i960(R) Hx Series Frequently Asked Questions

• Introduction Brief
• Q. What is the complete part number, speed and package type for the members of the 80960Hx series?
• Q. When will these parts be available?
• Q. Are the members of the Hx family pin for pin compatible?
• Q. Is there a technical paper or an application note for upgrading to the 960Hx series?
• Q. What are the key features and benefits for the new Hx series?
• Q. Is there an evaluation board for the 80960Hx series?
• Q. If I upgrade to the Hx series, do I need a new GNU960 or CTOOLS960 version?
• Q. Are there plans to make a Military version?
• Q. Is there a i960 PCI interface chip available?
• Q. How can I get pricing and availability information?

Introduction Brief

The Hx microprocessor family is the latest addition to the i960 architecture. Based on its superscalar RISC core, three new versions of the Hx series processors will push i960 processor performance to more than 150 MIPS at low power. This performance almost triples the highest performance available from other i960 processors and surpasses other processors for embedded applications.

The processors are the embedded market's first and only to employ clock tripling techniques. As manufacturing moves to even more advanced technologies, Intel expects to quadruple the clock and offer a 100mhz device.

Q. What is the complete part number, speed and package type for the members of the 80960Hx series?

A.

Q. When will these parts be available?

A.

P/N 

*Please note that these dates are subject to change.

Q. Are the members of the Hx family pin for pin compatible?

A. Yes, all of the members are pin for pin compatible. This allows an easy transition from one member to another. Therefore, a single 25MHz design can be used for the i960HA-25, the i960HD-50 and the i960HT-75. The advantages of the i960 Hx processors to designers can be divided into five separate segments:

• 1. Performance
• 2. Ease of Design
• 3. State-of-the-Art Testability
• 4. Room to Grow
• 5. Total System Cost Reduction

Q. Is there a technical paper or an application note for upgrading to the 960Hx series?

A. To simplify the upgrade path, the PGA versions of the i960Hx processors have been designed to have a pin-out very similar to the i960CA and CF processors. A designer can develop one board which will accept any of the i960Cx or i960Hx processors in the same PGA socket. See Ap-Note 506, "Designing for 80960Cx and 80960Hx Compatibility" in the Use category for i960 Processors at this site under Application Notes for Cx and/or Hx processors.

Q. What are the key features and benefits for the new Hx series?

Q. Is there an evaluation board for the 80960Hx series?

A. An evaluation board is available by CYCLONE. This evaluation platform is designed to provide the developer with a flexible , low cost environment for code and software debugging. The Cyclone EP board features interchangeable CPU and I/O modules. These modules are supported via connectors. For more information on the CYCLONE EP, check out the Try category for i960 Processors at this site under development tools and look for evaluation boards from Intel.

Product ordering information:

Base Board

   EP80960BB  Baseboard without CPU Module   



CPU Module

   CPU80960HX  HX Microprocessor CPU module   



Squall I/O Modules

   SQETHERNET ETHERNET MODULE   

   AQHSS  HIGH SPEED SERIAL   

   SQSCSI-2  SCSI-2   

   SQSCSI-3  SCSI-3(FAST AND WIDE)

Q. If I upgrade to the Hx series, do I need a new GNU960 or CTOOLS960 version?
A. The lastest GNU960 and CTOOLS960 versions will support the 80960Hx series.

Q. Are there plans to make a Military version?
A. Call the Military Hot Line at 800-344-2280

Q. Is there a i960 PCI interface chip available?
A. For more information on i960/PCI see FaxBack # 2178, "i960 PCI Chipsets for the i960 by PLX Technology", to get the information on the "i960 Microprocessor PCI I/O Software Development Kit (PCI-SDK)". For more information on this product you may also call PLX technology at (415) 960-0448.

Q. How can I get pricing and availability information?
A. An Intel Authorized Distributor can provide this information. Refer to Buy category in the Embedded Products section of this Web site for a sales office near you.


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