Data Controller
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Data Controller
The data controller (DC) consists of the following elements:
• 68EC030 microprocessor
• Two flash SIMM sockets, for up to 30MB of program memory
• Two DRAM SIMM sockets, for up to 32MB of data memory
• 8K x 8 Non-Volatile Battery-Backed static RAM (NVRAM) for storage of
configuration and system statistical data
• VX ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit)
• Host I/O Drivers/Termination
68EC030 Microprocessor
A 40 MHz Motorola 68EC030 microprocessor serves as the processor of the
DC unit on P5X05B, P5X10, and P5X15 printers. The controller board on
these models is called the “CMX 040” board. The CMX 040 controller is
backwards compatible with any earlier P5000 series printer except H-Series
printers.
The controller used in H-Series printers is called the “CFX controller board.”
While the DC on this board operates the same as it does on the CMX board,
the CFX board has circuit modifications unique to H-Series printers.
This chapter refers to the DC microprocessor as simply the “030,” but
remember that two different controller boards are available.
Flash Memory
The DC stores program and emulation code in flash memory. Flash memory
is erasable, non-volatile, and significantly faster than a disk drive.
The DC uses AMD 5.0V-only flash memory, which does not require higher
programming and erasing voltages on the board (it has an internal charge
pump to make these voltages itself). This memory supports at least 100,000
write/erase cycles. The flash memory is 32 bits wide. It is byte, word, and
double word readable, but is always written as double words.
Two 80-pin SIMM sockets are provided for flash memory. Up to 30MB of flash
(total), organized as up to four banks, may be installed in the two sockets on
the controller board. The boot code for the 68EC030 processor must reside in
bank 0.
Programs stored in flash memory are changed through the parallel or serial
port.
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