Compaq AlphaPC 164SX Technical Reference Manual
Compaq Computer Corporation
AlphaPC 164SX Motherboard
Technical Reference Manual
Order Number: EC–R57EB–TE
Revision/Update Information: This is a revised document. It supersedes the
AlphaPC 164SX Motherboard Technical
Reference Manual, EC–R57EA–TE.
October 1998
The informatio n in this publicati on is subject to change without notice.
COMPAQ COMPUTER CORPORATION SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR TECHNICAL OR EDITORIAL
ERRORS OR OMISSIONS CONTAINED HEREIN, NOR FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE, OR USE OF THIS MATERIAL. THIS
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This publication contains informat ion protected by copyright. No part of this public a ti on m ay be photocopied or
reproduced in any form without prior written con s ent from Compaq Com puter Corporation .
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iii
Contents
Preface
1 Introduction
1.1 System Components and Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
1.1.1 21174 Core Logic Chip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
1.1.2 Memory Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
1.1.3 L2 Bcache Subsystem Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
1.1.4 PCI Interface Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
1.1.5 ISA Interface Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
1.1.6 Miscellaneous Logic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
1.2 Software Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
1.2.1 AlphaBIOS Windows NT Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5
1.2.2 Alpha SRM Console Firmware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
1.2.3 Motherboard Software Developer’s Kit (SDK). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
1.3 Hardware Design Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
2 System Configuration and Connectors
2.1 AlphaPC 164SX Configuration Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
2.2 CPU Speed Selection (CF[6:4]) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
2.3 Bcache Size Switches (CF0 and CF1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
2.4 Password Bypass (CF2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
2.5 Fail-Safe Booter (CF7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
2.6 Mini-Debugger (CF3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
2.7 AlphaPC 164SX Connector Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
2.7.1 PCI Bus Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
2.7.2 ISA Expansion Bus Connector Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
2.7.3 SDRAM DIMM Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
2.7.4 EIDE Drive Bus Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
2.7.5 Diskette (Floppy) Drive Bus Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
2.7.6 Parallel Bus Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
iv
2.7.7 COM1/COM2 Serial Line Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
2.7.8 Keyboard/Mouse Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
2.7.9 SROM Test Data Input Connector Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2.7.10 Input Power Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2.7.11 Enclosure Fan Power Connector Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2.7.12 Microprocessor Fan Power Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
2.7.13 Soft Power Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
2.7.14 Multipurpose Connector Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
3 Power and Environmental Requirements
3.1 Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
3.2 Environmental Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
3.3 Board Dimensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
3.3.1 ATX Hole Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
3.3.2 ATX I/O Shield Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
4 Functional Description
4.1 AlphaPC 164SX Bcache Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
4.2 21174 Core Logic Chip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
4.2.1 21174 Chip Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
4.2.2 Main Memory Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
4.2.3 PCI Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
4.2.4 PCI/ISA Bridge Chip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
4.2.5 PCI Expansion Slots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
4.3 ISA Bus Devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
4.3.1 Combination Controller Chip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
4.3.2 ISA Expansion Slots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
4.3.3 ISA I/O Address Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
4.3.4 Flash ROM Address Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
4.4 Interrupts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
4.5 System Clocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
4.6 Reset and Initialization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
4.7 DC Power Distribution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
4.8 Serial ROM and Debug Port Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
5 Upgrading the AlphaPC 164SX
5.1 Configuring SDRAM Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-1
5.2 Upgrading SDRAM Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
5.3 Increasing Microprocessor Speed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
5.3.1 Preparatory Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
v
5.3.2 Required Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
5.3.3 Removing the 21164PC Microprocessor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
5.3.4 Installing the 21164PC Microprocessor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4
A Support, Products, and Documentation
A.1 Customer Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
