SAM7X256_14 Datasheet, PDF (146/662 Pages) ATMEL Corporation – ARM-based Flash MCU

23.7 Functional Description
23.7.1 Interrupt Source Control
23.7.1.1 Interrupt Source Mode
The Advanced Interrupt Controller independently programs each interrupt source. The SRCTYPE field of the
corresponding AIC_SMR (Source Mode Register) selects the interrupt condition of each source.
The internal interrupt sources wired on the interrupt outputs of the embedded peripherals can be programmed either in
level-sensitive mode or in edge-triggered mode. The active level of the internal interrupts is not important for the user.
The external interrupt sources can be programmed either in high level-sensitive or low level-sensitive modes, or in
positive edge-triggered or negative edge-triggered modes.
23.7.1.2 Interrupt Source Enabling
Each interrupt source, including the FIQ in source 0, can be enabled or disabled by using the command registers;
AIC_IECR (Interrupt Enable Command Register) and AIC_IDCR (Interrupt Disable Command Register). This set of
registers conducts enabling or disabling in one instruction. The interrupt mask can be read in the AIC_IMR register. A
disabled interrupt does not affect servicing of other interrupts.
23.7.1.3 Interrupt Clearing and Setting
All interrupt sources programmed to be edge-triggered (including the FIQ in source 0) can be individually set or cleared
by writing respectively the AIC_ISCR and AIC_ICCR registers. Clearing or setting interrupt sources programmed in level-
sensitive mode has no effect.
The clear operation is perfunctory, as the software must perform an action to reinitialize the “memorization” circuitry
activated when the source is programmed in edge-triggered mode. However, the set operation is available for auto-test
or software debug purposes. It can also be used to execute an AIC-implementation of a software interrupt.
The AIC features an automatic clear of the current interrupt when the AIC_IVR (Interrupt Vector Register) is read. Only
the interrupt source being detected by the AIC as the current interrupt is affected by this operation. (See “Priority
Controller” on page 149.) The automatic clear reduces the operations required by the interrupt service routine entry code
to reading the AIC_IVR. Note that the automatic interrupt clear is disabled if the interrupt source has the Fast Forcing
feature enabled as it is considered uniquely as a FIQ source. (For further details, See “Fast Forcing” on page 153.)
The automatic clear of the interrupt source 0 is performed when AIC_FVR is read.
23.7.1.4 Interrupt Status
For each interrupt, the AIC operation originates in AIC_IPR (Interrupt Pending Register) and its mask in AIC_IMR
(Interrupt Mask Register). AIC_IPR enables the actual activity of the sources, whether masked or not.
The AIC_ISR register reads the number of the current interrupt (see “Priority Controller” on page 149) and the register
AIC_CISR gives an image of the signals nIRQ and nFIQ driven on the processor.
Each status referred to above can be used to optimize the interrupt handling of the systems.
SAM7X Series [DATASHEET]
6120K–ATARM–11-Feb-14
146