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+##########################################
+Mailbox Design in TF-M on Dual-core System
+##########################################
+
+:Authors: David Hu
+:Organization: Arm Limited
+:Contact: david.hu@arm.com
+:Status: Accepted
+
+************
+Introduction
+************
+
+This document proposes a generic design of the mailbox communication for Trusted
+Firmware-M (TF-M) on a dual-core system. The mailbox functionalities transfer
+PSA Client requests and results between Non-secure Processing Environment (NSPE)
+and Secure Processing Environment (SPE).
+
+The dual-core system should satisfy the following requirements
+
+- NSPE and SPE are properly isolated and protected following PSA specifications.
+- An Arm M-profile core locates in SPE and acts as the Secure core.
+- TF-M runs on the Secure core with platform specific drivers support.
+- Inter-Processor Communication hardware module in system for communication
+ between Secure core and Non-secure core. Mailbox communication calls the
+ Inter-Processor Communication to transfer notifications.
+- Non-secure memory shared by NSPE and SPE.
+
+Scope
+=====
+
+This design document focuses on the mailbox functionalities in NSPE and SPE on a
+dual-core system. The mailbox functionalities include the initialization of
+mailbox in NSPE and SPE, and the transfer of PSA client requests and replies
+between NSPE and SPE.
+
+Data types and mailbox APIs are defined in this document.
+
+Some details of interactions between mailbox and other modules are specified in
+other documents.
+Communication prototype design [1]_ defines a general communication prototype
+between NSPE and SPE on a dual-core system. It describes how TF-M interacts with
+mailbox functionalities and the general requirements on mailbox.
+Dual-core booting sequence [2]_ describes a synchronization step of mailbox
+between NSPE and SPE during system booting.
+
+Organization of the document
+============================
+
+- `Mailbox architecture`_ provides an overview on the mailbox architecture.
+- `Mailbox communication for PSA Client calls`_ discusses about the mailbox
+ communication for PSA Client calls.
+- `Mailbox initialization`_ introduces the initialization of mailbox.
+- `Mailbox APIs and data structures`_ lists mailbox data types and APIs.
+
+********************
+Mailbox architecture
+********************
+
+The mailbox consists of two parts sitting in NSPE and SPE respectively.
+NSPE mailbox provides mailbox functionalities in NSPE and SPE mailbox provides
+mailbox functionalities in TF-M in SPE.
+
+PSA Client APIs called in NSPE are implemented by NSPE mailbox functions on
+dual-core systems, to send PSA Client request and receive the result. The
+implementation can vary in diverse NSPE OSs or use cases.
+
+TF-M provides a reference implementation of NSPE mailbox. The NSPE mailbox
+delivers the PSA client requests to SPE mailbox. After the PSA Client result is
+replied from SPE, NSPE mailbox fetches the result and returns it to PSA Client
+APIs.
+
+NSPE mailbox objects are managed by NSPE mailbox in non-secure memory to hold
+PSA Client call parameters, return result and other mailbox data.
+NSPE mailbox relies on platform specific Inter-Process Communication to process
+notifications between NSPE and SPE.
+
+The SPE mailbox in TF-M receives PSA Client requests from NSPE mailbox. It
+parses the requests and invokes TF-M Remote Procedure Call (RPC) module.
+RPC module delivers the requests to TF-M core/Secure Partition Manager (SPM).
+After the PSA Client call is completed, TF-M core/SPM invokes RPC module to
+return results to NSPE, via SPE mailbox.
+SPE mailbox objects are managed by SPE mailbox in secure memory.
+SPE mailbox relies on platform specific Inter-Process Communication to process
+notifications between SPE and NSPE.
+
+The architecture is showed in following figure.
+
+.. figure:: media/dual_core_mailbox_arch.png
+
+******************************************
+Mailbox communication for PSA Client calls
+******************************************
+
+This section describes the transfer of PSA Client request and reply between NSPE
+and SPE via mailbox.
+
+Mailbox objects
+===============
+
+This section lists the mailbox objects required in NSPE and SPE.
+
+NSPE mailbox objects are managed by NSPE mailbox in non-secure memory. But NSPE
+mailbox objects can be accessed by both NSPE mailbox and SPE mailbox.
+
+SPE mailbox objects are managed by SPE mailbox in secure memory. SPE mailbox
+objects should be protected from NSPE accesses by system specific isolation.
+
+NSPE Mailbox queue
+------------------
+
+NSPE mailbox maintains a mailbox queue in non-secure memory. Please refer to the
+structure definition in `NSPE mailbox queue structure`_.
+
+NSPE mailbox queue contains one or more slots. The number of slots should be
+aligned with that in SPE mailbox queue.
+
+Each slot in NSPE mailbox queue consists of a pair of a mailbox message
+structure and a mailbox reply structure. Each slot might contain additional
+fields, such as identification of non-secure task which initiates the PSA Client
+request. Each slot serves a PSA Client call from non-secure task.
+
+The parameters of PSA Client request are hosted in the mailbox message inside
+the slot. `Mailbox messages`_ describes the details of mailbox message.
+
+The mailbox reply structure is used to receive the PSA Client result from SPE.
+`Mailbox replies`_ describes the details of mailbox reply.
+
+Mailbox messages
+----------------
+
+A mailbox message contains the parameters of a PSA Client request from a
+non-secure task. Please refer to the structure definition in
+`Mailbox message structure`_.
+
+Inside PSA Client API implementation, NSPE mailbox selects an empty mailbox
+queue slot for the PSA Client request. The parameters of that PSA Client request
+is organized into the mailbox message belonging to the selected slot.
