Exceptions
5-32
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5.13
Activation levels
When no exceptions are active, the processor is in Thread mode. When an ISR or fault
handler is active, the processor enters Handler mode. Table 5-13 lists the privilege and
stacks of the activation levels.
Table 5-14 summarizes the transition rules for all exception types and how they relate
to the access rules and stack model.
Table 5-13 Privilege and stack of different activation levels
Active exception
Activation level
Privilege
Stack
None
Thread mode
Privileged or user
Main or process
ISR active
Asynchronous pre-emption level
Privileged
Main
Fault handler active
Synchronous pre-emption level
Privileged
Main
Reset
Thread mode
Privileged
Main
Table 5-14 Exception transitions
Active Exception
Triggering event
Transition type
Privilege
Stack
Reset
Reset signal
Thread
Privileged
or user
Main or
process
ISR
a
or NMI
b
Set-pending software instruction or
hardware signal
Asynchronous
pre-emption
Privileged
Main
Fault:
Synchronous
pre-emption
Privileged
Main
Hard fault
Bus fault
No CP
c
fault
Undefined instruction fault
Escalation
Memory access error
Absent CP access
Undefined instruction
Debug monitor
Debug event when halting not enabled
Synchronous
Privileged
Main
SVC
d
SVC instruction
External interrupt
a. Interrupt service routine.
b. Nonmaskable interrupt.
c. Coprocessor.
d. Software interrupt.