dyer@math.lsa.umich.edu (Jon Brode) (08/09/89)
My roommate went to Siggraph last week and all he brought me back was this stupid ad... :-) Reprinted without permission. No guarantees of typographical accuracy or truth of posted ad. In short, its not my fault! --------------------- Atari Transputer Workstation -- Specification Processor: Main Processor T800-20 (20 Mhz), the T800-20 can perform 10 million instructions per second (MIP), has 4k on chip RAM and a floating point arithmetic processor. A 68000 (8 Mhz) processor relieves the T800-20 of all I/O tasks to be performed. The 68000 I/O subsystem is connected to the T800 via a transputer link, communicating at 20 Mhz. Memory: The T800 has access to 4 Megabytes of fast dynamic RAM (120ns), which can be expanded internally to 16 Megabytes (and eventually to 64) The 68000 I/O subsystem is supported by 512K RAM, which can be expanded up to 4 Megabyte. [sic :-)] Video Memory: 1 Megabyte of fast dual port dynamic RAM (100ns), ports connected to both the main bus and video bus. I/O: All I/O is the responsibility of the 68000 I/O subsystem. This subsystem is based on the Atari Megs ST specification and is able to function independent of the host T800 system. The following I/O is supported via the 68000 I/O subsystem. RS232, DMA, Parallel port, Midi ports, Floppy Disk (3.5 or 5.25), SCSI, Mouse or Joystick port. All standard Atari ST range peripherals can be connected. The 68000 subsystem will be capable of supporting its own RGB or composite monitor independent of the main system monitor. Storage: The ATW will be supplied with a 40 Megabyte SCSI hard disk. Additional or higher capacity drives will be available as options. [on the copy I have, the 40 was crossed out and an 80 was written in] Video: The ATW will support the following screen resolutions: Mode Resolution BPP Colours Pallette 0 1280x960 4 16 4096 1 1024x768 8 256 16 million 2 640x480 8 256 16 million 3 512x480 32 True colour The graphics processor (called "Blossom") relieves the T800 of memory refresh and data transformation between address spaces. The graphics processor is capable of addressing the entire user RAM area in addition to the video RAM. Additional graphic processor specifications: Functions designed specifically with X-Windows in mind: 32x32 pixel mask. 16 bit wide functions on source and destination. 4 linear comparisons on each pixel per cycle. Square area fill up to 32 Mpixels/sec. Line drawing up to 32 Mpixels/sec. Trapezoid fill up to 32 Mpixels/sec. Expansion: Both the main T800 system and the 68000 I/O subsystem can be expanded : The 68000 bus is available for expansion via 1 slot. The T800 bus is available for expansion via 4 slots. The T800 expansion slots will support additional transputers and RAM. The T800 bus is also available for adding support cards such as X25, Ethernet, Link X-Bar switch (based on C004/T212). Upto 12 additional T-800-20 can be added to the ATW. There is no limit to the numbers of processors that can be added externally. Operating System: The operating system, Helios is a true distributed operating system. There are no central services upon which the entire system relies, thus making the system more fault tolerant. The distributed nature of Helios is transparent to both the user and programs. Helios is multi-tasking and designed specifically for a multi-transputer architecture. The Helios environment, with its C shell and UNIX compatible command set and libraries will be familiar to all UNIX programmers and users. Helios is responsible for distributing program components to the appropriate processor in the transputer network. Languages: The ATW and Helios support all major languages including: C, Fortran 77, Modula 2, Lisp, Prolog, BASIC, Occam, Strand. User Interface: X-Windows Version 1.1 runs on Helios. The X-Window system is the standard for controlling window based graphics on workstations. It is flexible and powerful. A desktop representing data and facilities as icons will simplify the UNIX style interface of Helios. A mouse pointer will enable easy selection of icons and pop-up menus. Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of the information in this document, no liability is accepted for any consequences of its use. In the interests of continuing product development, the right is reserved to alter any details of specification or equipment without notice. Atari Corp. (UK) Limited, Atari House, Railway Terrace, Slough, Berkshire SL2 5BZ. Telephone:(0753) 33344. Telex: 848401. Fax: (0753)822914. ------------------------------ The box itself looks like a cross between a Mega and an RT. The keyboard and mouse are Mega ripoffs. The CRT pictures says "NEC Multisync Plus". The Guts of the machine are in a stand-up box. From the picture, I'd guess that its about 1 foot wide, 1 yard high and 1 yard deep. The front of the box has some lights, a reset button, a disk drive (looks like a 3 1/2), what might be a 5.25 drive, and two key locks. Jon Brode -- dyer@math.lsa.umich.edu Jesse '92 Terminator Atari Archive Moderator