Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code M. Smith, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Calgary, Canada

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 2 / 23 Tackled on Tutorial Bring Blackfin Instruction Reference Manual to the Tutorial  Okay to work on exercises with your lab. partner Determine the differences / advantages and disadvantages between for-loops, while-loops, do-while-loops and do-while-loops with initial tests Demonstrate ability to turn functioning “C++” into Blackfin assembly code

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 3 / 23 Stub for void SimpleLoopASM (ushort) #include #include.section program;.global _SimpleLoopASM;.align 2; #define SimpleLoopASMSTACK 16 _SimpleLoopASM: // void SimpleLoopASMTime (unsigned short int timeToUse) { LINK SimpleLoopASMSTACK; // Code goes here and replaces next line R0 = 0; P0 = [FP + 4 ]; UNLINK; JUMP (P0); // } _SimpleLoopASM.end:

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 4 / 23 C++ version of code Could be constructed using “for-loop” void SimpleLoop(unsigned short int timeToUse) { unsigned short int counter = 0; for (counter = 0; count <= timeToUse; count++) { counter = counter; // Waste time } // Spin the wheels

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 5 / 23 Translation problems with “for-loop” into assembly code Most processors don’t any capability to directly perform “for-loops” in assembly code.  Blackfin has “limited” capability  MIPS has ?  has ? Time spent in function depends on capabilities of compiler and processor  An optimizing compiler may recognize that “nothing useful” is happening in the loop and remove it from the function  Loop speed depends on processor speed – improve the processor means code speed is faster  Original “Invaders” game on Atari processor used this as a “feature” and not a bug.

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 6 / 23 C++ version of code Could be constructed using “while” and “do while” constructs WHILE unsigned short int counter = 0; while (counter <= timeToUse) { counter++; } DO_WHILE unsigned short int counter = 0; do { counter++; } while (counter <= timeToUse) { NOTES ON ISSUES WITH WHILE AND DO- WHILE CONSTRUCTS

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 7 / 23 Can now develop / test a “C++” prototype function WHILE unsigned short int counter = 0; while (counter <= timeToUse) { counter++; } PREPARE FOR ASSEMBLY CODE TRANSLATION unsigned short int counter = 0; WHILE: IF (counter <= timeToUse) then JUMP to ENDWHILE label ELSE { counter++; JUMP to WHILE label } ENDWHILE:

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 8 / 23 Knowledge needed to continue unsigned short int counter = 0; WHILE: IF (counter <= timeToUse) then JUMP to ENDWHILE label ELSE { counter++; JUMP to WHILE label } ENDWHILE: What register is suitable to store the counter value? How is the parameter timeToUse being passed to the function? How do you do a conditional jump? How do you do a test such as counter < timeToUse? What is the difference between a loop using a signed value timeToUse and one using an unsigned value timeToUse? What is the difference between a loop using a short int value timeToUse and one using a long int value timeToUse?

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 9 / 23 How do you do a conditional jump on a Blackfin? Key reference material Blackfin Instruction Manual Chapter 2 Program Flow Control Instruction Summary “Jump” on page 2-2 “IF CC JUMP” on page 2-5 “Call” on page 2-8 “RTS, RTI, RTX, RTN, RTE (Return)” on page 2-10 “LSETUP, LOOP” on page 2-13

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 10 / 23 How do you do a conditional jump on a Blackfin? Add the answer

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 11 / 23 The condition code register CC This is the Blackfin Boolean condition code or flag register Can take the value TRUE = 1 Can take the value FALSE = 0 Legal conditional MOVE instructions? IF NOT LEGAL WHY NOT?  IF CC R4 = R5; IF !CC R6 = R7;  IF CC P0 = R5;IF !CC P2 = P7;  IF CC R0 = R7.L; IF !CC R0.L = R4.L

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 12 / 23 The condition code register CC Reference Blackfin Instruction Manual  Chapter 4, MOVE instruction Legal conditional MOVE instructions? IF NOT LEGAL WHY NOT?  IF CC R4 = R5; IF !CC R6 = R7;  IF CC P0 = R5;IF !CC P2 = P7;  IF CC R0 = R7.L; IF !CC R0.L = R4.L ANSWER HERE

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 13 / 23 How to we set the CC register? Reference Blackfin Instruction Manual Chapter 6, Condition Code Bit Management CC = Dreg == Dreg ; /* equal, register, signed (a) */ CC = Dreg < Dreg ; /* less than, register, signed (a) */ CC = Dreg <= Dreg ; /* less than or equal, register, signed (a) */ CC = Dreg == imm3 ; /* equal, immediate, signed (a) */ CC = Dreg < imm3 ; /* less than, immediate, signed (a) */ CC = Dreg <= imm3 ; /* less than or equal, immediate, signed (a) */ CC = Dreg < Dreg (IU) ; /* less than, register, unsigned (a) */ CC = Dreg <= Dreg (IU) ; /* less than or equal, register, unsigned (a) CC = Dreg < uimm3 (IU) ; /* less than, immediate, unsigned (a) */ CC = Dreg <= uimm3 (IU) ; /* less than or equal, immediate unsigned

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 14 / 23 Important to know what you CAN’T DO YOU CAN DO CC = R1 == R2 YOU CAN’T DO CC = (R1 == R2); YOU CAN DO CC = R1 < 3; YOU CAN’T DO CC = R1 < 7; BUT YOU CAN DOCC = R1 < 7 (IU); YOU CAN DOCC = R1 < -3; YOU CAN’T DOCC = R1 < -3 (IU);

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 15 / 23 LEGAL OR NOT? CC = R1.L < 2; CC = R1.L < 9; CC = R1.L < R2.L; CC = P3 <= P4; CC = P3 < 4; R3 = CC; R4 = R5 – R6; then CC = AZ;

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 16 / 23 Now you have enough information to code “while” and “do-while” functions While loop function in Blackfin

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 17 / 23 Now you have enough information to code “while” and “do-while” functions Do-While loop function in Blackfin

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 18 / 23 Questions to answer Number of instructions in do-while loop function Number of instructions in while loop function Number of jump operations (each time round the loop) with do-while loop function Number of jump operations (each time round the loop) with while loop function

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 19 / 23 Are there advantages for a Do- while loop with an initial test? WHILE unsigned short int counter = 0; while (counter <= timeToUse) { counter++; } DO_WHILE unsigned short int counter = 0; do { counter++; } while (counter <= timeToUse) DO_WHILE WITH INITIAL TEST unsigned short int counter = 0; if (counter > timeToUse) { do { counter++; } while (counter <= timeToUse) }

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 20 / 23 Code the do-while loop with initial test DO_WHILE WITH INITIAL TEST unsigned short int counter = 0; if (counter > timeToUse) { do { counter++; } while (counter <= timeToUse) }

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 21 / 23 Major problem A major problem with any form of loop is the “one-off” problem  You go round the loop one time too many  You go round the loop one time too few Do any of the code examples in this lecture suffer from this problem?

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 22 / 23 Tackled Today Differences in behaviour between for-loops, while-loops, do-while-loops, do-while loops with initial test Conditional JUMP and Conditional MOVE instructions Setting the CC condition code register  What you would like to do, and can  What you would like to do, but can’t

6/2/2015Building a simple loop using Blackfin assembly code Copyright M. Smith, University of Calgary, Canada 23 / 23 Information taken from Analog Devices On-line Manuals with permission Information furnished by Analog Devices is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Analog Devices assumes no responsibility for its use or for any infringement of any patent other rights of any third party which may result from its use. No license is granted by implication or otherwise under any patent or patent right of Analog Devices. Copyright  Analog Devices, Inc. All rights reserved.