SUN-3 floating point info wanted...

From: Robert Schaefer <rschaefe_at_gcfn.org>
Date: Thu Feb 14 20:55:22 2002

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave McGuire" <mcguire_at_neurotica.com>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2002 09:10 PM
Subject: Re: SUN-3 floating point info wanted...


> On February 14, Robert Schaefer wrote:
> > Hi! I'm looking for info on the SUN-3 floating point accelerators like
the
> > FPA, and FPA+. Programming info, header files, maybe even the libraries
if
> > they're avaliable.
>
> Under SunOS4, and perhaps previous versions, there are FPA libraries
> in /usr/lib. There are three separate math libraries if memory
> serves...one for soft floating point, one for 6888[12] fp, and one for
> use with the FPA. I don't remember what they're called, but if you
> look at the files in /usr/lib it should be obvious.
>
> Since those libraries are part of the standard SunOS distribution,
> studying the SunOS source code should allow one to glean all the
> programming info.

Well, the drives that belonged to this computer never made it east from New
Orleans when my brother lugged it back, so checking /usr/lib isn't as easy
as it sounds. :)

>
> FPAs are neat. If I recall correctly they use Weitek WTL1164 and
> WTL1165 chips. Very nice. :-)

Yah, I hope to put it to good use. Do you know if more than one can be used
at once?

>
> > Also, before I pop in to motorols.com, does anyone have a quick little
> > snippet of code to excersize a 68882? I just upgraded my SUN-3/280 to a
> > '882, and I want to verify that everything's working right before I
solder
> > in some sockets and start playing with the clock.
>
> Also under SunOS4, there's a program called "mc68881version" or
> something very similar. That'll tell you what rev your 68881/68882
> is, and I seem to remember it saying something about performance also,
> but it's been a very long time since I last messed with this and I may
> not be remembering that part correctly.

All I need at the moment is something I can punch in via the monitor to
verify it gets four from two and two. I can't even seem to locate an
instruction list to hand-assemble something! :(

>
> -Dave

Bob

>
> --
> Dave McGuire
> St. Petersburg, FL "Less talk. More synthohol." --Lt. Worf
Received on Thu Feb 14 2002 - 20:55:22 GMT