A.2 Supporting Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
A.2.1 Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
A.2.2 Thermal Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
A.2.3 Power Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
A.2.4 Enclosure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
A.3 Alpha Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-3
A.4 Alpha Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-4
A.5 Third–Party Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-5
Index
vi
Figures
1–1 AlphaPC 164SX Functional Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
2–1 AlphaPC 164SX Switch/Connector/Component Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
2–2 AlphaPC 164SX Configuration Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
2–3 Multipurpose Connector Pinouts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
3–1 ATX Hole Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
3–2 ATX I/O Shield Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
4–1 AlphaPC 164SX L2 Bcache Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
4–2 Main Memory Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
4–3 AlphaPC 164SX PCI Bus Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
4–4 AlphaPC 164SX ISA Bus Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
4–5 Interrupt Request Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
4–6 AlphaPC 164SX System Clocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13
4–7 System Reset and Initialization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
4–8 AlphaPC 164SX Power Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
5–1 Fan/Heat-Sink Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5
vii
Tables
1–1 AlphaPC 164SX SDRAM Memory Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
2–1 AlphaPC 164SX Switch/Connector/Component List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
2–2 PCI Bus Connector Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
2–3 ISA Expansion Bus Connector Pinouts (J22, J23) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
2–4 SDRAM DIMM Connector Pinouts (J7 through J10). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
2–5 EIDE Drive Bus Connector Pinouts (J5, J6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
2–6 Diskette (Floppy) Drive Bus Connector Pinouts (J11). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
2–7 Parallel Bus Connector Pinouts (J13). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
2–8 COM1/COM2 Serial Line Connector Pinouts (J3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
2–9 Keyboard/Mouse Connector Pinouts (J4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
2–10 SROM Test Data Input Connector Pinouts (J21) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2–11 Input Power Connector Pinouts (J2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2–12 Enclosure Fan (+12 V dc) Power Connector Pinouts (J16) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 -13
2–13 Microprocessor Fan Power Connector Pinouts (J14) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
2–14 Soft Power Connector Pinouts (J1). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
2–15 Multipurpose Connector Pinouts (J20) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
3–1 Power Supply DC Current Requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
3–2 AlphaPC 164SX Motherboard Environmental Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
4–1 ISA I/O Address Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
4–2 AlphaPC 164SX System Interrupts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
4–3 ISA Interrupts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
5–1 AlphaPC 164SX SDRAM Memory Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
ix
Preface
Overview
This manual desc ri bes t he Al phaPC 164SX motherboard, a boa rd for computing systems based on the Alpha 21164PC microprocessor and the 21174 core logic chip.
Audience
This manual is intended for system designers and others who use the AlphaPC
164SX motherboard to design or evaluate computer systems based on the Alpha
21164PC microprocessor and the 21174 core logic chip.
Scope
This manual describes the features, configuration, functional operation, and interfaces of the AlphaPC 164SX motherboard. This manual does not include specific
bus specifications (for example, PCI or ISA buses). Additional information is available in the AlphaPC 164SX schematics, program source files, and the appropriate
vendor and IEEE specifications. See Appendix A for information on how to order
related documentation and obtain additional technical support.
Manual Organization
As outlined on the next page, this manual includes the following chapters, appendixes, and an index.
x
• Chapter 1, Introduction, is an overview of the AlphaPC 164SX motherboard,
including its components, features, and uses.
• Chapter 2, System Configuration and Connectors, describes the user-environ-
ment configuration , board connector s and functions , and switch funct ions. It also
identifies switch settings and connector locations.
• Chapter 3, Power and Environmental Requirements, describes the AlphaPC
164SX power and environmental requirements and provides board dimensions.
• Chapter 4, Functional Description, provides a functional description of the
AlphaPC 164SX motherboard, including the 21174 core logic chip, L2 backup
cache (Bcache) and memory subsystems, system interrupts, clock and power
subsystems, and peri pheral compon ent intercon nect (P CI) and Indus try Standa rd
Architecture (ISA) devices.
• Chapter 5, Upgrading the AlphaPC 164SX, describes how to upgrade the
AlphaPC 164SX motherboard’s SDRAM memory and microprocessor speed.
• Appendix A, Support, Products, and Documentation, lists sources for compo-
nents and accessories not included with the AlphaPC 164SX motherboard and
describes how to obtain information and technical support, and how to order
products and associated literature.
