New I960(R) VH Embedded-PCI Processor Provides Integrated Primary PCI Interface, Eases Development Process

Original Document

New I960® VH Embedded-PCI Processor Provides Integrated Primary PCI Interface, Eases Development Process

CHANDLER, Ariz., Oct. 13, 1998 -- Intel Corporation today announced the new i960® VH Embedded-PCI processor, the first processor in the i960 family released with a single PCI interface. Designed to enable easy development of embedded PCI products, the i960 VH Embedded-PCI processor features a 100-MHz internal clock speed for high performance.

"The i960 VH Embedded-PCI stems from developer requests for a processor that supports simplified embedded PCI design, reduced board space and low power use while meeting needs for reduced costs," said Wendy Vittori, general manager of the Intel Connected PC Division. "Additionally, the comprehensive tool support offered by the Intel Solutions960® program helps developers get their products designed and delivered to market faster." The wide range of features included on the i960 VH Embedded-PCI processor is expected to make it a viable solution for a number of system applications, including:

embedded designs: PCI and CompactPCI;
networking: switches, hubs, routers, access equipment;
storage/data management: SCSI and Fibre Channel adapter cards.

Processor Offers Integrated 32-bit PCI Interface

The i960 VH Embedded-PCI integrates a v.2.1 compliant, 32-bit, 33-MHz PCI interface with a high-performance i960 processor core, offering high performance for leading-edge applications, low power and a small package for space savings. Robust development tools can simplify design, reduce costs and accelerate time to market.

Processor Features

The i960 VH Embedded-PCI uses the i960 JT processor core. The core clock speed can be selected by the developer to operate at 33, 66 or 100 MHz. The core also features 16 KB of instruction cache, 4 KB of data cache and 1 KB of high-performance RAM. Other core features include two 32-bit timers and a programmable interrupt controller. An integrated memory controller supports DRAM, SRAM, ROM and Flash memories. A two-channel DMA controller provides full 132 MB per second burst support between the PCI bus and the local bus. The address translation unit services local memory and the PCI bus by translating the inbound and outbound address spaces. The processor’s messaging unit transfers control information between the PCI driver and the i960 VH Embedded-PCI via interrupts. An I2C interface unit allows the i960 core to serve as a master or slave on the I2C bus, and can be utilized for system management functions.

As part of the long-standing Intel Solutions960 development tools program, a number of tools are offered. The available evaluation kit includes a PCI baseboard with a soldered on processor, and CTOOLS application development tools such as an advanced optimizing C and C++ compiler, an assembler, a linker, utilities, a GUI-based debugger and a variety of libraries, including floating-point emulation and related documentation. This kit, which is interoperable with many third party vendor tools, includes a 90-day support package. More information on development support is available at developer.intel.com/design/embproc.

Availability and Pricing

General samples of the i960 VH Embedded-PCI processor are expected to be available in November 1998. Production is scheduled to begin in March 1999. Pricing is expected to be $45 U.S. in 10 thousand-unit quantities. More information about the i960 processor family is available at developer.intel.com/design/i960.

Intel’s Computing Enhancement Group develops and markets innovative silicon solutions used in computing devices. CEG products include Intel core logic chipsets, graphic controllers, embedded processors, Flash memory and Intelligent I/O processors and controllers.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.