Re: ada and robots

[dana@indyweb.nospam.net]

In article <339974E0.335E@sprintmail.com>, johnvolan@sprintmail.com wrote:

> 
> Dana's points are well-taken, but let me steer the discussion slightly
> into a different avenue: If we're talking "hobbyist" category work, then
> what about GNAT?
> 
<snip>

> - GNAT looks much more feasible for processors in the 32-bit range, and
> as Dana points out, the price of these has been falling. Cross-compiler
> configurations of GNAT and the GNU tools are certainly feasible in this
> category. Someone out there may already have done this for your
> prospective architecture. I've lost the original post, but if you're
> still listening, what processors did you have in mind?  Would you
> consider, let's say, a 680x0 or a 80X86?


I just got my EE Times and with the usual product guide/ad section.  There
on the front page is what we've been looking for.  

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The SMX/386/40 PC module from ZF Microsystems.  a complete 40MHz 386 pc in
a 2.2x3.0x0.45 module with 2M of dram, IDE drive controller, floppy
controller, 2 serial ports, parallel port, 256K of boot flash, BIOS,
(pretty much what i've paid $2000 for in 1989) single +5v supply, 750Ma
current!!  The module is $104 in 1,000's and on a pc104 card for $269.  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
My guess is that it's a 386-EX-40 in a module w/$15 worth of DRAM and $5
worth of flash.  The price will fall to the floor over time.  Goodby 8051,
pic-16.  this little baby will (more or less) run the same binaries as
most every desktop machine on the planet.  This looks like the 32 bit
processor has finaly reached the mid price embedded market.  The fact that
you won't need e-prom burners, ICE's etc to use this dude might actually
make it a contender for hobyists.

I have no connectoin to ZF micro systems.  I've always thought that the
day would arrive when entire computer systems could be built into unitized
matchbox sized modules.