Hardware Reference

3.10User LEDs

The IQ80960RM/RN platform has a bank of eight user-programmable LEDs, located on the upper edge of the adapter board. These LEDs are controlled by a write-only register and used as a debugging aid during development. Software can control the state of the user LEDs by writing to the LED Register, located at E004 0000H. Each of the eight bits of this register correspond to one of the user LEDs. Clearing a bit in the LED Register by writing a “0” to it turns the corresponding LED “on”, while setting a bit by writing a “1” to it turns the corresponding LED “off”. Resetting the IQ80960RM/RN platform results in clearing the register and turning all the LEDs “on”. The LED Register bitmap is shown in Figure 3-1.

The user LEDs are numbered in descending order from left to right, with LED7 being on the left when looking at the component side of the adapter.

Figure 3-1. LED Register Bitmap

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

User LED 7

User LED 6

User LED 5

User LED 4

User LED 3

User LED 2

User LED 1

User LED 0

3.10.1User LEDs During Initialization

MON960 indicates the progress of its hardware initialization on the user LEDs. In the event that initialization should fail for some reason, the number of lit LEDs can be used to determine the cause of the failure. Table 3-10lists the tests that correspond to each lit LED.

Table 3-10. Start-up LEDs MON960

LEDs

Tests

 

 

LED 0

SDRAM serial EEPROM checksum validated

 

 

LED 1

UART walking ones test passed

 

 

LED 2

DRAM walking ones test passed

 

 

LED 3

DRAM multiword test passed

 

 

LED 4

Hardware initialization started

 

 

LED 5

Flash ROM initialized

 

 

LED 6

PCI-to-PCI Bridge initialized

 

 

LED 7

UART internal loopback test passed

 

 

3-8

IQ80960RM/RN Evaluation Board Manual

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Intel RN, IQ80960RM manual User LEDs During Initialization, Start-up LEDs MON960, LEDs Tests

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.