Locked transfers, protection and exclusive access
Make a read-modify-write safe on AHB with a locked sequence or an exclusive pair, read HEXOKAY correctly, and know what HPROT and HNONSEC tell the system about a transfer.
- Lesson
- P4.9
- Time
- 35 min
- Runs on
- Your browser
- Check
- 5 questions
Two cores counted events in one shared word: read it, add one, write it back. After a busy minute the count was short. Each core's read came before the other's write, so both wrote the same value and one event vanished.
a_addr and b_addr light when that manager's transfer is in its address phase.
- Cycle 0
A asks for the counter.
- Cycle 1
A gets 5. B's read is already in its address phase.
- Cycle 2
B gets 5 too, and its write of 5 + 1 is on the address bus.
- Cycle 3
B writes 6. A's write of its own 5 + 1 follows.
- Cycle 4
A writes 6 over B's 6. Two increments, and the counter moved by one.
Measured: the counter reads 06 afterwards. Every transfer got OKAY and the checker saw nothing wrong.
Locked transfers
The oldest fix is to stop anyone else from getting in between. A manager raises HMASTLOCK with the address of every transfer in the sequence. The bus counts as locked after a cycle where HMASTLOCK and HREADY are high, and unlocked after one where HMASTLOCK is low and HREADY high. An IDLE after the sequence is recommended. Every transfer of a locked sequence must go to the same subordinate region, a rule added after Issue A.
lock = 1; ahb_read(32'h700, 2); ahb_write(32'h700, 2, 32'd0);
lock = 0; idle_q(1);
go();
// e7 A NONSEQ READ addr=0x700 size=2 SINGLE locked
// e8 D read addr=0x700 data=0x1 OKAY
// e8 A NONSEQ WRITE addr=0x700 size=2 SINGLE locked
// e9 D write addr=0x700 data=0x0 OKAYLocking is blunt. On a single-manager AHB-Lite bus nothing can come between the two transfers anyway, and most subordinates serve transfers in order, so they never look at HMASTLOCK. It matters in a multi-manager interconnect, which must not grant the bus to anyone else, and in a subordinate with several ports, such as a multi-port memory controller.
Exclusive access (AHB5)
The exclusive pair does not stop anybody. A manager reads with HEXCL high; an exclusive access monitor remembers the address for that manager, named by HMASTER. The manager computes the new value and writes it with HEXCL high. If nobody wrote the location in between, the write succeeds and HEXOKAY comes back high. Otherwise the write is dropped, HEXOKAY stays low, and the manager starts the sequence again.
HEXOKAY belongs to the data phase that ends in the same cycle.
- Cycle 0
A's exclusive read of 0x600 enters its address phase. The monitor will mark 0x600 for HMASTER 1.
- Cycle 1
A's read ends: 5, with HEXOKAY high. B's exclusive read is in its address phase.
- Cycle 2
B's read ends: 5, HEXOKAY high. Both monitors now hold 0x600. An IDLE keeps B's next exclusive transfer out of its own data phase.
- Cycle 3
B's exclusive write of 6 is in its address phase.
- Cycle 4
B's write ends with HEXOKAY high: memory holds 6, and every monitor on 0x600 is cleared, A's included. A's write is on the address bus.
- Cycle 5
A's write ends with HEXOKAY low. The memory keeps B's 6; A must read again.
Measured: 06 at 0x600. In the example A retries, reads 6 and writes 7 with HEXOKAY high.
| Rule | What the specification asks |
|---|---|
| One beat | HBURST SINGLE or INCR, no BUSY, aligned to HSIZE |
| Same pair | HADDR, HSIZE, HPROT, HBURST, HMASTER (and HNONSEC) equal on read and write |
| No overlap | A manager issues no exclusive address phase during the data phase of its own previous one |
| HEXOKAY | Only with HREADY high, never with HRESP high, only for an exclusive transfer |
| Write alone | An exclusive write with no exclusive read before it must fail |
The restrictions of section 10.4, in brief.
Two points are left to the implementation, and a test must not assume either way. If the same manager writes an overlapping location between its own exclusive read and write, the write may succeed or fail; this bench's monitor clears and the write fails. If a location does not support exclusive access, HEXOKAY is low; the specification promises "not updated" only for the monitor case, so read the subordinate's documentation.
Lock or exclusive?
| HMASTLOCK | Exclusive pair (AHB5) | |
|---|---|---|
| Others while it runs | kept off the subordinate | carry on as usual |
| Cost of a clash | none, nobody can clash | a retry of read and write |
| Who must support it | interconnect and multi-port subordinates | a monitor that sees every write |
| What the manager reads | OKAY like any transfer | HEXOKAY high or low |
Lock blocks the bus; exclusive access detects a clash and retries.
HPROT and HNONSEC
HPROT says what kind of access a transfer is. It has address-phase timing and stays constant through a burst. A manager that cannot tell should send 0b0011, and subordinates should ignore HPROT unless they need it.
| Bit | 0 | 1 |
|---|---|---|
| HPROT[0] | opcode fetch | data access |
| HPROT[1] | user (unprivileged) | privileged |
| HPROT[2] | non-bufferable | bufferable |
| HPROT[3] | non-modifiable (non-cacheable) | modifiable (cacheable) |
The four-bit HPROT. AHB5 can widen it to seven bits for the Device and Normal memory types.
AHB5 adds HNONSEC, high for a Non-secure transfer, also constant through a burst. On the bench the APB register CTRL can be made to accept privileged writes only. The bridge maps HPROT[1] onto PPROT[0], so a user write gets PSLVERR on APB and ERROR on AHB.
fab.p0.priv_ctrl = 1;
prot = 4'b0001; ahb_write(32'h2100, 2, 32'h1); // user data access
prot = 4'b0011; ahb_write(32'h2100, 2, 32'h2); // privileged data access
ahb_read(32'h2100, 2); go();
// e8 D write addr=0x2100 data=0x1 ERROR
// e11 D write addr=0x2100 data=0x2 OKAY
// e13 D read addr=0x2100 data=0x2 OKAYIn the field
Semaphores, reference counts and lock-free queues all rely on one of these two mechanisms.
Asked in interviews: lock, exclusive and protection
What does HEXOKAY low mean on an exclusive write?
The exclusive write failed: someone wrote the location since the exclusive read, or the location has no exclusive support. The manager repeats the whole read-modify-write.
What does HMASTER do?