+SPE mailbox will parse those parameters from the mailbox message.
+
+More fields can be defined in mailbox message to transfer additional
+information from NSPE to SPE for processing in TF-M.
+
+Mailbox replies
+---------------
+
+A mailbox reply structure in non-secure memory receives the PSA Client result
+replied from SPE mailbox. Please refer to the structure definition in
+`Mailbox reply structure`_.
+
+SPE Mailbox queue
+-----------------
+
+SPE mailbox maintains a mailbox queue to store SPE mailbox objects.
+Please refer to the structure definition in `SPE mailbox queue structure`_.
+
+SPE mailbox queue contains one or more slots. The number of slots should be
+aligned with that in NSPE mailbox queue. After SPE is notified that a PSA Client
+request is pending, SPE mailbox can
+
+- either assign an empty slot, copy the corresponding mailbox message from
+ non-secure memory to that slot and parse the message.
+- or directly parse the corresponding mailbox message in non-secure memory
+
+Each slot in SPE mailbox queue can contain the following fields
+
+- An optional field to hold mailbox message content copied from non-secure
+ memory.
+- Index of NSPE mailbox queue slot containing the mailbox message.
+- A handle to the mailbox message. Optional. Identify the owner slot of PSA
+ Client result when multiple mailbox messages are under processing.
+
+More fields can be defined in the slot structure to support mailbox processing
+in SPE.
+
+Overall workflow
+================
+
+The overall workflow of transferring PSA Client requests and results between
+NSPE and SPE via mailbox is shown below.
+
+#. Non-secure task initiates a service request by calling PSA Developer APIs,
+ which eventually invoke PSA Client APIs.
+ PSA Client APIs call NSPE mailbox functions to transmit PSA Client call to
+ SPE.
+
+#. NSPE mailbox assigns an empty slot from NSPE mailbox queue for that PSA
+ Client call and returns the assignment result.
+
+#. NSPE mailbox prepares the parameters of PSA Client call in the dedicated
+ mailbox message inside the assigned slot.
+
+#. After the mailbox message is ready, NSPE mailbox invokes platform specific
+ Inter-Processor Communication driver to notify SPE.
+ The notification mechanism of Inter-Processor Communication is platform
+ specific.
+
+#. After the notification is completed, non-secure task waits for the reply from
+ SPE. The mechanism of waiting and waking may vary in different NSPE OS and on
+ diverse platforms. Please refer to `Mechanism of waiting for PSA Client reply in NSPE (Informative)`_
+ for more details.
+
+#. Platform specific Inter-Processor Communication interrupt for mailbox is
+ asserted in SPE. The interrupt handler activates SPE mailbox to process the
+ request(s).
+
+#. During mailbox processing in TF-M, if multiple ongoing mailbox messages are
+ pending in the SPE, SPE mailbox can process mailbox messages one by one.
+ The handling routine can include the following steps:
+
+ #. SPE mailbox checks and validates NSPE mailbox queue status.
+ #. If necessary, SPE mailbox can copy mailbox message(s) from non-secure
+ memory, into SPE mailbox queue. If mailbox supports multiple outstanding
+ NS PSA Client call requests, it is recommended to copy multiple mailbox
+ message(s) together to save time consumption.
+ #. SPE mailbox parses a mailbox message.
+ #. SPE mailbox invokes the TF-M RPC APIs to deliver the PSA Client
+ request to TF-M SPM.
+ #. The PSA Client call is handled in TF-M SPM and target Secure Partition if
+ necessary.
+
+#. After the PSA Client call is completed, TF-M RPC module notifies SPE mailbox
+ to reply PSA Client result to NSPE.
+
+#. SPE mailbox writes the PSA Client result to the dedicated mailbox reply
+ structure in non-secure memory. The related SPE mailbox objects should be
+ invalidated or cleaned.
+
+#. SPE mailbox notifies NSPE by invoking Inter-Processor Communication driver to
+ send a notification to NSPE.
+ The notification mechanism of Inter-Processor Communication is platform
+ specific.
+
+#. NSPE mailbox is activated to handle the PSA Client result in the mailbox
+ reply structure. Related mailbox objects should be invalidated or cleaned by
+ NSPE mailbox after the return results is extracted out.
+
+#. NSPE mailbox returns the result to PSA Client API implementation.
+ The result is eventually returned to the non-secure task.
+
+The following sections discuss more details of key steps in above sequence.
+
+Mailbox notifications between NSPE and SPE
+==========================================
+
+As shown in `Overall workflow`_, NSPE mailbox asserts mailbox notification to
+trigger SPE to handle PSA Client request. SPE mailbox asserts mailbox
+notification to notify NSPE that PSA Client result is written. The notification
+implementation is based on platform specific Inter-Processor Communication.
+
+It is recommended to assign one independent set of Inter-Processor Communication
+channel to each notification routine respectively, to implement a *full-duplex*
+notification mechanism between NSPE and SPE.
+If both notification routines share the same Inter-Processor Communication
+channel, proper synchronization should be implemented to prevent conflicts
+between two notification routines.
+
+In SPE, the Inter-Processor Communication interrupt handler should deal with the
+incoming notification from NSPE and activate the subsequent mailbox handling in
+SPE. Communication prototype design [1]_ defines the behavior of Inter-Processor
+Communication interrupt handler.
+
+NSPE OS can implement an interrupt handler or a polling of notification status
+to handle Inter-Processor Communication notification from SPE.
