
MC68HC908GP32 MC68HC08GP32 Data Sheet, Rev. 7
Freescale Semiconductor
61
Chapter 6
Break Module (BRK)
6.1 Introduction
This section describes the break module. The break module can generate a break interrupt that stops
normal program flow at a defined address to enter a background program.
6.2 Features
Features of the break module include:
Accessible input/output (I/O) registers during the break interrupt
CPU-generated break interrupts
Software-generated break interrupts
COP disabling during break interrupts
6.3 Functional Description
When the internal address bus matches the value written in the break address registers, the break module
issues a breakpoint signal to the CPU. The CPU then loads the instruction register with a software
interrupt instruction (SWI) after completion of the current CPU instruction. The program counter vectors
to $FFFC and $FFFD ($FEFC and $FEFD in monitor mode).
The following events can cause a break interrupt to occur:
A CPU-generated address (the address in the program counter) matches the contents of the break
address registers.
Software writes a logic 1 to the BRKA bit in the break status and control register.
When a CPU-generated address matches the contents of the break address registers, the break interrupt
begins after the CPU completes its current instruction. A return-from-interrupt instruction (RTI) in the
break routine ends the break interrupt and returns the MCU to normal operation.
Figure 6-1 shows the
structure of the break module.
6.3.1 Flag Protection During Break Interrupts
The BCFE bit in the SIM break flag control register (SBFCR) enables software to clear status bits during
the break state.
6.3.2 CPU During Break Interrupts
The CPU starts a break interrupt by:
Loading the instruction register with the SWI instruction
Loading the program counter with $FFFC and $FFFD ($FEFC and $FEFD in monitor mode)
The break interrupt begins after completion of the CPU instruction in progress. If the break address
register match occurs on the last cycle of a CPU instruction, the break interrupt begins immediately.