where/how arm start first jump from svc to user in kernel

[mark.rutland@arm.com (Mark Rutland)]

On Mon, Oct 27, 2014 at 01:32:52PM +0000, vichy wrote:
> hi Mark and all:
> 
> > In Linux we use move pc, lr on ARMv7 for dropping from PL1 to PL0. If
> > that's run on ARMv8, it's no different.
> >
> > On ARMv8, 32-bit software runnign at EL3 (which would be in PL1) could
> > use eret, or could use MOVS PC, LR.
> From your explanation, it seems no matter EL3/EL2/EL1 in
> ARMv8+aarch32, we both can use "eret" or "MOVS PC, LR" return back to
> lower privilege level.

Generally, the mechanisms are the same as in ARMv7. In Hyp, ERET must be
used. In (most) modes other than Hyp, ERET behaves as MOVS PC, LR. While
you could use ERET in those cases, there's no benefit to doing so.

> BTW, Could we get the conclusion that ARMv7 = ARMv8 +aarch32?

AArch32 in ARMv8 is largely the same as ARMv7, but there are some
differences.

> >> > extensions (and in PL1 behaves as movs pc, lr if present). So it's
> >> Is here a type? (PL1 should be EL1?)
> >
> > Not a typo. While ARMv8 defines things in terms of Exception Levels,
> > ARMv7 defined things in terms of Privilege Levels, and this is carried
> > over to AArch32 in ARMv8.
> >
> > The mapping of Privilege Levels to Exception Levels is dependent on
> > several factors. The ARMv8 ARM ARM describes the two in more detail in
> > "Execution privilege, Exception levels, and AArch32 Privilege levels".
> Below is excerpted from the section you mentioned.
> 
> System, FIQ, IRQ, Supervisor, Abort, and Undefined modes are implemented:
> In Secure state  If either:
> ? EL3 is using AArch32.
> ? EL3 is using AArch64 and EL1 is using AArch32.
> 
> How could we mixed AArch32/AArch64 in different Exception level?
> in ARMv8, aarch32/aarch64 could switch each other without any
> restriction by only setting up M[4], bit [4] in SPSR when return?

If you have A64 code in an exception level in AArch64, it can perform an
exception return to a lower exception level in AArch64 or AArch32 via
the A64 ERET instruction, after setting up the SPSR_ELx appropriately
(including, but not limited to M[4]).

If you have A32/T32 code in an exception level in AArch32, it cannot
perform an exception return to AArch64. For performing an exception
return to AArch32, some restrictions apply (e.g. from Hyp you must use
ERET), and for those you must consult the ARM ARM.

Thanks,
Mark.