The i960RP is a complex device, with many registers for configuration of external devices, interrupt handling, etc. The construction of the ISE board requires certain parameter settings, and those will be described below.
The ISE board typically comes with software, including a bootstrap loader, that does much of the required initialization. Where reasonable options exist, the programmer is still expected to make configuration decisions. The settings described below are exactly those used by Picture Elements supplied software. Most are required unless otherwise stated.
Major components of the i960RP, such as the bridge, the ATU, and DMA controllers will be described in seperate chapters. For further details about each of the registers mentioned below, see the i960RP Microprocessor User's Manual. Before going on, some background is required on how the ISE board is reset, and the sequence of events when the host PCI bus releases the global reset signal.