UM10237_2 © NXP B.V. 2008. All rights reserved.
User manual Rev. 02 — 19 December 2008 102 o f 792

NXP Semiconductors UM10237

Chapter 6: LPC24XX Memory Accelerator Module (MAM)

4.2 Instruction latches and data latches

Code and Data accesses are treated separately by the Memory Accelerator Module.
There is a 128 bit Latch, a 15 bit Address Latch, and a 15 bit comparator associated with
each buffer (prefetch, branch trail, and data). Each 128 bit latch holds 4 words (4 ARM
instructions, or 8 Thumb instructions).
Also associated with each buffer are 32 4:1 Multiplexers that select the requested word
from the 128 bit line.

4.3 Flash programming Issues

Since the Flash memory does not allow accesses during programming and erase
operations, it is necessary for the MAM to force the CPU to wait if a memory access to a
Flash address is requested while the Flash module is busy. (This is accomplished by
asserting the ARM7TDMI-S local bus signal CLKEN.) Under some conditions, this delay
could result in a Watchdog time-out. The user will need to be aware of this possibility and
take steps to ensure that an unwanted Watchdog reset does not cause a system failure
while programming or erasing the Flash memory.
In order to preclude the possibility of stale data being read from the Flash memory, the
LPC2400 MAM holding latches are automatically invalidated at the beginning of any Flash
programming or erase operation. Any subsequent read from a Flash address will cause a
new fetch to be initiated after the Flash operation has completed.
5. Memory Accelerator Module operating modes
Three modes of operation are defined for the MAM, trading off performance for ease of
predictability:
Mode 0: MAM off. All memory requests result in a Flash read operation (see note 2
below). There are no instruction prefetches.
Fig 20. Simplified block diagram of the Memory Accelerator Module