2: Programmer’s Model
2-14 EPSON ARM720T CORE CPU MANUAL
2.8.10 Exception priorities
When multiple exceptions arise at the same time, a fixed priority system determines the order
in which they are handled:
1 Reset (highest priority).
2 Data Abort.
3FIQ.
4IRQ.
5Prefetch Abort.
6 Undefined Instruction, SWI (lowest priority).
2.8.11 Exception restrictions
Undefined Instruction and SWI are mutually exclusive, because they each correspond to
particular (non-overlapping) decodings of the current instruction.
If a Data Abort occurs at the same time as an FIQ, and FIQs are enabled, the CPSR F flag is
clear, the ARM720T processor enters the Data Abort handler and then immediately proceeds
to the FIQ vector. A normal return from FIQ causes the Data Abort handler to resume
execution. Placing Data Abort at a higher priority than FIQ is necessary to ensure that the
transfer error does not escape detection. The time for this exception entry must be added to
worst-case FIQ latency calculations.