1. Introduction
11
DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERATIONS
Ziatech offers a variety of software options for ZT 8904 applications. These options
include STD ROM, STAR BIOS, and Ziatech's Industrial BIOS. Contact the Ziatech for
additional options.
STD ROM allows programmers to develop ROM-based applications without the use of
an operating system. STD ROM connects the ZT 8904 to an IBM-compatible personal
computer through a high speed serial link. The computer is used as a development
station to create, download, and debug applications written in assembly, C, and other
popular programming languages. The Paradigm Systems DEBUG/RT used during the
debug phase includes source level debugging, single step execution, breakpoints and
watchpoints.
The Ziatech Industrial BIOS provides the standard MS-DOS environment and services
in Flash memory on the ZT 8904. Ziatech Industrial BIOS provides standard support for
common peripherals and is supported by many third party development tools such as
program editors, compilers, assemblers, and debuggers. Refer to the Ziatech system
manual for configuration and operating instructions.
STAR BIOS is the DOS platform operating on more than one master in a single
STD
bus system. Each master supports the Ziatech Industrial BIOS operating
environment and is capable of sharing STD bus memory and I/O, such as fixed disks,
floppy disks, and video. Refer to the STD 32 STAR SYSTEM™ operating manual for
configuration and operating instructions. The STAR BIOS is not available for the
ZT 8903.
FUNCTIONAL BLOCKS
The "
Functional Block Diagram
" on the next page illustrates the board's major functional
blocks. A description of the board's features and functional blocks is listed found in the
following topics.
STD Bus Interface
The ZT 8904 operates in STD 32 systems. In an STD 32 system, data transfers are
dynamically sized for either 8 bits or 16 bits. STD 32 compatible memory and I/O boards
are dynamically sensed to determine the width of the data transfer.
In addition to 16-bit data transfers, the STD 32 system provides the platform needed for
multiple master operation. In a multiple master system, up to seven ZT 8901, ZT 8902,
or ZT 8904 boards share STD bus resources with a fixed or rotating priority granted by
an external bus arbiter, such as the ZT 89CT39. The ZT 8903 does not support multiple
master operation.
See Chapter 3, "
STD Bus Interface
" for more information.
