Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!usc!apple!netcom!mcmahan From: mcmahan@netcom.UUCP (Dave Mc Mahan) Newsgroups: comp.sys.m68k Subject: (Motorola's New 683xx Family (was: What company makes the 68070?) Message-ID: <14656@netcom.UUCP> Date: 13 Oct 90 22:49:17 GMT References: <8b4BSYy00Uh7E2nmco@andrew.cmu.edu> <3375@wombat.UUCP> <47494@mcdchg.chg.mcd.mot.com> Organization: Dave McMahan @ NetCom Services Lines: 56 In a previous article, michael@chg.mcd.mot.com (Michael Bodine) writes: >> (Russell E. Hoffman, II) writes: >> >Signetics make the 68070. I thought it was really Phillips that made that chip (that's the name on my data sheet) but I think Phillips bought out Signetics or something, so maybe they do. >Hmmm...as long as you're bringing up alternatives, Motorola Semiconductor is >now making the first of a long series of 68000-core based, integrated cpus: >the 68300 line. They've got timers, dmas, async and synchronous communications >ports and protocols, all built into the chips. I believe the two announced >parts are the 68302 and the 68332. Check 'em out! I have. I have been using the 68332 for about 4 months. In a word, AWESOME! This chip is designed for reducing glue logic while giving maximum performance. It does some incredible things with the TPU (Time Processor Unit) and has all kinds of built-in features (like 12 programmable chip selects with variable wait states, timer interrupt, on-board PLL for adjustable CPU speed, Async serial port, etc., etc., etc.) This chip is really going to make our product produceable. Imagine, you can have a 16.7 MHz 68000 system running with only 4 chips. 1 CPU, 1 16 bit wide EPROM, and 2 RAM chips. If your application needs less than 2 Kbytes of RAM, the on-board static RAM will even allow you to remove the 2 RAM chips and all you then need is 2 chips for a system. The whole thing runs from any old clock source (32,768 KHz crystal recommended; about 98 cents retail) and can accept any source which it will then phase-lock the internal oscillator to and provide the desired CPU clock. It also includes a synchronous SPI bus for easy interfacing of various peripherials (like ADC converters, DAC converters, real-time clock chips, etc). If you order this part, you can pay about $332 for a completely functional development system that allows fast prototyping. When ordering, make sure you get a part with mask revision 'I' or later. I think that is all they are shipping now, but the earlier mask versions had problems and limitations. I have been told by Motorola that the part is supposed to cost about $40 in 100 quantity by 1Q90. It is planed to increase the speed of the part to 33 MHz once the current part is stable. To use the faster part, all you will need to do is buy it and change your chip initialization software to add more wait states for things that can't run that fast. Pretty easy upgrade, if you ask me. There is also a part called the 68331, which is a stripped down version of the 68332. It is less flexible, but cheaper. Motorola is now advertising it. For software, I have been using a 68000 'C' compiler system that works pretty well. The compiler runs on a IBM-PC/AT platform (386SX CPU or better recommended) and includes an in-circuit source level debugger. This product isn't from Motorola, mail me if you want more info on the setup. >[ Michael Bodine, michael@chg.mcd.mot.com, Dial: (708) 576-7840, FAX: x8875 ] -dave Disclaimer: I don't work for Motorola, I just use their products.