From: CBLACK@hacks.arizona.edu (harlie B	)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.emulations
Subject: Original Emplant postings read this for info on emplant
Date: 24 Jul 92 06:47:19 GMT
Distribution: world,local
Organization: The Camelot System (Excalibur)
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.05


   There seemed to be a need for this to be reposted.  I hope this
will answer any questions.  

                                       Charlie Black
                                       cblack@hacks.arizona.edu
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

In article <1992Jun3.224931.7845@bsu-ucs.uucp> 01ksdavis@bsu-ucs.uucp writes:


>	My main point-what is this Emplant?  Is it really what I think it is-
>a multi-emulator device thingy?

	There seem to be a number of people who did not catch the original
postings by Jim Drew about Emplant. Rather than simply rehash this over again
I will just include his original postings here. I'm sure he will not mind.
					Terry
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Article: 3864 of comp.sys.amiga.emulations
From: jdrew@nesbbx.UUCP (Jim Drew)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.emulations
Subject: MAC IIx EMULATOR
Date: 25 Apr 92 10:30:58 GMT
Organization: NESBBX Bulletin Board System
X-Organization: NES BBX +1 503 640 9337

A T T E N T I O N   E M U L A T I O N   F A N S
-----------------------------------------------
This notice is to officially announce Utilities Unlimited's new
hardware/software emulation platform "EMPLANT".
 
This package is an open-ended emulation platform designed to allow the
emulation of virtually any computer at hardware-related speeds.
 
The package consists of one EMPLANT board (fits internally for A2000-3000
in a ZORO II/III slot - on the expansion bus for A500-1000), and a
software driver for MAC IIx emulation.
 
The MAC IIx emulation is a full blown color MAC IIx with ALL of the same
features available on a real MAC IIx.  Video display drivers allow the use
of 3rd party video boards to allow full 256 color emulation.  Device
drivers allow the use of virtually any storage media.  A normal MAC IIx
uses a 68030, however, Apple did provide exception handling routines for
the 68000 (odd, eh?), so 68000 users will be able to take advantage of
this emulator too.   The MAC IIx emulator will run all known MAC software,
so compatibilty at this point is 100% (when used with an MMU).  The
emulator completely multi-tasks with the Amiga, allowing files to be
transferred to/from AmigaDOS to MAC from either OS.
 
The way that this hardware is designed, by simply changing the ROM-SIMM
module (MAC IIx uses a 256K ROM-SIMM), and the software driver (emulator
software) we can change what computer is being emulated.  Because of this
flexibility, we *will* be emulating the MAC IIfx and QUADRA computers by
the fall.  A simple software upgrade is all that will be required.
 
Support for high density drives (such as CBM's 1.76 drive) have been
included, as well as support for the 800K MAC disks with the SYBIL
hardware.
 
Also included on the hardware board are 4 sockets (28 pins) that can be
used for BIOS ROMs, static RAM, or utility programs.  ALL of the custom
chips used in the MACs are emulated through hardware, so speed is
identical (or faster) than the real thing.
 
The retail price for these units is $199 for EMPLANT, and $249 for EMPLANT
and the SYBIL system.
 
We have found that Apple currently *is* allowing the sale of 256K (MAC
IIx), 512K (MAC IIfx), and 1meg(QUADRA) rom simm modules.  The average
price is about $90 for each.
 
The scheduled release date of EMPLANT is mid-July, 1992.
 
To be placed on a mailing list for more information, please contact our
office at (602) 680-9004.
 

---
.************************************************************************* 
*    Jim Drew - Vice President | Utilities Unlimited of Arizona, Inc.   *
*                                1641 McCulloch Blvd. Suite #25-124     *
*                                Lake Havasu City, AZ  86403            *
*   Support BBS: (602) 453-9767  Office: (602) 680-9004                 *
************************************************************************* 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article: 3877 of comp.sys.amiga.emulations
From: jdrew@cryo.rain.com (Jim Drew)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.emulations
Subject: EMPLANT Information
Date: 26 Apr 92 21:39:55 GMT
Organization: Cryogenic Software - Portland, OR
X-Organization: CryoCafe BBX 503/257-4823


 
MANY, MANY people have shown an interest in the forth comming product
"EMPLANT".  *Please* let me clarify a few things, and give you some more
information...
 
