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==== Instruction Memory (IMEM)

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|=======================

| Hardware source file(s): | neorv32_imem.entity.vhd      | entity-only definition

|                          | mem/neorv32_imem.default.vhd | default _platform-agnostic_ memory architecture

| Software driver file(s): | none                         | _implicitly used_

| Top entity port:         | none                         |

| Configuration generics:  | _MEM_INT_IMEM_EN_            | implement processor-internal IMEM when _true_

|                          | _MEM_INT_IMEM_SIZE_          | IMEM size in bytes

|                          | _INT_BOOTLOADER_EN_          | use internal bootloader when _true_ (implements IMEM as _uninitialized_ RAM, otherwise the IMEM is implemented an _pre-intialized_ ROM)

| CPU interrupts:          | none                         |

|=======================

Implementation of the processor-internal instruction memory is enabled via the processor's

_MEM_INT_IMEM_EN_ generic. The size in bytes is defined via the _MEM_INT_IMEM_SIZE_ generic. If the

IMEM is implemented, the memory is mapped into the instruction memory space and located right at the

beginning of the instruction memory space (default `ispace_base_c` = 0x00000000).

By default the IMEM is implemented as true RAM so the content can be modified during run time. This is

required when using a bootloader that can update the content of the IMEM at any time. If you do not need

the bootloader anymore - since your application development has completed and you want the program to

permanently reside in the internal instruction memory - the IMEM is automatically implemented as _pre-intialized_

ROM when the processor-internal bootloader is disabled (_INT_BOOTLOADER_EN_ = _false_).

When the IMEM is implemented as ROM, it will be initialized during synthesis (actually, by the bitstream)

with the actual application program image. The compiler toolchain will generate a VHDL initialization

file `rtl/core/neorv32_application_image.vhd`, which is automatically inserted into the IMEM. If

the IMEM is implemented as RAM (default), the memory will **not be initialized at all**.

[NOTE]

The actual IMEM is split into two design files: a plain entity definition (`neorv32_imem.entity.vhd`) and the actual

architecture definition (`mem/neorv32_imem.default.vhd`). This **default architecture** provides a _generic_ and

_platform independent_ memory design that (should) infers embedded memory block. You can replace/modify the architecture

source file in order to use platform-specific features (like advanced memory resources) or to improve technology mapping

and/or timing.

[NOTE]

If the IMEM is implemented as true ROM any write attempt to it will raise a _store access fault_ exception.