It names the manager, or the thread inside it, so the monitor can keep one reservation per manager. The interconnect extends it to make every manager unique.
Why is an IDLE recommended after a locked sequence?
It gives the interconnect a clean point to re-arbitrate; the bus unlocks after a cycle with HMASTLOCK low and HREADY high.
What HPROT should a manager send if it does not know better?
0b0011: a data access, privileged, non-bufferable and non-cacheable.
Can an exclusive transfer be a burst?
No. It is a single beat, SINGLE or INCR, with no BUSY, aligned to its size.
Try it
HRESP is OKAY on every line: a failed exclusive write is not an error. The only sign is HEXOKAY low, which the log prints as "exclusive failed". The counter ends at 7, two increments from 5, because A noticed and retried.
Delete excl = 1; and the same sequence ends at 6: the lost update of the opening. Add master = 2; excl = 0; ahb_write(32'h600, 2, 32'd9); go(); between A's read and write to see a plain write clear A's reservation as well.
e4 A NONSEQ WRITE addr=0x600 size=2 SINGLE e5 D write addr=0x600 data=0x5 OKAY e7 A NONSEQ READ addr=0x600 size=2 SINGLE exclusive e8 D read addr=0x600 data=0x5 OKAY EXOKAY e10 A NONSEQ READ addr=0x600 size=2 SINGLE exclusive e11 D read addr=0x600 data=0x5 OKAY EXOKAY e13 A NONSEQ WRITE addr=0x600 size=2 SINGLE exclusive e14 D write addr=0x600 data=0x6 OKAY EXOKAY e16 A NONSEQ WRITE addr=0x600 size=2 SINGLE exclusive e17 D write addr=0x600 data=0x6 OKAY (HEXOKAY low: exclusive failed) e19 A NONSEQ READ addr=0x600 size=2 SINGLE exclusive e20 D read addr=0x600 data=0x6 OKAY EXOKAY e22 A NONSEQ WRITE addr=0x600 size=2 SINGLE exclusive e23 D write addr=0x600 data=0x7 OKAY EXOKAY 0x00600 07 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 checker: 7 transfers, 0 wait edges, 0 errors, 0 rules brokenRead included file: ahb_pkg.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// ahb_pkg.sv: the encodings and the arithmetic of a burst (read-only).
// The memory, the driver, the checker and the lesson text all use these functions, so they never
// disagree about the address of a beat or the lanes it uses.
package ahb_pkg;
localparam logic [1:0] IDLE = 2'b00, BUSY = 2'b01, NONSEQ = 2'b10, SEQ = 2'b11;
localparam logic [2:0] SINGLE = 3'b000, INCR = 3'b001, WRAP4 = 3'b010, INCR4 = 3'b011,
WRAP8 = 3'b100, INCR8 = 3'b101, WRAP16 = 3'b110, INCR16 = 3'b111;
localparam logic OKAY = 1'b0, ERROR = 1'b1;
function automatic string trans_name(input logic [1:0] t);
case (t) IDLE: return "IDLE"; BUSY: return "BUSY"; NONSEQ: return "NONSEQ"; default: return "SEQ"; endcase
endfunction
function automatic string burst_name(input logic [2:0] b);
case (b)
SINGLE: return "SINGLE"; INCR: return "INCR"; WRAP4: return "WRAP4"; INCR4: return "INCR4";
WRAP8: return "WRAP8"; INCR8: return "INCR8"; WRAP16: return "WRAP16"; default: return "INCR16";
endcase
endfunction
function automatic string resp_name(input logic r);
return r ? "ERROR" : "OKAY";
endfunction
// s when c is 1, else the empty string (a string-typed result prints the same on every simulator).
function automatic string opt(input bit c, input string s);
if (c) return s;
return "";
endfunction
// Beats in a burst: 1 for SINGLE, 4, 8 or 16 for the fixed bursts, 0 for INCR (undefined length).
function automatic int beats_of(input logic [2:0] b);
case (b) SINGLE: return 1; INCR: return 0; WRAP4, INCR4: return 4; WRAP8, INCR8: return 8; default: return 16; endcase
endfunction
function automatic bit is_wrap(input logic [2:0] b);
return b == WRAP4 || b == WRAP8 || b == WRAP16;
endfunction
// The address of the beat after the one at a: the size in bytes further on; a wrapping burst
// returns to the start of its window (beats x size bytes, aligned to that total) at the window's end.
function automatic int unsigned next_addr(input int unsigned a, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [2:0] b);
int unsigned nb = 1 << size;
int unsigned window = nb * beats_of(b);
int unsigned base;
if (!is_wrap(b)) return a + nb;
base = (a / window) * window;
if (a + nb >= base + window) return base;
return a + nb;
endfunction
// The address of beat n of a burst that starts at start.
function automatic int unsigned beat_addr(input int unsigned start, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [2:0] b, input int n);
int unsigned a = start;
for (int k = 0; k < n; k++) a = next_addr(a, size, b);
return a;
endfunction
// The lanes a transfer at address a uses on a bus of bus_bytes bytes, packed as {upper, lower}.
// Every AHB transfer is aligned to its size, so it uses size bytes from its own lane upwards.
function automatic logic [15:0] beat_lanes(input int unsigned a, input logic [2:0] size, input int bus_bytes);
int lower = a % bus_bytes;
int upper = lower + (1 << size) - 1;
if (upper > bus_bytes - 1) upper = bus_bytes - 1;
return {upper[7:0], lower[7:0]};
endfunction
// The strobe of a transfer: a 1 for every lane it uses (bit l is lane l).
function automatic logic [63:0] beat_strb(input int unsigned a, input logic [2:0] size, input int bus_bytes);
logic [15:0] lanes = beat_lanes(a, size, bus_bytes);
logic [63:0] s = 0;
for (int l = lanes[7:0]; l <= lanes[15:8]; l++) s[l] = 1'b1;
return s;
endfunction
function automatic bit aligned(input int unsigned a, input logic [2:0] size);
return (a % (1 << size)) == 0;
endfunction
// True when an incrementing burst of n beats (n is used only for INCR) crosses a 1 KB boundary.
function automatic bit crosses_1k(input int unsigned start, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [2:0] b, input int n);
int beats = beats_of(b) ? beats_of(b) : n;
if (is_wrap(b) || beats < 2) return 0;
return (start / 1024) != ((start + beats * (1 << size) - 1) / 1024);
endfunction
endpackage
Read included file: ahb_mem.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// ahb_mem.sv: an AHB subordinate with a byte-addressed memory behind it (read-only in this lesson).
