
Intel386
TM
DX MICROPROCESSOR
5.4.3 Read and Write Cycles
5.4.3.1 INTRODUCTION
Data transfers occur as a result of bus cycles, classi-
fied as read or write cycles. During read cycles, data
is transferred from an external device to the proces-
sor. During write cycles data is transferred in the oth-
er direction, from the processor to an external de-
vice.
Two choices of address timing are dynamically se-
lectable: non-pipelined, or pipelined. After a bus idle
state, the processor always uses non-pipelined ad-
dress timing. However, the NA
Y
(Next Address) in-
put may be asserted to select pipelined address
timing for the next bus cycle. When pipelining is se-
lected and the Intel386 DX has a bus request pend-
ing internally, the address and definition of the next
cycle is made available even before the current bus
cycle is acknowledged by READY
Y
. Generally, the
NA
Y
input is sampled each bus cycle to select the
desired address timing for the next bus cycle.
Two choices of physical data bus width are dynami-
cally selectable: 32 bits, or 16 bits. Generally, the
BS16
Y
(Bus Size 16) input is sampled near the end
of the bus cycle to confirm the physical data bus size
applicable to the current cycle. Negation of BS16
Y
indicates a 32-bit size, and assertion indicates a
16-bit bus size.
If 16-bit bus size is indicated, the Intel386 DX auto-
matically responds as required to complete the
transfer on a 16-bit data bus. Depending on the size
and alignment of the operand, another 16-bit bus
cycle may be required. Table 5-7 provides all details.
When necessary, the Intel386 DX performs an addi-
tional 16-bit bus cycle, using D0–D15 in place of
D16–D31.
Terminating a read cycle or write cycle, like any bus
cycle, requires acknowledging the cycle by asserting
the READY
Y
input. Until acknowledged, the proces-
sor inserts wait states into the bus cycle, to allow
adjustment for the speed of any external device. Ex-
ternal hardware, which has decoded the address
and bus cycle type asserts the READY
Y
input at the
appropriate time.
231630–15
Idle states are shown here for diagram variety only. Write cycles are
not
always followed by an idle state. An active bus cycle can immediately
follow the write cycle.
Figure 5-11. Various Bus Cycles and Idle States with Non-Pipelined Address (zero wait states)
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