Intel386 Processors

Intel386 Processors

The Intel386 DX, EX, and SX embedded processors are based on the Intel386 architecture. All have 32-bit cores, and enhanced functionality for the embedded processor market.

* The static Intel386 EX microprocessor is designed for embedded applications that require high integration and low power. Key features include: PC compatibility, power management, low-voltage operation, and on-chip integration of numerous common peripherals such as interrupt controllers, chip selects, counters and timers.

* The static Intel386 SX, also referred to as the 80386SSX or 80386SXTA microprocessor, microprocessor is a pin-for-pin replacement for the dynamic Intel386 SX processor. The static design features clock freeze mode, and higher speed operation.

* The dynamic Intel386 SX microprocessor is an entry-level processor with a 16-bit external data bus and a 24-bit external address bus. It provides the performance benefits of a 32-bit architecture with the cost savings of a 16-bit hardware system.

* The dynamic Intel386 DX microprocessor is designed for single-user, multi-tasking applications. The 32-bit registers and data paths support 32-bit addresses and data types. It addresses 4 gigabytes of physical memory, and 64 terabytes of virtual memory. It offers a 50% performance increase over the Intel386 EX and SX processors.


Embedded system designers have long understood the benefits of PC compatibility in their designs. The embedded Intel386 processors are compatible with DOS and standard graphical windowing operating environments, as well as many popular embedded real-time operating systems.

Applications based on an Intel386 microprocessor allow designers to embed popular versions of DOS and graphical windowing environments to implement an array of existing software applications within their systems.

The PC compatibility, enhanced functionality, and real-time software support make the Intel386 microprocessors a sound embedded solution. Reduced design complexity and decreased software development time are major advantages in today's embedded market segment.

Time-to-Market

The embedded Intel386 processors reduce time-to-market by shortening both software and hardware design cycles. The embedded Intel386 processors preserve investments with existing Intel architecture software. Because the embedded Intel386 CPUs are 100% binary compatible with the 186/188 CPU, upgrading to an Intel386 CPU preserves software investment, and speeds time-to-market.

The PC makes an excellent tool for debugging code before application hardware is available. Code can be written and debugged in parallel with hardware development. The ability to use a PC for software debugging, in addition to a wide selection of development tools, allows for quick and inexpensive software development.

Intel386 EX architecture designs provide ease of use. The high integration of the Intel386 EX chip provides many of the peripheral devices previously found with personal computers. To add further value to the system, the Intel386 EX processor implements embedded peripheral functions such as interrupt controllers, chip-select generation, 16-bit timers and counters, DRAM refresh, watchdog timer, serial ports, etc. The high integration of the Intel386 EX microprocessor significantly reduces system complexity and hardware design time.

Integration of the Intel386 EX processor can also provide a simplified, compact design to lessen your burden on support chips that may become hard to find.

Upgrade Choice for 186 Processor

Intel's 186 processor family has been designed in many embedded applications over the years. If a 186 embedded design requires either more addressibility or higher performance, the Intel386 EX processor is the upgrade choice. The EX provides 26 address bits for a total of 4 Gbytes. Also, given the same clock rate, the Intel386 EX processor performs up to three times the performance of a 186-base processor. Since the EX has an 80386 core, it is code compatible with 186 processors, making it a logical upgrade processor to run your existing software.

Additionally, software can be modified to take advantage of the 80386 features, including memory protection and multitasking. Memory protection can provide a safety net to software problems. This can become very important if your customer ever modifies the software run on your application.

Intel® 186 Processors

Intel® 186 Processors

Intel modularized the core architecture of the Intel 186 in order to better provide expandable peripheral functionality. The 186 Ex family is based on an improved, static, 1 micron design. All of the enhanced products run at 25 MHz. In addition, the 80C186Ex/C188Ex processors have a common set of base peripherals beneficial to many embedded applications. The Ex processors all support a standard numeric interface, an interrupt control unit, a chip-select unit, a DRAM refresh control unit, a power management unit, and three 16-bit timer/counters.

The 186 Ex family was designed with a number of objectives, the most important being high integration, low power consumption and a small form factor. The first objective is met by offering different Ex family members with varied peripheral sets. The variety of peripheral combinations available allows a designer to choose a "best fit" for their application. The second objective, low power, is met by offering a fully static device that operates down to 2.9-3.0 volts. The final objective, small form factor, is addressed by the Shrink Quad Flat Pack (SQFP) package.

The idle mode allows the device to shut off the CPU clock, leaving all integrated peripherals active. Idle mode lowers processor current consumption by approximately 40 percent. Powerdown mode goes a step further, the clock input to the entire processor is disabled reducing device current consumption to transistor leakage (microamps).

Low voltage operation offers numerous benefits to the system designer such as decreased power consumption, less heat generation and less noise. The 13 MHz version of the 186 Ex processors are available in 3.3V versions which operate down to 2.9 volts. The 16 MHz versions as well operate at 3.3V down to 2.9 volts. The combination of power management functionality and optional low voltage operation make the 186 Ex family processors ideal for power sensitive applications.

The small form factor is a major benefit of the SQFP package. The small package allows high integration while using minimal area. Another benefit inherent in smaller packages is reduced noise. The device lead frame that carries signals from the die to the package pins is smaller in the SQFP than it is in packages like QFP or PLCC. The decreased lead frame size decreases noise amplitude on outputs. The decreased inductance resulting from the small package and the elimination of a device socket reduce output noise. Lastly, combining the SQFP package and integration of the 186 Ex processors with low voltage operation offers an ideal solution for portable, low power, battery operated applications.

The Pentium III processor

The Pentium III processor

The Pentium III processor is ideal for high performance applied computing. It supports highend communications, transaction terminal, and industrial automation applications. While incorporating new features and improvements, the Pentium III processor remains software compatible with previous members of the Intel microprocessor family.

The Pentium III processor is validated with multiple chipsets for maximum flexibility and scalability. Combined with the Intel 840 chipset, the Pentium III processor provides high performance and bandwidth including dual processing and a second PCI bus. The 815, 815E, 810 and 440BX chipsets provide a scalable platform supporting a wide selection of Celeron and Pentium III processors ranging from 66 to 133 MHz processor side bus speeds. The 440BX AGPset supports ECC for the highest data integrity and ISA for legacy I/O. The Intel 815, 815E and 810 chipsets utilize Intel Graphics Technology, an integrated graphics platform which provides more stability, higher quality graphics and a reduced OEM bill of materials cost.

Intel Celeron M Processors

Intel Celeron M Processors

The Intel Celeron M processor family is the next generation of mobile value processors, providing exceptional performance and value combined with low power for thermally sensitive embedded and communications applications. These processors offer ideal solutions for small-to-medium business and enterprise communications, storage appliances, and value-oriented embedded devices like Point Of Sale, kiosks and ATMs.

This document is the Specification Update to the Intel Celeron M Processor Datasheet, Intel Celeron M Processor on 90 nm Process Datasheet and Intel Celeron M Processor on 65 nm Process Datasheet. It is intended for hardware system manufacturers and software developers of applications, operating systems, or tools. Specification Updates contains specification changes, S-specs, errata, specification clarifications, and documentation changes. The Intel Celeron M processor on 90 nm process and Intel Celeron M processor on 65 nm process may contain design defects or errors known as errata which may cause the product to deviate from published specifications. Current characterized errata are available on request.