// It registers an address phase at an edge where HSEL is 1, HTRANS is NONSEQ or SEQ and HREADY is 1,
// then runs the data phase: wait states with HREADYOUT low, a write takes HWDATA (and HWSTRB) at the
// edge that ends the data phase, a read drives HRDATA for the cycle that ends it. IDLE and BUSY get a
// zero-wait OKAY and change nothing. The switches below are plain variables: the stimulus sets them by
// name (mem.waits = 2;).
// waits wait states inserted in every data phase
// waits_at[k] wait states for the k-th transfer this memory takes (from 0; -1 = use waits)
// err_above transfers at or above this address get the two-cycle ERROR (and write nothing)
// excl_on AHB5 exclusive access: one monitor per HMASTER, HEXOKAY on success
// trace print every transfer the memory takes and every byte it writes
// Broken twins, each off by default:
// ignore_hready registers an address phase while HREADY is low (another subordinate is stretching),
// so it acts on a transfer the manager may still change or cancel
// wdata_in_addr takes HWDATA in the address phase, so a write stores the previous transfer's data
// act_on_idle treats IDLE and BUSY as transfers (waits, reads, writes HWDATA); this twin is an
// AHB-Lite design without an HWSTRB input, so it writes the lanes HSIZE selects
// one_cycle_error answers ERROR in one cycle (HRESP high with HREADYOUT high)
// ignore_size writes every lane of the bus word, whatever HSIZE and HWSTRB say
module ahb_mem #(parameter int DATA_W = 32, parameter int DEPTH = 65536) (
input logic hclk,
input logic hresetn,
input logic hsel,
input logic [31:0] haddr,
input logic [1:0] htrans,
input logic hwrite,
input logic [2:0] hsize,
input logic [2:0] hburst,
input logic [3:0] hprot,
input logic hmastlock,
input logic [DATA_W-1:0] hwdata,
input logic [DATA_W/8-1:0] hwstrb,
input logic hexcl,
input logic [3:0] hmaster,
input logic hready,
output logic hreadyout,
output logic hresp,
output logic [DATA_W-1:0] hrdata,
output logic hexokay
);
import ahb_pkg::*;
localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
// ---- switches ----
int waits = 0;
int waits_at [0:63];
int unsigned err_above = 32'hffff_ffff;
bit excl_on = 0, trace = 0;
bit ignore_hready = 0, wdata_in_addr = 0, act_on_idle = 0, one_cycle_error = 0, ignore_size = 0;
// ---- the memory ----
logic [7:0] mem [0:DEPTH-1];
int cycle = -1;
int taken = 0; // transfers taken so far
// ---- the data phase in progress ----
bit d_valid = 0, d_write = 0, d_err = 0, d_exok = 0, d_xfail = 0;
int unsigned d_addr = 0;
logic [2:0] d_size = 0;
logic [1:0] d_trans = 0;
logic [DATA_W-1:0] d_wd = 0; // HWDATA seen in the address phase (the wdata_in_addr twin)
int d_cnt = 0; // wait states still to insert
bit e_two = 0; // the ERROR response is in its second cycle
// ---- exclusive monitors, one per HMASTER ----
bit mon_use [0:15];
int unsigned mon_addr [0:15];
int mon_bytes [0:15];
initial begin
for (int i = 0; i < DEPTH; i++) mem[i] = 8'h00;
for (int k = 0; k < 64; k++) waits_at[k] = -1;
for (int m = 0; m < 16; m++) mon_use[m] = 0;
hreadyout = 1; hresp = 0; hrdata = 0; hexokay = 0;
end
function automatic logic [DATA_W-1:0] read_word(input int unsigned a);
logic [DATA_W-1:0] w = 0;
int unsigned word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
for (int l = 0; l < BUS; l++) w[8*l +: 8] = mem[(word + l) % DEPTH];
return w;
endfunction
// Write the lanes of one transfer: the lanes its address and size select, where the strobe is 1.
task automatic write_bytes(input int unsigned a, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [DATA_W-1:0] data, input logic [BUS-1:0] strb);
logic [15:0] lanes = beat_lanes(a, size, BUS);
int unsigned word = (a / BUS) * BUS;
int lo = ignore_size ? 0 : lanes[7:0];
int hi = ignore_size ? BUS - 1 : lanes[15:8];
for (int l = lo; l <= hi; l++)
if (ignore_size || act_on_idle || strb[l]) begin
mem[(word + l) % DEPTH] = data[8*l +: 8];
if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: byte 0x%0h <= %02h (lane %0d)", cycle, word + l, data[8*l +: 8], l);
end
// any write ends the exclusive monitors that cover one of its bytes
for (int m = 0; m < 16; m++)
if (mon_use[m] && a < mon_addr[m] + mon_bytes[m] && mon_addr[m] < a + (1 << size)) mon_use[m] = 0;
endtask
always @(posedge hclk) begin
cycle = cycle + 1;
if (!hresetn) begin
d_valid = 0; e_two = 0;
hreadyout <= 1; hresp <= 0; hexokay <= 0;
end else begin
// 1. the data phase that ends or waits at this edge
if (d_valid) begin
if (hreadyout && hready) begin
if (d_write && !d_err && !d_xfail)
write_bytes(d_addr, d_size, wdata_in_addr ? d_wd : hwdata, hwstrb);
d_valid = 0;
end else if (!hreadyout) begin
if (d_cnt > 0) d_cnt = d_cnt - 1;
else if (d_err) e_two = 1;
end
end
// 2. the address phase on the wires at this edge
if (hsel && (htrans[1] || act_on_idle) && (hready || (ignore_hready && !d_valid))) begin
d_valid = 1; d_addr = haddr; d_write = hwrite; d_size = hsize; d_trans = htrans; d_wd = hwdata;
d_cnt = (taken < 64 && waits_at[taken] >= 0) ? waits_at[taken] : waits;
taken = taken + 1;
d_err = (haddr >= err_above); e_two = 0;
d_exok = 0; d_xfail = 0;
if (excl_on && hexcl && htrans[1] && !d_err) begin
if (!hwrite) begin
mon_use[hmaster] = 1; mon_addr[hmaster] = haddr; mon_bytes[hmaster] = 1 << hsize; d_exok = 1;
end else if (mon_use[hmaster] && mon_addr[hmaster] == haddr && mon_bytes[hmaster] == (1 << hsize)) begin
d_exok = 1; mon_use[hmaster] = 0;
end else d_xfail = 1;
end
if (trace) $display("mem e%0d: %0s %0s 0x%0h size %0d%0s%0s%0s", cycle, trans_name(htrans), hwrite ? "write" : "read", haddr, hsize,
opt(!hready, " (taken while HREADY is low)"), opt(d_err, " -> ERROR"),
opt(d_xfail, " -> exclusive failed"));
end
// 3. the response for the cycle that starts now
if (d_valid && d_cnt > 0) begin
hreadyout <= 0; hresp <= 0; hexokay <= 0;
end else if (d_valid && d_err) begin
hreadyout <= one_cycle_error ? 1'b1 : e_two; hresp <= 1; hexokay <= 0;
end else begin
hreadyout <= 1; hresp <= 0; hexokay <= d_valid && d_exok;
end
if (d_valid && !d_write) hrdata <= d_err ? '0 : read_word(d_addr);
end
end
endmodule
Read included file: ahb_checker.sv
`timescale 1ns/1ns
// ahb_checker.sv: the rules of an AHB interface, checked at every rising edge (read-only).
