NEWPRODUCTSNew Products Editor: Victor P. Nelson

Mini data acquisition system processes up to 20,000 samples per second

Developed by Cyber Systems, Inc.,MiniDAS is a mini data acquisition system de-signed to bridge the gap between the tradi-tional data logger and more complex data ac-

quisition systems.Configured with a solid-state multiplexer

and successive approximation ADC,MiniDAS processes up to 20,000 samples persecond, provides signal-conditioner modulesto process any transducer type, and includes a16-bit microprocessor to perform on-site datareduction. MiniDAS' turnkey ROM softwareand CRT display can be used in a variety of en-vironments to collect and reduce data, says themanufacturer.MiniDAS may also be configured with a

relay multiplexer and extended-resolutionADC to handle common-mode inputs of up to250 volts. An EPROM-resident program pro-vides an interactive menu that, according toCyber Systems, eliminates the need for exten-sive operator training.A master chassis contains the complete

system, including the discrete inputs and up toeight signal-conditioner cards. The systemmay be expanded to include up to 448 chan-nels.

MiniDAS can serve as a stand-alone systemor may be incorporated into a network ofCyber data acquisition and load-controlsystems. It will accommodate bridge-typetransducers (such as load cells, strain gauges,and pressure gauges) thermocouples, LVDTs,DCDTs, current sensors, RTDs and ther-

mistors, DC and AC voltages, and frequencyand discrete inputs.The MiniDAS data acquisition system

ranges from $12,500to $25,000 for a fully con-figured unit.

Reader Service Number 15

Programming package for IBM PC features Ada language

TeleSoft's PSE-Programming SupportEnvironment-provides the company's Adaand Pascal compilers for the IBM PersonalComputer.The PSE on the IBM Personal Computer in-

cludes an interpreter for the intermediate codegenerated by the TeleSoft Ada and Pascalcompilers. The intermediate code's greatercompactness over native code saves memory

during development and execution, says

TeleSoft. The PSE features the firm's pro-

prietary operating system, ROS, which pro-

vides access to all available memory on thehardware configuration. The PSE also sup-

ports 6M- and 12M-byte Tallgrass Technolo-

gies Winchester disks. The minimum memoryrequired is 256K bytes in configurations withWinchester disks and 384K bytes in systemswith floppy disks.PSE features the ability to load system pro-

grams in memory and keep them memory-resident so that floppy-based systems will notbe limited by the speed of the disks. Newdevice drivers may be written in Pascal andAda. Other tools and components allow theOEM/developer to bind new custom con-

figurations of the run-time software withcustom drivers or other routines, and to callresident graphics and sound routines.

Reader Service Number 16

August 1982

To obtain more informationabout a product or servicefeatured in New Products,circle the appropriate numberon the Reader Service Card atthe back of the magazine.

97

M68000, 8086-based systems feature dual-bus architecture

Microbar's three-member Dual Bus familyembodies a dual-bus architecture that in-creases system performance two to five timesover that of traditional single-bus designs, ac-

cording to the company.The family consists of two dual-bus com-

puters featuring either the M68000 or the 8086microprocessor and a dual-ported memorywith up to 512K bytes per board. The productswere designed for high performance applica-tions in which high-speed processing, largememories, and efficient bus utilization are

critical, says the company. The Dual Bus fami-ly's performance advantage over single-bussystems results from utilization of a separateP2 connector for high-speed communicationsbetween the CPU and memory and a standardP I interface for simultaneous transfers of databetween memory and standard Multibus pro-

cessors or controllers.

The initial products in the Dual Bus line con-sist of three offerings. The Model DBC68K isbased on the Motorola M68000 microproces-sor (4- or 8-MHz). It is fully compatible withthe proposed IEEE-796 (Multibus) standard,and features 16M-byte addressability and op-tional Motorola MMU68451 memory man-

agement unit. Access to the Dual Bus dual-port RAM is via the zero-wait-state high-speedP2 bus.

