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==== Custom Functions Subsystem (CFS)

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| Hardware source file(s): | neorv32_gfs.vhd |

| Software driver file(s): | neorv32_gfs.c |

|                          | neorv32_gfs.h |

| Top entity port:         | `cfs_in_i`  | custom input conduit

|                          | `cfs_out_o` | custom output conduit

| Configuration generics:  | _IO_CFS_EN_ | implement CFS when _true_

|                          | _IO_CFS_CONFIG_ | custom generic conduit

|                          | _IO_CFS_IN_SIZE_ | size of `cfs_in_i`

|                          | _IO_CFS_OUT_SIZE_ | size of `cfs_out_o`

| CPU interrupts:          | fast IRQ channel 1 | CFS interrupt (see <<_processor_interrupts>>)

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

**Theory of Operation**

The custom functions subsystem is meant for implementing application-specific user-defined co-processors

IP footnote:[Intellectual IP; proprietary circuit blocks.] blocks. The CFS provides up to 32x 32-bit memory-mapped

registers (`REG`, see register map table below) that can be accessed by the CPU via normal load/store operations.

The actual functionality of these register has to be defined by the hardware designer. Furthermore, the CFS

provides two IO conduits to implement custom module- or chip-external interfaces.

In contrast to connecting custom hardware accelerators via external memory interfaces (like SPI or the processor's

external bus interface), the CFS provide a convenient, low-latency and tightly-coupled extension and

customization option.

Just like any other externally-connected IP, logic implemented within the custom functions subsystem can operate

_independently_ of the CPU providing true parallel processing capabilities. Potential use cases might include

dedicated hardware accelerators for en-/decryption (AES), signal processing (FFT) or AI applications

(CNNs) as well as custom IO systems like fast memory interfaces (DDR) and mass storage (SDIO), networking (CAN)

or real-time data transport (I2S).

[INFO]

Take a look at the template CFS VHDL source file (`rtl/core/neorv32_cfs.vhd`). The file is highly

commented to illustrate all aspects that are relevant for implementing custom CFS-based co-processor designs.

**CFS Software Access**

The CFS memory-mapped registers can be accessed by software using the provided C-language aliases (see

register map table below). Note that all interface registers provide 32-bit access data of type `uint32_t`.

[source,c]

----

// C-code CFS usage example

NEORV32_CFS.REG[0] = (uint32_t)some_data_array(i); // write to CFS register 0

uint32_t temp = NEORV32_CFS.REG[20]; // read from CFS register 20

----

**CFS Interrupt**

The CFS provides a single high-level-triggered interrupt request signal mapped to the CPU's fast interrupt channel 1.

Once set, the interrupt has to stay asserted until explicitly acknowledged by the software (for example by

writing to a specific CFS register). See section <<_processor_interrupts>> for more information.

**CFS Configuration Generic**

By default, the CFS provides a single 32-bit `std_(u)logic_vector` configuration generic _IO_CFS_CONFIG_

that is available in the processor's top entity. This generic can be used to pass custom configuration options

from the top entity directly down to the CFS. The actual definition of the generics and it'S usage inside the

CFS is left to the hardware designer.

**CFS Custom IOs**

By default, the CFS also provides two unidirectional input and output conduits `cfs_in_i` and `cfs_out_o`.

These signals are directly propagated to the processor's top entity. These conduits can be used to implement

application-specific interfaces like memory or network connections. The actual use case of these signals

has to be defined by the hardware designer.

The size of the input signal conduit `cfs_in_i` is defined via the top's _IO_CFS_IN_SIZE_ configuration

generic (default = 32-bit). The size of the output signal conduit `cfs_out_o` is defined via the top's

_IO_CFS_OUT_SIZE_ configuration generic (default = 32-bit). If the custom function subsystem is not implemented

(_IO_CFS_EN_ = false) the `cfs_out_o` signal is tied to all-zero.

.CFS register map (`struct NEORV32_CFS`)

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| Address | Name [C] | Bit(s) | R/W | Function

| `0xfffffe00` | `NEORV32_CFS.REG[0]`  |`31:0` | (r)/(w) | custom CFS interface register 0

| `0xfffffe04` | `NEORV32_CFS.REG[1]`  |`31:0` | (r)/(w) | custom CFS interface register 1

| ...          | ...                   |`31:0` | (r)/(w) | ...

| `0xfffffe78` | `NEORV32_CFS.REG[30]` |`31:0` | (r)/(w) | custom CFS interface register 30

| `0xfffffe7c` | `NEORV32_CFS.REG[31]` |`31:0` | (r)/(w) | custom CFS interface register 31

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