// Each broken rule is named with the edge where it was seen:
// reset HTRANS is not IDLE, or HREADY is low, while reset is active;
// hold the address or control changed during a wait state (HREADY low), outside the
// changes the protocol allows;
// trans_change HTRANS changed during a wait state other than IDLE to NONSEQ, BUSY to SEQ (fixed
// bursts) or BUSY to anything (INCR); or SEQ/BUSY with no burst in progress;
// seq_addr a SEQ or BUSY address that is not the previous beat's address plus the size
// (wrapped for a WRAP burst);
// burst_ctrl HSIZE, HBURST, HWRITE or HPROT changed inside a burst;
// align a transfer not aligned to its size;
// size_bus a transfer wider than the data bus;
// kb1 an incrementing burst that crosses a 1 KB boundary;
// burst_len a fixed-length burst that ends early or runs long, BUSY after a SINGLE, or BUSY
// after the last beat of a fixed-length burst;
// idle_okay an IDLE or BUSY transfer that did not get a zero-wait OKAY;
// err_shape an ERROR that is not two cycles (HREADY low then high, HRESP high in both);
// exokay HEXOKAY with HREADY low, with an ERROR, or for a transfer that was not exclusive;
// known x on the address, control, or the active lanes of the data.
// A NOTE (not a broken rule) marks a transfer kept after the first cycle of an ERROR: the protocol
// allows it, most managers cancel.
module ahb_checker #(parameter int DATA_W = 32) (
input logic hclk,
input logic hresetn,
input logic [31:0] haddr,
input logic [1:0] htrans,
input logic hwrite,
input logic [2:0] hsize,
input logic [2:0] hburst,
input logic [3:0] hprot,
input logic hmastlock,
input logic [DATA_W-1:0] hwdata,
input logic hexcl,
input logic hready,
input logic hresp,
input logic [DATA_W-1:0] hrdata,
input logic hexokay
);
import ahb_pkg::*;
localparam int BUS = DATA_W / 8;
int cycle = -1, transfers = 0, waits = 0, errors = 0, broken = 0, notes = 0;
function void report(input string rule, input string what);
broken++;
$display("RULE %s broken at edge %0d: %s", rule, cycle, what);
endfunction
function automatic logic [DATA_W-1:0] lane_mask(input int unsigned a, input logic [2:0] size);
logic [15:0] lanes = beat_lanes(a, size, BUS);
logic [DATA_W-1:0] m = '0;
for (int l = lanes[7:0]; l <= lanes[15:8]; l++) m[8*l +: 8] = 8'hff;
return m;
endfunction
// The previous edge.
bit p_on = 0;
logic p_ready = 1, p_resp = 0, p_write = 0, p_lock = 0;
logic [1:0] p_trans = 0;
logic [31:0] p_addr = 0;
logic [2:0] p_size = 0, p_burst = 0;
logic [3:0] p_prot = 0;
bit e_first = 0; // the previous edge was the first cycle of an ERROR
// The data phase in progress.
bit d_on = 0, d_idle = 0, d_write = 0, d_excl = 0;
int unsigned d_addr = 0;
logic [2:0] d_size = 0;
// The burst in progress.
bit b_on = 0, b_err = 0, b_write = 0, b_kb = 0;
logic [2:0] b_burst = 0, b_size = 0;
logic [3:0] b_prot = 0;
int unsigned b_first = 0, b_last = 0;
int b_count = 0;
int unsigned exp_a;
task automatic end_burst();
if (b_on && beats_of(b_burst) > 1 && b_count < beats_of(b_burst) && !b_err)
report("burst_len", $sformatf("%0s burst at 0x%0h ended after %0d of %0d beats", burst_name(b_burst), b_first, b_count, beats_of(b_burst)));
b_on = 0;
endtask
task automatic check_beat();
if ((1 << hsize) > BUS) report("size_bus", $sformatf("a %0d-byte transfer on a %0d-byte bus", 1 << hsize, BUS));
if (!aligned(haddr, hsize)) report("align", $sformatf("a %0d-byte transfer at 0x%0h is not aligned to its size", 1 << hsize, haddr));
endtask
task automatic check_ctrl(input string what);
if (hsize !== b_size || hburst !== b_burst || hwrite !== b_write || hprot !== b_prot)
report("burst_ctrl", $sformatf("%0s at 0x%0h changed HSIZE, HBURST, HWRITE or HPROT inside the burst", what, haddr));
endtask
always @(posedge hclk) begin
cycle++;
if (!hresetn) begin
if (htrans !== IDLE) report("reset", "HTRANS is not IDLE during reset");
if (hready !== 1) report("reset", "HREADY is low during reset");
p_on = 0; d_on = 0; b_on = 0; e_first = 0;
end else begin
// ---- the data phase that ends or waits at this edge ----
if (hready === 0) waits++;
if (e_first) begin
if (hresp !== 1 || hready !== 1) report("err_shape", "the second cycle of an ERROR must have HRESP high and HREADY high");
end else if (hresp === 1 && hready === 1)
report("err_shape", "ERROR with HREADY high in its first cycle: an ERROR takes two cycles");
if (hresp === 1 && b_on) b_err = 1;
if (d_on && d_idle) begin
if (hready !== 1 || hresp !== 0) report("idle_okay", "an IDLE or BUSY transfer must get a zero-wait OKAY");
d_on = 0;
end
if (hexokay === 1) begin
if (hready !== 1) report("exokay", "HEXOKAY while HREADY is low");
else if (hresp === 1) report("exokay", "HEXOKAY together with an ERROR");
else if (!(d_on && d_excl)) report("exokay", "HEXOKAY for a transfer that was not exclusive");
end
if (hready === 1 && d_on && !d_idle) begin
if (d_write && $isunknown(hwdata & lane_mask(d_addr, d_size))) report("known", "HWDATA is x on an active lane");
