news@bungi.com.mu.edu (05/20/91)
Introduction:
LA532 (ie. Link Adapter 532) is a PC532 add-on board which provides
two (2) independent high-speed full-duplex asynchronous serial channels
conforming to the INMOS serial link protocol. The board, based upon
the INMOS C012, occupies one 2681 DUART position and utilizes one DB-25
rear panel cut-out to mount two (2) 8-pin female MiniDIN connectors for
interconnection.
Each INMOS C012, which appear as memory mapped peripherals, provide
a byte-wide data interface for the receipt and transmission of data.
The communications frequency of the serialized data is jumper selectable
as either 10 Mbits / sec or 20 Mbits / sec, and each device has an
input and output status register for control. The status registers
indicate if data is present, the output is ready, and are writable to
enable / disable input or output interrupts.
In additional to the serial links, each channel has associated with it three
control signals -- one input (ie. /SSerror) and two outputs (ie. /SSreset
and /SSanalyse). These signals conform to the INMOS standard used for
system control of a network of transputers, but they can also be used for
general IO.
Internally, two (2) ten (10) conductor flat cables connect the LA532
board to a small transistion board which mounts in a DB-25 opening.
This provides an interconnection interface based on convient inexpensive
industry standard cables (ie. Macintosh to ImageWriter II printer
cables). Since the links use balanced differential line drivers /
receivers (ie. NSC DP8921) cables can be up to 50 feet in length
or more.
Applications:
Obviously, to provide added function the LA532 must connect to
something. The possibilities are:
1). Another computer via a C012 based interface board.
2) A INMOS C011 based interface. The C011 is like the
C012 in that it provides a serial to parallel interface,
but has two modes of operation. In mode 1, the device
converts between a link and two independent fully
handshaken byte-wide interfaces, one input and one output.
+---------+
| C011 |
IValid --->| |---> QValid
IAcknowledge <---| |<--- QAcknowledge
| |
I0..7 ----\| |----\ Q0..7
----/| |----/
| |
LinkIn --->| |---> LinkOut
+---------+
With this interface and the three general purpose IO
control signals it is a simple matter to build things
such as a parallel printer interface, ADC, DAC, etc.
The second mode, Mode 2, configures the C011 to look
like a C012 (ie. a parallel bus interface with register
control).
3). A single or network of transputers such as the Computer
System Architects (CSA) "Transputer Educational Kit" (TEK)
add-on board at $150.00 each (0K). The transputers can
be used for computation and / or device control (eg. with
surgery, a PC ethernet card, VGA display adapter, etc).
Construction Plans:
Latter this week, I will post to the PC532 mailing list
complete plans for wire-wrap construction. This will
include:
Schematic (Tango-Schematic)
Part layout (Tango-PCB Plus)
Parts library (Tango)
PAL equations (ASCII, CUPL)
Parts list (ASCII)
If you do not have access to the Tango tools, ACCEL Technologies
offers evaluation / demo copies at no cost. This will provide
you the capability of viewing the design, but unfornately not
print it. The demo versions are fully functional with the exception
of saving and printing.
ACCEL Technologies, Inc
6825 Flanders Drive
San Diego, CA 92121
Telco: (619) 554-1000 or better yet (800) 433-7801.
While you are at it, you might as well ask ACCEL for a demo
copy of their "Tango-PLD". This will enable you to compile
the LA532 PAL equations into 16V8 JED files!
I am willing to send out design packages (above plus hardcopy)
in the USA at $5.00 each to cover my out-of-pocket expense.
Currently, because of a bad experience, I do not plan to send
design packages overseas. The last time I did, an individual
who promised to repay me Air-Mail failed to do so (-:. Sorry.
Physical Considerations:
As indicated the LA532 occupies one 2681 DUART position.
The LA532 board has the following shape:
+------------+
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
+--+ +--+
| |
+--------+ <-- PLCC socket
+--------+
Mechanically, the board attaches to a 44-pin PLCC socket by insertion
into the PLCC socket chip ejector slots. In other words the board
is positioned across the diagonal of the socket. The bad news
is that to connect the assembly, the motherboard DUART PLCC socket
must be replaced with a PGA socket. Though time consuming, replacing
the PLCC with a PGA socket is not that difficult. The method I used
was to use a soldering iron to 'cut' the four vertical sides and
horizontal internal edges of the connector. At this point all the
plastic can be removed with needle nose pliers. Next, simply remove
the socket pins, one contact at a time, and then clean out the holes.
Gee, wish I had used PGA sockets in the first place -- live and learn :-).
