Microassembler, etc, available
So, as part of the work on getting our QSIC card to support SD cards for
storage, Dave and I have produced some tools that people might find useful.
Dave's original concept was to do SD support with a state machine. However,
the SD protocol turned out to be a little too complex for that, so we decided
to create a bespoke micro-engine (hereinafter 'uengine' - I use 'u' in place
of the lower-case 'mu' all the time) to handle it.
This turned out to be a good call; Dave cranked out a uengine in Verilog
(which was incredibly quick to produce), and I whipped up (literally - the
first version was done overnight) a uassembler. The latter has since been
much improved; the current version reads the entire definition of the uengine
from a configuration file, and thus should be usable on any umachine.
So, if you need a uassembler for some project, here's one. (And if you need
something it can't do, let me know, and I can add stuff; e.g. it doesn't
currently support the '+' operator in literals, only '|', but it would be
fairly simple to add '+' if anyone had a use for it.)
The source is here:
http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/QSIC/tools/uas.c
(and no, I don't have the energy to learn how to use sourceforge or github to
distribute it, so don't bug me about it). I wrote it under Cygwin on Windows,
but Dave compiled and runs it on Linux as-is, so it's pretty portable.
The current output format is hex that Dave massages into 'ROM' contents on
the FPGA in some fashion I don't know the details of, but if anyone needs
something different, again, I'd be happy to add whatever's needed.
The source syntax supported is documented in comments at the start of the
uassembler source; it's pretty simple, here's a brief synopsis (see the file
for more detail). ucode is a collection of lines, one per micro-instruction.
The syntax for individual lines is:
{:} {, }... {}
can be either: (symbolic) or = (where
fvalue can be symbolic or numeric); specific symbolic values are assigned by
the configuration file (where they are defined) to specific fields.
is {|}... where is symbolic (a label, or a
value) or numeric. Forward references to labels are supported. Numeric items
(everywhere) are either octal, decimal or hex. Whitespace (either space(s) or
tab(s)) can be used in most places. Comments start with a ';' or '/', and the
rest of the line is ignored.
A sample umachine configuration file (for the QSIC uengine) is here:
http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/QSIC/tools/ueng
and the (simple) format of the config file is documented in the comments at
the start.
A sample source file for uas for that uengine is here:
http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/QSIC/sd.asm
if you want to see what source looks like.
Dave has a github site where all his stuff is available; the latest version
of the ucode is here:
https://github.com/dabridgham/QSIC/blob/master/verilog/sd.asm
and the whole thing is here:
https://github.com/dabridgham/QSIC
including the Verilog for the uengine. Dave reports that it should be easy to
adapt his uengine design to other uses, it should run in pretty much any
FPGA. So if you want to build a PDP-15 (or a Multics! :-) in an FPGA, there
you go. Dave indicates he'd be happy to help anyone who needs to tweak the
uengine design for their particular application.
Hopefully someone will find this useful!