if (!d_write && hresp === 0 && $isunknown(hrdata & lane_mask(d_addr, d_size))) report("known", "HRDATA is x on an active lane");
transfers++;
if (hresp === 1) errors++;
d_on = 0;
end
if (e_first && hready === 1 && (htrans === NONSEQ || htrans === SEQ)) begin
notes++;
$display("NOTE cancel at edge %0d: the %0s at 0x%0h behind an ERROR was kept, not cancelled (allowed; most managers cancel)", cycle, trans_name(htrans), haddr);
end
// ---- the address phase on the wires at this edge ----
if (htrans !== IDLE && ($isunknown(haddr) || $isunknown(hwrite) || $isunknown(hsize) || $isunknown(hburst)))
report("known", "address or control is x while HTRANS is not IDLE");
if ($isunknown(htrans)) report("known", "HTRANS is x");
if (p_on && p_ready === 0 && !e_first) begin
// a wait state at the previous edge: only the allowed changes
if (p_trans == IDLE) begin
if (htrans === BUSY || htrans === SEQ) report("trans_change", $sformatf("IDLE changed to %0s during a wait state (only NONSEQ may follow)", trans_name(htrans)));
end else if (p_trans == BUSY) begin
if (p_burst != INCR) begin
if (htrans !== BUSY && htrans !== SEQ) report("trans_change", $sformatf("BUSY in a %0s burst changed to %0s during a wait state (only SEQ may follow)", burst_name(p_burst), trans_name(htrans)));
else if (haddr !== p_addr) report("hold", $sformatf("HADDR changed from 0x%0h to 0x%0h during a wait state", p_addr, haddr));
end
end else begin
if (htrans !== p_trans) report("trans_change", $sformatf("%0s changed to %0s during a wait state", trans_name(p_trans), trans_name(htrans)));
else if (haddr !== p_addr) report("hold", $sformatf("HADDR changed from 0x%0h to 0x%0h during a wait state", p_addr, haddr));
else if (hwrite !== p_write || hsize !== p_size || hburst !== p_burst || hprot !== p_prot || hmastlock !== p_lock)
report("hold", "HWRITE, HSIZE, HBURST, HPROT or HMASTLOCK changed during a wait state");
end
end
if (hready === 1) begin
// the address phase is accepted at this edge
if (htrans === IDLE) begin
end_burst();
d_on = 1; d_idle = 1;
end else if (htrans === NONSEQ) begin
end_burst();
check_beat();
b_on = 1; b_err = 0; b_kb = 0; b_first = haddr; b_last = haddr; b_count = 1;
b_burst = hburst; b_size = hsize; b_write = hwrite; b_prot = hprot;
d_on = 1; d_idle = 0; d_write = hwrite; d_addr = haddr; d_size = hsize; d_excl = hexcl;
end else if (htrans === SEQ) begin
if (!b_on) report("trans_change", $sformatf("SEQ at 0x%0h with no burst in progress", haddr));
else begin
exp_a = next_addr(b_last, b_size, b_burst);
if (haddr !== exp_a) report("seq_addr", $sformatf("SEQ at 0x%0h; the beat after 0x%0h in a %0s burst of %0d-byte transfers is 0x%0h", haddr, b_last, burst_name(b_burst), 1 << b_size, exp_a));
check_ctrl("SEQ");
if (!is_wrap(b_burst) && !b_kb && (haddr / 1024) != (b_first / 1024)) begin
b_kb = 1;
report("kb1", $sformatf("SEQ at 0x%0h crosses the 1 KB boundary of the burst that started at 0x%0h", haddr, b_first));
end
b_count++;
if (beats_of(b_burst) > 0 && b_count > beats_of(b_burst))
report("burst_len", $sformatf("beat %0d of a %0s burst, which has %0d beats", b_count, burst_name(b_burst), beats_of(b_burst)));
b_last = haddr;
end
check_beat();
d_on = 1; d_idle = 0; d_write = hwrite; d_addr = haddr; d_size = hsize; d_excl = hexcl;
end else if (htrans === BUSY) begin
if (!b_on) report("trans_change", $sformatf("BUSY at 0x%0h with no burst in progress", haddr));
else if (b_burst == SINGLE) report("burst_len", "BUSY after a SINGLE transfer");
else begin
exp_a = next_addr(b_last, b_size, b_burst);
if (beats_of(b_burst) > 1 && b_count == beats_of(b_burst))
report("burst_len", $sformatf("BUSY after the last beat of the %0s burst (a fixed-length burst ends with SEQ)", burst_name(b_burst)));
else if (haddr !== exp_a) report("seq_addr", $sformatf("BUSY at 0x%0h must show the next beat's address 0x%0h", haddr, exp_a));
check_ctrl("BUSY");
end
d_on = 1; d_idle = 1;
end
end
e_first = (hresp === 1 && hready === 0);
end
p_on = hresetn; p_ready = hready; p_resp = hresp; p_trans = htrans; p_addr = haddr; p_write = hwrite;
p_size = hsize; p_burst = hburst; p_prot = hprot; p_lock = hmastlock;
end
final $display("checker: %0d transfers, %0d wait edges, %0d errors, %0d rules broken", transfers, waits, errors, broken);
endmodule
Read included file: ahb_tasks.svh
// ahb_tasks.svh: the manager side of the bench, as tasks for the stimulus (read-only).
// ahb_write, ahb_read and ahb_burst queue transfers; go() puts the queue on the bus and returns when
// the last data phase has ended. The driver below issues the next address phase at the same edge where
// the previous one is accepted, so the address of transfer N+1 is on the wires during the data phase
// of transfer N. Write data for a burst goes in wd[0], wd[1], ... (one entry per beat, the lowest byte
// at the lowest address); the data of every read comes back in rd[0], rd[1], ... in issue order, with
// the responses in rr[].
