Altair parts substitutions

From: Eric Smith <eric_at_brouhaha.com>
Date: Tue May 23 16:45:08 2000

> This is what I meant exactly - no bi-directional data bus. I'm guessing that
> there is a fine distinction between dual-ported and separate input and
> output busses...

Specifically, a true dual-ported RAM chip has separate address busses and
control signals/strobes (*RD and *WR, or *CS and R/*W, or the like) for
each port.

Dual-port RAM chips tend to be expensive and not very high-density, so
they aren't commonly found in commodity computer hardware. It's usually
more cost-effective to time-multiplex a single port.

Current manufacturers of dual-port RAM chips include Cypress and IDT.
There are even some quad-port RAM chips now.
Received on Tue May 23 2000 - 16:45:08 BST