Analogue output for SBC-80

Analogue output for SBC-80

Programmable interface from Abacus Abacus Computers have announced a programmable interface based around a Picoprocessor, a custom-made processor chip...

171KB Sizes 35 Downloads 123 Views

Programmable interface from Abacus Abacus Computers have announced a programmable interface based around a Picoprocessor, a custom-made processor chip. It has been designed to link devices using IEEE 488 protocol to parallel or serial devices. The basic unit is capable of driving standard ASCII subystems but can offer ASCII to EBSDIC conversion for printers, plotters and tape punches. Cost will be around £120. (Abacus

Computers Limited, 62 New Cavendish Street, London WIM 7LD, UK. Tel: Ol 580 8841)

Texas bubbles A new family of interchangeable magnetic bubble memories with capacity up to 1 Mbit has been announced by Texas Instruments. The first two devices - to be available as board-level systems - are the T1B1000, a binary Mbit device organised as 512k x 2, and the T1B0500, 0.5 Mbit device with 512k x 1 organisation. Block replicate architecture, organised as two identical sections of 512k bits each, is used. There are 300 minor loops per section with 2049 bits per loop. A page of data consists of bubbles from 2.56 of the loops. Of the remaining loops 18 are used for errorcorrection information, and up to 26 are allowed to be defective. At 100-kHz bubble field frequency, the T1B1000 has an access time of 11.2 ms. Data rate is 160 kbits per second. Initially the T1B1000 and T1B0500 will be available for evaluation or designin as a complete system in two board formats, at $2100 and $3100 each respectively. In addition, two TM990 microcomputer compatible memory subsystems with 1 Mbit and 2 Mbit capacity will be available in the first quarter of 1ff80. (.Texas

Instruments Ltd, Manton Lane, Bedford MK4t 7PA, UK. Tel: 0234 67466)

rot 3 no I0 december 79

Exters 951EX Microdisc is an RS232C-compatib/e device incorporating a Shugart flexible-disc drive, and is capable o f storing over 200 000 characters on a miniature flexible disc. In addition to add, delete and replace editing of file contents, a 'global search' feature enables a full disc search for a character string (up to 15 characters). 'Free-space indication'gives a readout o f the numerical size of the free-space after every disc directory readout. A 'go-to' and 'go-to-andreturn' feature enables insertion o f multiple pages o f data within an existing data file, and a 'control F' command allows insertion or deletion of characters or words without having to remember how many characters where in the original word. The Exte1951EX costs £1281 (plus VAT). (The Exchange Telegraph Co. Ltd., Engineering Division, 73/75 Scrutton Street, London EC2A 4PB, U¢<. Tel: 01 739 2041)

Analogue output for SBC-80 An 8-Channel D/A Converter System, compatibl e with the Intel SBC-80 microcomputer series has been announced by DI-AN Data Systems Limited. Manufactured by Data Translation Inc.'the system comprises two models with different resolutions - a 12-bit model, the DT 1842; and an 8-bit model, the DT 1843. When used with the Intel SBC-80 microcomputer, the two cards form a complete 8-channel analogue output system for control and readout applications in industrial and laboratory processes. The DT 1842/1843 has eight independent D/A converter channels, double buffered to avoid intermediate output in a two-word data transfer operation. The DT1842 offers 12-bit

resolution and accuracy, while the DT1843 gives 8-bit resolution and accuracy. Differential linearlty is +½LSB, gain and offset are adjustable to zero for each channel and settling time is I ms to 0.2% and 3 ms to 0.01% FSR. The board has the opinion of 4 20 mA current loop outputs for all channels for process control applications. Pin strappable analogue ranges of -+10 V and 0 - 1 0 V are available with line amplified buffered outputs for driving long cables. (DI-AN Data Systems Limited, Mersey House, Battersea Road, Heaton Mersey Industrial Estate, Stockport, Cheshire, UK. Tel: 061 442 9768)

469