vax2:kurt (02/24/83)
The 16032 is a `new' processor from National Semiconductor. It has an architecture optimized for compiled code. The instruction set is completely orthogonal: Every addressing mode may be applied to every operand of every instruction. In general the instructions implement a 2-address machine. There are short forms of certain instructions to do very common operations. Instructions act on byte, word, long, or floating operands (the floating point unit is a separate chip but is supported partially by the 16032 internal hardware and it is possible to emulate the FPU in software). The 16032 features demand paged virtual memory (like the VAX) which is cleanly implemented in the 16032 and in a virtual memory controller. The hardware interface to the 16032 is a straightforward synchronous bus. All the interesting things like vectored prioritized interrupts, traps, memory protection, single step/trace, and kernel/user modes are present and usable. The 16032 runs about 20% faster than a 68000 running at the same clock speed and executing the same type of instructions (by my personal, non-guaranteed benchmarks). National reps say that the 16032 will be priced competetively with the 68000 parts of comparable specifications. The 16032 is in volume production. The MMU is just in production (I think), the FPU is almost in samples (I think). There is an 8-bit bus version called the 16008 which is in samples or early production. There is said to be a UNIX port provided by a company called Translation Systems. I have not seen this. National claims to have a port of UNIX and is working on a better one. I have not seen this either. National has extensive cross compiler support for the 16032 which runs on UNIX and VMS. I have seen this and it looks good. Anybody who has seen both the 16032 and the 68000 would be crazy not to pick the 16032; it is that much better (this is a personal opinion). And yes Virginia, there is a 16032. It is real, it is in production, it is going to be a powerful force in the computer world.