Conventions
This section defines product-specific terminology, abbreviations, and other conventions used throughout this manual.
Abbreviations
•
Register Access
The following list describes the register bit and field abbreviations:
Bit/Field Abbreviation Description
RO (read only) Bits and fields specified as RO can be read but not written.
RW (read/write) Bits and fields specified as RW can be read and written.
WO (write only) Bits and fields specified as WO can be written but not read.
xi
• Binary Mult iples
The abbreviations K, M , and G (kil o, mega, and giga) r eprese nt bina ry multi ples
and have the following values.
For example:
Addresses
Unless otherwise noted, all addresses and offsets are hexadecimal.
Bit Notation
Multiple-bit fields can include contiguous and noncontiguous bits contained in
brackets ([]). Multiple contiguous bits are indicated by a pair of numbers separated
by a colon (:). For example, [9:7,5,2:0] specifies bits 9,8,7,5,2,1, and 0. Similarly,
single bits are frequently indicated with brackets. For example, [27] specifies bit 27.
Caution
Cautions indicate potential damage to equipment, software, or data.
Data Field Size
The term INTnn, wher e nn is one of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, or 64, refers to a data field of
nn contiguous NATURALLY ALIGNED bytes. For example, INT4 refers to a
NATURALLY ALIGNED longword.
Data Units
The following data-unit terminology is used throughout this manual.
K
=2
10
(1024)
M
=2
20
(1,048,576)
G
=2
30
(1,073,741,824)
2KB = 2 kilobytes
=2 × 2
10
bytes
4MB = 4 megabytes
=4 × 2
20
bytes
8GB = 8 gigabytes
=8 × 2
30
bytes
Term Words Bytes Bits Other
Byte ½18—
Word 1 2 16 —
Longword/Dword 2 4 32 Longword
xii
Note
Notes emphasize particularly important information.
Numbering
All numbers are decimal or hexadecimal unless otherwise indicated. The prefix 0x
indicates a hexadecimal number. For example, 19 is decimal, but 0x19 and 0x19A
are hexadecimal (also see Addresses). Otherwise, the base is indicated by a subscript; for example, 100
2
is a binary number.
Ranges and Extents
Ranges are specif ied by a pair o f number s separ ated b y two periods ( ..) and are inclu sive. For example, a range of integers 0..4 includes the integers 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Extents are specified by a pair of numbers in brackets ([]) separated by a colon (:)
and are inclusive. Bit fields are often specified as extents. For example, bits [7:3]
specifies bits 7, 6, 5, 4, and 3.
Register and Memory Figures
Register figures have bit and field position numbering starting at the right (low
order) and increasing to the left (high order).
Memory figures have addresses starting at the top and increasing toward the bottom.
Quadword 4 8 64 2 Longwords
Octaword 8 16 128 2 Quadwords
Hexword 16 32 256 2 Octawords
Term Words Bytes Bits Other
xiii
Signal Names
All signal names are printed in boldface type. Signal names that originate in an
industry-standard specification, such as PCI or IDE, are printed in the case as found
in the specification (usually uppercase). Active-high signals are indicated by the _h
suffix. Active-low signals have the _l suffix, a pound sign “#” appended, or a “not”
overscore bar. Signals with no suf fi x ar e considered high-asser te d si gnal s. For example, signals data_h[127:0] and cia_int are active-high signals. Signals mem_ack_l,
FRAME#, and RESET
are active-low signals.
UNPREDICTABLE and UNDEFINED
Throughout this manual the terms UNPREDICTABLE and UNDEFINED are used.
Their meanings are quite different and must be carefully distinguished.
In particul ar, only priv il eg ed s of tw are (th at is, s of twa re ru nn ing in kern el mod e )
can trigger UNDEFI NED operations. Unprivileged software cannot trigger
UNDEFINED operat ion s. Howe ver, either privileged or unpri vileged software c an
trigger UNPREDICTABLE results or occurrences.
