i960® RM/RN I/O Processor Overview

4.6DMA Channels

The i960 RM/RN I/O processor features three independent DMA channels, two of which operate on the primary PCI interface, whereas the remaining one operates on the secondary PCI interface. All three of the DMA channels connect to the i960 RM/RN I/O processor’s local bus and can be used to transfer data from PCI devices to memory on the IQ80960RM/RN platform. Support for chaining, and scatter/gather is built into all three channels. The DMA can address the entire 264 bytes of address space on the PCI bus and 232 bytes of address space on the internal bus.

Figure 4-4. i960® RM/RN I/O Processor DMA Controller

Primary PCI Bus

DMA Channel 0

DMA Channel 1

PCI to PCI Bridge

DMA Channel 2

Secondary PCI Bus

80960

Local Bus

4.7Application Accelerator Unit

The Application Accelerator provides low-latency, high-throughput data transfer capability between the AA unit and 80960 local memory. It executes data transfers to and from 80960 local memory and also provides the necessary programming interface. The Application Accelerator performs the following functions:

•Transfers data (read) from memory controller

•Performs an optional boolean operation (XOR) on read data

•Transfers data (write) to memory controller

The AA unit features:

•128-byte, arranged as 8-byte x 16-deep store queue

•Utilization of the 80960RN/RM processor memory controller interface

•232 addressing range on the 80960 local memory interface

•Hardware support for unaligned data transfers for the internal bus

•Full programmability from the i960 core processor

•Support for automatic data chaining for gathering and scattering of data blocks

4-6

IQ80960RM/RN Evaluation Board Manual

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Intel RN, IQ80960RM manual DMA Channels, Application Accelerator Unit
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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.
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