RTEMS CPU Architecture Supplement
Different types of processors respond to the occurrence of an interrupt in its own unique fashion. In addition, each processor type provides a control mechanism to allow for the proper handling of an interrupt. The processor dependent response to the interrupt modifies the current execution state and results in a change in the execution stream. Most processors require that an interrupt handler utilize some special control mechanisms to return to the normal processing stream. Although RTEMS hides many of the processor dependent details of interrupt processing, it is important to understand how the RTEMS interrupt manager is mapped onto the processor's unique architecture. Discussed in this chapter are the PowerPC's interrupt response and control mechanisms as they pertain to RTEMS.
RTEMS and associated documentation uses the terms interrupt and vector. In the PowerPC architecture, these terms correspond to exception and exception handler, respectively. The terms will be used interchangeably in this manual.
RTEMS CPU Architecture Supplement
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