// The beat log has one line per accepted address phase (A), per ended data phase (D) and per transfer
// the manager cancels (X), each with the edge where it happened; watch = 1 adds one line per edge.
int cycle = -1;
always @(posedge hclk) cycle = cycle + 1;
localparam int QN = 512;
int unsigned q_addr [0:QN-1];
logic q_write [0:QN-1];
logic [2:0] q_size [0:QN-1];
logic [2:0] q_burst [0:QN-1];
logic [1:0] q_trans [0:QN-1];
logic [63:0] q_data [0:QN-1];
logic q_lock [0:QN-1], q_excl [0:QN-1], q_sforce [0:QN-1];
logic [3:0] q_prot [0:QN-1], q_master [0:QN-1];
logic [7:0] q_strb [0:QN-1];
int q_bn [0:QN-1], q_beat [0:QN-1], q_state [0:QN-1]; // burst number, beat, 0 queued 1 done 2 cancelled
logic [63:0] q_rdata [0:QN-1];
logic q_resp [0:QN-1], q_exok [0:QN-1];
int q_n = 0, q_next = 0, bn = 0, last_start = 0, last_bn = 0;
logic [63:0] wd [0:255];
logic [63:0] rd [0:255];
logic rr [0:255];
int n_rd = 0;
logic last_resp = 0, last_exokay = 0;
// quiet = 1 silences the beat log; watch = 1 prints the bus at every edge.
bit quiet = 0, watch = 0, running = 0, drv_done = 0;
// Driver switches (broken twins, off by default):
// move_in_wait the address moves on by one transfer size during a wait state
// no_cancel the transfer behind an ERROR is not cancelled (allowed, but the checker notes it)
// After the first cycle of an ERROR the driver cancels the transfer already in its address phase: the
// rest of the same burst is dropped; a separate transfer is issued again afterwards (reissue = 0 drops it).
// busy_end a BUSY after the last beat of every fixed-length burst
// cross_1k incrementing bursts are issued across a 1 KB boundary instead of being split
// unaligned transfers not aligned to their size are issued instead of refused
// wrap_bug a WRAP8 burst's addresses wrap inside 16 bytes, as if it were WRAP4
bit reissue = 1;
bit move_in_wait = 0, no_cancel = 0, busy_end = 0, cross_1k = 0, unaligned = 0, wrap_bug = 0;
// Attributes of the transfers queued next.
logic lock = 0, excl = 0;
logic [3:0] prot = 4'b0011, master = 0;
bit strb_force = 0;
logic [7:0] strb_val = 8'hff;
// What the bus is carrying in the data phase, for the waveform scenes: the address and lanes of the beat.
int unsigned beat_a = 0;
logic [7:0] beat_m = 0;
function automatic int unsigned m_next(input int unsigned a, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [2:0] b);
if (wrap_bug && b == WRAP8) return next_addr(a, size, WRAP4);
return next_addr(a, size, b);
endfunction
task automatic q_push(input int unsigned a, input logic w, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [2:0] b, input logic [1:0] t,
input logic [63:0] data, input int burst_no, input int beat);
q_addr[q_n] = a; q_write[q_n] = w; q_size[q_n] = size; q_burst[q_n] = b; q_trans[q_n] = t; q_data[q_n] = data;
q_lock[q_n] = lock; q_excl[q_n] = excl; q_prot[q_n] = prot; q_master[q_n] = master;
q_sforce[q_n] = strb_force; q_strb[q_n] = strb_val;
q_bn[q_n] = burst_no; q_beat[q_n] = beat; q_state[q_n] = 0; q_resp[q_n] = 0; q_exok[q_n] = 0; q_rdata[q_n] = 0;
q_n = q_n + 1;
endtask
task automatic q_copy(input int dst, input int src);
q_addr[dst] = q_addr[src]; q_write[dst] = q_write[src]; q_size[dst] = q_size[src]; q_burst[dst] = q_burst[src];
q_trans[dst] = q_trans[src]; q_data[dst] = q_data[src]; q_lock[dst] = q_lock[src]; q_excl[dst] = q_excl[src];
q_prot[dst] = q_prot[src]; q_master[dst] = q_master[src]; q_sforce[dst] = q_sforce[src]; q_strb[dst] = q_strb[src];
q_bn[dst] = q_bn[src]; q_beat[dst] = q_beat[src]; q_state[dst] = q_state[src];
endtask
// One write of size bytes (0 = byte, 1 = halfword, 2 = word) at addr; data holds the bytes, lowest first.
task automatic ahb_write(input int unsigned addr, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [63:0] data);
if (!unaligned && !aligned(addr, size))
$display("refused: a %0d-byte transfer at 0x%0h is not aligned (every AHB transfer is aligned to its size)", 1 << size, addr);
else begin
bn = bn + 1; last_start = q_n; last_bn = bn;
q_push(addr, 1, size, SINGLE, NONSEQ, data, bn, 0);
end
endtask
// One read of size bytes at addr; the bytes come back in rd[] in issue order.
task automatic ahb_read(input int unsigned addr, input logic [2:0] size);
if (!unaligned && !aligned(addr, size))
$display("refused: a %0d-byte transfer at 0x%0h is not aligned (every AHB transfer is aligned to its size)", 1 << size, addr);
else begin
bn = bn + 1; last_start = q_n; last_bn = bn;
q_push(addr, 0, size, SINGLE, NONSEQ, 0, bn, 0);
end
endtask
// A burst: hburst SINGLE, INCR (beats gives its length), WRAP4, INCR4, ... INCR16. Write data from wd[].
