Difference between revisions of "Hardware/Starlet"
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== Specs == | == Specs == | ||
| − | * NEC ARM926EJ-S SoC. | + | * NEC ARM926EJ-S SoC. See also [http://www.chipworks.com/seamark.aspx?sm=s4%3BDatedfl14%3BDeviceCategory6%3BMemoryfl10%3BReportCode12%3BCAR-0703-201&cw=detail ChipWorks]. |
* Big endian for compatibility with the Broadway | * Big endian for compatibility with the Broadway | ||
* ARM thumb instructions | * ARM thumb instructions | ||
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* [[ARM Binaries]] - the formats used for Starlet executable code | * [[ARM Binaries]] - the formats used for Starlet executable code | ||
* [[WAD Files]] are used for BOOT2 and the IOS | * [[WAD Files]] are used for BOOT2 and the IOS | ||
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[[Category:Hardware]] | [[Category:Hardware]] | ||
Revision as of 18:07, 10 August 2009
The Hollywood includes an ARM9 core to handle I/O and security, nicknamed the Starlet. This is a very interesting piece of hardware, as it basically does everything that makes a Wii different from a GameCube.
Note: this page is incomplete. Please expand it as you see fit!
Specs
- NEC ARM926EJ-S SoC. See also ChipWorks.
- Big endian for compatibility with the Broadway
- ARM thumb instructions
Boot
Starlet is the first processor to run code in the Wii.
- Starlet boots from an internal Mask ROM, BOOT0 (about 1300 bytes of code out of 4K possible)
- BOOT0 decrypts, verifies, and runs the first few blocks of NAND, BOOT1 (up to the first 48 pages of flash)
- BOOT1 locates, loads, decrypts, verifies, and runs BOOT2
- The BOOT2 bootstrap then loads the embedded ELF file.
- BOOT2 starts the IOS.
- IOS loads code into the EXI buffer and bootstraps the Broadway
Links
More information about the Starlet:
- ARM926EJ-S Technical Reference Manual - CPU, MMU, Cache specs and programmer's interface
- ARM9EJ-S Technical Reference Manual - CPU specs and programmer's interface
- ARM Architecture Reference Manual - Documentation about the ARMv5 architecture.
- IOS - the OS that runs on the Starlet and handles calls from the Broadway during game execution and while in the system menu.
- ARM Binaries - the formats used for Starlet executable code
- WAD Files are used for BOOT2 and the IOS