Diamond Systems Low-Power PC/104 CPU Board With ZFx86 Processor

Known Limitations

•RFD (onboard flash drive) is not compatible with DOS expanded memory configuration in EMM386.EXE. Use the NOEMS switch appended to the end of the EMM386 line in your config.sys to bypass EMS. Example line in config.sys: device=c:\DOS\EMM386.exe NOEMS

•The onboard flash chip has a limitation of 2,000,000 erase cycles, so swap drives or virtual memory functions should not be used.

•Only 16-bit operating systems are supported with this Onboard Flash. MSDOS 6.22, ROMDOS 6.22 and 7.0, and FreeDOS have been tested. Other operating systems may work as long as they have a 16-bit compatibility mode.

Life Cycle Management and Calculations

The Disk-On-Board feature provides a simple form of wear leveling. Each time data is written, the next consecutive available memory space is used, and the current location is marked as garbage and made available for later use. This way the system walks through the entire available space before rewriting the current file location. This technique helps to dramatically increase the chip’s lifetime, because the entire chip is used to spread out the wear caused by the repeated erase cycles.

A typical embedded application consists of reading a file, updating it, and repeating the process over and over again. The formula for calculating the number of times this may be done before the flash reaches its limit is as follows:

Number of file writes = (size of chip / size of file) * lifetime of chip

Where size of chip = 1.45MB and lifetime of chip = 2,000,000. This formula reveals the increase in lifetime provided by the wear leveling. The lifetime is increased by the ratio of the chip’s total capacity to the file size.

To calculate the number of days the chip will last, simply factor in the number of updates per day:

Lifetime in days = number of file writes / file writes per day

Prometheus-LC CPU User Manual V1.0

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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.