Article source: Digital Core Design

Digital Core Design, IP Core and SoC design laboratories from Poland have introduced the newest version of the Motorola’s 68000 16/32-bit microprocessor. D68000 is the industry’s low cost 32-bit MCU, offering not only a low cost entry point but also effective performance. Improved architecture enables this IP Core to run with uCLinux, so it can be  easily used as HTTP server or FTP client.

The D68000 is 100% compatible with original Motorola’s 68000 and as a proof, just to mention, that a test run on classic Amiga 500+ computer showed clearly that DCD’s CPU can be 1:1 replacement for original chip. But classic computers are not the target destination for the product, cause improved architecture, creates new possibilities. D68000 runs with uCLinux Operating System, which makes this IP Core interesting solution for embedded servers, certified to be used only with m68k processors. The BOA application is used as HTTP server and effective communication could be established through FTP protocol. uCLinux is a MMU‐less derivative of Linux Operating System adopted for embedded solutions. It provides all of the Linux benefits including superior stability, Common Linux Kernel API, multitasking, full featured TCP/IP networking, Virtual File System and reduces the amount of memory needed by its kernel and running applications [it utilizes just 400kB].

To make implementation process even easier DCD’s solution is delivered with fully automated test-bench and complete set of tests, which allow easy package validation at each stage of SoC design flow.  – We have built special testing platform to run D68000 with uCLinux Operating System – explains Jacek Hanke, President of Digital Core Design – And to make this IP Core more user friendly, it’s being equipped with DoCD-BDM hardware debugger.

New IP Core from DCD is a technology independent solution, which enables any engineer to implement it in either Altera, Asic, Lattice or Xilinx technology. Of course D68000 is binary-compatible with m68k family of microprocessors, more over – DCD’s D68000 has a 16-bit data bus and a 24-bit address data bus. Its code is compatible with the MC68008, upward code compatible with the MC68010 virtual extensions and the MC68020 32-bit implementation of the architecture. The difference lies in improved instructions set, which allows to execute a program with a higher performance, than the standard 68000 core can offer. MULS, MULU take just 28 clock periods, the same as DIVS, DIVU. Optimized shifts and rotations, combined with shorter effective address calculation time and removed idle cycles make this IP Core much more power efficient.

To complement the D68000 offer, it’s being developed with DoCD-BDM hardware debugger, which provides debugging capability not only for the IP Core, but for the whole SoC system. DCD’s debugger is 100% compatible with BDM debug interfaces, working smoothly with its interfaces/cables: Public Domain cable, Macraigor Wiggler and P&E BDM cable. DoCD’s also fully supported by standard debugging tools like GNU GD8 debugger, Cosmic ZAP debugger and Tasking debugger.

More information:

http://dcd.pl/ipcore/101/d68000/  [D68000]

http://dcd.pl/page/294/uclinux-d68000/  [D68000 & uCLinux]

Key features :

• Software compatible with 68000 industry standard
• MULS, MULU take 28 clock periods
• DIVS, DIVU take 28 clock periods
• Optimized shifts and rotations
• Idle cycles removed to improve performance
• Shorter effective address calculation time
• Bus cycle timings identical to 68000
• 32 bit data and address registers
• 14 addressing modes:
• Direct:
• Data register direct
• Address register direct
• Indirect:
• Register indirect
• Postincrement register indirect
• Predecrement register indirect
• Register indirect with offset
• Indexed register indirect with offset
• PC relative:
• Relative with offset
• Relative with index and offset
• Absolute data:
• Absolute short
• Absolute long
• Immediate data:
• Immediate
• Quick immediate
• Implied
• 5 data types supported:
• bits
• BCD
• bytes, words and long words
• Arithmetic Logic Unit includes:
• 8,16,32-bit arithmetic & logical operations
• 16×16 bit signed and unsigned multiplication
• 32/16 bit signed and unsigned division
• Boolean operations
• Interrupt controller:
• 7 priority levels interrupt controller
• Unlimited number of virtual interrupt sources
• Vectored and auto-vectored modes
• Memory interface includes:
• Up to 4 GB of address space
• 16-bit data bus
• Asynchronous bus control
• M6800 family synchronous interface
• 3- and 2- wire bus arbitration
• Supervisor and user modes
• Fully synthesizable
• Static synchronous design

Information about Digital Core Design:

Digital Core Design is a leading Intellectual Property (IP) Core provider and System-on-Chip (SoC) design house. The company was founded in 1999 and since the early beginning is considered as an expert in IP Core architecture improvements. Thousands of customers became convinced by our unique solutions and billions of people worldwide use our technology in USB, MP3 players, mobile phones and many others.

The innovativeness of DCD’s IP solutions has been confirmed by over 300 licenses sold to over 200 customers worldwide, such as: INTEL, SIEMENS, PHILIPS, TOYOTA, OSRAM, GENERAL ELECTRIC, SILICON GRAPHICS, RAFAEL, SAGEM or GOODRICH.

More information: http://dcd.pl/page/147/about/