Single Processor System - Intel Embedded Intel486 Hardware Reference Manual

EMBEDDED Intel486™ PROCESSOR HARDWARE REFERENCE MANUAL
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Figure 2-1. A Typical Intel486™ Processor System
2.4.1

Single Processor System

In single-processor systems, the processor handles all peripheral resources and intelligent devic-
es, and executes all software. The Intel486 processor does this in a more efficient way and for a
wider range of task complexity than earlier processors. Single-processor systems offer small size
and low cost in exchange for flexibility in upgrading or expanding the system. Typical applica-
tions include personal computers, small desktop workstations, and embedded controllers. Such
applications are implemented as a single board, usually called a motherboard; the processor bus
does not extend beyond the board occupied by the Intel486 processor.
Figure 2-2 shows an example of such a system. In a single-processor system, devices that share
the processor bus must be selected carefully. All components must interact directly with the pro-
cessor bus or have interface logic that allows them to do so. The total bus bandwidth requirements
2-8
Intel486™
Processor
Processor Bus
External Cache
Optional
System Bus
Bus
Controller
External Bus
Bus
Processor
LAN
Coprocessor