Noel
Re: Microassembler, etc, available
On 2017-11-28 08:54, Noel Chiappa via cctalk wrote: and the whole thing is here: https://github.com/dabridgham/QSIC including the Verilog for the uengine. Dave reports that it should be easy to adapt his uengine design to other uses, it should run in pretty much any FPGA. So if you want to build a PDP-15 (or a Multics! :-) in an FPGA, there you go. Dave indicates he'd be happy to help anyone who needs to tweak the uengine design for their particular application. Hopefully someone will find this useful! Dave has a KV10 already in verilog, so why not port it to the uengine? ;-)
Re: Sun 3/50 processor board and unknown processor
The second board is clearly out of a ComputerVision CADDstation. On Tue, Nov 21, 2017 at 4:38 AM, Camiel Vanderhoeven via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > On 11/21/17, 3:40 AM, "cctalk on behalf of Charles Dickman via cctalk" > wrote: > > > >It looks like board 2 is for a Sun 3/50 workstation. Board 1 is some > >kind of micro-programmed processor based on AM29331 and AM29331. There > >are also some Analog Devices DSPs. > > > >AM29000 based processor with Analog Device DSPs > >http://www.chdickman.com/board1.jpg > > In the bottom right hand corner, above ³COMPONENT SIDE², there is some > lettering that seems to read ³COMPUTER Š BEDFORD MA². Given the DSP¹s, the > MITRE corporation comes to mind. This might have been part of some > military or civil aviation signal processing system. > > Camiel > > > -- Ian Finder (206) 395-MIPS ian.fin...@gmail.com
Re: Sun 3/50 processor board and unknown processor
Apologies, board *1* Anyway, the CADDstation was a turnkey system based around the Sun 3 so it makes sense that the boards are together. If you look closely in the lower right of board 1 you can make out the manufacturer's name. On Tue, Nov 28, 2017 at 11:31 AM, Ian Finder wrote: > The second board is clearly out of a ComputerVision CADDstation. > > On Tue, Nov 21, 2017 at 4:38 AM, Camiel Vanderhoeven via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > >> On 11/21/17, 3:40 AM, "cctalk on behalf of Charles Dickman via cctalk" >> wrote: >> >> >> >It looks like board 2 is for a Sun 3/50 workstation. Board 1 is some >> >kind of micro-programmed processor based on AM29331 and AM29331. There >> >are also some Analog Devices DSPs. >> > >> >AM29000 based processor with Analog Device DSPs >> >http://www.chdickman.com/board1.jpg >> >> In the bottom right hand corner, above ³COMPONENT SIDE², there is some >> lettering that seems to read ³COMPUTER Š BEDFORD MA². Given the DSP¹s, the >> MITRE corporation comes to mind. This might have been part of some >> military or civil aviation signal processing system. >> >> Camiel >> >> >> > > > -- >Ian Finder >(206) 395-MIPS >ian.fin...@gmail.com > -- Ian Finder (206) 395-MIPS ian.fin...@gmail.com
Parts for old RS/6000's
Anyone on here have any old RS/6000 parts? I have an old C10 I'm trying to beef up a bit for a project. I'm after the following (pardon the lame table): FC FRU Qty Desc 3033 74G8824 2 2.2GB SCSI-2 Fast/Wide Disk Drive 4012 9H5583 8 32MB SIMM Memory 4224 02G7431 1 Ethernet 10BaseT Transceiver 3107 31G4126 1 Serial Port Converter Cable D/T 7008,7009 51G7737 1 System Unit SCSI Terminator Also interested in some MCA blanks, if anyone has some extras lying around. Thanks!
Re: Livermore Data Systems / was Re: what is this NCR modem? what did it go to?
On 2017-Nov-27, at 5:25 PM, steve shumaker via cctalk wrote: > On 11/27/2017 2:26 PM, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote: The Livermore Data Systems modems that I sold off were from about 1964? >> >> On Mon, 27 Nov 2017, Brent Hilpert via cctalk wrote: >>> Were those the Livermore Data Systems modems in a wood box you were selling? >>> Did you have anything to ascertain the 1964 date for LDS, or were you >>> getting that date from the stuff on the web? >> . . . >>> Someone in some comments suggests LDS wasn't building these until 1968, >>> which strikes me as more plausible. >> >> Thank you! >> >> That is why I put a question mark after 1964. >> I was basing it on nothing more than verbal comment by the guy that I got >> them from. And, while I had them, I hadn't had any reason to particularly >> care. >> >> 1968 does, indeed, seem more plausible. >> >> It still serves to illustrate that 1971 is NOT too early for that NCR. >> >> -- >> Grumpy Ol' Fred ci...@xenosoft.com >> > I can add another data point to the discussion: > > My LDS Model A with SN 0491 has two TI transistors both with data code "6914" > > And for what it's worth, if you have one and have never opened it up, go do > so right now!The three small circuit boards have a 3"x4" piece of the > infamous black foam to pad the cards when inserted in the case. Of course > the foam is mostly gone now except for where it wraps around the cards and > corrodes the components that it touches! Thanks for the additional datapoint. It does suggest Model A production may likely have started in 1968. Actual date codes in mine were 6908 to 7008. The larger caps are also a good place to look for date codes. I did the schematic, if you have an interest. Eventually I'll get a little web article up for the model. I couldn't find the ebay listing for the NCR modem for some reason, either using the number or by searching by keywords.
