Introduction
18 Datasheet, Volume 2
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RWO
Read/Write Once. A register bit with this attribute can be written to only once after
power up. After the first write, the bit becomes read only. This attribute is applied on a bit
by bit basis. For example, if the RWO attribute is applied to a 2-bit field, and only one bit
is written, then the written bit cannot be rewritten (unless reset). The unwritten bit, of the
field, may still be written once. This is special case of RWL.
RWDS
RW and Sticky. Re-initialized to default value only with POWERGOOD reset. Value
written will take effect on the next Link layer init.
RRW
Read/Restricted Write. This bit can be read and written by software. However, only
supported values will be written. Writes of non supported values will have no effect.
L Lock. A register bit with this attribute becomes Read Only after a lock bit is set.
RSVD/RV
Reserved Bit. This bit is reserved for future expansion and must not be written. The
latest version of the PCI Local Bus Specification, requires that reserved bits must be
preserved. Any software that modifies a register that contains a reserved bit is
responsible for reading the register, modifying the desired bits, and writing back the
result.
Reserved Bits
Some of the processor registers described in this section contain reserved bits. These bits
are labeled “Reserved”. Software must deal correctly with fields that are reserved. On
reads, software must use appropriate masks to extract the defined bits and not rely on
reserved bits being any particular value. On writes, software must ensure that the values
of reserved bit positions are preserved. That is, the values of reserved bit positions must
first be read, merged with the new values for other bit positions and then written back.
Note that software does not need to perform a read-merge-write operation for the
Configuration Address (CONFIG_ADDRESS) register.
Reserved
Registers
In addition to reserved bits within a register, the processor contains address locations in
the configuration space that are marked either “Reserved” or “Intel Reserved”. The
processor responds to accesses to “Reserved” address locations by completing the host
cycle. When a “Reserved” register location is read, a zero value is returned. (“Reserved”
registers can be 8, 16, or 32 bits in size). Writes to “Reserved” registers have no effect on
the processor. Registers that are ®marked as “Intel Reserved” must not be modified by
system software. Writes to “Intel Reserved” registers may cause system failure. Reads to
“Intel Reserved” registers may return a non-zero value.
Default Value
upon a Reset
Upon a reset, the processor sets all of its internal configuration registers to predetermined
default states. Some register values at reset are determined by external strapping
options. The default state represents the minimum functionality feature set required to
successfully bring up the system. Hence, it does not represent the optimal system
configuration. It is the responsibility of the system initialization software (usually BIOS) to
properly determine the DRAM configurations, operating parameters and optional system
features that are applicable, and to program the processor registers accordingly.
“ST” appended to
the end of a bit
name
The bit is “sticky” or unchanged by a hard reset. These bits can only be cleared by a
PWRGOOD reset.
Term Description