The Model DBC86 is based on the Intel 8086microprocessor (5- or 8-MHz) and is also com-patible with the proposed Multibus standard.It provides 16M-byte addressability and op-tional Microbar MM86 memory managementunit. Access to the dual-port RAM is via thezero-wait-state high-speed P2 bus. Otherfeatures include software compatibility withthe Intel iSBC 86/05, 86/12, 86/14, and86/30.

By handling CPU/memory communications over a connector separate from the connector usedfor l/O and interprocessor communication, Microbar's Dual Bus family offers higher perfor-mance than single-bus systems, according to the company.

The Model DBR50 is available with up to512K bytes of dual-ported Multibus-compatible memory. The DBR50 works inconjunction with the DBC68K or DBC86 toprovide zero-wait-state access via the P2 bus.The dual porting allows access by any

Multibus controller or processor over the stan-dard P1 bus simultaneously with P2 opera-tions. Other features include interleaved

memory, parity interrupts, and word and byteoperations.The Dual Bus family computers and

memory are available from Microbar 30 daysafter receipt of order. Prices based on

100-piece annual volume purchases are $1185for 8-MHz versions of the DBC68K or DBC86and $2235 for the 512K-byte DBR50 RAM.

Reader Service Number 17

Implementation of Modula language runs on Apple lIls ROM has 250-ns access time

A full-scale, commercial implementation ofthe Modula-2 programming language has beenannounced by Volition Systems. Designed forthe Apple 11, the implementation is calledModula 11 and runs under the Apple Pascaloperating system.Modula-2 is a high-level language designed

by Niklaus Wirth of the Federal Institute ofTechnology in Zurich. According to Volition,he created it to solve problems inherent inPascal and to provide an alternative to the use

of assembly language, Pascal, C, or Ada insystems programming.Modula is an acronym for modular lan-

guage. Its features include modules, pro-cesses, separate compilation, dynamic arrayparameters, and low-level machine access. Incontrast to Pascal, which requires nonstan-dard extensions to handle tasks like real-timeprogramming problems, Modula-2 is a smalllanguage supplemented by library modules.

Volition Systems' Modula 11 requires a

64K-byte Apple 11 with the Apple Pascaloperating system. The compiler accepts thefull Modula-2 language (as defined in Wirth's

Modula-2 report) with minor implementationrestrictions, says Volition. Programs are com-piled into p-code.

Separate compilation is fully supported,with up to 50 separately compiled modules per

program. No linking is required, according tothe company; module binding is performed atrun time. The loader module enables pro-

grams to invoke other programs as pro-

cedures, with data sharing via importedmodules.Modula 11 consists of a p-code interpreter

(which is upward-compatible with the ApplePascal interpreter), a one-pass compiler, a

library management utility, and a standardmodule library. Library modules include ones

for l/O, string handling, storage allocation,program loading, process scheduling, andmathematical functions. Documentation forall components is provided along with a copyof the Modula-2 report.Modula 11 is $550, with quantity discounts

available. Updates and user support via elec-tronic mail are also available.

Reader Service Number 18

Mostek's MK38000 is an N-channel, silicon-gate MOS ROM, organized as 32,768 wordsby 8 bits. As a member of the MostekBytewyde memory family, the device ensures

compatibility between RAM and previousMostek ROM generations such as the 64KMK37000. The device also provides a functionand density upgrade to byte-orientedEPROMs.The mask-programmable ROM features an

access and cycle time of 250 ns and an

operating temperature of 0°C to +70°C. Ithas a maximum power dissipation of one watt.System-oriented features include fully TTL-compatible inputs and outputs. The three-state outputs, controlled by the OE input, willdrive a minimum of two standard TTL loads.The MK38000 operates from a single + 5 voltpower supply and is packaged in a 28-pin DIP.

Eight-bit applications requiring a high-performance, high-bit-density ROM can besatisfied by the MK38000, says Mostek.