+
+Implement PSA Client API with NSPE Mailbox (Informative)
+========================================================
+
+PSA Client APIs are implemented with NSPE mailbox functions with NS software
+specific support. The implementation is platform and NS OS specific.
+
+The pseudo code of a reference implementation of a PSA Client API is shown below.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ ... psa_xxx(...)
+ {
+ mailbox_msg_handle_t handle;
+
+ ...
+
+ /*
+ * Select an empty slot from NSPE mailbox queue and send PSA Client
+ * request to SPE.
+ * When NSPE mailbox queue is full, a proper waiting mechanism should
+ * block current non-secure thread until an empty slot is available.
+ */
+ handle = tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req(...);
+
+ /* Platform/NSPE OS specific waiting for PSA client call reply */
+ wait_for_event(mailbox_reply_event, ...);
+ /* Stop waiting after woken up or reply event is detectd */
+
+ /* Fetch PSA client call return result */
+ tfm_ns_mailbox_rx_client_reply(handle, ...);
+
+ ...
+ }
+
+As PSA Firmware Framework requests, a PSA Client API function should be blocked
+until the result is returned. To comply with PSA specs, the PSA Client APIs
+implementation should include a proper mechanism to keep current caller
+thread waiting for an empty mailbox queue slot when NSPE mailbox queue is full.
+The caller thread can be switched out by NS OS scheduler to release CPU time to
+dother threads. The waiting mechanism can be platform and NS OS specific or a
+general implementation.
+
+For example, PSA Client function can rely on a counting semaphore in which the
+number of resource is the same as that of mailbox queue slots. Such a counting
+semaphore can keep current non-secure thread waiting for an empty slot if the
+queue is full.
+
+A PSA Client function should invoke ``tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req()`` to send
+the request to SPE.
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req()`` selects an empty NSPE mailbox queue slot,
+fills the mailbox message and notifies SPE mailbox. The details are described
+in `tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req()`_.
+
+After ``tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req()`` completes, PSA Client function should
+invoke platform and NS OS specific functions to wait for the reply. It is
+recommended to force PSA Client function to exclusively wait for the reply
+event. Other events irrelevant to mailbox or PSA Client call should be ignored,
+unless the dual-core system has special requirements on thread management.
+The mechanism to wait for result and wake the waiting thread is discussed in
+`Mechanism of waiting for PSA Client reply in NSPE (Informative)`_.
+
+If the implementation performs a simple polling on a single mailbox message, it
+can call ``tfm_ns_mailbox_is_msg_replied()`` to wait for the deidcated message
+result.
+If the implementation performs a waiting/waking mechanism, it can call
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_wait_reply()`` which calls ``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_wait_reply()``
+implemented by platform and NS OS specific mechanism.
+
+After the reply is returned, the PSA Client function invokes
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_rx_client_reply()`` to fetch return result and release NSPE
+mailbox queue resource.
+The details of the API will be described in `tfm_ns_mailbox_rx_client_reply()`_.
+
+Mechanism of waiting for PSA Client reply in NSPE (Informative)
+===============================================================
+
+As discussed above, PSA Client function should wait for the mailbox reply event
+after the PSA Client request is submit. When the result is returned to NSPE
+mailbox, the waiting non-secure thread is triggered to handle the result.
+
+To support multiple outstanding NS PSA Client calls feature on dual-core system,
+NSPE software should be able to identify the owner thread of the incoming PSA
+Client result. A field ``owner`` is defined in NSPE mailbox queue slot structure
+to hold the handle to the non-secure thread owner. The ``owner`` filed maps a
+mailbox queue slot containing the PSA Client result, to the non-secure task.
+
+The following pseudo-code shows an example implementation.
+
+After ``non_secure_task()`` calls PSA Client API ``psa_xxx()``, it falls into
+sleep in ``psa_xxx()`` until the result is returned.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req()`` sets the owner non-secure thread handle in
+the mailbox queue slot. Then ``tfm_ns_mailbox_wait_reply()`` calls
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_wait_reply()`` to let NS OS put current caller thread into
+waiting state. ``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_wait_reply()`` is implemented by platform or
+NS OS specific thread management.
+
+After SPE notifies NSPE that PSA Client result is replied,
+``notification_handler()`` in NSPE determins the waiting non-secure owener
+thread of the PSA Client result. Then the waiting non-secure thread is woken up
+by NS OS.
+
+The owener thread is woken up from ``tfm_ns_mailbox_wait_reply()`` and fetches
+the result by calling ``tfm_ns_mailbox_rx_client_reply()``.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_ns_mailbox_wait_reply(handle)
+ {
+ ...
+
+ /*
+ * Implemented by platform/NS OS specific waiting mechanism.
+ * Woken up by ns_os_wake_task() below.
+ */
+ tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_wait_reply(handle);
+
+ ...
+ }
+
+ ... psa_xxx(...)
+ {
+ ...
+
+ /* The owner information is also set during filling mailbox message */
+ handle = tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req(...);
+
+ /* Trapped in sleep and wait for reply */
+ tfm_ns_mailbox_wait_reply(handle);
+ /* Wake up and continue */
+
+ tfm_ns_mailbox_rx_client_reply(handle, ...);
+
+ ...
+ }
+
+ /* non-secure task requests secure services */
+ void non_secure_task(...)
+ {
+ ...
+
+ /*
+ * Blocked and waiting in PSA Client API until the result is returned from
+ * SPE
+ */
+ psa_xxx(...);
+
+ ...