UNPREDICTABLE results or occurrences do not disrupt the basic operation of the
processor. The processor continues to execute instructions in its normal manner. In
contrast, UNDEFINED operations can halt the processor or cause it to lose information.
The terms UNPREDICTABLE and UNDEFINED can be further described as follows:
• UNPREDICTABLE
– Results or occurrences specified as UNPREDICTABLE might vary
from moment to moment, impl ementation to im plementation, and
instruction to instruction within implementations. Software can never
depend on results specified as UNPREDICTABLE.
– An UNPREDICT ABLE r esult might acquir e an arbi trar y valu e that is
subject to a few constraints. Such a result might be an arbitrary function of the input operands or of any state information that is accessible to the process in its current access mode. UNPREDICTABLE
results may be unchanged from their previous values.
Operations that produce UNPREDICTABLE results might also produce exceptions.
xiv
– An occurrence specified as UNPREDICTABLE may or may not hap-
pen based on an arbitrary choice function. The choice function is
subject to the s ame c onstraints as are UNPREDI CTABLE results a nd
must not constitute a security hole.
Specifically, UNPREDICTABLE results must not depend upon, or be
a function of, the contents of memory locations or registers that are
inaccessible to the current process in the current access mode.
Also, operations that mig ht produce UNPREDI CTABLE results must
not write or modify the contents of memory locations or registers to
which the current process in the current access mode does not have
access. They must also not halt or hang the system or any of its components.
For example, a secur ity hole would exist i f so me UNPREDICTABLE
result depended on the value of a register in another process, on the
contents of processor temporary registers left behind by some pr eviously running process, or on a sequence of actions of diff erent processes.
• UNDEFINED
– Operations specified as UNDEFINED can vary from moment to
moment, implementation to implementation, and instruction to
instruction within implementations. The operation can vary in effect
from nothing, to stopping system operation.
– UNDEFINED operations can halt the processor or cause it to lose
information. However, UNDEFINED operations must not cause the
processor to hang, that is, reach an unhalted state from which there is
no transition to a normal state in which the machine executes instructions. Only privileged software (that is, software running in kernel
mode) can trigger UNDEFINED operations.
Introduction 1–1
1
Introduction
This chapter provides an overview of the AlphaPC 164SX motherboard, including
its components, features, and uses. The motherboard is a module for computing systems based on the 21174 core logic chip.
The AlphaPC 164SX provides a single-board hardware and software development
platform for t he desig n, integrat ion, a nd analys is of s upporting logic a nd subsys tems.
The board also provides a platform for PCI I/O device hardware and software development.
1.1 System Components and Features
The AlphaPC 164SX is implemented in industry-standard parts and uses an Alpha
21164PC microprocessor running at 400 or 533 MHz. Figure 1–1 shows the board’s
functional components.
1–2 Introduction
System Components and Features
Figure 1–1 AlphaPC 164SX Functional Block Diagram
Alpha 21164PC
Microprocessor
DECchip 21174-CA
Control, I/O Interface,
and Address
1MB, L2
Bcache
Quick Switches
Index
Control
18
Bcache Tag
10
128
Data
16
Address
Commands
Control
Flash ROM
128-Bit Data
168-Pin
Unbuffered
SDRAM DIMM
Sockets (× 4)
Support
– Synthesizer
PCI-to-ISA
Bridge
EIDE
Controller
Combination
Controller
Address/Control
PCI
2 Dedicated 32-Bit PCI Slots
2 Dedicated 64-Bit PCI Slots
2 Dedicated ISA Slots
Diskette
Parallel Port
2 Serial Ports
4 Devices
Introduction 1–3
System Components and Features
1.1.1 21174 Core Logic Chip
The Alpha 21164PC microprocessor is supported by the 21174 core logic chip,
which provides an interface between three units—memory, the PCI bus, and the
21164PC (along with flash ROM). This core logic chip is the interf ace between the
21164PC microprocessor, main memory (addressing and control), and the PCI bus.
