Interphase Tech 4538 - Manual (Page 17)

4538 Hardware Reference Manual xi
Using This Guide
Purpose
This 4538 Hardware Reference Manual is designed for software developers in Interphase
customer organizations who intend to develop embedded software and/or host drivers for
the 4538 T1/E1/J1 communications controller.
The 4538 is delivered with an Interphase Boot Firmware located in the FLASH memory.
This firmware initializes and configures the 4538 hardware at each boot. It also includes
built-in self tests and a monitor. Software developers can decide to keep the Interphase Boot
Firmware and develop an operational firmware that will start after the completion of this
Interphase Boot Firmware. This solution is recommended for the following reasons:
• PowerQUICC II and 4538 initial hardware configuration code is already developed
and validated by Interphase in the boot firmware.
• Interphase Boot Firmware provides several ways to download and execute
developer’s operational firmware.
• Interphase Boot Firmware can be used during the life of the product for operational
firmware updates and field unit tests.
However, if the software developers decide to re-develop their own Boot Firmware, this
manual describes in detail the 4538 Hardware and provides information relative to its
initialization and configuration.
N
OTES
To install the 4538 Communications Controller in your CompactPCI Machine, please
refer to the 4538 Board Installation and Maintenance Guide. Different cautions and
warnings are described to avoid damage to your communications controller.
All the booting process and software elements composing the Interphase Boot
Firmware are described in the 4538 Built-In Self test and Monitor Users Guide. Refer
to this document when using Boot Firmware.
Audience
This guide was written assuming that readers have extensive knowledge of the C
programming language and of methods for developing and installing software drivers.