Specifications

4–24 Functional Description
Subject to Change – 17 January 1997
System Software
4.10 System Software
AlphaPC 164 software consists of the following:
•
Serial ROM code
•
Mini-Debugger code
•
Windows NT ARC firmware
•
Operating systems
The serial ROM code, Mini-Debugger code, and Windows NT ARC firmware are all
included with the AlphaPC 164 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 F for a list of related
documentation.
4.10.1 Serial ROM Code
The serial ROM code is contained in the Xilinx XC17128 serial configuration ROM.
This code is executed by the 21164 microprocessor when system power is turned on
(see Section 4.8). The serial ROM code initializes the system, then transfers control
to either the Mini-Debugger or the selected firmware, depending upon the setting of
the configuration jumpers (CF6 and CF7).
4.10.2 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 microprocessor.
Using only an SROM containing this program, a clock source, the 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.