Path: utzoo!yunexus!stpl!peter
From: peter@stpl.UUCP (Peter CAMILLERI)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.nsc.32k
Subject: Real time members of the 32k family
Keywords: NS32016RT, NS32C016RT, NS32332RT
Message-ID: <162@stpl.UUCP>
Date: 10 Oct 88 03:45:07 GMT
Article-I.D.: stpl.162
Reply-To: peter@stpl.UUCP (Peter CAMILLERI)
Organization: ISTS/Solar Terrestrial Physics Lab
Lines: 33

In reading over the '88 master selection guide, I noticed the existance
of certain 32k family parts with an "rt" suffix, that were touted as 
being "specially configured" for real time applications. The only
specific mentioned was the lack of virtuall memory support.

Some questions arise:

1) In what way are these processors "specially configured"? Do they have
special instructions? sped up interrupt response timinigs? etc?

2) Have the normal grade unsuitable for RT usage. This one is important
to me as I am currently designing with a 32C016 in a RT app.

3) Why must mmu functionality be considered at odds with RT. Sure, I agree
that demand paging is out, but what about protected memory domains for
multi-tasked RT apps. that are also critical in nature? Eg: an mmu is
a must to catch the dereferencing of a "wild" pointer. Now I admit that
simple memory ownership hardware could perform that task, but an mmu
seems to have lower parts counts.

4) I know the ICU is a recent release, BUT.... when will it be available
in cmos so I can dump my current altera e-pal kludge? The nmos version
could almost be used as a space heater. :-)

Well, that's all for now. As usual any response would be apreciated. 
In fact as the weather turns cold, I would'nt even mind a few 
warming flames...  maybe a visit to california to discuss.... :^)

-- 
Peter Camilleri                              peter@ists.UUCP
Elan Data Technology Inc.                    peter@ists.yorku.ca
836 Yonge St., Toronto, Ontario,             uunet!mnetor!yunexus!ists!peter
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