i960® RM/RN I/O Processor Overview 4

This chapter describes the features and operation of the processor on the IQ80960RM/RN platform. For more detail, refer to the i960® RM/RN I/O Processor Developer’s Manual .

Figure 4-1. i960® RM/RN I/O Processor Block Diagram

Local Memory

I2C Serial Bus

(SDRAM, Flash)

 

 

80960 Core

 

 

 

 

 

Processor

 

 

 

Memory

 

Bus

I2C Bus

Application

Internal

Controller

 

Interface

 

 

Unit

Interface

Accelerator

Arbitration

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

64-bit Internal Bus

 

 

Messaging

Two DMA

Address

 

One DMA

Address

Translation

 

Translation

Unit

Channels

 

Channel

Unit

 

Unit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PCI to PCI

 

 

64-bit/32-bit Primary PCI Bus

Bridge

64-bit/32-bit Secondary PCI Bus

Performance

 

 

Secondary

 

Monitoring

 

 

PCI

 

 

Unit

 

 

Arbitration

 

IQ80960RM/RN Evaluation Board Manual

4-1

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Intel IQ80960RM manual I960 RM/RN I/O Processor Overview, I960 RM/RN I/O Processor Block Diagram

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.