+ }
+
+ /* NSPE handler of Inter-Processor Communication notification interrupt */
+ void notification_handler(...)
+ {
+ mailbox_msg_handle_t handle;
+ void *task_handle;
+
+ /* Deal with notification from SPE */
+ ...
+
+ /* Check and fetch the handle to the mailbox message replied */
+ handle = tfm_ns_mailbox_fetch_reply_msg_isr();
+
+ if (handle) {
+ /*
+ * Get the handle of non-secure task whose mailbox message is replied.
+ * The owner information is set in tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req().
+ */
+ task_handle = tfm_ns_mailbox_get_msg_owner(handle);
+
+ /*
+ * Wake up the waiting non-secure task from
+ * tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_wait_reply() above.
+ * Implemented by platform/NS OS specific mechanism.
+ */
+ ns_os_wake_task(task_handle);
+ }
+
+ ...
+ }
+
+NSPE mailbox APIs ``tfm_ns_mailbox_wait_reply()``,
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_wait_reply()`` and ``tfm_ns_mailbox_fetch_reply_msg_isr()``
+are described in details `NSPE mailbox APIs`_ below.
+
+Critical section protection of NSPE mailbox queue
+=================================================
+
+Proper protection should be implemented to protect the critical accesses to NSPE
+mailbox queue. The critical sections can include atomic reading and modifying
+slot status, and other critical operations on NSPE mailbox queue.
+
+NSPE mailbox and SPE mailbox define corresponding critical section APIs. The
+implementation of those APIs can be platform specific. Please see more details
+in `NSPE mailbox APIs`_ and `SPE mailbox APIs`_.
+
+The implementation should protect a critical access to NSPE mailbox queue from
+corruptions caused by
+
+- Other non-secure tasks or exception service routines in NS OS
+- Accesses from the Secure core. SPE mailbox also accesses NSPE mailbox queue to
+ parse mailbox message. Therefore, it is essential to implement synchronization
+ or protection on NSPE mailbox queue between Secure core and Non-secure core.
+
+It is recommended to rely on both hardware and software to implement the
+synchronization and protection.
+
+Mailbox handling in TF-M
+========================
+
+According to communication prototype design [1]_, mailbox implementation should
+invoke ``tfm_rpc_register_ops()`` to hook its operations to TF-M RPC module
+callbacks during initialization. Mailbox message handling should call TF-M RPC
+PSA Client call handlers to deliver PSA client call request to TF-M SPM.
+
+If multiple outstanding NS PSA Client calls should be supported, TF-M SPM can
+store the mailbox message handle in a specific field in PSA message structure to
+identify the mailbox message, while creating a PSA message. While replying the
+PSA Client result, TF-M SPM can extract the mailbox message handle from PSA
+message and pass it back to mailbox reply function. SPE mailbox can identify
+which mailbox message is completed according to the handle and write the result
+to corresponding NSPE mailbox queue slot.
+
+**********************
+Mailbox initialization
+**********************
+
+It should be guaranteed that NSPE mailbox should not initiate PSA Client request
+until SPE mailbox initialization completes.
+Refer to dual-core booting sequence [2]_ for more details on the synchronization
+between NSPE and SPE during booting.
+
+In current design, the base address of NSPE mailbox queue should be pre-defined
+and shared between NSPE mailbox and SPE mailbox.
+
+SPE mailbox initialization
+==========================
+
+The SPE mailbox queue memory should be allocated before calling
+``tfm_mailbox_init()``. ``tfm_mailbox_init()`` initializes the memory and
+variables.
+``tfm_mailbox_init()`` calls ``tfm_mailbox_hal_init()`` to perform platform
+specific initialization. The base address of NSPE mailbox queue can be
+received via ``tfm_mailbox_hal_init()``.
+
+SPE mailbox dedicated Inter-Processor Communication initialization can also be
+enabled during SPE mailbox initialization.
+
+After SPE mailbox initialization completes, SPE notifies NSPE that SPE mailbox
+functionalities are ready.
+
+NSPE mailbox initialization
+===========================
+
+The NSPE mailbox queue memory should be allocated before calling
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_init()``. ``tfm_ns_mailbox_init()`` initializes the memory and
+variables.
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_init()`` calls ``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_init()`` to perform
+platform specific initialization. The base address of NSPE mailbox queue can be
+passed to SPE mailbox via ``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_init()``.
+
+NSPE mailbox dedicated Inter-Processor Communication initialization can also be
+enabled during NSPE mailbox initialization.
+
+********************************
+Mailbox APIs and data structures
+********************************
+
+Data types
+==========
+
+Constants
+---------
+
+``NUM_MAILBOX_QUEUE_SLOT``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+``NUM_MAILBOX_QUEUE_SLOT`` sets the number of slots in NSPE and SPE mailbox
+queues.
+In current design, both NSPE and SPE mailbox should refer to the same
+``NUM_MAILBOX_QUEUE_SLOT`` definition.
