22 Apr
1999
22 Apr
'99
9:10 a.m.
Upon the date 03:47 PM 4/22/99 +0001, Hans Franke said something like:
I'm not very aware of that machine. However, I personally don't pay much
attention to ATARI as they are a machine not in my scope of interest. I
have to place limits on myself in some way :)
I tend to occasionally understate things. I did so in this case as there
would often be the person who stands up and says <their favorite bus> is #1
and then the list would degenerate into yet another pi--ing contest.
(Personally, I think VME is #1 indust. bus myself and fully agree with you,
but please don't tell anybody! ;) ;) ;)
> Upon the date 12:07 AM 4/22/99 -0400,
jpero(a)cgocable.net said something
like:
>What's
about this VME and programming on that 68000 type?
If I understand your question, the VMEbus is a
32-bit microcomputer bus
which is used primarily in industrial computers. Certain Sun products also
used it but I defere to those experts for further Sun comment.
Not to forget ATARI - Yes, ATARI also used VME - the TT (you know,
the always anounced, never available and to expensive 68030 system)
had two ( 3 ?) VME slots for add ons. The idea was baicly to have a
chance to add 'better' Graphic cards, since the TT was intended as
Graphic Workstation.
Eventualy the TT was also in a somewhat unintentional demand from
engeneering companies (the TT would had given a beautifull low
cost VME development system) - again a market where ATARI did
totaly miss, while the customers where _WAITING_ for the machine. VMEbus was invented by John Black and others at
Motorola in 1983. Came from
the now-obsolete VersaModule bus structure Moto had since I think the
mid-70's. Basic form factor was the Eurocard with DIN 46xxx connector
(can't recall DIN number at moment). Hence, VMEbus = VersaModule Eurocard
bus. Quickly became a standardized bus protocol worldwide.
Moto, Mostek and Philips were earliest suppliers
of hardware. Others
followed. Still somewhat popular and well supported today. The 68k
processor family was the most used uP. However, Intel uP's, Moto's 88000
RISC uP, some Transputer devices and other uP's were also used in VMEbus
module designs.
Somewhat popular ? VME is still #1 when it comes to industrial apps. Only the enhanced usage of PCs can stand against with
ISA/PCI backplanes
and the _very_ popular PC104 systems.
Those PC104 systems are indeed nice for their small size.
Gruss
H.
(Thanks Christian)
Bitte sch?n!
Bis sp?ter, Chris
-- --
Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian
Jamestown, NY USA cfandt(a)netsync.net
Member of Antique Wireless Association
URL: http://www.ggw.org/awa