The 9511 was the floating point unit, and the 9512 was for 64-bit integer
arithmetic, I believe. I've actually got one of each of these from back in
the old days. They were sort of a calculator for your computer, in that
they could be operated faster than the cpu could perform the function . . .
MUCH faster.
Dick
----------
> From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Re: AMD 9511, 9512, Intel 8231, 8232 wanted, will trade National
MM57109
> Date: Tuesday, January 26, 1999 4:33 PM
>
> >
> > > optional 9512 Floating Point (remember these?)
> >
> > Speaking of which, if anyone has any 9511 or 9512 chips, or the
equivalent
> > Intel 8231 or 8232, I'd like to get at least one of each.
>
> Speaking of which (:-)), does anyone else remember a 9511 card for the
> Apple ][. I found one in a pile of boards that were being thrown out,
> along with the manual (including schematic), but without any software.
>
> -tony
You're absolutely correct . . . I actually got out my old AMD MOS
Microprocessors and Peripherals data book from 1985, and found that the
9511 is a stack oriented (like the HP calculators, I guess) arithmetic
processor capable of 16 and 32-bit floating point operations, while the
9512 is capable of 32 and 64-bit operations.
The 9511, it seems is capable of many more functions, being somewhat
reminiscent of a "scientific" calculator, while the 9512 is capable of none
of the transcendental functions which the 9511 supports. Both are
stack-oriented, therefore ideal for RPN implementation.
My steel-trap mind moves closer and closer every day to being a sievel . .
oh, well . . . it's HELL getting old.
Dick
----------
> From: Gary Oliver <go(a)ao.com>
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Re: AMD 9511, 9512, Intel 8231, 8232 wanted, will tradeNational
MM57109
> Date: Wednesday, January 27, 1999 12:36 PM
>
> >From my copy of "Floating Point Program Manual Am9511A/Am9512:"
>
> Am9511A Arithmetic Processor
>
> Distinctive Characteristics
> ---------------------------
> 2,3 and 4 MHz operation
> Fixed point 16 bit and 32 bit operations
> Floating point 32 bit operations
> Binary data formats
> Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide
> Trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions
> Square roots, logarithms, exponentiation
> Stack-oriented operand storage
> ...
>
> Am9512 Floating Point Processor
>
> Distinctive Characteristics
> ---------------------------
> Single (32-bit) and double (64-bit) precision capability
> Add, Subtract, Multiply and Divide
> Compatible with proposed IEEE format
> ...
>
>
> The 9511 is very much like a calculator with a 32 bit operand
> stack of up to four items. Operations work on the top or top
> two items on the stack. Some operands (such as PUPI "push PI")
> push a new item on the stack.
>
> At 4Mhz, a FADD takes (worst case) about 92 uSec and an FMUL
> (worst case) at 42 uSeconds. Wasn't too shabby when software
> took 5 to 10 times as long on a Z-80. Plus it was possible to
> get some other work done while the 9511 was off crunching a
> number or two.
>
> We still use the 9511 on an old (very old) legacy product, although
> they will eventually disappear - AMD is certainly not making them
> anymore and there are very few left on distributor shelves or even
> in "part surplus" houses.
>
> Gary
>
> At 10:18 AM 1/27/99 -0700, you wrote:
> >The 9511 was the floating point unit, and the 9512 was for 64-bit
integer
> >arithmetic, I believe. I've actually got one of each of these from back
in
> >the old days. They were sort of a calculator for your computer, in that
> >they could be operated faster than the cpu could perform the function .
.
> >MUCH faster.
> >
> >Dick
> >
> >
> >----------
>
>I've just come across a site that has on-line copies of several
>of Gordon Bell's (with others) books on computer architecture,
>etc. (My apologies if I'm repeating something, I don't recall
>seeing this posted here recently though).
>
>A menu leading to the books is located at the following site:
>
>http://beta.ul.cs.cmu.edu/webRoot/Books/Saving_Bell_Books/
They are also available on
http://research.microsoft.com/users/gbell/Pubs.htm -- along with a lot more
modern stuff just in case you're wondering what Gordon is up to these days.
Hi,
I've just come across a site that has on-line copies of several
of Gordon Bell's (with others) books on computer architecture,
etc. (My apologies if I'm repeating something, I don't recall
seeing this posted here recently though).
