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Embedded Pentium
Processor
8
Datasheet
1.1
Pentium
Processor Family Architecture
The application instruction set of the Pentium processor family includes the complete Intel486
processor family instruction set with extensions to accommodate some of the additional
functionality of the Pentium processor. All application software written for the Intel386 and
Intel486 family microprocessors runs on Pentium processors without modification. The on-chip
memory management unit is completely compatible with the Intel386 family and Intel486 family
of processors.
Pentium processors implement several enhancements to increase performance. The two instruction
pipelines and the floating-point unit are capable of independent operation. Each pipeline issues
frequently used instructions in a single clock. Together, the dual pipes can issue two integer
instructions in one clock, or one floating-point instruction (under certain circumstances, two
floating-point instructions) in one clock.
Branch prediction is implemented in Pentium processors. To support this, the processor has two
prefetch buffers: one prefetches code in a linear fashion and the other prefetches code according to
the BTB so the needed code is almost always prefetched before it is needed for execution.
The floating-point unit (FPU) is up to ten times faster than the FPU used on the Intel486 processor
for common operations including add, multiply, and load.
Pentium processors include separate code and data caches integrated on-chip to meet performance
goals. Each cache is 8 Kbytes with a 32-byte line size, and is two-way set associative. Each cache
has a dedicated Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB) to translate linear addresses to physical
addresses. The data cache is configurable to be write back or write through on a line-by-line basis
and follows the MESI protocol. The data cache tags are triple-ported to support two data transfers
and an inquire cycle in the same clock. The code cache is an inherently write-protected cache. The
code cache tags are also triple-ported to support snooping and split-line accesses. Individual pages
can be configured as cacheable or non-cacheable by software or hardware. The caches can be
enabled or disabled by software or hardware.
Pentium processors have a 64-bit data bus for fast data transfer. Burst read and burst write back
cycles are supported. In addition, bus cycle pipelining allows two bus cycles to occur
simultaneously. The Memory Management Unit contains optional extensions to the architecture
which allow 2-Mbyte and 4-Mbyte page sizes.
Pentium processors have added significant data integrity and error detection capability. Data parity
checking is still supported on a byte-by-byte basis. Address parity checking and internal parity
checking features have been added along with a new exception, the machine check exception.
Pentium processors offer functional redundancy checking to provide maximum error detection of
the processor and the interface to the processor. When functional redundancy checking is used, a
second processor, the “checker” executes in lock-step with the “master” processor. The checker
samples the master’s outputs, compares those values with the values it computes internally, and
asserts an error signal when a mismatch occurs.
As more and more functions are integrated on-chip, the complexity of board level testing is
increased. To address this, Pentium processors provide test and debug capability. Pentium
processors implement IEEE Boundary Scan (Standard 1149.1). In addition, Pentium processors
provide four breakpoint pins that correspond to each of the debug registers and externally indicate a
breakpoint match. Execution tracing provides external indications when an instruction has
completed execution in either of the two internal pipelines, or when a branch has been taken.