Intel 386SX-16 connection guide
Intel 386SX-16 PQFP-100 wiring guide with power, signal assignments, and bench checks.
PQFP-100
100 contacts Current packageConnect the power and ground planes
RequiredConnect every VCC and VSS pin to its corresponding plane. Use distributed low-inductance bypass capacitors next to the package. This layout example shows one 100 nF ceramic per edge as a starting point. Verify transient performance and bulk decoupling for the finished board.
- +5 V plane
- Ground plane
Bench checks
- Verify continuity to every VCC and VSS contact before power-up. Leave all ten NC contacts open.
- Check 4.5–5.5 V between the planes at the CPU under load.
Intel 240187-008, §7.1. The bypass value and count shown are example layout choices.
Connection scenarios
Verify clock, reset and inactive inputs
Use these points to bring up an assembled system with memory and bus control. Use a 32 MHz 5 V clock driver meeting Intel’s CLK2 thresholds and edge timing. Use a 5 V reset controller synchronized to CLK2. The shown straps assume no interrupts, DMA, or address pipelining. BUSY#, ERROR#, FLT# and PEREQ have internal bias for the inactive states.
- 32 MHz clock
- Clock driver output
- CLK2 (15)
- Oscilloscope CH1
- Reset
- Synchronized reset output
- RESET (33)
- Oscilloscope CH2
- Ground plane
- 5 V pull-up supply
- No address pipelining
- NA# (6)
- R1.2
- Address strobe inactive during hold
- ADS# (16)
- R2.2
- Lock inactive during hold
- LOCK# (26)
- R3.2
Bench checks
- Measure CLK2 with a short-ground probe close to pin 15. Check clock amplitude and edge timing against the electrical table.
- Capture RESET at pin 33. It must stay HIGH for at least 15 stable CLK2 periods and meet setup and hold on release.
Intel 240187-008, §7.1; Intel 240187-008, §§2.8 and 5.4, Fig. 7.7; Intel 240187-008, Table 7.7.
PQFP-100 wiring map
56 · A7
Physical address bit. Decode with BLE# and BHE# to select byte lanes. Tri-states when the CPU releases the local bus.
After reset · HIGH during reset.
Models and documents
Intel 5 V Intel386 SX rated at 16 MHz in the 100-lead plastic quad flatpack documented in 240187-008. The standard and low-power grades share this pinout and have different minimum clock rates. Check the fitted marking and silicon stepping before applying timing or errata.
- 386SX-16 Standard
- 4–16 MHz CPU operating range. CLK2 runs at 8–32 MHz. See Intel Table 7.7.
- 386SX-16 Low Power
- 2–16 MHz CPU operating range. CLK2 runs at 4–32 MHz. See Intel Table 7.8.
- Intel386 SX Microprocessor datasheet· Intel 240187-008 · January 1994 title date · Fig. 1.1 and Table 1.1, reset, bus timing and power design · archived manufacturer document.
- Intel Packaging Databook· 1999 · Chapter 2, plastic quad flatpack outline and 100-lead dimensions.
- Intel 386SX-16 source register· Datasheet revision, archive provenance and file checksum.
