IDT 79R3001 simplifies RISC-based control systems

Abstract

The MIPS RISC processor, R3000, has found widespread acceptance in high-profile applications such as highperformance workstations and servers. Equally significant, though less widely known, is the increasing use of the architecture in a variety of control-oriented applications such as laser printers, realtime event controllers and avionics controllers. IDT has identified a set of straightforward yet powerful changes to the basic R3000 device which simplifies its use in a wide variety of these applications. These changes are embodied in its 79R3001 RISController, a device which is fully software compatible (kernel and user level) with the standard R3000. The 79R3001 attains system cost savings over the R3000 and is more flexible and powerful in a range of realtime applications. The paper describes the evolution of the MIPS R3000 into the 79R3001. It discusses the architectural features of the R3000/R3001 that make it a good processor for embedded applications. It also describes the shortcomings of the R3000 in certain applications, and how the 79R3001 addresses these shortcomings. The paper also contains a brief description of the memory control capabilities of the 79R3001, and discusses how some of the changes incorporated into it directly benefit particular types of application.