Re: Microassembler, etc, available
On 11/28/17 13:27, emanuel stiebler via cctalk wrote: > Dave has a KV10 already in verilog, so why not port it to the uengine? > ;-) Once the QSIC is far enough along that I go back to working on the KV10, I expect I'll do just that.
Re: Livermore Data Systems / was Re: what is this NCR modem? what did it go to?
On Tue, 28 Nov 2017, Brent Hilpert via cctalk wrote: I couldn't find the ebay listing for the NCR modem for some reason, either using the number or by searching by keywords. https://www.ebay.com/itm/132411929563
Re: Livermore Data Systems / was Re: what is this NCR modem? what did it go to?
On Tue, Nov 28, 2017 at 3:58 PM, Brent Hilpert via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > Thanks for the additional datapoint. > It does suggest Model A production may likely have started in 1968. > Actual date codes in mine were 6908 to 7008. > The larger caps are also a good place to look for date codes. > > I did the schematic, if you have an interest. > Eventually I'll get a little web article up for the model. > > For the record, I'm not sure what model I have as the deteriorated foam from the top cover fell and stuck to the Livermore label between the two cups and clean up wiped off most of the info. Mine has a Motorola MC836P IC on the middle board that has a date code of 7206.
Re: Livermore Data Systems / was Re: what is this NCR modem? what did it go to?
On 2017-Nov-28, at 2:54 PM, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote: > On Tue, 28 Nov 2017, Brent Hilpert via cctalk wrote: >> I couldn't find the ebay listing for the NCR modem for some reason, either >> using the number or by searching by keywords. > > https://www.ebay.com/itm/132411929563 That works . . . forgot about composing the URL directly from the item number. Still won't show up with regular searches on ebay.com , although these do with "ncr acoustic": https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ACOUSTIC-REVIVE-RTP-4-absolute-Power-supply-box-outlet-From-JP-with-tracking/252956939311?hash=item3ae568942f:g:YAgAAOSwJH1ZJosl Latest audiophool scam.
Re: TRS80 Model 4P CRT contrast fail
> On 26 Nov 2017, at 21:06, Adrian Graham wrote: > > I replied to this thread a while back but managed to only reply to Tony and > not the list, oops! Rather than using my multi-transistor tester for TR103 I > tested it with a DMM in diode mode and it’s almost a dead short from B-E, I > get the same reading in both directions so I’m going to order a new one in a > bit. Replying to myself here but to my surprise the replacement 2SC2228 arrived today and the machine is running nicely now, albeit with some screen wobble. I also tested the replacement in my transistor tester and it was correctly identified as a BJT NPN so I should’ve questioned it at the beginning but hey. Live and learn. It’s currently running the built-in RAM test which is a lot more than it’s done for the last 15 years :) Cheers folks! > — > Adrian/Witchy > Binary Dinosaurs - Celebrating Computing History from 1972 onwards >
Re: Livermore Data Systems / was Re: what is this NCR modem? what did it go to?
On 2017-11-28 7:11 PM, Brent Hilpert via cctalk wrote: On 2017-Nov-28, at 2:54 PM, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote: On Tue, 28 Nov 2017, Brent Hilpert via cctalk wrote: I couldn't find the ebay listing for the NCR modem for some reason, either using the number or by searching by keywords. https://www.ebay.com/itm/132411929563 That works . . . forgot about composing the URL directly from the item number. Still won't show up with regular searches on ebay.com , although these do with "ncr acoustic": https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-ACOUSTIC-REVIVE-RTP-4-absolute-Power-supply-box-outlet-From-JP-with-tracking/252956939311?hash=item3ae568942f:g:YAgAAOSwJH1ZJosl Latest audiophool scam. Wow and only $2512.99 what a deal!
Re: Microassembler, etc, available
On 11/28/17 13:27, emanuel stiebler via cctalk wrote: > Dave has a KV10 already in verilog, so why not port it to the uengine? Well, the uengine would have to be considerably modified before it could be used for a PDP-10 (e.g. wider data-paths); this version is very specialized to the SD application (e.g. hardware CRC support, etc). Noel
