Datasheet

4D SYSTEMS DIABLO16 Processor
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DIABLO16 PROCESSOR
7. 4DGL - Software Language
The DIABLO16 processor belongs to a family of
processors powered by a highly optimised soft
core virtual engine, EVE (Extensible Virtual Engine).
EVE is a proprietary, high performance virtual-
machine with an extensive byte-code instruction
set optimised to execute compiled 4DGL
programs. 4DGL (4D Graphics Language) was
specifically developed from ground up for the EVE
engine core. It is a high level language which is
easy to learn and simple to understand yet
powerful enough to tackle many embedded
graphics applications.
4DGL is a graphics oriented language allowing
rapid application development, and the syntax
structure was designed using elements of popular
languages such as C, Basic, Pascal and others.
Programmers familiar with these languages will
feel right at home with 4DGL. It includes many
familiar instructions such as IF..ELSE..ENDIF,
WHILE..WEND, REPEAT..UNTIL, GOSUB..ENDSUB,
GOTO, PRINT as well as some specialised
instructions SERIN, SEROUT, GFX_LINE,
GFX_CIRCLE and many more.
For detailed information pertaining to the 4DGL
language, please refer to the following documents:
“4DGL-Programmers-Reference-Manual.pdf”
“DIABLO16-4DGL-Internal-Functions.pdf”
To assist with the development of 4DGL
applications, the Workshop 4 IDE combines a full-
featured editor, a compiler, a linker and a
downloader into a single PC-based application. It's
all you need to code, test and run your
applications.
8. In Circuit Serial Programming ICSP
The DIABLO16 processor is a custom graphics
processor. All functionality including the high level
commands are built into the chip. This chip level
configuration is available as a PmmC (Personality-
module-micro-Code) file, which can be likened to
traditional Firmware. There is also a Display Driver
file, which separates specific display settings from
the PmmC, unlike on the PICASO processor where
everything is combined.
A PmmC file contains all of the low level micro-
code information (analogy of that of a soft silicon)
which define the characteristics and functionality
of the device. The ability of programming the
device with a PmmC file provides an extremely
flexible method of customising as well as
upgrading it with future enhancements.
The Display Driver contains the initialisation and
parameters associated with the particular display
that is to be connected to the DIABLO16
processor.
The PmmC file and Display Driver file can only be
programmed into the device via the COM0 serial
port and an access to this must be provided for on
the target application board. This is referred to as
In Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP).
The PmmC file and Display Driver file are
programmed into the device with the aid of
Workshop 4, the 4D Systems IDE software (See
Section 12). To provide a link between the PC and
the ICSP interface, a specific 4D Programming
Cable or adaptor is required and is available from
4D Systems.
Using a non-4D programming interface could
damage your processor, and void your Warranty.
Note: The DIABLO16 processor is shipped blank
and it must be programmed with both the PmmC
configuration and Display Driver files.