Vortex86

Key takeaways

Vortex86 belongs to science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Vortex86 to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Vortex86 from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

The Vortex86 is a computing system-on-a-chip (SoC) based on a core compatible with the x86 microprocessor family. It is produced by DM&P Electronics, but originated with Rise Technology.

History

Vortex86 previously belonged to SiS, which got the basic design from Rise Technology. SiS sold it to DM&P Electronics in Taiwan. Before adopting the Vortex86 series, DM&P manufactured the ALi M6117D, which contains VM Technology VMT386SX+ derived x86 core, an Intel 386SX compatible, 25–40 MHz SoC.

CPU

Vortex86 CPUs implement the IA-32 architecture but which instructions are implemented varies depending on the model. Vortex86SX and the early versions of Vortex86 do not have a floating point unit (FPU). Any code that runs on i586 but does not use floating point instructions will run on these models. Any i586 code will run on Vortex86DX and later. Some Linux kernels (by build-time option) emulate the FPU on any CPU that is missing one, so a program that uses i586-level floating point instructions will work on any Vortex86 family CPU under such a kernel, albeit more slowly on a model with no FPU. The more advanced models have FPUs that have i686-level instructions, such as FUCOMI. Code intended for i686 may fail on some models because they lack a Conditional Move (CMOV) instruction. Compilers asked to optimize code for a more advanced CPU (for example the GNU Compiler with its -march=i686 option) generate code that uses CMOV. Linux systems intended to run on i686 are generally not compatible with these Vortex86 models because the GNU C Library, when built for i686, uses a CMOV instruction in its assembly language strcmp function, which its dynamic loader (ld.so) uses. Hence, no program that uses shared libraries can execute. Below are the properties of a Vortex86 original CPU reported by the Linux kernel tool /proc/cpuinfo. Note that this CPU is a later version with an FPU.

processor : 0 vendor_id : SiS SiS SiS cpu family : 5 model : 0 model name : 05/00 stepping : 5 cpu MHz : 199.978 fdiv_bug : no hlt_bug : no f00f_bug : no coma_bug : no fpu : yes fpu_exception : yes cpuid level : 1 wp : yes flags : fpu tsc cx8 mmx up bogomips : 399.95 clflush size : 32 cache_alignment : 32 address sizes : 32 bits physical, 32 bits virtual power management:

Software compatibility DM&P maintained an embedded Linux distribution customized to use the SoCs features. Other operating systems may work depending on the SoC model, including various RTOS systems such as QNX and VxWorks, Linux distributions, FreeBSD or various versions of Microsoft Windows systems such as Windows Embedded Compact or Windows IoT. The ability to identify Vortex86 processors was added to Linux 5.16, released in January 2022.

Versions

Vortex86 original The Vortex86 (M6127D) is a rebadged SiS 551 system-on-chip (SoC). The CPU core is derived from the Rise mP6, which has three integer and MMX pipelines and branch prediction.

Vortex86SX Introduced in February 2007, the Vortex86SX is an x86-compatible System-on-chip (SoC) with built-in north and south bridge on a 0.13 micron process in a 27x27 mm 581-pad BGA package. The CPU core is typically clocked at 300 MHz and is compatible with the 486SX instruction set. It has a six-stage pipeline with a direct-mapped write-through 16 KB Data + 16 KB Instruction L1 cache but, unlike the Vortex86, lacks L2 cache and an FPU. The memory controller allows 16-bit wide access to SDRAM up to 128 MB at 133 MHz and DDR2 up to 256 MB at 166 MHz. The SoC includes

PCI 2.1 interface at 33 MHz ISA bus interface ATA controller with 2 channels at Ultra-DMA 100 Fast Ethernet MAC USB 2.0 host with 4 ports 5 FIFO UART ports compatible with 16C550/16C552 at up to 460.8 kbit/s GPIO with 40 pins Embedded 256 KB flash memory Unlike the original Vortex86, it does not integrate video or audio controllers.

Vortex86DX Introduced in August 2008, the Vortex86DX retains the same BGA package as the SX and is pin-compatible. It is built on a 90 nm process. The CPU core is clocked at 600 MHz to 1 GHz (2.02 W @ 800 MHz ) and improves on the SX with a 4-way 16 KB Data + 16 KB Instruction L1 cache, adds a 4-way 256 KB L2 cache, in write-through or write-back mode, and an FPU. The memory controller drops the ability to use SDRAM but increases the amount and speed of DDR2 memory it can drive to 1 GB and 333 MHz. The SoC adds the ability to function as a USB 1.1 client on 1 port and increases the embedded flash capacity to 2 MB. The PDX-600 is a version of the Vortex86DX that differs only in the number of RS-232 ports (three instead of five) and has no I2C and servo controllers, thus targeting more the embedded than the industrial market. Netbooks similar to the Belco 450R use this chip.

Vortex86MX The Vortex86MX uses a larger 31x31 mm 720-ball BGA package, still on a 90 nm process. The CPU core improves on the DX by adding branch prediction, cache-access optimisation and MMX instructions. The memory controller can drive up to 1 GB of DDR2 memory at 400 MHz. The SoC drops ISA bus attachment but adds a VGA-compatible 2D GPU, with separate DDR2 memory, and a HD Audio controller. It has only three FIFO UART ports at up to 460.8 kbit/s. The consumer grade version is known as the PMX-1000. Current models of the Gecko Edubook use the Xcore86, a rebadge of the Vortex86MX.

Vortex86MX+ Introduced in June 2010, the Vortex86MX+ retains the same BGA package and CPU core as the MX. The memory controller allows wider 32-bit access to DDR2 up to 1 GB, still at 400 MHz. The integrated GPU switches to UMA, removing the requirement for separate video memory. The three FIFO UART ports can operate at data rates up to 115.2 kbit/s.

Vortex86DX2 Introduced in May 2012, the Vortex86DX2 retains the same BGA package, CPU core, and GPU as the MX+. The memory controller allows 32-bit access to DDR2 up to 2 GB at 400 MHz. The SoC drops conventional PCI capability and adds

PCI Express 1.0 interface SATA with one port at 1.5 Gbps nine FIFO UART ports compatible with 16C550/16C552 at up to 6 Mbps ISA bus interface GPIO with 88 pins Motor control interface with 3 groups of controllers, four controllers per group

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Vortex86

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Vortex86 claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Vortex86 before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Vortex86 ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Vortex86

In research: Vortex86 appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Vortex86 in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Vortex86 is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Embedded microprocessors, System on a chip, X86 microprocessors, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Vortex86 outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

How to study Vortex86 in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Vortex86 means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Vortex86 out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Vortex86 in simple terms?

The Vortex86 is a computing system-on-a-chip (SoC) based on a core compatible with the x86 microprocessor family. It is produced by DM&P Electronics, but originated with Rise Technology.

Why does Vortex86 matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Vortex86?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Vortex86.