26 April, 2002
CONTROLLER
6-3
Detailed
Descriptions
Memory
The dynamic memory used for System and Frame Buffer memory PC100
Synchronous DRAM in 168 pin DIMMs.
Non-Volatile Memory
There are three types of nonvolatile memory used on this machine:
The 256KB Flash Memory contains the BIOS data, the 16MB Flash Memory
contains the diagnostics and drivers to support firmware update, and the NVRAM
contains various parameters such as SP and UP Mode data.
System Memory
The controller ’s RAM is divided between system memory and frame buffer
memory. The working space for the system occupies a fixed amount of memory.
This space includes memory allocated to I/O buffers, PDL interpretation, and other
dynamic system structures. The hard drive in the Fiery can be utilized, at the
system’s discretion, for the temporary storage of overflow objects that may result
as by-products of file rasterization.
Frame Buffer Memory
Additional memory beyond the fixed system working space is allocated to
frame/page buffer memory. In general, as more memory is added to the system, it
is added to the page buffer memory pool. Pages are stored in memory in either
compressed or uncompressed format, depending on the system configuration. In
general, the more pages that can be stored in memory, the greater the throughput
of the system.
The state in which the Fiery rasterizes pages or jobs while simultaneously printing
is termed Rip-While-Print™.
Rip-While-Print™ enables the Fiery to begin processing new pages while current
pages are printing, increasing throughput tremendously on multiple page
documents and multiple jobs.
The state in which the Fiery controller contains enough rasterized pages in memory
to maintain constant data flow to the print engine, therefore preventing the engine
from cycling down between pages or jobs, is termed Continuous Print™.
Continuous Print™ allows the Fiery to drive the copier at full rated speed by
enabling the engine to print unique pages without pausing (cycle down).
The controller is designed to hold multiple pages in memory at once to guarantee
full error recovery in the case of paper jam, or other copier error state.
