Hardware Reference

3.2.2Upgrading SDRAM

The IQ80960RM/RN is equipped with 16 Mbytes of SDRAM with ECC inserted in the 168-pin DIMM socket. The memory may be expanded by inserting up to a 128 Mbyte module into the DIMM socket. The various memory combinations are shown in Table 3-4. Only 168-pin +3.3V SDRAM modules with or without ECC rated at 10 ns should be used on the IQ80960RM/RN platform. The column labeled ECC determines if that particular memory configuration can be used with ECC.

Table 3-4.

SDRAM Configurations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SDRAM

SDRAM

# Banks

Row

Column

ECC

Total Memory

 

Technology

Arrangement

SIze

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2M x 8

1

11

9

Yes

16 Mbytes

 

 

 

 

 

 

16 Mbit

2

Yes

32 Mbytes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1M x 16

1

11

8

No

8 Mbytes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

No

16 Mbytes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8M x 8

1

12

9

Yes

64 Mbytes

 

 

 

 

 

 

64 Mbit

2

Yes

128 Mbytes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4M x 16

1

12

8

No

32 Mbytes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

No

64 Mbytes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.3Flash ROM

An E28F016S5 (2 Mbytes) Flash ROM is included on the IQ80960RM/RN platform. This Flash ROM contains IxWorks* and may be used to store user applications.

3.3.1Flash ROM Programming

Two types of Flash ROM programming exist on the IQ80960RM/RN platform. The first is normal application development programming. This occurs using IxWorks to download new software and the 80960JT core to write the new code to the Flash ROM. During this time the boot sectors (containing IxWorks) are write protected.

The second type of Flash ROM programming is loading the boot sectors. You will not be required to load the boot sectors except:

To load MON960

To load a new release of IxWorks

To change between the check build and the free build of IxWorks

The following steps are required to program the Flash ROM boot sectors:

1.Set switch S1 #’s 1 and 2 to the on position.

2.Reset the board by cycling power on the workstation.

3.Run the Intel DOS-based flash utility to program the Flash ROM boot sectors.

4.Set switch S1 #’s 1 and 2 to the off position.

5.Reset the board by cycling power on the workstation.

IQ80960RM/RN Evaluation Board Manual

3-3

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Intel IQ80960RM, RN manual Upgrading Sdram, Flash ROM Programming, Sdram Configurations, Row

RN, IQ80960RM specifications

The Intel IQ80960RM and RN are part of the Intel i960 family of microprocessors, which were specifically designed for embedded applications in real-time computing environments. Introduced in the early 1990s, these processors were aimed at providing high-performance processing capabilities in industrial, telecommunications, and military systems.

One of the key features of the IQ80960RM and RN is their ability to support a 32-bit architecture, delivering a significant performance advantage over 16-bit and earlier processors. This architecture enables the execution of complex algorithms and the management of large amounts of data, making these microprocessors suitable for demanding applications.

The i960 family is built around a superscalar architecture, allowing multiple instructions to be completed in a single clock cycle. This is achieved through advanced instruction pipelining, which significantly boosts throughput and overall computational speed. The IQ80960RM and RN also included features like branch prediction and out-of-order execution, enhancing efficiency and reducing latency in real-time applications.

Memory management capabilities are another strong point of the IQ80960RM and RN. They support both virtual and physical memory addressing, enabling sophisticated memory management strategies. Their integrated memory management unit (MMU) allows for easier and more effective memory allocation, critical for real-time operating systems that require precise timing and resource management.

Furthermore, these processors are designed with an extensive instruction set architecture (ISA), which supports a wide range of operations, including digital signal processing (DSP) tasks. This versatility allows them to be utilized in various applications, from automotive systems to robotics, where reliable performance is paramount.

The thermal performance and power efficiency of the IQ80960RM and RN has also been a notable characteristic. With operational capabilities across various temperature ranges, these chips are well-suited for harsh environments often found in industrial settings.

In terms of connectivity, the IQ80960 series supports multiple I/O interfaces and communication protocols, ensuring that they can integrate seamlessly with other components and systems. This flexibility enhances their usability in networked applications, particularly in embedded systems.

Overall, the Intel IQ80960RM and RN processors represent a significant step forward in embedded processor technology, characterized by their robust performance, advanced features, and ability to meet the stringent demands of real-time applications across various industries.