Specifications
Hardware Configuration
2–13
2.5.5 Serial Console
Unique to Ampro is ROM BIOS support for using a serial console (keyboard and display) in place of the
conventional video controller, monitor, and keyboard. See Chapter 3 for an explanation of the serial
console option.
2.5.6 Serial Downloader
Also unique to Ampro is ROM BIOS support for downloading a program from a host computer via a
serial port. The program is then run as if it had been loaded from disk. See Chapter 3 for an explanation
of the serial download option.
2.6 MULTIMODE PARALLEL PORT
The Little Board/P5i incorporates a multimode parallel port. This port supports four modes of operation:
Standard PC/AT printer port (output only)
PS/2-compatible bi-directional parallel port (SPP)
Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP)
Extended Capabilities Port (ECP)
See “Multimode Parallel Port” in Chapter 3 for a description of the parallel ports modes.
This section lists the pinout of the parallel port connector and describes how to configure it for its I/O
port and interrupt assignments, and how to assign a DMA channel to the port when operating in ECP
mode. Refer to Chapter 3 for programming information, including how to use the port for bi-directional
I/O.
2.6.1 I/O Addresses
The parallel port functions are controlled by eight I/O ports and their associated register and control
functionality. By selecting the base I/O address, you can configure the parallel port as the primary port
(typically LPT1) or the secondary port (typically LPT2), or you may disable the port to free the hardware
resources for other peripherals.
Table 2-9 lists the parallel port addresses you can select. Use the SETUP function described in Chapter 3
to select the parallel port I/O addresses.
Table 2–9 Parallel Printer Port Address Configuration
Selection I/O Address
Primary 378h - 37Fh
Secondary 278h - 27Fh
Disable None
For details about the parallel port I/O addresses and the data, status, control, EPP, and ECP port bit
definitions, refer to the parallel port section in Chapter 3.