+
+The following example configures 4 slots in mailbox queues.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #define NUM_MAILBOX_QUEUE_SLOT (4)
+
+``MAILBOX_MSG_NULL_HANDLE``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+``MAILBOX_MSG_NULL_HANDLE`` is a zero-value null handle of a mailbox message.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #define MAILBOX_MSG_NULL_HANDLE ((mailbox_msg_handle_t)0)
+
+``MAILBOX_SUCCESS``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` is a generic return value to indicate success of mailbox
+operation.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #define MAILBOX_SUCCESS (0)
+
+``MAILBOX_QUEUE_FULL``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+``MAILBOX_QUEUE_FULL`` is a return value from mailbox function if mailbox queue
+is full.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #define MAILBOX_QUEUE_FULL (INT32_MIN + 1)
+
+``MAILBOX_INVAL_PARAMS``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+``MAILBOX_INVAL_PARAMS`` is a return value from mailbox function if any
+parameter is invalid.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #define MAILBOX_INVAL_PARAMS (INT32_MIN + 2)
+
+``MAILBOX_NO_PERMS``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+``MAILBOX_NO_PERMS`` is a return value from mailbox function if the caller
+doesn't own a proper permission to execute the operation.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #define MAILBOX_NO_PERMS (INT32_MIN + 3)
+
+``MAILBOX_NO_PEND_EVENT``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+``MAILBOX_NO_PEND_EVENT`` is a return value from mailbox function if the
+expected event doesn't occur yet.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #define MAILBOX_NO_PEND_EVENT (INT32_MIN + 4)
+
+``MAILBOX_CHAN_BUSY``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+``MAILBOX_CHAN_BUSY`` is a return value from mailbox function if the underlying
+Inter-Processor Communication resource is busy.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #define MAILBOX_CHAN_BUSY (INT32_MIN + 5)
+
+``MAILBOX_CALLBACK_REG_ERROR``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+``MAILBOX_CALLBACK_REG_ERROR`` is a return value from mailbox function if the
+registration of mailbox callback functions failed.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #define MAILBOX_CALLBACK_REG_ERROR (INT32_MIN + 6)
+
+``MAILBOX_INIT_ERROR``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+``MAILBOX_INIT_ERROR`` is a return value from mailbox function if the mailbox
+initialization failed.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #define MAILBOX_INIT_ERROR (INT32_MIN + 7)
+
+PSA Client API types
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+The following constants define the PSA Client API type values shared between
+NSPE and SPE
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ #define MAILBOX_PSA_FRAMEWORK_VERSION (0x1)
+ #define MAILBOX_PSA_VERSION (0x2)
+ #define MAILBOX_PSA_CONNECT (0x3)
+ #define MAILBOX_PSA_CALL (0x4)
+ #define MAILBOX_PSA_CLOSE (0x5)
+
+Mailbox message structure
+-------------------------
+
+``psa_client_params_t`` lists the parameters passed from NSPE to SPE required by
+a PSA Client call.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ struct psa_client_params_t {
+ union {
+ struct {
+ uint32_t sid;
+ } psa_version_params;
+
+ struct {
+ uint32_t sid;
+ uint32_t minor_version;
+ } psa_connect_params;
+
+ struct {
+ psa_handle_t handle;
+ int32_t type;
+ const psa_invec *in_vec;
+ size_t in_len;
+ psa_outvec *out_vec;
+ size_t out_len;
+ } psa_call_params;
+
+ struct {
+ psa_handle_t handle;
+ } psa_close_params;
+ };
+ };
+
+The following structure describe a mailbox message and its members.
+
+- ``call_type`` indicates the PSA Client API type.
+- ``params`` stores the PSA Client call parameters.
+- ``client_id`` records the client ID of the non-secure caller. Optional.
+ It is used to identify the non-secure tasks in TF-M when NSPE OS enforces
+ non-secure task isolation.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ struct mailbox_msg_t {
+ uint32_t call_type;
+ struct psa_client_params_t params;
+
+ int32_t client_id;
+ };
+
+Mailbox reply structure
+-----------------------
+
+This structure describes a mailbox reply structure, which is managed by NSPE
+mailbox in non-secure memory.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ struct mailbox_reply_t {
+ int32_t return_val;
+ };
+
+Mailbox message handle
+----------------------
+
+This data type is an opaque reference to an active mailbox message in use.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ typedef int32_t mailbox_msg_handle_t;
+
+Mailbox queue status bitmask
+----------------------------
+
+``mailbox_queue_status_t`` defines a bitmask to indicate a status of slots in
+mailbox queues.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ typedef uint32_t mailbox_queue_status_t;
+
+NSPE mailbox queue structure
+----------------------------
+
+``ns_mailbox_slot_t`` defines a non-secure mailbox queue slot.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ /* A single slot structure in NSPE mailbox queue */
+ struct ns_mailbox_slot_t {
+ struct mailbox_msg_t msg;
+ struct mailbox_reply_t reply;
+
+ /* Identification of the owner task of this slot */
+ const void *owner;
+ };
+
+``ns_mailbox_queue_t`` describes the NSPE mailbox queue and its members in
+non-secure memory.
+
+- ``empty_slots`` is the bitmask of empty slots.
+- ``pend_slots`` is the bitmask of slots whose PSA Client call is not replied
+ yet.
+- ``replied_slots`` is the bitmask of slots whose PSA Client result is returned
+ but not extracted yet.
+- ``queue`` is the NSPE mailbox queue of slots.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ struct ns_mailbox_queue_t {
+ mailbox_queue_status_t empty_slots;
+ mailbox_queue_status_t pend_slots;
+ mailbox_queue_status_t replied_slots;
+
+ struct ns_mailbox_slot_t queue[NUM_MAILBOX_QUEUE_SLOT];
+ };
+
+SPE mailbox queue structure
+---------------------------
+
+``secure_mailbox_slot_t`` defines a single slot structure in SPE mailbox queue.
+
+- ``msg`` stores the mailbox message content copied from NSPE mailbox queue. It
+ is optional if the actual SPE implementation skips the mailbox message copy
+ operation to save time and memory consumption.
