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From: izumi@mindseye.berkeley.edu (Izumi Ohzawa)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: Re: Can DSP's multitask?
Message-ID: <1991Jun5.040416.29553@agate.berkeley.edu>
Date: 5 Jun 91 04:04:16 GMT
References: <1991Jun4.211914.623@math.ucla.edu>
Sender: root@agate.berkeley.edu (Charlie Root)
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In article <1991Jun4.211914.623@math.ucla.edu>
 barry@pico.math.ucla.edu (Barry Merriman) writes:
>
>With the advent of products that make heavy use of the DSP
>(like MIX Inc's forthcoming digital modem/fax/answering machine
>all done in the DSP), it seems that the DSP will often be
>occupied when some other process needs it. Is it possible for 
>DSP's to do some sort of multitasking (I guess this would be
>up to the operating system).

I am not hopeful on the multitasking idea.
But I know what we need.

A multi-function board with 
  a DSP 56001 +  sockets for one more 56001 and DSP RAM.
  one or two parallel printer ports
  two more serial ports
  may be a phone interface + codec with route to one of 56001.

All this for $500-700?  Is this possible?
Ariel has a board with 5 x 56001, but at $5000+, it's out
of the price range of most users.

I don't foresee any need for 5 of DSP chips, but would like
an inexpensive addition of another now, and possibility of
expansion for the 3-rd DSP.

Parallel ports can make alternatives for NeXT Laser printer
a practical reality.
Izumi Ohzawa             [ $@Bg_78^=;(J ]
USMail: University of California, 360 Minor Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720
Telephone: (415) 642-6440             Fax:  (415) 642-3323
Internet: izumi@violet.berkeley.edu   NeXTmail: izumi@pinoko.berkeley.edu