Noemi V Fernandez

US Patent:

20080028263, Jan 31, 2008

Filed:

Dec 21, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/643107

Inventors:

Noemi Fernandez - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 11/36

US Classification:

714 30

Abstract:

In an integrated circuit processing unit having an emulation unit fabricated therewith, signal group protection apparatus is provided for prohibiting unauthorized access by the test and debug procedures to selected signal groups stored in the memory units. The integrated circuit includes a memory unit storing the addresses of the protected data. The stored addresses of the protected data are compared with the addresses of data being accessed by the test and debug procedure. When the addresses are the same, the protected data is prevented from being forwarded to the emulation unit. An UNLOCK signal is provided to permit access to the normally protected data.