+- ``ns_slot_idx`` records the index of NSPE mailbox slot containing the mailbox
+ message under processing. SPE mailbox determines the reply structure address
+ according to this index.
+- ``msg_handle`` contains the handle to the mailbox message under processing.
+ The handle can be delivered to TF-M SPM while creating PSA message to identify
+ the mailbox message.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ struct secure_mailbox_slot_t {
+ struct mailbox_msg_t msg;
+
+ uint8_t ns_slot_idx;
+ mailbox_msg_handle_t msg_handle;
+ };
+
+``secure_mailbox_queue_t`` describes the SPE mailbox queue in secure memory.
+
+- ``empty_slots`` is the bitmask of empty slots.
+- ``queue`` is the SPE mailbox queue of slots.
+- ``ns_queue`` stores the address of NSPE mailbox queue structure.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ struct secure_mailbox_queue_t {
+ mailbox_queue_status_t empty_slots;
+
+ struct secure_mailbox_slot_t queue[NUM_MAILBOX_QUEUE_SLOT];
+ /* Base address of NSPE mailbox queue in non-secure memory */
+ struct ns_mailbox_queue_t *ns_queue;
+ };
+
+Mailbox APIs
+============
+
+NSPE mailbox APIs
+-----------------
+
+This section describes a *reference design* of NSPE mailbox APIs. Vendor can
+define and implement different NSPE mailbox APIs.
+
+SPE must not invoke these NSPE mailbox APIs.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function sends the PSA Client request to SPE.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ mailbox_msg_handle_t tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req(uint32_t call_type,
+ const struct psa_client_params_t *params,
+ int32_t client_id);
+
+**Parameters**
+
++---------------+--------------------------------------------------+
+| ``call_type`` | Type of PSA client call |
++---------------+--------------------------------------------------+
+| ``params`` | Address of PSA Client call parameters structure. |
++---------------+--------------------------------------------------+
+| ``client_id`` | ID of non-secure task. |
++---------------+--------------------------------------------------+
+
+**Return**
+
++------+----------------------------------------------------------+
+| >= 0 | The handle to the mailbox message successfully assigned. |
++------+----------------------------------------------------------+
+| < 0 | Operation failed with an error code. |
++------+----------------------------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req()`` executes the following tasks:
+
+- Select an empty NSPE mailbox queue slot.
+- receives the PSA client call parameters
+- prepares the mailbox message.
+- notifies SPE via Inter-Processor Communication
+
+In ``tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req()``, it can set the owner of the mailbox
+message to identify the non-secure caller thread to support multiple outstanding
+NS PSA Client calls.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_rx_client_reply()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function fetches the PSA Client results returned from SPE.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_ns_mailbox_rx_client_reply(mailbox_msg_handle_t handle,
+ int32_t *reply);
+
+**Parameters**
+
++------------+-----------------------------------------------+
+| ``handle`` | The handle to the mailbox message replied. |
++------------+-----------------------------------------------+
+| ``reply`` | The address to be written with return result. |
++------------+-----------------------------------------------+
+
+**Return**
+
++---------------------+--------------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` | Successfully get PSA Client return result. |
++---------------------+--------------------------------------------+
+| Other return codes | Operation failed with an error code |
++---------------------+--------------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+A correct ``handle`` should be passed to ``tfm_ns_mailbox_rx_client_reply()`` to
+determine the target mailbox message which sent the PSA Client request.
+
+Before exiting ``tfm_ns_mailbox_rx_client_reply()``, the mailbox objects related
+to that completed PSA Client call are invalidated or cleaned.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_is_msg_replied()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function checks if the PSA Client result is returned from SPE to a specific
+mailbox message.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ bool tfm_ns_mailbox_is_msg_replied(mailbox_msg_handle_t handle);
+
+**Parameters**
+
++------------+-------------------------------------------+
+| ``handle`` | The handle to the target mailbox message. |
++------------+-------------------------------------------+
+
+**Return**
+
++-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
+| ``true`` | The PSA Client return value is replied. |
++-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
+| ``false`` | The PSA Client return value is not replied yet. |
++-----------+-------------------------------------------------+
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_get_task_handle()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function gets the handle of the current non-secure task executing mailbox
+functionalities.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ void *tfm_ns_mailbox_get_task_handle(void);
+
+**Return**
+
++-------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
+| Task handle | The non-secure task handle waiting for PSA Client result. |
++-------------+-----------------------------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_get_task_handle()`` is implemented by NS OS specific thread
+management. If the dual-core system doesn't require multiple outstanding NS PSA
+Client calls feature, ``tfm_ns_mailbox_get_task_handle()`` can return ``NULL``.
+
+If NSPE OS enforces non-secure tasks isolation, it is recommended to invoke
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_get_task_handle()`` in privileged mode to protect owner value
+from disclosure or tampering.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_get_msg_owner()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function returns the owner of the mailbox message.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ void *tfm_ns_mailbox_get_msg_owner(mailbox_msg_handle_t handle);
+
+**Parameters**
+
++------------+-------------------------------------------+
+| ``handle`` | The handle to the target mailbox message. |
++------------+-------------------------------------------+
+
+**Return**
+
++-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
+| Owner task handle | The handle to the non-secure owner task of the mailbox |
+| | message |
++-------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+The owner task handle is get via ``tfm_ns_mailbox_get_task_handle()`` and set
+into NSPE mailbox queue slot inside ``tfm_ns_mailbox_tx_client_req()``.
