User`s guide

3.11 System Software

EB164 software consists of the following:

• Serial ROM code

• Mini-Debugger code

• Debug monitor ROM code

• Windows NT ARC ﬁrmware

• Operating systems

The serial ROM code, Mini-Debugger code, debug monitor code, and Windows

NT ARC ﬁrmware are all included with the EB164 and do not require a

license. Only binaries for the Windows NT ARC ﬁrmware are included, not

the sources. Operating systems are available as licensed products. Refer to

Appendix C for a list of related documentation.

3.11.1 Serial ROM Code

The serial ROM code is contained in the Xilinx XC17128 serial conﬁguration

ROM. This code is executed by the 21164 when system power is turned on (see

Section 3.9). The serial ROM code initializes the system, then transfers control

to either the Mini-Debugger, the debug monitor, or the selected ﬁrmware,

depending upon the setting of the conﬁguration jumpers.

3.11.2 Mini-Debugger Code

The Alpha SROM Mini-Debugger provides basic hardware debugging capability

through a serial connector interface to the SROM port of the 21164. Using

only an SROM containing this program, a clock source, the Alpha 21164

microprocessor, and a few gates, you can exercise devices connected to the

CPU to debug caches, main memory, and I/O subsystems until the board is

functional enough to support a more fully featured monitor.

The Mini-Debugger provides:

• Basic hardware debugging capability

• The capability to load code through the SROM test port

• A monitor that can point to hardware addresses and exercise registers and

devices at those locations

• The ability to examine and deposit memory locations

• A case-independent command language

• Support for variable CPU speeds and communication baud rates

3–24 Functional Description