9. SYSTEM I/O

9.1Serial Ports

Prometheus-LC contains 4 serial ports. Each port is capable of transmitting at speeds of up to 115.2Kbaud. Ports COM1 and COM2 are built into the ZF Micro CPU chip. They consist of standard 16550 type UARTs with 16-byte FIFOs. Ports COM3 and COM4 are derived from an Exar 16C2850 dual UART chip and include 128-byte FIFOs. Ports 3 and 4 may be operated at speeds up to 1.5Mbaud with installation of high-speed drivers as a custom option.

The serial ports use the following default system resources:

Port

Address range

IRQ

COM1

I/O 3F8 – 3FF

4

COM2

I/O 2F8 – 2FF

3

COM3

I/O 3E8 – 3EF

4

COM4

I/O 2E8 – 2EF

3

The settings of COM1 and COM2 may be changed in the system BIOS. Select the Advanced menu, then I/O Device Configuration. Serial Port A is COM1, and Serial Port B is COM2. The base address and interrupt level may be modified on this page.

The settings of COM3 and COM4 may be changed using a different procedure:

The addresses of these two ports are selected on the Advanced menu of the BIOS. Select Advanced Chipset Control, then ISA I/O Chip Select Setup. I/O Window – io_cs1 is for COM3 and I/O window – io_cs2 is for COM4. The only parameter that may be changed is the address. The other settings must remain in their default values:

Window state:

Enabled

Base Address:

(user selectable)

Read/Write control:

Read/Write

Window data width:

8-bits

Active Level:

Active Low

Window size:

08

After making any desired changes, go to the top-level Exit menu and select Exit Saving Changes.

The interrupt (IRQ) settings for COM3 and COM4 are selected with J10. COM3 may use IRQ4 or IRQ9. COM4 may use IRQ3 or IRQ15. If both serial ports share the same IRQ, they may share IRQ4 or IRQ5. See page 14 for serial port IRQ jumper settings.

9.2Parallel Port

The parallel port (LPT1) is an IEEE-1284 compatible bidirectional port. It includes filtering for reduced EMI operation. It operates in ECP mode (set up in the BIOS). The parallel port has the following default configuration:

Port

Mode

Address range

IRQ

DMA

LPT1

ECP

I/O 378 – 37F

7

3

The parallel port settings may be modified in the BIOS. Select Advanced menu, then I/O Device Configuration. The above four settings may then be modified.

Prometheus-LC CPU User Manual V1.0

Page 24

Page 24
Image 24
Diamond Systems PR-Z16-LC-ST, Low-Power PC/104 CPU Board With ZFx86 Processor System I/O, Serial Ports, Parallel Port

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.