psx.wiki

System Architecture: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 01:40, 23 October 2026
RemmyLee
(CONTEXT.md: route images and backups)		Revision as of 02:22, 23 October 2026
RemmyLee
(Hardware and system software pages from the Sony manuals)
Line 1:Line 1:
+---
+title: System Architecture
+type: component
+summary: Processors and device groups of the PlayStation and how they connect.
+category: Hardware
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+The PlayStation is made up of processors and device groups centered on a 32-bit RISC CPU. Together they implement all functions such as graphics and sound.[^hw13]
+
+The PlayStation has the following blocks:
+
+Table: System blocks
+
+| Block | Description |
+| --- | --- |
+| [CPU](/hardware/cpu/)[^hw13] | R3000A-based 32-bit RISC CPU with I-cache and scratchpad |
+| GTE | Graphics data generating processor |
+| [GPU](/hardware/gpu/) | Graphics data drawing processor with its frame buffer |
+| [SPU](/hardware/spu/) | Audio processor with its sound buffer |
+| MDEC | Motion decoder |
+| [CD-ROM decoder](/hardware/cd-rom/) | CD-ROM decoder with its CD-ROM buffer |
+| PIO | Extended parallel port |
+| SIO | Extended serial port |
+| OS ROM | OS kernel and boot loader |
+
+## CPU and Its Peripherals
+
+Main memory and an interrupt controller surround the 32-bit RISC CPU at the base of the PlayStation.[^hw14]
+
+The CPU contains an instruction cache and a scratchpad memory.[^hw14]
+
+## Graphics System
+
+The graphics system is made up of the GTE and the GPU.[^hw14]
+
+The GTE is a coprocessor of the CPU. It performs fixed-point matrix and vector operations for coordinate transformation and light source calculation.[^hw14]
+
+The GPU draws polygons on instructions from the CPU. The frame buffer is mapped in its own 2-dimensional address space.[^hw14]
+
+The CPU transfers texture images and color palettes (CLUT) to the frame buffer. The GPU then draws polygons from the coordinates and colors that the GTE computes.[^hw14]
+
+## Sound System
+
+The sound system is made up of the SPU and the CD-ROM decoder.[^hw14]
+
+The SPU is a 24-voice ADPCM sound source operated by the CPU. It has its own address space with the sound buffer mapped in it.[^hw14]
+
+The CPU transfers ADPCM data to the sound buffer. Key On, Key Off and modulation information from the CPU make the SPU play it.[^hw14]
+
+## CD-ROM System
+
+The CD-ROM system is made up of the drive, the decoder and the other parts needed to read a CD-ROM.[^hw15]
+
+## Data Expansion Engine
+
+The data expansion engine (MDEC) performs the inverse DCT at high speed. It expands JPEG data and MPEG data compressed within the frame only.[^hw15]
+
+## Controller
+
+The controller passes the player's input to the application. A Multi tap connects more controllers than the two connectors on the main unit.[^hw15]
+
+## Memory Card
+
+The Memory Card stores data that must survive a reset or power off. A Multi tap connects more cards than the two connectors on the main unit.[^hw15]
+
+## Expansion Ports
+
+The PlayStation has two types of expansion port: serial and parallel.[^hw15]
+
+## References
+
+[^hw13]: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PlayStation Hardware. August 1998. Page 1-3, Figure 1-1.
+[^hw14]: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PlayStation Hardware. August 1998. Page 1-4, Figure 1-2.
+[^hw15]: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PlayStation Hardware. August 1998. Page 1-5, Figure 1-3.