabled
+(<<_processor_internal_instruction_cache_icache>> and/or <<_processor_internal_data_cache_dcache>>) care
+must be taken to prevent access to outdated data - either by using cache synchronization (`fence[.]`
+instructions) or by using <<_atomic_memory_access>>.
+| **Inter-core communication** | See section <<_inter_core_communication_icc>>.
 | **Bootloader** | Only core 0 will boot and execute the bootloader while core 1 is held in standby.
 | **Booting** | See section <<_dual_core_boot>>.
 |=======================
@@ -55,22 +61,18 @@ shared-memory communication. Additionally, communication using these links is gu
 
 The inter-core communication (ICC) module is implemented as dedicated hardware module within each CPU core
 (VHDL file `rtl/core/neorv32_cpu_icc.vhd`). This module is automatically included if the dual-core option
-is enabled. Each core provides a 32-bit wide and 4 entries deep FIFO for sending data to the other core.
+is enabled. Each core provides a **32-bit wide** and **4 entries deep** FIFO for sending data to the other core.
 Hence, there are two FIFOs: one for sending data from core 0 to core 1 and another one for sending data the
 opposite way.
 
-The ICC communication links are accessed via NEORV32-specific CSRs. Hence, those FIFOs are accessible only
-by the CPU core itself and cannot be accessed by the DMA or any other CPU core. In total, three CSRs are
-provided to handle communications:
+The ICC communication links are accessed via two NEORV32-specific CSRs. Hence, those FIFOs are accessible only
+by the CPU core itself and cannot be accessed by the DMA or any other CPU core.
 
-The <<_mxiccsr>> is used to select the core with which to communicate. In the dual-core configuration core 1
-can only select core 0 and vice versa. The core selection in this register allows access to the according
-message FIFOs via the two other CSRs. Additionally, the CSR provides status flags (TX FIFO data available;
-RX FIFO free space) related to the selected communication link.
-
-The <<_mxiccrxd>> and <<_mxicctxd>> CSRs are used for the actual data read and write operations. Writing data
-to <<<<_mxicctxd>>> will send to the message queue of the core selected by <<_mxiccsr>>. Conversely, reading
-data from <<_mxiccrxd>> will return data received from the core selected by <<_mxiccsr>>.
+The <<_mxiccsreg>> provides read-only status information about the core's ICC links: bit 0 becomes set if
+there is RX data available for _this_ core (send from the the other core). Bit 1 is set as long there is
+free space in _this_ core's TX data FIFO. The <<_mxiccdata>> CSR is used for actual data send/receive operations.
+Writing this register will put the according data word into the TX link FIFO of _this_ core. Reading this CSR
+will return a data word from the RX FIFO of _this_ core.
 
 The ICC FIFOs do not provide any interrupt capabilities. Software is expected to use the machine-software
 interrupt of the receiving core (provided by the <<_core_local_interruptor_clint>>) to inform it about
@@ -94,11 +96,20 @@ To boot-up core 1, the primary core has to use a special library function provid
 .CPU Core 1 launch function prototype (note that this function can only be executed on core 0)
 [source,c]
 ----
-int neorv32_smp_launch(int hart_id, void (*entry_point)(void), uint8_t* stack_memory, size_t stack_size_bytes);
+int neorv32_smp_launch(int (*entry_point)(void), uint8_t* stack_memory, size_t stack_size_bytes);
 ----
 
-When executed, core 0 use the <<_inter_core_communication_icc>> to send launch data that includes the entry point
+When executed, core 0 uses the <<_inter_core_communication_icc>> to send launch data that includes the entry point
 for core 1 (via `entry_point`) and the actual stack configuration (via `stack_memory` and `stack_size_bytes`).
+Note that the main function for core 1 has to use a specific type (return `int`, no arguments):
+
+.CPU Core 1 Main Function
+[source,c]
+----
+int core1_main(void) {
+  return 0; // return to crt0 and go to sleep mode
+}
+----
 
 .Core 1 Stack Memory
 [NOTE]

docs/datasheet/overview.adoc

@@ -190,7 +190,6 @@ rtl/core
 ├-neorv32_clint.vhd             - Core local interruptor
 ├-neorv32_clockgate.vhd         - Generic clock gating switch
 ├-neorv32_cfs.vhd               - Custom functions subsystem
-├-neorv32_core_complex.vhd      - NEORV32 CORE COMPLEX TOP ENTITY
 ├-neorv32_cpu.vhd               - NEORV32 CPU TOP ENTITY
 ├-neorv32_cpu_alu.vhd           - Arithmetic/logic unit
 ├-neorv32_cpu_control.vhd       - CPU control, exception system and CSRs

docs/datasheet/software.adoc

@@ -380,7 +380,8 @@ Note that `\n` (newline) is automatically converted to `\r\n` (carriage-return a
 .Constructors and Destructors
 [NOTE]
 Constructors and destructors for plain C code or for C++ applications are supported by the software framework.
-See `sw/example/hello_cpp` for a minimal example.
+See `sw/example/hello_cpp` for a minimal example. Note that constructor and destructors are only executed
+by core 0 (primary core) in the SMP <<_dual_core_configuration>>.
 
 .Newlib Test/Demo Program
 [TIP]

rtl/core/neorv32_application_image.vhd

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 -- The NEORV32 RISC-V Processor - github.com/stnolting/neorv32
 -- Auto-generated memory initialization image (for internal IMEM)
 -- Source: demo_blink_led/build/main.bin
--- Built: 07.01.2025 21:36:11
+-- Built: 10.01.2025 10:25:11
 
 library ieee;
 use ieee.std_logic_1164.all;
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use neorv32.neorv32_package.all;
 
 package neorv32_application_image is
 
-constant application_init_size_c  : natural := 1228; -- bytes
+constant application_init_size_c  : natural := 1216; -- bytes
 constant application_init_image_c : mem32_t := (
 x"f14020f3",
 x"80002217",
@@ -23,11 +23,11 @@ x"000022b7",
 x"80028293",
 x"30029073",
 x"00000317",
-x"19430313",
+x"18830313",
 x"30531073",
 x"30401073",
 x"00000397",
-x"49838393",
+x"48c38393",
 x"80000417",
 x"fc440413",
 x"80000497",
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ x"fb450513",
 x"80000597",
 x"fac58593",
 x"00000617",
-x"19c60613",
+x"19060613",
 x"00000693",
 x"00000713",
 x"00000793",
@@ -57,26 +57,23 @@ x"00000e13",
 x"00000e93",
 x"00000f13",
 x"00000f93",
-x"04008a63",
+x"04008463",
 x"00000797",
 x"01878793",
 x"30579073",
 x"30446073",
 x"30046073",
-x"0e80006f",
+x"0dc0006f",
 x"fff40737",
-x"00209793",
-x"00f70733",
-x"00072023",
-x"bc201073",
-x"bc0026f3",
+x"00072223",
+x"bc1026f3",
 x"ffab4737",
 x"32170713",
 x"00d70463",
 x"30200073",
+x"bc102173",
+x"bc102673",
 x"bc171073",
-x"bc002173",
-x"bc002673",
 x"0540006f",
 x"00838e63",
 x"00945c63",