
8
ZR38650
System Functions
The remaining portion of the standard ZR38650 functions that
reside in every program ROM are the system functions, shown
schematically in Figure 4.
Monitor
This is the simple real-time operating system mini-kernel used
by all ZR38650 functions in normal operation.
Utilities
System utilities maintain operation of the various I/O interfaces
that are shared between functions. These include the serial
audio data ports, the serial SPI or Z2C host interface and the
parallel host interface for commands and responses. The utili-
ties also include the initial and reset bootstrap routine that
determines the start-up ROM and executes its initialization
process.
ICE Debug
For In-Circuit Emulation debugging using the ZR38000 Family
Simulator, the monitor is used in a mode for single-step and
breakpoint execution of programs.
Software - System Configurations
As a result of the ZR38650’s ability to be configured from a low-
cost, fixed-function device to a very flexible, full capability audio
processor, there are many choices as to how the software is
configured. These are related to the system hardware configu-
ration. Important considerations are if a host is used, if only
standard commands are to be used and what provisions are to
be made for current and future upgrades. Table 4 summarizes
the most common configurations and their relative benefits.
Figure 4 illustrates possible sources and residences of the
software for different hardware configurations. Starting with the
on-chip program ROM, it can be either the standard version or
with custom functions as shown. Custom and SiliconSoftware
functions can be available for downloading into the on-chip or
external program/data RAM from three sources as indicated by
the dashed arrows. If there is no host they must be loaded from
the external byte-wide program ROM or executed directly from
an external 32-bit ROM. With a host custom and SiliconSoftware
functions may be loaded from the host’s own non-volatile
memory (ROM or flash EPROM typically) or through its I/O
peripherals such as on-line links or movable memory media like
floppy disks.
Hardware - System Configurations
All of the hardware shown in Figure 2, the composite system
block diagram on page 3, is supported in the ZR38650. The
choices for host, data input and output, and external memory are
summarized in Table 5. Those that are supported by the
standard functions with the standard commands are noted. Indi-
vidual SiliconSoftware functions support additional
configurations. For example, the Karaoke Processing supports
the bit-serial ADC data input and the external data RAM required
for pitch correction and voice reverberation.
Table 4: Software Configurations
Configuration
Description
Benefits
Host Operation Using
Standard Commands
Internal Standard ROM
with or without External
RAM
Download internal/external program RAMs
with SiliconSoftwarefrom host for addition-
al current and future functions.
Moderate flexibility for current and future
functions with only host S/W development.
Host Operation Using
Standard and Custom
Commands and APIs
Internal Standard ROM
with or without External
RAM
Download internal/external program RAMs
with SiliconSoftwarefrom host for addition-
al current, future and custom functions.
Maximum customization and flexibility for
current and future functions.
Internal Standard ROM
with External Custom
ROM
Download internal program RAM with Sili-
conSoftware from external ROM for
current and custom functions or from host
for future functions.
Maximum customization with moderate
flexibility for current and future functions.
Lower external memory size and costs.
Internal Custom ROM
Download program RAM with SiliconSoft-
warefrom host for future functions.
Moderate customization with moderate
flexibility for future functions. Minimum
cost.
Stand Alone (No Host)
Operation Using Standard
and Custom Functions with
APIs
Internal Standard ROM
with External Custom
ROM
Standard and custom functions with
control through GPIO port.
Low cost, maximum customization. Broad
choice of ROM technologies for flexibility
for future.
Internal Custom ROM
Standard and custom functions with
control through GPIO port. No future flexi-
bility without internal ROM non-recurring
engineering (NRE) cost.
Lowest recurring cost with moderate
customization.