Designing embedded control applications with the IDT79R3001

To be an ideal general-purpose embedded control CPU, a processor must provide solutions that meet different sets of criteria. In general, the criteria falls into one of two broad categories: performance or system cost. Performance can be measured in terms of raw throughput, context switch time, and minimum and maximum latency to interrupts. System cost is looked at in terms of component cost and parts count, which are not always the same. The IDT79R3001 RISC microprocessor was defined with these requirements in mind, while keeping software and architectural compatibility with the IDT79R3000. One of the strengths of IDT79R3000 is its ability to support different memory hierarchies and cache configurations. Additions were made to the IDT79R3000 so that the IDT79R3001 would retain the flexibility but be able to address other criteria, such as reduced parts count, small board real estate, and predictable interrupt response.<>