Reader Service Number 19

IEEE MICRO

Pl = 1/0 and Interprocessor Communication

P2 = Zero Wait State High Speed Execution Bus

98

Process-control system is fault-tolerant, features videoprogramming facility

The PCS-300 Can't-Fail ProgrammableControl System consists of a process-controlsystem and a video programmer, both fullysupported with software. Manufactured byAugust Systems, the PCS-300 is based on thecompany's fault-tolerant Series 300 industrialcontrol computer. According to the company,it provides continuous correct operationthrough triply redundant microprocessor-based logic modules, triplex process inter-faces, and peripheral devices which may ormay not be triplicated depending on the needsof the application. Any module can be re-moved and replaced without disrupting opera-tion.The system's video programmer lets the user

visually construct ladder-logic diagrams of hisprocess-control algorithms at a graphic CRTdisplay. A special keyboard provides a set ofladder management keys.The video programmer doubles as an off-

line programming system and as an on-linesystem-control console. Off line, the unit isused to develop programs which are eitherdownloaded to the process-control system ortransferred to diskette. In the on-line mode,the operator monitors the logic flow, revisesthe ladder, and dynamically changes limits,setpoints, and other system parameters. Ac-cidental or unauthorized tampering with the

system is guarded against through the use of akey switch and security password.

According to August Systems, the modulardesign of the PCS-300 suits it for use as a pro-grammable controller in small, simple applica-tions or, when expanded, as a large process-control system. The PCS-300 provides foranalog as well as digital input and output; this,says the company, eliminates the need for ex-ternal thresholding, allows capturing of pre-trip histories for later analysis, and providesall the control capability of a programmablecontroller.

The PCS-300 logic modules provide mem-ory expandable from 64K bytes to IM bytes inany mix of RAM, ROM, and EPROM. Diskand CRT terminal interfaces are provided. Inaddition, PCS-300 modules are Multibus-compatible.

The price of a PCS-300 Can't-Fail Pro-grammable Control System ranges from$50,000 to $150,000, depending on configu-ration.

Reader Service Number 20

Digital-to-analog converter requires no external componentsfor 18-bit conversion

A complete 18-bit buffered CMOS DACwith true 16-bit linearity, the Micro PowerSystems' MP377-18 includes storage registers,internal reference, and output amplifier.

According to the company, the device fea-tures 16-bit ( +0.0008%) linearity and 450mW typical power dissipation. Its input stor-age registers are designed as one 2-bit and two8-bit segments. They provide data storagewhen latched but are transparent when unlat-

ched, allowing data conversion to be per-formed continuously or from stored data.This feature is compatible with most micro-processor data bus interfaces, says MicroPower Systems.MP377-18 DACs are $220 each in lots of 25

to 99 pieces and are packaged in 28-pin double-wide DIPs. The devices are also available withMIL-STD-883 screening and testing.

Reader Service Number 21

Microsoft memory card for IBM PC emulates disk

The RAMCard is an expandable plug-inmemory system for the IBM Personal Com-puter that provides disk emulation capability,according to its manufacturer, Microsoft.The system includes a board with up to 256K

bytes of random-access memory, a diskettecontaining a version of PC-DOS that directsthe computer to use an area of the mem-ory-called RAMDrive-for disk I/O, and asystem manual written for the computernovice. The RAMDrive feature is designed forprograms requiring repeated disk access. Ac-cording to Microsoft, it prevents them frombecoming bottlenecked while the disk drive ismoving among tracks and sectors.

The RAMCard utilizes 64K x I dynamicRAMs with 200-ns access time and 4-msrefresh. Power consumption at + 5 voltsranges from 290 mA (64K version) to 525 mA(256K version) in the idle state, and from 325mA (64K) to 600 mA (256K) in the accessingstate.

