Introduction, Functional Overview | Intel PXA250 and PXA210 guide

Introduction

Table 1-1.	Revision History

	Date	Revision	Description

	Nov 2000	0.1	Initial Release: RS-Intel®PXA250 Platform Design Guide
	Nov 2000	0.2	Second draft

	Jan 2001	0.3	Corrected name of FFRTS in Table 1-4.
	Jan 2001	0.3	Reorganized Table 1-4and Table 1-5for readability.
			Reorganized Table 1-4and Table 1-5for readability.

	May 2001	0.6	Added reference to PXA210 and performed editorial clean-up.

	February 2002	1.0	Public Release

This document presents design recommendations, board schematics, and debug recommendations for the Intel® PXA250 and PXA210 applications processors. The PXA250 applications processor is the 32-bit version of the device and the PXA210 applications processor is the 16-bit version.

This document refers to both versions as the applications processor. When differences are discussed, the specific applications processor is called by name.

The guidelines presented in this document ensure maximum flexibility for board designers, while reducing the risk of board-related issues. Use the schematics in Appendix B, “Example Form Factor Reference Design Schematic Diagrams” as a reference for your own design. While the included schematics cover a specific design, the core schematics remain the same for most PXA250 and PXA210 applications processor based platforms. Consult the debug recommendations when debugging an applications processor based system. To ensure the correct implementation of the debug port (refer to Section 9 for more information), these debug recommendations should be understood before completing board design, in addition to other debug features.

Table 1-2. Related Documentation

	Document Title	Order Number

	Intel® PXA250 and PXA210 Applicati ons Processors Developer’s Manual	278522

	Intel® PXA250 and PXA210 Applications Processors Electrical, Mechanical,	278524
	and Thermal Specification	278524
	and Thermal Specification

1.1Functional Overview

The PXA250 and PXA210 applications processors are the first integrated-system-on-a-chip design based on the Intel® XScale™ microarchitectur e. The PXA250 and PXA210 applications processors integrate the Intel® XScale™ microarch itecture core with many peripherals to let you design products for the handheld market.

Figure 1-1 on page 1-2is a block diagram of the applications processor.

PXA250 and PXA210 Applications Processors Design Guide

1-1

PXA250 and PXA210 specifications

The Intel PXA250 and PXA210 processors, part of the Intel XScale architecture, were introduced in the early 2000s, targeting mobile and embedded applications. They are known for their low power consumption, high performance, and advanced multimedia capabilities, making them suitable for a wide range of devices, including PDAs, smartphones, and other portable computing devices.

The PXA250, which operates at clock speeds ranging from 400 MHz to 624 MHz, features a superscalar architecture that allows it to issue multiple instructions per clock cycle. This enhances the overall performance for demanding applications while maintaining low power usage. It supports a variety of peripheral interfaces, including USB, Ethernet, and various memory types, which contributes to its versatility in different product designs.

One of the key technologies in the PXA250 is the integrated Intel Smart Repeat Technology, which optimizes data processing, thereby reducing the amount of power consumed during operation. This feature is particularly important for battery-powered devices, as it extends the overall battery life, allowing for longer usage times in mobile environments. Additionally, the PXA250 includes a dedicated graphics acceleration unit, which enables enhanced graphics and multimedia performance suited to modern applications at the time.

In contrast, the PXA210 is a more entry-level processor, aimed at cost-sensitive applications. Operating at lower clock speeds, typically around 200 MHz to 400 MHz, it forgoes some of the advanced performance features of the PXA250 while still offering a good balance of performance and power efficiency. The PXA210 is less complex, making it suitable for simpler devices that do not require the extensive capabilities of the PXA250.

Both processors utilize the Intel XScale architecture, which is based on the ARM instruction set. They are built on a 0.13-micron process technology, enabling higher density and lower power consumption compared to their predecessors. With integrated memory controllers and bus interfaces, they facilitate efficient data handling and connectivity options.

In summary, both the Intel PXA250 and PXA210 processors played a crucial role in the evolution of mobile computing by providing powerful processing capabilities with energy efficiency. Their features and technologies enabled device manufacturers to create innovative products that catered to the growing demand for portable devices during that era.

Intel PXA250 and PXA210 manual Introduction, Functional Overview, Revision History

Models: PXA250 and PXA210

Introduction

Revision History

Description