MON960 Support for IQ80960RM/RN

5.3MON960 Kernel

The MON960 Kernel (monitor) provides the IQ80960RM/RN user with a software platform on which application software can be developed and run. The monitor provides several features available to the IQ80960RM/RN user to speed application development. Among the available features are:

Communication with a terminal or terminal emulation package on a host computer through a serial cable with automatic baud rate detection

Communication with a software debugger such as GDB960 (available from Intel) using the Host Debugger Interface (HDI) software interface

Communication with the host computer via the primary PCI bus

Downloads of ELF object files via the primary PCI bus or via the serial console port at rates up to 115,200 baud

Downloads of ELF object files via the primary PCI bus

On-board erasure and programming of Intel 28F016S5 Flash ROM

Memory display and modification capability

Breakpoint and single-step capability to support debugging of user code

Disassembly of i960 processor instructions

5.4MON960 Extensions

The monitor has been extended to include the secondary PCI bus initialization and also the BIOS routines which are contained in the PCI BIOS Specification Revision 2.1.

5.4.1Secondary PCI Initialization

MON960 extensions are responsible for initializing the devices on the secondary PCI bus of the IQ80960RM/RN platform. Secondary PCI initialization involves allocating address spaces (Memory, Memory Mapped I/O, and I/O), assigning PCI base addresses, assigning IRQ values, and enabling PCI mastership. MON960 does not support devices containing PCI-to-PCI bridges and hierarchical buses.

IQ80960RM/RN Evaluation Board Manual

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Intel IQ80960RM, RN manual MON960 Kernel, MON960 Extensions, Secondary PCI Initialization

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.