Microsoft is supplying the RAMCard in 64,128, 192, and 256K-byte configurations, withprices ranging from $495 to $1095. A user canexpand the lower configurations himself bypurchasing a 64K byte upgrade kit, calledRAMChip, for $200.

Reader Service Number 22

6800Micro Modules

Eight-bit member of 68000 family announced

An eight-bit data-bus version of theMC68000, the MC68008 maintains completecompatibility with the MC68000 instructionset. The eight-bit microprocessor provides theperformance capabilities of the 16/32-bit68000 architecture while preserving the cost-effectiveness of an eight-bit microprocessorsystem, says Motorola.

Resources available to the users of theMC68008 include eight 32-bit data registers,nine 32-bit address registers, IM byte of ad-dress space, and 56 instruction types. Otherfeatures include operations on five main data

types, memory mapped 1/0, 14 addressingmodes, and a bus structure supporting bothsynchronous and asynchronous transfer.The product is the only processor to offer a

32-bit architecture on an eight-bit data bus, ac-cording to Motorola. It is designed to providea migration path, within the 68000 family,from entry-level systems to multiuser virtualmemory systems.The MC68008 will be sampled in the fourth

quarter of 1982 and will be initially offered in a48-pin ceramic or plastic package.

Reader Service Number 23

August 1982

cc..Reaaer Service Number iu

Controller chip supports blinking cursor in single-line,interactive liquid-crystal display

MC68000-based product linesupports VME bus

The CY300 from Cybernetic Micro Systemsinterfaces a 16-character dot-matrix LCD andkeyboard to any standard computer.Although capable of controlling a dumb

display via serial or parallel ASCII input, theCY300 offers all the necessary features, in-cluding a redefinable prompt, to interface aninteractive terminal to a conversational-modecomputer. The CY300 provides blinking-cursor editing, including delete, overwrite,cursor right, and cursor left. The editedmessage is transmitted down the serial link tothe computer by a carriage return. Any re-sponse from the computer is sent over theserial link to the CY300 and displayed on theLCD. Unlike other single-line display con-trollers, the CY300 does not erase its displayedcontents when it receives the prompt characterfrom the computer, says Cybernetic. Instead,the prompt-indicating the computer's readi-ness for a new command-is appended to theprevious computer response, which remainsdisplayed until a new keyboard entry is made.It is this feature that allows full console opera-tion with a single-line display, according to themanufacturer.The CY300 includes an on-board character

generator containing 64 5 x 7 ASCII char-acters and an on-board RAM buffer that ac-cepts and transmits 30 characters (with 16displayed). The CY300 operates with standardLCD displays such as the Epson MA - B955B

or the AND 1811, or with any 16-characterdisplay driven by the Toshiba T3891 orequivalent.The CY300 is a 40-pin CMOS device draw-

ing 10 mA. The + 5 volt chip interfaces direct-ly to TTL microcomputers or can drive RS-232C-level converters.The device sells for $65 in units, $37 in l00s,

and $27 in 1000s.

Reader Service Number 24

680001Z80A dual processor enhances Cromemco systems

Cromemco's 68000/Z80A Dual ProcessorUnit, Memory Controller Unit, and 256K and512K Memory Storage Units are supported bythe company's Cromix multiuser, multitask-ing operating system, Fortran 77, Cobol 80,Pascal, C, Structured Basic, and aMacroassembler.The Dual Processor Unit-which combines

a 68000 with a Z80A processor on the sameboard-and its support hardware ensure com-patibility with existing software being run onCromemco systems. The 68000/Z80A familywas designed to be incorporated into eithernew or existing Cromemco systems.

Several Cromemco systems incorporate the68000/Z80A board set. The company's desk-top System One, with the Dual Processor Unit

and two 5-inch floppy disk drives, is availablewith either 256K or 512K of memory. With256K, the 68000-based System One (ModelCS-lD2E) is $5495. With 512K, it is availablefor $6495.