Software:
There are several issues here. Inmos has several useful
programs which are available on their archive server,
archive-server@inmos-c.inmos.COM. Send a single line "help"
to find out how to use this resource. One program "check"
is of particular value when getting started.
Currently, I am using 'peeks' and 'pokes' via /dev/mem to test
the LA532. So my next project is to write a proper device driver
for PC532-Minix. I will post a notice to the group when this
is available.
If you plan is to connect the LA532 to a transputer, the you
will need a set of transputer tools. At this time a good
starting point is the full CSA TEK kit for $238. This includes
MSDOS binary tools (11 disks), tons of manuals, and of course
the transputer card (same as the add-on card, but also populated
with PC bus interface chips). CSA address is:
Computer System Architects
950 North University Ave.
Provo, Utah 84602
(801) 374-2300
(800) 753-4CSA
As a longer term project I am planning to port the GNU tools
for transputer cross-development, but don't hold your breath
regarding time frame. I currently have GAS ported, and am working
and GLD.
Best regards,
johnc
--
John Connin: manatee Orlando, Florida
UUCP: {uunet,ge-dab,ucf-cs}!tarpit!tous!manatee!johncmaniac@convex.convex.com (05/21/91)
> LA532 (ie. Link Adapter 532) is a PC532 add-on board which provides > two (2) independent high-speed full-duplex asynchronous serial channels > conforming to the INMOS serial link protocol. The board, based upon > the INMOS C012, occupies one 2681 DUART position and utilizes one DB-25 > rear panel cut-out to mount two (2) 8-pin female MiniDIN connectors for > interconnection. Well, this looks like fun. I've always wanted to play around with some transputers. In fact, I was thinking about trying to build one up, just before I found out about the pc532. The idea of not having any tools, or anyone to help did not encourage me though, (and neither did the lack of an mmu for help with an OS...) But with GAS (that you mention later), and a pc532 with Minix (maybe Mach in a year or two?) as host (instead of my mac and it's finder) it might be fun to play with. Now if only I could find a job paying double my salary so I would only have to work 20 hours a week to survive... 8-) > Construction Plans: > > Latter this week, I will post to the PC532 mailing list > complete plans for wire-wrap construction. This will > include: > > Schematic (Tango-Schematic) > Part layout (Tango-PCB Plus) > Parts library (Tango) > PAL equations (ASCII, CUPL) > Parts list (ASCII) Looks like all I'd need (except for time, scrounging parts, and meager $$$) Since I don't have a PC (IBM style that is) could you see if there is a way to get an ASCII net list from your schematic? I could use that. I got a couple of small projects for my Mac with schematics in GIF format once, but I wouldn't want you to go to too much trouble for the curious among us. The GIF file worked, not that well, but it was relatively platform independent. Thanks for an interesting idea and a simple, small project, John. -- Jon Buller jonb@vector.dallas.tx.us ..!texsun!vector!jonb FROM Fortune IMPORT Quote; FROM Lawyers IMPORT Disclaimer;
news@bungi.com.mu.edu (05/22/91)
> > LA532 (ie. Link Adapter 532) is a PC532 add-on board which provides [ stuff deleted ] > Well, this looks like fun. I've always wanted to play around with some [ stuff deleted ] Glad to hear that it is of interest !!. [ stuff deleted ] > > Construction Plans: > > > > Latter this week, I will post to the PC532 mailing list > > complete plans for wire-wrap construction. This will > > include: > > > > Schematic (Tango-Schematic) > > Part layout (Tango-PCB Plus) > > Parts library (Tango) > > PAL equations (ASCII, CUPL) > > Parts list (ASCII) > > Looks like all I'd need (except for time, scrounging parts, and meager > $$$) Since I don't have a PC (IBM style that is) could you see if there > is a way to get an ASCII net list from your schematic? I could use that. > I got a couple of small projects for my Mac with schematics in GIF format > once, but I wouldn't want you to go to too much trouble for the curious > among us. The GIF file worked, not that well, but it was relatively > platform independent. Thanks for an interesting idea and a simple, small > project, John. You are welcome ... and indeed it is small and simple. A net list should be no problem, with one exception. Currently a couple of connectors on the schematic are not in the library. That is they were constructed with lines and junctions, and therefore the associated connections are unknown to Tango. I will either add the connector to the library or manually doctor the net list. Also, in this case finding an IBM-PC has got to be easier than generating GIF files -- glad you didn't ask for them :-). BTW: I forgot to include my mailing address in the announcement: John Connin 105 Red Cedar Longwood, FL 32779 USA Best regards, johnc -- John Connin: manatee Orlando, Florida UUCP: {uunet,ge-dab,ucf-cs}!tarpit!tous!manatee!johnc