Data processing unit for merging secure and non-secure data into an output data stream from secure and non-secure buffers

摘要

Disclosed is a data processing apparatus that merges secure and non-secure data into a single output data stream. The apparatus comprises at least one processor that executes a secure process and a non-secure process to produce secure and non-secure data. The secure data is sent to a secure buffer and the non-secure data is sent to a separate non-secure buffer. The secure buffer is not accessible by the non-secure process. The data is read from the buffers by an output controller which has merging logic that merges the data to produce a combined data stream. The output controller can derive the output data stream from the combined data stream. The processor may manage access permission data for the secure buffer, or the buffers may be provided in a memory system, wherein the memory system manages access to the secure buffer. The secure buffer may be arranged such that its content cannot be read by the processor. One embodiment has the secure data as a video or other multimedia data stream and the non-secure data as a player or GUI display application.