Quick switches provide the memory interface data path isolation.
The 21174 includes the majority of functions necessary to develop a high-perfor-
mance PC or workstation, requiring minimum discrete logic on the module. It provides flexible and generic functions to allow its use in a wide range of systems.
1.1.2 Memory Subsystem
The synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) is contained in two
banks of dual inline memory modules (DIMMs). Single- or double-sided DIMMs
may be used. Two DIMMs provide 32Mb to 256MB of memory, while four DIMMs
provide up to 512MB. Table 1–1 lists the DIMM sizes tested and the corresponding
main memory si ze for 128-bit arrays.
Note: Each DIMM can be 72 bits or 64 bits wide, with 100 MHz or faster
speed.
Table 1–1 AlphaPC 164SX SDRAM Memory Configurations
(Sheet 1 of 2)
Bank 0
1
Bank 1
1
Total Memory J7 J8 J9 J10
32MB 2Mb × 72 2Mb × 72 ——
64MB 2Mb
× 72 2Mb × 72 2Mb × 72 2Mb × 72
4Mb
× 72 4M b × 72 ——
96MB 4Mb
× 72 4Mb × 72 2Mb × 72 2Mb × 72
128MB 4Mb
× 72 4Mb × 72 4Mb × 72 4Mb × 72
8Mb
× 72 8M b × 72 ——
160MB 8Mb
× 72 8M b × 72 2Mb × 72 2Mb × 72
1–4 Introduction
System Components and Features
1.1.3 L2 Bcache Subsystem Overview
The AlphaPC 164SX board-level L2 backup cache (Bcache) is a 1MB, directmapped, synchronous, pipelined burst SROM with a 128-bit data path. The board is
capable of handling an L2 cache size of 2MB. See Section 2.3 for more information
about the Bcache.
1.1.4 PCI Interface Overview
The AlphaPC 164SX PCI interface, with a 33-MHz data transfer rate, is the main
I/O bus for the majority of functions (SCSI interface, graphics accelerator, and so
on). PCI-EIDE support is provided by an onboard controller chip (Cypress
CY82C693U-NC), which also prov ide s a PCI- to-ISA bridge, a mouse and keyboard
controller, and a time-of-year (TOY) clock.
The PCI bus has four dedicated PCI expansion slots (two 64-bit and two 32-bit).
1.1.5 ISA Interface Overview
The ISA bus provides the following system support functions:
• Two expansion slots.
• An SMC FDC37C669 combination controller chip that provides:
– A diskette controller
– Two universal asynchronous receiver-transmitters (UARTs) with full
modem control
– A bidirec t ional parallel port
1
64-bit-wide DIMMs can also be used.
Bank 0
1
Bank 1
1
Total Memory J7 J8 J9 J10
192MB 8Mb × 72 8Mb × 72 4Mb × 72 4Mb × 72
256MB 8Mb
× 72 8Mb × 72 8Mb × 72 8Mb × 72
16Mb
× 72 16Mb × 72 ——
512MB 16Mb
× 72 16Mb × 72 16Mb × 72 16Mb × 72
Table 1–1 AlphaPC 164SX SDRAM Memory Configurations
(Sheet 2 of 2)
Introduction 1–5
Software Support
1.1.6 Miscellaneous Logic
The AlphaPC 164SX contains the following miscellaneous components:
• Operating system sup port — through a 1MB f lash ROM that contain s supporting
firmware.
• Synthesizer for clocks:
– A clock synthesizer (MC12439) provides a programmable 400- and
533-MHz cl o ck so ur ce to th e 21164PC microproce ss or. The microp roc es -
sor supplies a cl ock to the sy stem PLL/clock buffer for th e 21174.
– The 21174 core logic chip provides the SDRAM and PCI clocks.
– A 14.318-MHz crystal and frequency generator provide a clock source for
the combination controller (FDC37C669) and the PCI-to-ISA bridge
(CY82C693U-NC). The controller’s onchip generator then provides other
clocks as needed.
