I960 Processor Family, Key 80960Hx Features

80960HA/HD/HT

In addition to expanded clock frequency options, the 80960Hx provides essential enhancements for an emerging class of high-performance embedded applications. Features include a larger instruction cache, data cache, and data RAM than any other 80960 processor to date. It also boasts a 32-bit demultiplexed and pipelined burst bus, fast interrupt mechanism, guarded memory unit, wait state generator, dual programmable timers, ONCE and IEEE 1149.1-compliant boundary scan test and debug support, and new instructions.

2.1The i960® Processor Family

The i960® processor family is a 32-bit RISC architecture created by Intel to serve the needs of embedded applications. The embedded market includes applications as diverse as industrial automation, avionics, image processing, graphics and communications.

Because all members of the i960 processor family share a common core architecture, i960 applications are code-compatible. Each new processor in the family adds its own special set of functions to the core to satisfy the needs of a specific application or range of applications in the embedded market.

2.2Key 80960Hx Features

2.2.1Execution Architecture

Independent instruction paths inside the processor allow the execution of multiple, out-of-sequence instructions per clock. Register and resource scoreboarding interlocks maintain the logical integrity of sequential instructions that are being executed in parallel. To sustain execution of multiple instructions in each clock cycle, the processor decodes multiple instructions in parallel and simultaneously issues these instructions to parallel processing units. The various processing units are then able to independently access instruction operands in parallel from a common register set.

Local Register Cache integrated on-chip provides automatic register management on call/return instructions. Upon a call instruction, the processor allocates a set of local registers for the called procedure, then stores the registers for the previous procedure in the on-chip register cache. As additional procedures are called, the cache stores the associated registers such that the most recently called procedure is the first available by the next return (ret) instruction. The processor may store up to fifteen register sets, after which the oldest sets are stored (spilled) into external memory.

The 80960Hx supports the 80960 architecturally-defined branch prediction mechanism. This allows many branches to execute with no pipeline break. With the 80960Hx’s efficient pipeline, a branch may take as few as zero clocks to execute. The maximum penalty for an incorrect prediction is two core clocks.

2.2.2Pipelined, Burst Bus

A 32-bit high performance bus controller interfaces the 80960Hx core to the external memory and peripherals. The Bus Control Unit features a maximum transfer rate of 160 Mbytes per second (at a 40 MHz external bus clock frequency). A key advantage of this design is its versatility. The user may independently program the physical and logical attributes of system memory. Physical attributes include wait state profile, bus width, and parity. Logical attributes include cacheability and Big or Little Endian byte order. Internally programmable wait states and 16 separately configurable physical memory regions allow the processor to interface with a variety of memory

Datasheet

80960HT, 80960HA, 80960HD specifications

The Intel 80960 family of microprocessors, introduced in the late 1980s, marked a significant evolution in the landscape of embedded systems and high-performance computing. The series included notable members such as the 80960HD, 80960HA, and 80960HT, each offering distinct features, technologies, and characteristics tailored for specific applications.

The Intel 80960HD was primarily designed for high-performance applications, such as real-time processing and advanced embedded control systems. With a robust architecture, the 80960HD featured a 32-bit data bus and a 32-bit address bus, enabling it to access a larger memory space and providing superior performance for computational tasks. It included a sophisticated instruction set that facilitated efficient execution, particularly for computationally intensive tasks. The internal architecture also supported pipelining, allowing multiple instructions to be processed simultaneously, thus enhancing throughput.

The 80960HA variant was tailored for high-availability applications, making it ideal for embedded systems where reliability is paramount. This model incorporated features that emphasized fault tolerance and stability, ensuring that systems relying on it could maintain operational integrity even in the event of component failures. The 80960HA showcased enhanced error detection and correction capabilities, which contributed to its reputation as a dependable choice for mission-critical applications.

On the other hand, the 80960HT was designed to meet the needs of high-performance telecommunications and networking applications. Recognized for its ability to handle multiple tasks concurrently, the 80960HT included advanced features such as built-in support for multitasking and real-time processing. This made it an excellent fit for applications that demanded rapid data handling and processing, such as routers and switches in networking environments. Its architecture allowed for efficient context switching, ensuring that multiple processes could execute seamlessly.

All three variants utilized the same family architecture, enabling easy integration and compatibility across different applications. They also supported various memory management techniques, such as virtual memory and caching, enhancing their performance in diverse operating conditions. With their combination of high processing power, reliability, and flexibility, the Intel 80960 family of microprocessors played a crucial role in advancing embedded computing technologies, paving the way for modern-day processors and systems. The 80960 series remains a noteworthy chapter in the evolution of microprocessor design, reflecting the growing demands of the computing landscape during its time.

Intel 80960HT, 80960HD, 80960HA manual I960 Processor Family, Key 80960Hx Features

Models: 80960HT 80960HA 80960HD