Either of these System Ones can be upgrad-ed to include a 5M-byte hard disk drive as asubstitute for one of the floppy disk drives.The 256K System One (Model CS lHD2E) and512K System One (Model CS I HD5E) with op-tional SM-byte hard disk are available for$8495 and $9495, respectively.Cromemco's System Three with dual 8-inch

floppy disk drives is also available with dualprocessor option. With 512K of memory, a68000-based System Three (Model CS3DSE) is$9995. Reader Service Number 25

Unit turns Selectrics into letter-quality printers

A peripheral which turns an IBM Selectricor equivalent typewriter into a letter-qualityprinter, Personal Micro Computers' ElectricTyping Fingers (Model ETF-80) is availablewith interface cables for microcomputers suchas the TRS-80, PMC-80, PMC-81, EPS-80,and Apple II. An adapter for the IBM Per-sonal Computer is also available.

Printing is accomplished by placing the uniton top of the typewriter keyboard and plug-ging it into the parallel printer port of themicrocomputer. According to PMC, no modi-fication of the typewriter is necessary and no

additional software is required to operate theETF-80. Plastic-tipped solenoids inside theunit press the keys in the same manner as atypist would. The solenoids feature a testedperformance of over one million cycles, saysPMC.The speed of the unit is switch-selectable to

10 cps or 12 cps. If an IBM ASCII typing ele-ment is used, all standard computer symbolscan be printed.The ETF-80 is $595, including interface

cable.Reader Service Number 26

Motorola has introduced over 20 new mod-ular products compatible with the VME bus, arecently announced microcomputer system in-terconnect structure having multiple-vendorsupport. The VMEmodule family of prod-ucts-including microcomputer boards, soft-ware, packaging, and accessories-is based onthe Motorola MC68000 microprocessor unit,the multiprocessing VME bus system inter-connect standard, and Motorola's l/0 chan-nel system architecture.The VME products include an MC68000

monoboard microcomputer with 1/0 channelinterface, a 64K-byte dynamic RAM, a256K-byte dynamic RAM, a dual RS-232Cserial port, a dual 16-bit parallel printer port, abuffered nine-track magnetic tape adapter,nine-slot and 20-slot VME backplanes, and afive-slot 1/0 channel backplane.Motorola supports the VMEmodule prod-

uct line with real-time system software. TheRMS68K multitasking executive is ROMableand provides multiple-task-control algorithmsneeded in real-time applications. RMS68K hasbeen in field use for more than a year withMotorola's line of VERSAmodule board-levelproducts. For applications requiring massstorage and file management functions in ad-dition to real-time multitasking capabilities,the VERSAdos disk operating system is avail-able.

According to Motorola, the VME bus struc-ture was developed through a joint technicaleffort by Motorola, Mostek, and Signetics/Philips, following their perception of the needfor a worldwide bus standard to supportmicrocomputer-based systems with up to 32bits of processing power. Motorola'sVMEmodule products are implemented inprinted circuit boards, backplanes, and cardcages meeting with established DIN and IEC(Eurocard) mechanical standards.The VME bus incorporates system features

such as support of both single and multipro-cessor systems, support of microprocessor ar-chitectures up to 32 bits, data transfers of up to20 million bytes per second, use of a non-multiplexed asynchronous data transfer pro-tocol, and bus transfer requests via fourprioritized line levels.The VMEmodule system architecture sup-

ports the I/0 channel feature Motorola initial-ly introduced in 1981 in a new series ofVERSAmodule microcomputer products.The I/0 channel is a buffered extension of theon-board processor bus; it allows the system tobe custom-tailored through the addition of in-put/output functions both within and exter-nal to the VME card cage. According toMotorola, the 1/0 channel promotes efficientsystem utilization by allowing 1/0 transfers toproceed at rates of up to 2M bytes per second,independent of other on-going activity in thehigher-speed VME bus system interconnect.

