[FAQ] CLA: Can you explain more about a task?

A:

Think of a task like an interrupt.   It is a algorithm that is executed when the CLA receives an interrupt.

The start address of a task is configurable. Each task has an associated interrupt vector (MVECT1 to MVECT8). For type 0 CLAs, this vector holds the starting address (as an offset from the first program location) of the task. For all the other types, this vector holds the entire 16-bit address of the task.

The size of a task is only limited by the amount of program memory available and the CLA's program counter.

• For type 0 CLAs, the program space is limited to 12-bits or 4096 words. All CLA instructions are 32-bits, so within a 4k x 16 program space you can have ~2k CLA instructions.
• For type 1 (and above) CLAs, the program space is 16-bits wide, leaving the lower 64K words of space available as program space. Please refer to your device specific documentation for information on how to configure/allocate the memory spaces to the CLA.

The MSTOP instruction indicates the end of the task.   After a task begins, the CLA will execute instructions until it encounters an "MSTOP" instruction. 

Also refer to:

• C2000 Real-Time Control Peripherals Reference Guide: A high-level description of CLA feature differences per CLA Type (i.e. CLA Type 0, CLA Type 1...) and which device family includes each Type. 
• C2000Ware for software examples which configure CLA Tasks
• What can trigger a task?
• Can CLA tasks be nested?

Click here for more CLA FAQs and resources.