A menu leading to the books is located at the following site:
http://beta.ul.cs.cmu.edu/webRoot/Books/Saving_Bell_Books/
The books that are available at this URL are:
Computer Engineering
Computer Structures: Readings and Examples
Designing Computers and Digital Systems
High Tech Ventures
I was particularly interested in seeing the Computer Structures:
book, as it had been previously noted here on the list that
there was coverage of the HP9100 calculator. It turns out that
the chapter in Bell's book is taken verbatim (with credit) from
the HP Journal article that describes the HP9100, so there
isn't any additional info. or analysis on the 9100 by Bell.
There is a description of the Olivetti Programma 101 calculator/
computer in the same chapter though. And, of course, descriptions
of many, many other early computer architectures.
Enjoy!
Alex
Calculator History & Technology Archive Web Page
http://aknight.home.mindspring.com/calc.htm
All,
I have some old DEC equipment that I would like to get out of the
garage. I would prefer if someone would take the whole lot. If I can't
make those arrangements I may be willing to piece things out. The list
is following my sig.
Jerome
--
Jerome A. Marella University of Pittsburgh - CIS Systems & Networks
600 Epsilon Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
mopar+(a)pitt.edu (412) 624-9139 Fax (412) 624-6436 http://www.pitt.edu/~mopar
The list of stuff:
2 x 11/750 w 14Meg
an 11/730 in pieces
3 x RA81
tu78
tu80
various extra boards - I will make a complete list if anyone likes
print sets:
11/730 field maintenance
11/750
pcs module
ka750
mos memory array
comet memory unit
tu77
<> You know, those 30-pin SIMMs will be valuable eventually! You should sav
<> every one you find.
<
<I'm sure they're valuable now to people who have old 286 or 386
<motherboards that use old 30-pin SIMMs.
What about all the 486 boards (I have a few!) that use 30pin simms.
I also have a older Pentium board that take a mix of 30 pin and 72pin simms!
I tried recently to get 4mx9 30 pin parts and 16mb(4 of them) would be
about $65... 16mb 72pin parts are going for $19 around here new! Yet
I can find the 1mx9 parts for $3 used/tested. I happen to have a very
tiny 486slc/33 board that only can take 4simms (and must have 4!) so I
either have 4mb or 16mb as choices. I need a minimum of 8mb so I can
run useful stuff and a have just a few (dozen) 1mb parts!
such is industry.
Allison
Tony Duell said:
>That sounds _very_ much like a PC-jr. It has connectors for audio and
>composite video (RCA sockets) and BERG headers for RS232, 2 joysticks,
>CGA (TTL RGBI) monitor, lightpen, cassette, keyboard. No printer port -
>that was an optional 'sidecar' module.
I think we have established now that this _is_ basically a PC-Jr ! Except:
it has a different model number
it is black
it has a 3.5" disk in the main unit, not a 5.25" drive, and room for
another
it has a printer port on the back of the main unit (DB-25 type connector)
the video ("display") port on the back of the main unit is a DB-15 type
connector
it was not sold in the USA
I have not mentioned before that it does have the two cartridge ports in the
same place under the floppy drive at the bottom of the main unit.
Unless anyone else wants more details, that is all I expect anyone wants to
know about the "JX". The only doubt about its designation that I have, is
that it does not say "JX" (or anything other than IBM) on it anywhere!
I have had one keen enquiry about the unit from a US collector, so unless
the freight charges work out too much, and if the trade is a fair and
interesting swap, it looks like it will have a new home.
Phil
-----Original Message-----
From: R. Stricklin (kjaeros) <red(a)bears.org>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Wednesday, 27 January 1999 9:08
Subject: DG Aviion input devices (was RE: HP Keyboard and cable)
>On Tue, 26 Jan 1999, Anthony Eros wrote:
>
>> I recently acquired a DG Aviion 410 minus keyboard and mouse. Does
anyone
>> have leads on tracking these items down?
>
>Apparently any number of (although not all) standard AT-style PC keyboards
>will work with the machine.
That is my experience also. A cheap clone keyboard didn't want to play,
however, a genuine IBM AT Keyboard seems to work perfectly.
>As far as mice go, mine looks like it's probably just a quadrature-style
>mouse, although my Aviion isn't working yet and I can't verify this.
>Note that for all their outward similarity, the DG mouse is not
interchangable
>with a Sun mouse.
Erk. I was hoping they were. Darn. Anyone in Oz got a source for DG
Aviion style mice???
Cheers
Geoff Roberts
Computer Room Internet Cafe
Port Pirie
South Australia.
netcafe(a)pirie.mtx.net.au