Date   : Sun, 26 Feb 2006 18:49:15 +0000 (GMT)
From   : Sprow <info@...>
Subject: ARM coprocessors now available

Hi,
Originally suggested on 23rd July 2005 as a possible add on, and projected
to take 6 months to develop, the ARM7 coprocessor for the BBC Micro/BBC
Master is now available to buy.

The specification is somewhat enhanced compared with the original suggested,
the main benefits are a speed improvement from having a cache and a massive
16 megabytes of RAM!

It's based on a fast ARM7TDMI processor from OKI semiconductor (the same
people that make laser printers), running around 128 times faster than the
host BBC micro which is left to do I/O chores such as reading the keyboard
and floppy discs.

Full details of specification, as well as a number of technical articles for
download, are available at the ARM coprocessor webpage:
  http://www.sprow.co.uk/bbc/armcopro.htm
where orders can be placed online too.

For those who like statistics:
* the supplied ARM Tube OS comprises of 4884 lines of ARM assembler
* there are 560 lines of Verilog used to make a replacement for the Tube ULA
* the current binary image is 96976 bytes long and includes the FPGA 
  bitstream
* there are 65 components on the basic design, with a few extra connectors
  depending on whether it's an internal or external version

If you have any queries please ask away,
Sprow.