// An incrementing burst that would cross a 1 KB boundary is issued as two INCR bursts split at the
// boundary (unless cross_1k is set).
task automatic ahb_burst(input logic w, input logic [2:0] hb, input int unsigned addr, input logic [2:0] size, input int beats = 0);
int n;
int unsigned a;
logic [2:0] b;
logic [1:0] t;
bit split;
n = beats_of(hb) ? beats_of(hb) : (beats > 0 ? beats : 1);
a = addr; b = hb; split = 0;
if (!unaligned && !aligned(addr, size))
$display("refused: a %0d-byte burst at 0x%0h is not aligned (every AHB transfer is aligned to its size)", 1 << size, addr);
else begin
if (!cross_1k && crosses_1k(addr, size, hb, n)) begin
split = 1; b = INCR;
$display("note: %0s at 0x%0h would cross a 1 KB boundary; issued as INCR bursts split at the boundary", burst_name(hb), addr);
end
bn = bn + 1; last_start = q_n; last_bn = bn;
for (int k = 0; k < n; k++) begin
t = (k == 0) ? NONSEQ : SEQ;
if (k > 0 && split && (a % 1024) == 0) begin t = NONSEQ; bn = bn + 1; end
q_push(a, w, size, b, t, w ? wd[k] : 64'h0, bn, k);
a = m_next(a, size, b);
end
if (busy_end && beats_of(b) > 1) q_push(a, w, size, b, BUSY, 64'h0, bn, n);
end
endtask
// n BUSY cycles before beat k of the burst queued last (k = its length: after the last beat).
task automatic busy_at(input int k, input int n = 1);
int idx, src;
idx = q_n;
for (int j = q_n - 1; j >= last_start; j--)
if (q_trans[j][1] && q_beat[j] == k) idx = j;
src = (idx < q_n) ? idx : q_n - 1; // the beat the BUSY announces, or the last beat
for (int j = q_n - 1; j >= idx; j--) q_copy(j + n, j);
for (int j = 0; j < n; j++) begin
q_copy(idx + j, src >= idx ? src + n : src);
q_trans[idx + j] = BUSY; q_data[idx + j] = 0; q_beat[idx + j] = k;
if (src < idx) q_addr[idx + j] = m_next(q_addr[src], q_size[src], q_burst[src]);
end
q_n = q_n + n;
endtask
// n IDLE cycles in the queue (the address and control keep their last values).
task automatic idle_q(input int n);
for (int j = 0; j < n; j++)
if (q_n > 0) q_push(q_addr[q_n - 1], q_write[q_n - 1], q_size[q_n - 1], q_burst[q_n - 1], IDLE, 64'h0, 0, 0);
else q_push(0, 0, 0, SINGLE, IDLE, 64'h0, 0, 0);
endtask
// The driver: pick, hold, cancel.
int a_idx = -1, d_idx = -1; // queue entries in the address phase and in the data phase (-1: none)
bit moved = 0;
logic s_ready, s_resp, s_exok, s_write;
logic [DATA_W-1:0] s_rdata;
logic [31:0] s_addr;
logic [1:0] s_trans;
logic [2:0] s_size, s_burst;
int s_done, s_acc, s_cfrom, s_cto, s_cmode;
task automatic complete(input int i);
logic [15:0] lanes;
logic [63:0] bytes;
q_state[i] = 1; q_resp[i] = s_resp; q_exok[i] = s_exok; last_resp = s_resp; last_exokay = s_exok;
if (!q_write[i]) begin
lanes = beat_lanes(q_addr[i], q_size[i], BUS_BYTES);
bytes = (s_rdata >> (8 * lanes[7:0])) & ((64'h1 << (8 * (lanes[15:8] - lanes[7:0] + 1))) - 1);
q_rdata[i] = bytes; rd[n_rd] = bytes; rr[n_rd] = s_resp; n_rd = n_rd + 1;
end
if (!quiet) $display("e%0d D %0s addr=0x%0h data=0x%0h %0s%0s", cycle, q_write[i] ? "write" : "read ", q_addr[i],
q_write[i] ? q_data[i] : q_rdata[i], resp_name(s_resp),
opt(q_excl[i], s_exok ? " EXOKAY" : " (HEXOKAY low: exclusive failed)"));
endtask
task automatic drive();
logic [15:0] lanes;
logic [63:0] s;
int e;
if (a_idx >= 0) begin
e = a_idx;
htrans = q_trans[e]; haddr = q_addr[e] + (moved ? (1 << q_size[e]) : 0); hwrite = q_write[e]; hsize = q_size[e];
hburst = q_burst[e]; hprot = q_prot[e]; hmastlock = q_lock[e]; hexcl = q_excl[e]; hmaster = q_master[e];
end else begin
htrans = IDLE; hmastlock = 0; hexcl = 0; // address and control keep their last values
end
if (d_idx >= 0 && q_write[d_idx]) begin
lanes = beat_lanes(q_addr[d_idx], q_size[d_idx], BUS_BYTES);
s = beat_strb(q_addr[d_idx], q_size[d_idx], BUS_BYTES);
hwdata = q_data[d_idx] << (8 * lanes[7:0]);
hwstrb = q_sforce[d_idx] ? q_strb[d_idx][BUS_BYTES-1:0] : s[BUS_BYTES-1:0];
beat_a = q_addr[d_idx]; beat_m = hwstrb;
end else begin
hwdata = '0; hwstrb = '0; beat_m = 0;
end
endtask
always @(posedge hclk) begin
s_ready = hready; s_resp = hresp; s_exok = hexokay; s_rdata = hrdata; s_addr = haddr; s_trans = htrans;
s_write = hwrite; s_size = hsize; s_burst = hburst;
s_done = -1; s_acc = -1; s_cmode = 0;
if (hresetn) begin
if (s_ready === 1'b1) begin
s_done = d_idx; d_idx = -1;
if (a_idx >= 0 && moved) q_addr[a_idx] = s_addr; // the address the subordinate took
if (a_idx >= 0 && q_trans[a_idx] != IDLE) s_acc = a_idx;
if (a_idx >= 0 && q_trans[a_idx][1]) d_idx = a_idx;
a_idx = -1; moved = 0;
if (running && q_next < q_n) begin a_idx = q_next; q_next = q_next + 1; end
end else if (s_resp === 1'b1 && !no_cancel && a_idx >= 0 && q_trans[a_idx] != IDLE) begin
// the first cycle of an ERROR: the transfer already on the wires is cancelled (IHI 0033C 5.1.3)
s_cfrom = a_idx;
if (d_idx >= 0 && q_bn[a_idx] == q_bn[d_idx]) begin
s_cto = a_idx;
while (s_cto < q_n && q_bn[s_cto] == q_bn[d_idx]) begin q_state[s_cto] = 2; s_cto = s_cto + 1; end
q_next = s_cto; s_cmode = 1; // the rest of the burst is dropped
end else if (reissue) begin
q_next = a_idx; s_cmode = 2; // a separate transfer: issued again after the ERROR
end else begin
q_state[a_idx] = 2; s_cto = a_idx + 1; s_cmode = 3; // a separate transfer, dropped
end
a_idx = -1;
end else if (move_in_wait && a_idx >= 0 && q_trans[a_idx][1]) moved = 1;
end
#1;
if (s_done >= 0) complete(s_done);
if (s_acc >= 0 && !quiet)
$display("e%0d A %0s %0s addr=0x%0h size=%0d %0s%0s%0s", cycle, trans_name(s_trans), s_write ? "WRITE" : "READ", s_addr, s_size,
burst_name(s_burst), opt(q_lock[s_acc], " locked"), opt(q_excl[s_acc], " exclusive"));
if (s_cmode == 1 && !quiet)
for (int j = s_cfrom; j < s_cto; j++)
if (q_trans[j][1]) $display("e%0d X cancelled %0s %0s addr=0x%0h (the rest of the burst is dropped)", cycle, trans_name(q_trans[j]), q_write[j] ? "WRITE" : "READ", q_addr[j]);
if (s_cmode == 3 && !quiet)
$display("e%0d X cancelled %0s %0s addr=0x%0h", cycle, trans_name(q_trans[s_cfrom]), q_write[s_cfrom] ? "WRITE" : "READ", q_addr[s_cfrom]);
if (s_cmode == 2 && !quiet)
$display("e%0d X withdrew %0s %0s addr=0x%0h (issued again after the ERROR)", cycle, trans_name(q_trans[s_cfrom]), q_write[s_cfrom] ? "WRITE" : "READ", q_addr[s_cfrom]);
drive();
drv_done = running && q_next >= q_n && a_idx < 0 && d_idx < 0; // go() returns after this edge's log
end
// A text waveform for the lesson's trace blocks: with watch = 1, one line per rising edge with the
// values sampled at that edge (cycle k of a trace is what edge k sees).
