The Need for Intelligent I/O Subsystems
Networked computers are processing more data than ever, and servers have become a pivotal factor in their performance. While the I/O traffic that servers need to handle continue to increase, the number of CPU cycles available on servers for other applications has decreased, lowering their overall performance. To deal with this problem, Intel has created a family of I/O processors to balance the needs between server demands and the data I/O paths, while relieving data congestion. The i960 RM/RN I/O processors are the new generation of I/O processors supporting intelligent I/O with an integrated PCI-to-PCI bridge, 100 MHz core, and I20 support.
A Framework Model For Developing I2O Systems
The i960 RM/RN processor evaluation boards have been designed to provide a reference for development of efficient intelligent I/O subsystems that take full advantage of the i960 RM/RN processor feature sets. Whether it is a 32- or 64-bit PCI subsystem, the IQ80960RMK/RNK QUICKval kits enable a comprehensive platform for rapid design, debug, test and optimization of I2O device drivers.
Logic Analyzer and JTAG Headers
Five logic analyzer connectors are available on the IQ80960RM/RN platform. These 38 position Mictor connectors provide a common Logic Analyzer interface to the SDRAM bus, ROM bus and the secondary PCI arbitration signals.
The JTAG header provides a quick and easy connection to key i960 RM/RN processors' JTAG and debug logic signals. Each signal in the JTAG header is paired with its own ground connection to avoid the noise problems associated with long ribbon cables.
The Spectrum Digital SPI610 JTAG to serial emulator is interfaced to work with the Tornado for I2O and the CTOOLS/MON960 development environments. The Tornado™ for I2O interface includes a fully functional back-end interface that allows the user to utilize the Tornado™ Development Environment tools (CrossWind™ Debugger, Windsh™, etc.) with virtual I/O capability via JTAG. The CTOOLS/MON960 interface allows the user to utilize the capability of the CTOOLS (GDB960 Debugger and GUI) and the MON960 debug environments with virtual I/O support via the JTAG interface.
Software Development Support
The platforms include a full set of software development tools and related documentation, including the CTOOLS software development suite containing profile-driven C/C++ compiler, assembler, linker, runtime libraries, debugger, monitor, software development utilities and on-line documentation. The compiler provides code execution profiling and instruction scheduling optimizations for the i960 processor architecture, to reduce code-tuning efforts and increase application performance.
Secondary PCI Bus Expansion Connectors
The IQ80960RM/RN platforms contain secondary PCI bus expansion connectors to give users access to the secondary PCI bus of the i960 RM/RN I/O processor using standard PCI I/O adapters. Extensions to MON960 perform secondary PCI bus initialization including the establishment of a secondary PCI bus address map. Routines compatible with the PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.1 allow the software on the IQ80960RM/RN platforms to search for devices on the secondary PCI bus and read and write the configuration space of those devices.
IQ80960RM/IQ80960RN Platform Functional Block Diagram
Product Ordering Information
Kits include an evaluation platform with an i960 RM/RN processor, a JTAG emulator, demonstration versions of Tornado for I2O and CTOOLS cross development tool set, documentation and development software.
Product Codes
IQ80960RMK
IQ80960RNK
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Intel® IQ80960RMK/RNK Software Development Kit
