Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!hao!oddjob!gargoyle!ihnp4!alberta!calgary!crash
From: crash@calgary.UUCP (Glen )
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: External Ram Disk
Message-ID: <1341@vaxb.calgary.UUCP>
Date: 10 Feb 88 15:45:51 GMT
Organization: U. of Calgary, Calgary, Ab.
Lines: 36
Summary: More info on External Ram Disk

Hi,

This is for all those asking for more info: (in rough form)

2.1 Definition of Project

   The project consists of the construction of an external
ram disk that interfaces to the ATARI ST computer family.
This consists of a custom chip that implements directly the
communication with the ATARI ST over the hard disk
interface. It will implement the hardware handshaking of the
hardisk interface and will interpet the low level commands
required for data transfer. The chip will also directly
control and access the ram disk memory. Two types of memory
chips can be controlled, 256K chips and 1meg chips. The maximum
memory for the ram disk is 2meg or 8meg. The two types of
memory cannot be intermixed.

The project must also allow hard disks that normally use
this interface to continue doing so. This invloves buffering
of the hardware interface with TTL drivers. Other inclusions
that should be consisdered are:

        o software driver resident in the ATARI ST

        o memory test (hardware or via the driver)

	o battery backup of memory <- not viable

	o the ram disk has it's own power source

A pcb is being made that supports the 256K chips. Initial
versions of the ram disk will be offered in kit form (chip
and pcb).

No pricing yet, sorry.