Representative VMEmodule products willbe sampled in the third quarter of 1982; theMVMEl 10-1 MC68000 monoboard micro-computer will be $1440 in 25s, and theMVME201 256K-byte dynamic RAM will be$1780, also in 25s.

Reader Service Number 27

IEEE MICRO100

Microcomputer-based workstations support X.25 protocol

The data communications capabilities ofConvergent Technologies' display-basedworkstations have been extended to includepublic packet-switching data networks withthe introduction of an X.25 NetworkGateway. The development is the first full-feature implementation of the X.25 interna-tional standard protocol on a commerciallyavailable microcomputer-based system, ac-cording to the company.

The Network Gateway provides three levelsof access to public networks-packet, sequen-tial, and terminal emulative-via an RS-232port with a synchronous modem. Transmis-sion speeds are available up to 9600 baud.At the packet level, users can send and

receive complete packets of data and candirectly monitor the set-up of X.25 virtual cir-cuits. At this level, says Convergent, a pro-grammer can design interfaces to other com-

puter networks, construct server programs,and implement a packet-assembly/disassem-bly facility. Packet-level commands in theNetwork Gateway include call setup and clear-ing commands to establish and clear calls overX.25 virtual circuits, data transfer commandsto transfer data over an established virtual cir-cuit, and status and reset commands formonitoring the status of the network andresetting in case of an error.The sequential access level provides for

device-independent input/output and requiresno knowledge of the details of the X.25 pro-tocol. This level provides the tools needed tosend data to other computer systems in the net-work. Device-dependent information isavailable via a configuration file that specifiesparameters to control call set-up and clearing.The terminal emulation level makes Con-

vergent workstations appear as terminals to a

computer on any X.25 network. It allows thedisplay of received characters on the worksta-tion CRT or the storing of them in a file forlater review or printing. Entire files can betransferred from any workstation to anothercomputer.

Convergent desktop computers operate instand-alone or network configurations. Usinga distributed intelligence architecture, eachConvergent workstation provides a 15-inchvideo display, keyboard, and up to one millionbytes of random access memory. Eachworkstation can be interconnected to bothlocal and geographically dispersed networks.The Convergent X.25 Network Gateway is

immediately available for shipment. It is cer-tified for operation on the Telenet network;certificaion is pending for Tymnet andDatapac.

Reader Service Number 28

Registers lead AM D's newbus-interface product line

Advanced Micro Devices has introduced theinitial six members of its Am29800 family of8-, 9-, and 10-bit high-performance bus-interface products.

The Am29821 and the Am29822 are buf-fered, 10-bit-wide versions of the popular '374function and are designed for 20-bit-wide bus-structure applications. The nine-bit-wideAm29823 and Am29824 buffered registersfeature clock enable and clear functions, mak-ing them suitable for parity bus interfacing inmicroprogrammed systems. The Am29825and the Am29826 are standard eight-bit buf-fered registers with '823/'824 controls, plusmultiple enables. The multiple enables allowmultiuser control of the interfaces.

Each device in the Am29800 family followsa common pinout pattern-inputs to the left,outputs to the right; this, says AMD, saves thedesigner layout time and effort, in addition toboard space. VCC and ground pins are alsostandardized within the family.

The 24-pin, 300-mil devices are fabricatedusing AMD's IMOX ion-implanted oxide-isolated process. Their tpD of 7.5 ns (typical)matches the speed of multiple-IC register con-figurations currently being used, according tothe company. Other features of the Am29800family include 48 mA commercial IOL and 32mA military IOL, high-capacitance loadcapability, and low-capacitance inputs andoutputs.

All devices in the Am29800 family of regis-ters are screened to MIL-STD-883 constraintsand are guaranteed to meet the 0.2-percent re-

quirement of INT-STD-123.

Pricing of the devices ranges from $4.90 to$5.90 per unit in quantities over 100. Versionsin leadless chip carriers are $30 in quantitiesover 100.

Reader Service Number 29

August 1982Reader Service Number 11