Tadpole SPARCbook 3 series, Reference Manual

Page: 23 / 216

Architecture Overview
1-11
Fast I/O Subsystem
1.8.2 Ethernet Controller
The Ethernet controller provides a 10Mbit/sec networking interface. The
design features an AT&T serial interface encoder to provide the standard
AUI interface through a 26-way high density connector. An AUI cable and
an Ethernet transceiver can be used to provide access to other physical
Ethernet media, including Thick, Thin and Fiber-optic networks.
Note
The AUI interface is DC coupled, and any attachment units used with SPARCbook 3
must feature the network isolation function.
Ethernet data transfers are supported with the MACIO DMA function.
For more information, refer to Chapter 6, “Ethernet Interface”. For
information about the connections, refer to Appendix B, “Connector
Information”.
1.8.3 Parallel Port
The parallel port breakout cable supplied with the SPARCbook enables
connection to a bi-directional Centronics style interface on a standard
25-way D-Type connector. Parallel port data transfers are supported with
the MACIO DMA function.
For more information, refer to Chapter 10, “Parallel Interface”. For
information about the connections, refer to to Appendix B, “Connector
Information”.
1.8.4 FIFOs and DMA Controller
The FIFO and DMAC arrangement provided by the MACIO supports the
SCSI, Ethernet and parallel interfaces. The DMAC performs burst transfers
on the SBus whenever possible, supported by the FIFO circuitry, to
minimize the I/O bandwidth consumed by simultaneous operation of these
interfaces.
S3GX_TRMBook Page 11 Friday, September 19, 1997 11:39 am