+
+If multiple outstanding NS PSA Client calls feature is not supported in a
+dual-core system, ``tfm_ns_mailbox_get_msg_owner()`` can return ``NULL``.
+
+If NSPE OS enforces non-secure tasks isolation, it is recommended to invoke
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_get_msg_owner()`` in privileged mode to protect owner value
+from disclosure or tampering.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_init()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function initializes NSPE mailbox.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_ns_mailbox_init(struct ns_mailbox_queue_t *queue);
+
+**Parameters**
+
++-----------+-----------------------------------------+
+| ``queue`` | The base address of NSPE mailbox queue. |
++-----------+-----------------------------------------+
+
+**Return**
+
++---------------------+------------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` | Initialization succeeds. |
++---------------------+------------------------------------------+
+| Other return codes | Initialization fails with an error code. |
++---------------------+------------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_init()`` invokes ``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_init()`` to complete
+platform specific mailbox and Inter-Processor Communication initialization.
+The non-secure memory area for NSPE mailbox queue structure should be statically
+or dynamically pre-allocated before calling ``tfm_ns_mailbox_init()``.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_fetch_reply_msg_isr()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function fetches the first mailbox message which got PSA Client results in
+an IRQ handler.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ mailbox_msg_handle_t tfm_ns_mailbox_fetch_reply_msg_isr(void);
+
+**Return**
+
++-----------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_MSG_NULL_HANDLE`` | No mailbox message has been replied. |
++-----------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
+| Mailbox message handle | The handle to the first mailbox message got |
+| | PSA Client result. |
++-----------------------------+---------------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+The Inter-Processor Communication notification interrupt handler can invoke
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_fetch_reply_msg_isr()`` to fetch the first mailbox message
+which receives the PSA Client result and then call
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_get_msg_owner()`` to determine the waiting owner thread.
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_enter_critical_isr()`` and
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_exit_critical_isr()`` are called inside
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_fetch_reply_msg_isr()``.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_wait_reply()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function forces current non-secure caller thread to sleep and wait for the
+PSA Client result of the specified mailbox message.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_ns_mailbox_wait_reply(mailbox_msg_handle_t handle);
+
+**Parameters**
+
++------------+---------------------------------------------------+
+| ``handle`` | The handle to mailbox message waiting for result. |
++------------+---------------------------------------------------+
+
+**Return**
+
++---------------------+------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` | Return from waiting successfully. |
++---------------------+------------------------------------+
+| Other return codes | Failed to wait with an error code. |
++---------------------+------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+The PSA Client API implementations call ``tfm_ns_mailbox_wait_reply()`` to fall
+into sleep to wait for PSA Client result.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_wait_reply()`` calls ``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_wait_reply()`` to
+execute platform/NS OS specific sleeping operation.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_init()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function executes platform-specific NSPE mailbox initialization.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_init(struct ns_mailbox_queue_t *queue);
+
+**Parameters**
+
++-----------+-----------------------------------------+
+| ``queue`` | The base address of NSPE mailbox queue. |
++-----------+-----------------------------------------+
+
+**Return**
+
++---------------------+------------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` | Initialization succeeds. |
++---------------------+------------------------------------------+
+| Other return codes | Initialization fails with an error code. |
++---------------------+------------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_init()`` performs platform specific mailbox and
+Inter-Processor Communication initialization. ``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_init()`` can
+also share the address of NSPE mailbox queue with SPE mailbox via platform
+specific implementation.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_notify_peer()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function invokes platform specific Inter-Processor Communication drivers to
+send notification to SPE.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_notify_peer(void);
+
+**Return**
+
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` | The operation completes successfully. |
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+| Other return codes | Operation fails with an error code. |
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_notify_peer()`` should be implemented by platform specific
+Inter-Processor Communication drivers.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_notify_peer()`` should not be exported outside NSPE
+mailbox.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_enter_critical()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function enters the critical section of NSPE mailbox queue access.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ void tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_enter_critical(void);
+
+**Usage**
+
+NSPE mailbox invokes ``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_enter_critical()`` before entering
+critical section of NSPE mailbox queue.
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_enter_critical()`` implementation is platform specific.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_enter_critical()`` should not be called in any interrupt
+service routine.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_exit_critical()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function exits the critical section of NSPE mailbox queue access.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ void tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_exit_critical(void);
+
+**Usage**
+
+NSPE mailbox invokes ``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_exit_critical()`` after exiting
+critical section of NSPE mailbox queue.
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_exit_critical()`` implementation is platform specific.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_exit_critical()`` should not be called in any interrupt
+service routine.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_enter_critical_isr()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function enters the critical section of NSPE mailbox queue access in an
+IRQ handler.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ void tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_enter_critical(void);
+
+**Usage**
+
+NSPE mailbox invokes ``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_enter_critical_isr()`` before entering
+critical section of NSPE mailbox queue in an IRQ handler.
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_enter_critical_isr()`` implementation is platform specific.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_exit_critical_isr()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function exits the critical section of NSPE mailbox queue access in an IRQ
+handler
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ void tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_exit_critical_isr(void);
+
+**Usage**
+
+NSPE mailbox invokes ``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_exit_critical_isr()`` after exiting
+critical section of NSPE mailbox queue in an IRQ handler.
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_exit_critical_isr()`` implementation is platform specific.
