Delay lines

From: Allison J Parent <allisonp_at_world.std.com>
Date: Sat Mar 21 10:54:41 1998

<>* must be programmable

This would exclude many millions of MCUs based on chips like 8048,
8051, z80, I960, 80186/8, and several dozen more in embedded applications
like engine control, navigation, aircraft flyby wire systems or even some
calcs. This would include PDP-8s, pdp-11s and whatever else burried in
CNCs, MRIs and transportation control systems.

<>* must be general purpose

In the above cases the computer or microcomputer is running a dedicated
application from ROM or loaded from other media on power up. So they are
not general purpose in that case. Would this eliminate the PDP-8s used
by BART as computers?

<>* must have alphanumeric input capabilites

See above cases again consider the possible range of inputs. The input
could be barcode reader, thermal or position sensors or off a network from
other computers.

<>* must have alphanumeric display capabilites

Consider the above and the possible outputs. The result may be generating
engine spark timing, alarm output, opening a cuircit breaker, notifying
another computer.

Calculators as differentiated from mechanical adders, differentiated from
fixed program computers. The difference can be the application more so
than implementation. I tend to look to see if there is control or
branching on condition to see if we are talking calc, programmable calc
or more general computer. BUT by doing that do we have to look at the
user interface level or the internal implmentation level?

Allison
Received on Sat Mar 21 1998 - 10:54:41 GMT