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From: torbenm@freke.diku.dk (Torben [gidius Mogensen)
Newsgroups: comp.arch
Subject: Re: processor for graphics terminal [was: PC/AT clones with RISC cpu]
Message-ID: <1990Nov2.113135.1297@diku.dk>
Date: 2 Nov 90 11:31:35 GMT
References: <2081@aber-cs.UUCP> <0093F0E4.0B02A980@KING.ENG.UMD.EDU> <1990Nov2.000650.18866@jarvis.csri.toronto.edu>
Sender: news@diku.dk (The Netnews System)
Organization: Department Of Computer Science, University Of Copenhagen
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jonah@dgp.toronto.edu (Jeff Lee) writes:

>sysmgr@KING.ENG.UMD.EDU (Doug Mohney) writes:

>A group here is tossing around a similar idea, but minus the disk
>controller and (possibly) plus a SCSI port, with SIMMs for memory
>(1/4/16MB).  However, we're considering a RISC processor in place of
>the 386 (running at memory speeds to eliminate the cache and reduce the
>chip count).  Does anyone working on current small systems design have
>any suggestions on how easily [i.e using little glue] current
>processors (29K, 88K, MIPS, SPARC, or even [34]86, 680[34]0, or ???)
>would or would not fit into such a low-chip count, low-end,
>low-quantity(?) product?  Also, how easy is it to add an FPU along
>with those chips that don't include it?

Try looking at the ARM (Acorns Risc Machine) chip set, produced by
VLSI technology.

The ARM is a 32bit RISC cpu, currently found in two versions, ARM2 and
ARM3. It sounds like the ARM2 is best suited for your purpose, as it
is without cache and designed to work fast even so. There are
currently 3 support chips: MEMC, VIDC and IOC. MEMC is a memory
management unit, VIDC is a video and sound controller and IOC is an
I/O controller.

VIDC is able to support memory mapped dispalys with virtually any
resolution in up to 8 bits per pixel. It is programmable regarding
frequency, and can be used on both normal frequency monitors, VGA
monitors, multiscan monitors and high frequency monitors. Acorn
computers have produced computers and workstations that support all of
these types of monitors on the same machine.

Prentice Hall publish the book:
	"VL86C010 32bit RISC MPU and Peripherals Users Manual"
	ISBN: 0-13-944968-X

The book has the datasheets for:
	VL86C010 - ARM2
	VL86C110 - MEMC
	VL86C310 - VIDC
	VL86C410 - IOC

The present production version of MEMC is MEMC1a, which is an improved
version of the MEMC described in the book.

The cost of the complete chip set (ARM2, MEMC1a, VIDC and IOC) is
lower than the price of a 386.

The ARM3 is an ARM2 expanded with cache plus a few syncronisation
commands. It is currently available in versions running up to 40MHz.

Acorn has announced an FPU, supposed to be shipping at the end of the
year.

>Alternatively, does anyone know of an existing board-level product
>with at least >=1M pixel memory mapped graphics, CPU,
>keyboard/mouse/serial ports, EPROM socket(s), and >=2MB RAM?
>Ethernet, SCSI, FPU, and TOD-clock are optional, but full hardware
>documentation is essential.

Acorn sells full machines with the above specifications, but I do not
think they sell boards only. The top level products are UNIX
workstations supporting screen modes of 1152x900 B/W uning a high
frequency monitors or 800x600x256 colours using super VGA monitors.

>Jeff Lee -- jonah@cs.toronto.edu || utai!jonah

Torben Mogensen (torbenm@diku.dk)