12.7. Embedded Controller Interfacing Algorithms

To initiate communications with the embedded controller, OSPM or system management handler acquires ownership of the interface. This ownership is acquired through the use of the Global Lock, or is owned by default by OSPM as a non-shared resource (and the Global Lock is not required for accessibility).

After ownership is acquired, the protocol always consists of the passing of a command byte. The command byte will indicate the type of action to be taken. Following the command byte, zero or more data bytes can be exchanged in either direction. The data bytes are defined according to the command byte that is transferred.

The embedded controller also has two status bits that indicate whether the registers have been read. This is used to ensure that the host or embedded controller has received data from the embedded controller or host. When the host writes data to the command or data register of the embedded controller, the input buffer flag (IBF) in the status register is set within 1 microsecond. When the embedded controller reads this data from the input buffer, the input buffer flag is reset. When the embedded controller writes data into the output buffer, the output buffer flag (OBF) in the status register is set. When the host processor reads this data from the output buffer, the output buffer flag is reset.