17 Jun
2002
17 Jun
'02
1:35 p.m.
The 432 stuff is really hard to get. I do have
another almost as
hard to find Intel item. It is a evaluation setup for the i2920,
not to be confused with the AMD 2920. It is an early DSP chip.
It was Intel's idea of what should be done in DSP. It was not
too successful because it was not a general purpose type processor
like the TI and Motorola DSP entries. It was designed to do
a single program, repetitively.
This was geared for the telecom market. I think some high end
leased line modems used them.
Some of the other hard to find Intel parts are things
like
the 8021 and 8022 parts. Although not as rare, the 3000 series
bit slice parts are getting harder to find as well but these
were used on many of the older Multibus disk controller cards.
One part that really keeps bugging me is the old AMD database
coprocessor. I can not remember the number (a 90Cxx maybe?), and it is
killing me. Very cool chip, but I doubt it had any design wins. If anyone
remembers this chip, or at least the number, please let me know so I can get
some sleep at night.
William Donzelli
aw288(a)osfn.org