– A 32-kHz crystal provides the TOY clock source.
• Flash ROM:
– Fail-safe booter
– Boot code
– BIOS: Windows NT or Alpha SRM console
• Altera EPM7064LC44-7 for DMA boundary issue.
1.2 Software Support
The support elements described in this section are either included with the
AlphaPC 164SX or are available separately.
1.2.1 AlphaBIOS Windows NT Firmware
The AlphaPC 164SX motherboard ships with AlphaBIOS firmware and online documentation that describes how to configure the firmware for Windows NT. This firmware
initializes the system and enables you to install and boot the Windows NT operating
system. The AlphaBIOS firmware resides in the flash ROM on the 21A05-A0 variation
of the AlphaPC 164SX motherboard. Binary images of the AlphaBIOS firmware are
included in the motherboard Software Developer’ s Kit (SDK), along with a license
describing the terms for use and distribution.
1–6 Introduction
Hardware Design Support
1.2.2 Alpha SRM Console Firmware
The Alpha SRM Console firmware is required to install and boot DIGITAL UNIX
on the AlphaPC 164SX. This Alpha firmware comes factory installed in the 21A05A1 variation of the AlphaPC 164SX. When installed, this firmware occupies the
flash blocks reserve d for the pri m ary firmwar e. Binary im ages of the Alpha SRM
Console firmware are included in the SDK and Firmware Update compact disk,
along with a license describing the terms for use and distribution.
1.2.3 Motherboard Software Developer’s Kit (SDK)
The SDK and Firmware Update is designed to provide an environment for developing software for Alpha mot herbo ard pr oducts . It i s als o speci ally suit ed for low-l evel
software development and hardware debug for other Alpha microprocessor-based
designs.
The following list includes some of the components of the SDK:
• The Alpha Motherboard Debug Monitor firmware with source code
• Power-up initialization SROM and SROM Mini-Debugger with source code
• Sample PALcode sources modeled after DIGITAL UNIX with source code
• Fail-safe booter with source code
• Various additional tools with source code
The following development platforms are supported by the SDK:
• DIGITAL UNIX with the C Developer’s Extensions
• Windows NT (Alpha) with the Microsoft Visual C++ Development System for
Alpha
• Windows NT (Intel) with the Microsoft Visual C++ Development System and
Tools provide limited support. This environment is currently useful for SROM
and PALcode development only.
1.3 Hardware Design Support
The full design database, including schematics and source files, is supplied. User
documentation is also included. The database allows designers with no previous
Alpha architecture experience to successfully develop a working Alpha system with
minimal assistance.
System Configuration and Connectors 2–1
2
System Configuration and Connectors
This chapter describes the AlphaPC 164SX configuration, board connectors and
functions, and switch functions. It also identifies switch and connector locations.
The AlphaPC 164SX uses switches to implement configuration parameters such as
system speed and bo ot pa ra meters. These switches must b e con fi gur ed f or the user’s
environment. Onboard connectors are provided for the I/O interfaces, DIMMs, and
serial and parallel peripheral ports.
Figure 2–1 shows the board outlines and identifies the location of switches, connectors, and major components. Table 2–1 lists and defines these items.
2–2 System Configuration and Connectors
Figure 2–1 AlphaPC 164SX Switch/Connector/Component Location
XU59
Q8
J1
J2
J3
J4
J5 J6
J7 J8 J9
J10
J11
J13
21164PC
U31
J14
J16
J15
J17
J18
J19
J20
J21
SW1 J22
J23
Q5
Q4
Q7
XB1
X2
X1
X3
U47
U39
21174
U33
U30
U46
U45
U25
U27
U23
U24
U17
U18
U12
U13
U7
U5
U3
U4
U1
U28
U32
U10 U11
U20 U21 U22
U48
U49
U50
U52
U51
U53
U54
U55
U40
U41 U42
U43
U44
U2
U8
U9
U6
U16
U14
U15
U19
U26
U29
U34
U35
U36
U37 U38
U56
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