Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!asuvax!mcdphx!mcdchg!motmpl!ron From: ron@motmpl.UUCP (Ron Widell) Newsgroups: comp.sys.m68k Subject: Re: MC68302 CP microcode Message-ID: <1897@motmpl.UUCP> Date: 7 Dec 90 21:46:21 GMT References: <18265@netcom.UUCP> Reply-To: ron@motmpl.UUCP (Ron Widell) Organization: Motorola Semiconductor, Minneapolis, MN. Lines: 45 Dave Mc Mahan (mcmahan@netcom.UUCP) writes: > > In a previous article, csowden@compulink.co.uk (Chris Sowden) writes: > >In the MC68302 User's Manual it mentions that part of the > >internal RAM can be used to hold microcode for the on-chip > >communications processor (CP). Does anyone know if there is > >any documentation available describing the microcode and the > >CP? Thanks for any help.... > Yes, supposedly there is. I was just at a Motorola seminar today, and at the > end of it, the gave out two phone numbers for computer bbs systems. In > addition to these numbers, there is also a freeware BBS operated by an > employee of Motorola. I don't have the numbers handy, but I'll post them > tomorrow when I get back to work and find them. The two numbers are: (512) 891-3733, 2400/1200/300 8,n,1 - The FREEware BBS and (716) 425-2579, 1200/300 8,n,1 There is also one in Toronto, but I don't remember the number. A word of caution- The micro-architecture of the communications engine of the 683*0*2 has *NOT* been released to date. I don't even know what it is. My understanding, however, is that it is very "snakey" (it'll bite you); and even worse (if you can believe it) than back in the old days when you had to create your own assembler to generate code for the WCS (writeable control store) on a bit-slice machine. It is far from regular or orthoganal and is very communications-specific. Moreover, it's likely that the details of this micro-architecture will *NEVER* be publicy released, although it may be disclosed in certain cases under a non-disclosure agreement. What this means is that, at least for now, any new microcode for the communica- tions engine on the 683*0*2 must come from Motorola. A couple of extant examples of this are the SS-7 (Signalling System #7) and the Centronics Parallel Interface; we are working on others. In contrast, we have released information (and a microcode assembler) for re-programming the microcode of the TPU in the 683*3*2. Remember- In part numbers, as in bank balances, ALL digits are significant :-). Regards, -- Ron Widell, Field Applications Eng. |UUCP: {...}mcdchg!motmpl!ron Motorola Semiconductor Products, Inc., |Voice:(612)941-6800 9600 W. 76th St., Suite G | I'm from Silicon Tundra, Eden Prairie, Mn. 55344 -3718 | what could I know?