+
+``tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_wait_reply()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function performs platform and NS OS specific waiting mechanism to wait for
+PSA Client result of the specified mailbox message.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_ns_mailbox_hal_wait_reply(mailbox_msg_handle_t handle);
+
+**Parameters**
+
++------------+---------------------------------------------------+
+| ``handle`` | The handle to mailbox message waiting for result. |
++------------+---------------------------------------------------+
+
+**Return**
+
++---------------------+------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` | Return from waiting successfully. |
++---------------------+------------------------------------+
+| Other return codes | Failed to wait with an error code. |
++---------------------+------------------------------------+
+
+SPE mailbox APIs
+----------------
+
+NSPE should not invoke these SPE mailbox APIs.
+
+``tfm_mailbox_handle_msg()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function completes the handling of mailbox messages from NSPE.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_mailbox_handle_msg(void);
+
+**Return**
+
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` | The operation completes successfully. |
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+| Other return codes | Operation fails with an error code. |
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+``tfm_mailbox_handle_msg()`` is registered to RPC callback function
+``handle_req``.
+
+``tfm_mailbox_handle_msg()`` executes the following tasks:
+
+- Check NSPE mailbox queue status.
+- Copy mailbox message(s) from NSPE. Optional.
+- Checks and validations if necessary
+- Parse mailbox message
+- Call TF-M RPC APIs to pass PSA Client request to TF-M SPM.
+
+``tfm_mailbox_reply_msg()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function replies the PSA Client result to NSPE.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_mailbox_reply_msg(mailbox_msg_handle_t handle, int32_t reply);
+
+**Parameters**
+
++------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+| ``handle`` | The handle to mailbox message related to the PSA Client result. |
++------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+| ``reply`` | The PSA Client result value to be replied. |
++------------+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
+
+**Return**
+
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` | The operation completes successfully. |
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+| Other return codes | Operation fails with an error code. |
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+``tfm_mailbox_reply_msg()`` is registered to RPC callback ``reply``.
+It is invoked inside handler of ``psa_reply()`` to return the PSA Client result
+to NSPE.
+
+``handle`` determines which mailbox message in SPE mailbox queue contains the
+PSA Client call. If ``handle`` is set as ``MAILBOX_MSG_NULL_HANDLE``, the return
+result is replied to the mailbox message in the first SPE mailbox queue slot.
+
+``tfm_mailbox_init()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function initializes SPE mailbox.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_mailbox_init(void);
+
+**Return**
+
++---------------------+-------------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` | Initialization succeeds. |
++---------------------+-------------------------------------------+
+| Other return codes | Initialization failed with an error code. |
++---------------------+-------------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+``tfm_mailbox_init()`` invokes ``tfm_mailbox_hal_init()`` to execute platform
+specific initialization.
+
+
+``tfm_mailbox_hal_notify_peer()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function invokes platform specific Inter-Processor Communication drivers to
+send notification to NSPE.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_mailbox_hal_notify_peer(void);
+
+**Return**
+
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` | The operation completes successfully. |
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+| Other return codes | Operation fails with an error code. |
++---------------------+---------------------------------------+
+
+**Usage**
+
+``tfm_mailbox_hal_notify_peer()`` should be implemented by platform specific
+Inter-Processor Communication drivers.
+
+``tfm_mailbox_hal_notify_peer()`` should not be exported outside SPE mailbox.
+
+
+``tfm_mailbox_hal_init()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function is implemented by platform support in TF-M. It completes platform
+specific mailbox initialization, including receiving the the address of NSPE
+mailbox queue and Inter-Processor Communication initialization.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ int32_t tfm_mailbox_hal_init(struct secure_mailbox_queue_t *s_queue);
+
+**Parameters**
+
++-------------+----------------------------------------+
+| ``s_queue`` | The base address of SPE mailbox queue. |
++-------------+----------------------------------------+
+
+**Return**
+
++---------------------+-------------------------------------------+
+| ``MAILBOX_SUCCESS`` | Initialization succeeds. |
++---------------------+-------------------------------------------+
+| Other return codes | Initialization failed with an error code. |
++---------------------+-------------------------------------------+
+
+``tfm_mailbox_hal_enter_critical()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function enters the critical section of NSPE mailbox queue access in SPE.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ void tfm_mailbox_hal_enter_critical(void);
+
+**Usage**
+
+SPE mailbox invokes ``tfm_mailbox_hal_enter_critical()`` before entering
+critical section of NSPE mailbox queue.
+``tfm_mailbox_hal_enter_critical()`` implementation is platform specific.
+
+``tfm_mailbox_hal_enter_critical()`` can be called in an interrupt service
+routine.
+
+``tfm_mailbox_hal_exit_critical()``
+^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
+
+This function exits from the critical section of NSPE mailbox queue access in
+SPE.
+
+.. code-block:: c
+
+ void tfm_mailbox_hal_exit_critical(void);
+
+**Usage**
+
+SPE mailbox invokes ``tfm_mailbox_hal_exit_critical()`` when exiting from
+critical section of NSPE mailbox queue.
+``tfm_mailbox_hal_exit_critical()`` implementation is platform specific.
+
+``tfm_mailbox_hal_exit_critical()`` can be called in an interrupt service
+routine.
+
+*********
+Reference
+*********
+
+.. [1] :doc:`Communication prototype between NSPE and SPE in Dual-core systems <./communication_prototype_between_nspe_and_spe_in_dual_core_systems>`
+
+.. [2] :doc:`Botting a Dual-core system <booting_a_dual_core_system>`
+
+--------------------
+
+*Copyright (c) 2019-2020 Arm Limited. All Rights Reserved.*
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