int wave_edge = -1;
always @(posedge hclk) begin
wave_edge = wave_edge + 1;
if (watch) $display("wave e%0d: htrans=%0s haddr=%h hwrite=%b hsize=%0d hburst=%0s hwdata=%h hready=%b hresp=%b hrdata=%h",
wave_edge, trans_name(htrans), haddr, hwrite, hsize, burst_name(hburst), hwdata, hready, hresp, hrdata);
end
// Put the queue on the bus and wait until every transfer in it has ended; then empty the queue.
task automatic go();
n_rd = 0; drv_done = 0; running = 1;
wait (drv_done);
running = 0; drv_done = 0; q_n = 0; q_next = 0;
endtask
// The table of a burst before it runs: the address, lanes and strobe of every beat.
task automatic beat_table(input int unsigned addr, input logic [2:0] size, input logic [2:0] hb, input int beats = 0);
int n;
int unsigned a, window, base;
logic [15:0] lanes;
logic [63:0] s;
n = beats_of(hb) ? beats_of(hb) : (beats > 0 ? beats : 1);
a = addr;
$display("%0s at 0x%0h: %0d beat%0s of %0d byte%0s, bus %0d bytes", burst_name(hb), addr, n, opt(n > 1, "s"), 1 << size, opt(size != 0, "s"), BUS_BYTES);
if (is_wrap(hb)) begin
window = (1 << size) * beats_of(hb); base = (addr / window) * window;
$display(" wraps inside 0x%0h-0x%0h (%0d beats x %0d bytes)", base, base + window - 1, beats_of(hb), 1 << size);
end
$display(" beat address lanes strobe");
for (int k = 0; k < n; k++) begin
lanes = beat_lanes(a, size, BUS_BYTES);
s = beat_strb(a, size, BUS_BYTES);
$display(" %4d 0x%05h %0d-%0d %b", k, a[19:0], lanes[7:0], lanes[15:8], s[BUS_BYTES-1:0]);
a = m_next(a, size, hb);
end
if (crosses_1k(addr, size, hb, n)) $display(" this burst crosses a 1 KB boundary");
if (!aligned(addr, size)) $display(" 0x%0h is not aligned to %0d bytes: AHB does not allow it", addr, 1 << size);
endtask
// One byte of the memory that owns an address (the fabric's second memory from 0x1000).
function automatic logic [7:0] mem_byte(input int unsigned a);
`ifdef AHB_MEM1
if (a >= 32'h1000 && a < 32'h2000) return `AHB_MEM1.mem[a % `AHB_DEPTH];
if (a >= 32'h1000) return 8'h00;
`endif
return `AHB_MEM.mem[a % `AHB_DEPTH];
endfunction
task automatic set_byte(input int unsigned a, input logic [7:0] v);
`ifdef AHB_MEM1
if (a >= 32'h1000 && a < 32'h2000) `AHB_MEM1.mem[a % `AHB_DEPTH] = v;
else if (a < 32'h1000) `AHB_MEM.mem[a % `AHB_DEPTH] = v;
`else
`AHB_MEM.mem[a % `AHB_DEPTH] = v;
`endif
endtask
// The memory, n bytes from addr, one bus word per group.
task automatic dump(input int unsigned addr, input int n);
string line;
int unsigned a = (addr / 16) * 16;
while (a < addr + n) begin
line = $sformatf("0x%05h ", a[19:0]);
for (int i = 0; i < 16; i++) begin
if (i % BUS_BYTES == 0) line = {line, " "};
line = {line, $sformatf(" %02h", mem_byte(a + i))};
end
$display("%s", line);
a = a + 16;
end
endtask
// Fill n bytes from addr with first, first+1, ... so untouched bytes stay recognisable.
task automatic mem_fill(input int unsigned addr, input int n, input logic [7:0] first = 8'h00);
for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) set_byte(addr + i, first + i[7:0]);
endtask
// Drive nothing new for n cycles.
task automatic idle(input int n);
repeat (n) @(posedge hclk);
#1;
endtask
Check yourself
Remember
- A plain read-modify-write by two managers can lose an update with every transfer OKAY.
- HMASTLOCK keeps everyone else out of a sequence; the bus locks and unlocks on cycles with HREADY high, and an IDLE afterwards is recommended.
- An exclusive pair (AHB5) lets others in: the write succeeds with HEXOKAY high only if no write reached the location since the exclusive read; otherwise retry.
- Exclusive transfers are single beats, aligned, with matching HADDR, HSIZE, HPROT, HBURST and HMASTER; a lone exclusive write fails.
- HPROT marks data or opcode, privileged, bufferable and modifiable, with 0b0011 when unsure; HNONSEC marks Non-secure transfers.