neorv32/docs/datasheet/soc_imem.adoc
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==== Instruction Memory (IMEM)
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|=======================
| Hardware source files: | neorv32_imem.vhd | default platform-agnostic instruction memory (RAM or ROM)
| | neorv32_application_image.vhd | initialization image (a VHDL package)
| Software driver files: | none | _implicitly used_
| Top entity ports: | none |
| Configuration generics: | `MEM_INT_IMEM_EN` | implement processor-internal IMEM when `true`
| | `MEM_INT_IMEM_SIZE` | IMEM size in bytes (use a power of 2)
| | `BOOT_MODE_SELECT` | implement IMEM as ROM when `BOOT_MODE_SELECT` = 2; see <<_boot_configuration>>
| CPU interrupts: | none |
|=======================
**Overview**
Implementation of the processor-internal instruction memory is enabled by the processor's
`MEM_INT_IMEM_EN` generic. The total memory size in bytes is defined via the `MEM_INT_IMEM_SIZE` generic.
Note that this size should be a power of two to optimize physical implementation. If enabled,
the IMEM is mapped to base address `0x00000000` (see section <<_address_space>>).
By default the IMEM is implemented as true RAM so the content can be modified during run time. This is
required when using the <<_bootloader>> (or the <<_on_chip_debugger_ocd>>) so it can update the content of the IMEM at
any time.
Alternatively, the IMEM can be implemented as **pre-initialized read-only memory (ROM)**, so the processor can
directly boot from it after reset. This option is configured via the `BOOT_MODE_SELECT` generic. See section
<<_boot_configuration>> for more information. The initialization image is embedded into the bitstream during synthesis.
The software framework provides an option to generate and override the default VHDL initialization file
`rtl/core/neorv32_application_image.vhd`, which is automatically inserted into the IMEM (see <<_makefile_targets>>.
If the IMEM is implemented as RAM (default), the memory block will not be initialized at all.
.Platform-Specific Memory Primitives
[NOTE]
If required, the default IMEM can be replaced by a platform-/technology-specific primitive to
optimize area utilization, timing and power consumption.
.Memory Size
[NOTE]
If the configured memory size (via the `MEM_INT_IMEM_SIZE` generic) is not a power of two the actual memory
size will be auto-adjusted to the next power of two (e.g. configuring a memory size of 60kB will result in a
physical memory size of 64kB).
.Legacy HDL Style
[TIP]
If synthesis fails to infer block RAM for the IMEM, turn on the `alt_style_c` option inside
the memory's VHDL source file. When enabled, a different HDL style is used to describe the memory core.
.Read-Only Access
[NOTE]
If the IMEM is implemented as ROM any write attempt to it will raise a _store access fault_ exception.