Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!helios.ee.lbl.gov!pasteur!ucbvax!hplabs!nsc!grenley
From: grenley@nsc.nsc.com (George Grenley)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.nsc.32k
Subject: Re: 32K "do-it-yourself" kits...
Keywords: The Ultimate Scrooge...
Message-ID: <7631@nsc.nsc.com>
Date: 8 Nov 88 20:38:39 GMT
References: <2613@sultra.UUCP> <7532@nsc.nsc.com> <2621@sultra.UUCP> <7619@nsc.nsc.com> <7626@nsc.nsc.com>
Reply-To: grenley@nsc.nsc.com.UUCP (George Grenley)
Organization: National Semiconductor, Sunnyvale
Lines: 35

We'll get this right yet....

In article <7626@nsc.nsc.com> curry@nsc.nsc.com.UUCP (Ray Curry) writes:
>In article <7619@nsc.nsc.com> grenley@nsc.nsc.com.UUCP (George Grenley) writes:
>>The 532DK includes a PCB.  You can build it yourself, then add DRAM (your
>>design), and a disk interface (your design) and create a complete
>>system.

>Oops, George.  Almost correct there.  The RAM used is actually static, 64K X4.
>You can use 25 NS versions for 0 wait state operation or 45 ns for 1, or slower
>for more waits.  The kit includes the NS32532, sockets, the one and only PAL,
>plus the PC board of course.  The builder must supply some simple TTL and the
>RAM chips.

Ray is correct, but I meant something else, namely that you can add DRAM, but
only by designing the interface yourself - i.e., other than the w/w area, we
have made no particular provision for it.

Let me summarize:

The DK is a minimum-feature 532, that will allow you to run simple programs.
It is expandible, roughly in proportion to your ingenuity.  NSC's purpose
it offering it was to provide a low cost way for a user to run a small
custom benchmark, and generally "get acquainted" with the 532.

Professionals seeking an out-of-the-box platform for more serious development
should consider the VME based boards offered by NSC and Heurikon.

On the other hand, cash-starved college students & hobbyists should think
about the DK.  Together with some DRAM & a disk drive, you could probably
cobble up a system for < $1500 if you shopped around.

Happy Hacking!

George Grenley
NSC