8. Custom CSRs

The core includes the following custom CSRs implemented in the non-standard space for extra control and features.

8.1. custom control (0x800)

This CSR is used to the enable or disable the caches, branch predictor and arithmetic exceptions at run-time. Each of the above can be controlled independently of each other enabled by setting a 1 to the corresponding bit and disabled by clearing the bit to 0.

Table 8.1 Description of the custom control register

Bit Position

Reset Value

Description

0

1

Enable or disable the data-cache.

1

1

Enable or disable the instruction-cache.

2

1

Enable or disable the branch_predictor.

8.2. dtvec (0x7c0)

This is an XLEN-bit read/write register which indicates the address of the debug loop when a the debugger halts the core. This register has the reset value of 256. This register can be used to carry out complex SW actions before/after entering the debug mode.

8.3. denable (0x7c1)

1-bit CSR indicating if the debugger can halt the core. This can be used to disable the debugger from interrupting the core during critical/secure tasks.

8.4. mhpminterrupten (0x7c2)

XLEN bit register following the same encoding as mcounteren/mcountinhibit. A bit set to 1 indicates the an interrupt will be generated when the corresponding counter reaches the value 0. Details of usage of this CSR are explained in detail in Section 10