PCs come in 6 European-language versions Two IBM-PC-compatible personal computers have been launched by Applied Digital Data Systems (ADDS) of the USA. The ADDS PC/I and PC/II run under MS-DOS, with versions for UK, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Scandinavian use.
The central processor of each PC
Cassette kit houses 1 Mbyte bubble memory Bubble memory for data recorders, numerical controllers, robotics, and medical instruments has been developed by Intel. The BCK 10-4 comes in the form of a bubble c~ssette kit with 1 M b y t e of removable bubble memory. The bubble cassette's reliability is greater than that of memories that use floppy discs, hard discs or magnetic tape, says Intel, because the solid-state BCK 10-4 has no moving parts and a lower chip count.
The operating tern perature range of the kit is 10-50'~C. The price for 100 units is $461.5. (Intel Corp.
(UK) Ltd, Pipers Way, Swindon SN3 1R], UK. Tel: (0793) 696000. Telex: 444447)
Floating point converter handles 32-bit words A 32-bit floating-point processor has been announced by Advanced Micro Devices. The US firm's A M 2 9 3 4 6 supports IEEE and DEC single-precision formats. It performs float-to-fixed and fixed-tofloat conversions on 32-bit words. The device contains a 24 X 24[)it parallel multiplier. It will perform single-cycle add, subtract and multiply as well as eight-cycle division to 36-bit accuracy, says AMD. Five-cycle division will be to 24-bit accuracy, adds the firm; there may also be four-cycle division by piplining result output with lookup input. (Advanced Micro
Devices Inc., 901 Thompson Place, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, USA. UK distributor: Kudos Electronics Ltd, Handpost Corner, Finchampstead Road, Wokingham, Berks RG11 3LP, UK. Tel: (0734) 7945"/5. Telex: 847575)
vol 8 no 9 november 1984
PCB design aids
is an 8088. Each has 256k of memory, 360k floppy disc storage space and a 300rnm monochrome display. Video output for monochrome, composite colour, RGB-I, light-pen and radio-frequency modulator interfaces are provided as standard, says ADDS. Also included are an 8087 coprocessor, five expansion slots, and built-in diagnostics. The PC/I and PC/II come with GWBASIC. The standard keyboard is detachable. There is an optional keyboard with separate numeric keypad and cursor control. The US price of the PC/I is $2650. The PC/II, with 10 M b y t e Winchester drive, is priced at $4295.
Products 'to simplify the design and production of PCB-based systems and modules' have been announced by RIFA in the UK. The basis of the range is the unloaded PCB. This has a matrix of holes on 25 mm (entres. It ~an be mate(t at right-angles with a front panel, which also contains a PCB. LE[) holders, fuse h~flders, switches, trimmers and test jacks etc. may be plugged or soldered directly into the host board or front panel. The format of the awJlabte front panels is based on the European 100ram ~ 160mm rack. The panels are made from ~, mm anodized aluminium. (RIFA AB, Market
(Applied Digital Systems Inc., 100 Marcus Boulevard, Hauppauge, NY 1"1788, USA. Tel: (516) 23"1 5400)
Chambers, Shelton Square, Coventry,, UK. Tel: (020~;) 27259. Telex: 311520)
Fault analyser checks data comms protocols
The VP-~686P provides the same fLJnctions, and als(, simulatkm and translation of protocols. Using the VP-~686P, say,- Panasonic, it i> possible to analyse procedures through 'idle suf~press', H D L ( (higher data link ((~ntrol), CCITT X.2 ~, proto(~J translation and selective trace function,. Line conditions are set up by the operator u~in~ ()ns(reen ,]isplay menus and a n 'item gele(t' key. These, conditi()ns can then be held in battery-backed RAM,()r read out with the simulation program and online data to fl()ppy dis( for future use. (Panasoni( Industrial ( K Ltd.
Protocol analysers for development, installation and maintenance of data communications systems have been released by the Industrial Systems Department of Panasonic Industrial UK. The VP-3682P is a portable device for trouble shooting and fault analysis in the field. It has a built-in 64k memory and integral CRT. The unit supports the CCITT X.25 protocol. Data can be displayed in either ASCII or hex. The VP-3682P performs functions such as parity checking, selective triggering and automatic setting. ¸ii~i¸i/¸i¸¸i!!¸¸¸¸i¸¸i¸!¸¸!~!J i¸~¸¸/¸~¸¸!!¸i¸¸i:i~! ~ ~¸¸¸ ~i~ii ~!
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Panasonic anal'¢ser monitors data communications.
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