Diamond Systems Low-Power PC/104 CPU Board With ZFx86 Processor Failsafe Mode / Bios Recovery

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6.5Failsafe Mode / BIOS Recovery

The ZFx86 failsafe feature consists of a small command interpreter built in to the ZFx86 CPU chip. The ZFx86 contains a ROM with the command interpreter as well as an 8KB RAM. It may be used to power up the system and download the BIOS to recover from situations in which the BIOS accidentally becomes corrupted or erased. The failsafe feature is used in the factory to program the BIOS in new Prometheus-LC boards for the first time.

To enable the failsafe feature when the panel board is not used, install a jumper between pins 1 and 3 of J6 on Prometheus. To enable failsafe feature when the panel board is used, press the ZFIX button on the panel board while pressing and releasing the Reset button (the ZFIX button must be released after the Reset button is released). During the next system reset, the board will power up to the failsafe boot ROM and provide user I/O through COM1. At this point the DSC utility program ZFTERM.EXE may be used to download the BIOS to the board. See the information in the \Utilities\BIOS Recovery folder of the Prometheus-LC files area of the DSC customer CD for instructions on using this program.

6.6Flash Memory

Prometheus-LC contains a 1Mbyte 16-bit wide flash memory chip for storage of BIOS and optional user files. The BIOS occupies the upper 256Kbytes, leaving the rest available for user applications.

6.7Backup Battery

Prometheus-LC contains an integrated RTC / CMOS RAM backup battery. The battery is located adjacent to the PC/104 bus connector J1. This battery has a capacity of 30mAH and will last approximately 2 years in power-off state. The battery is activated for the first time during initial factory configuration and test. Thus the age of the battery can be determined by inspecting the date label on the board.

6.8System Reset

Prometheus-LC contains a chip to control system reset operation. Reset will occur under either of two conditions:

♦User causes reset with a ground contact on the Reset input

♦Input voltage drops below 3.0V.

The ISA Reset signal is an active high pulse with a duration of 200ms.

Prometheus-LC CPU User Manual V1.0

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Contents PROMETHEUS-LC Table of Contents 12.4 12.112.2 12.3Description System Features FeaturesProcessor Section J4 Not present PROMETHEUS-LC Board DrawingCable B Main I/O Connector J3O Headers Cable aCOM1 COM4 Connector Part NumbersInput Power J11 USB J5 Output Power J12Watchdog/Failsafe Features J6 Auxiliary Serial Port Connector J15IDE Drive J8 Floppy Drive J7J2 PC/104 16-bit bus connector J1 PC/104 8-bit bus connector PC/104 Bus ConnectorsSystem Configuration J10 Jumper ConfigurationWatchdog Timer & System Recovery J6 System Resources System FeaturesCPU Chip Selects Console Redirection to a Serial Port Watchdog Timer Flash Memory Failsafe Mode / Bios RecoveryBackup Battery System ResetBios Settings Bios FeaturesGround Bios Download / RecoveryDISK-ON-BOARD Flash File Storage Initial SetupOperating System Formatting Life Cycle Management and Calculations Known LimitationsSerial Ports System I/OParallel Port Installing an OS From a Floppy Drive onto a Flashdisk Module Installing an OS from a Hard Disk onto a Flashdisk Module Flashdisk Module ConfigurationUsing the Flashdisk with Another IDE Drive Power SupplyDescription 12. I/O Panel BoardPanel Board Hardware Panel Board I/O ConnectorsPanel Board Top Side / External Use I/O Connectors Location Type DescriptionJ12 pinout to/from DC/DC power supply Panel Board Power ConnectionsJ3 Pinout J5 USB J9 Pinout InstallationFlash Disk Programmer Board Photo No Cable No Description 14.I/O CablesCable Kit C-PRZ-KIT PL5 pin no PL5 Signal J25 pin no J25 Signal VGA Accessory BoardPL5 pin no DB15F pin no Signal Mounting PROMETHEUS-LC on a Baseboard Connector on Board Manufacturer Manufacturer Part NoWebsite information Page 17.PC/104 Mechanical Drawing

Low-Power PC/104 CPU Board With ZFx86 Processor, PR-Z16-LC-ST specifications

The Diamond Systems Low-Power PC/104 CPU Board featuring the ZFx86 Processor, specifically the PR-Z16-LC-ST model, represents a significant advancement in embedded computing technology. This CPU board is designed to deliver robust performance while maintaining low power consumption, making it ideal for a wide array of industrial and embedded applications.

One of the standout features of the PR-Z16-LC-ST board is its ZFx86 Processor. This processor family is built with a focus on energy efficiency and low thermal output, which is crucial for applications where heat dissipation can be a challenge. The ZFx86 provides an excellent balance between processing power and energy consumption, featuring a 16-bit instruction set that facilitates compatibility with many existing software applications.

This board supports a variety of operating environments, including DOS, Linux, and Windows, ensuring versatility for developers. Its design includes a compact PC/104 form factor, which allows for streamlined stacking of multiple boards. This modularity is beneficial for system integrators looking to create customized solutions with limited space.

In terms of connectivity, the PR-Z16-LC-ST is equipped with a wide range of I/O ports. This includes digital and analog inputs and outputs, serial communication ports, and support for various peripheral devices. Such features make it a suitable choice for tasks such as data acquisition, control systems, and automation processes.

Additionally, the Diamond Systems board is designed with an onboard memory expansion capability, allowing users to enhance performance based on specific application needs. The support for both DRAM and flash memory options provides flexibility in memory configuration.

The board also emphasizes reliability and longevity, with rugged construction suitable for harsh environments. This durability is essential for applications in sectors such as transportation, telecommunications, and factory automation, where systems must withstand extreme conditions.

In summary, the Diamond Systems PR-Z16-LC-ST Low-Power PC/104 CPU Board with ZFx86 Processor combines efficiency with a robust feature set. Its low power consumption, modular design, and extensive connectivity options make it an attractive solution for developers in the embedded computing space seeking reliable performance in compact configurations.
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