Overview Of Interrupt Handling

An interrupt handler, also known as an interrupt service routine (ISR), is a callback subroutine in an operating system or device driver whose execution is triggered by the reception of an interrupt. Interrupt handlers have a multitude of functions, which vary based on the reason the interrupt was generated and the speed at which the Interrupt Handler completes its task.

An interrupt handler is a low-level counterpart of event handlers. These handlers are initiated by either hardware interrupts or interrupt instructions in software, and are used for servicing hardware devices and transitions between protected modes of operation such as system calls.
When an interrupt is processed, a specific sequence of events takes place. You should write the interrupt service request (ISR) and interrupt service thread (IST) for your device driver with the following sequence of events in mind :

- When an interrupt occurs, the microprocessor jumps to the kernel exception handler.
- The exception handler disables all interrupts of an equal and lower priority at the microprocessor, and then calls the appropriate ISR for the physical interrupt request (IRQ).
- The ISR returns a logical interrupt, in the form of an interrupt identifier, to the interrupt handler and typically masks the board-level device interrupt.
- The interrupt handler re-enables all interrupts at the microprocessor, with the exception of the current interrupt, which is left masked at the board, and then signals the appropriate IST event.
- The IST is scheduled, services the hardware, and then finishes processing the interrupt.
- The IST calls the InterruptDone function, which in turn calls the OEMInterruptDone function in the OAL.

OEMInterruptDone re-enables the current interrupt.