First of all, this is *not* an attack on ReadySoft.  Unfortunately, they
announced release of AMAX II+ a few days before I was able to even give
specs about EMPLANT.  We really *were* attempting to get our board out
before theirs.  
 
Secondly, you can all rest easy knowing that I am not writing the software
for EMPLANT.  We hired a MAC IIx/fx/QUADRA programmer to handle that.  We
had prototypes of the EMPLANT about 6 months ago from this person.
 
The mid-July release date is *very* realistic.  It may be possible to see
it available before then.  We are setting up now for burning the circuit
boards.  I may add a simple SCSI interface (as an option), that is the
only thing holding up the hardware at this point.  The software is
basically completed.  We are trying to get ahold of as many different
video boards as possible so that we can support them all.  Not every
company is willing to "loan" an expensive piece of hardware out, which is
understandable.
 
A little more information:
 
The Amiga hard drives (actually ALL legal AmigaDOS based devices) will
work with EMPLANT...even MSH and CROSS-DOS devices.  
 
The SYBIL system will be used to read/write 800K MAC disks directly from
inside the emulator.  No file transferring will be required.  (BTW, SYBIL
bugs have been fixed with reading/writing MAC while using AMAX).
 
Apple Talk will be emulated thru hardware.  There is also a high
speed A/D converter used to emulate the MAC IIx's built in audio
digitizer.
 
Like I stated in the announcement, please contact our office to be placed
on a mailing list for more information about EMPLANT.

--
.     Jim Drew - Vice President, Utilities Unlimited of Arizona, Inc.
                (602) 680-9004      (602) 680-9006
                       Support BBS (602) 453-9767


------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article: 3888 of comp.sys.amiga.emulations
From: jdrew@cryo.rain.com (Jim Drew)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.emulations
Subject: More EMPLANT information
Date: 27 Apr 92 09:42:54 GMT
Organization: Cryogenic Software - Portland, OR
X-Organization: CryoCafe BBX 503/257-4823


 
As requested by hundreds of people, here is more information concerning
EMPLANT:
 
April 27th, 1992
 
Information reguarding the product "EMPLANT" from Utilities Unlimited,
Inc.  This information is freely re-distributable and may be placed on
any BBS or network except Q-Link.
 
What is EMPLANT?
----------------
 
EMPLANT is a hardware/software product that is designed to allow the
emulation of virtually any computer using the Amiga.  A simple software
driver and ROM(s) from the computer to emulated are all that is required.
Features and software compatibility will depend on the software driver.
 
 
About the hardware
------------------
 
The hardware holds the key to emulation speed.  Every effort was made to
make the hardware virsatile enough that we should never have to upgrade
it to handle the emulation of forth comming computer systems.  For this 
reason, we have included components that may never be used, however, 
this does insure the fact that we are prepared for the future.  
 
The MAC series of computers, although different from one another, share
the same basic technology.  We can replicate this technology by emulating
the MAC's custom chips through a reliable hardware system.  All timers,
interrupts, and clocks are handled on a hardware level so that speed is
identical (or even faster) than the real computer being emulated.
 
Support for custom EPROMs, static RAM, and SIMM modules makes our hardware
compatible with all existing methods of storing a computer's operating
system.  This versatility also allows us to create adapter boards if some
new method of OS storage becomes available.  The EMPLANT hardware has four
empty 28 pin ROM/RAM sockets provided for use with operating systems that
are stored in DIP format (such as 128K MAC+ ROMs are).  These sockets
can also be used to store your own utility software in EPROM format.  We
plan to release a utility package that will be literally "at your
fingertips".  Another option is to fill the four sockets with 32Kx8 static
RAMs, giving you 128K of extra RAM that you could write protect and make
auto-booting, which would be handy for floppy-only customers.
 
The hardware comes in two forms: a plug in card that occupies one of the
Zoro II/III slots on your A2000/2500/3000, and a plug in card that fits on
the expansion bus on your A500/1000.  For the A500/1000 version, there is
a pass-thru that allows you to plug in your existing equipment.
 
The Apple Nu-Bus expansion ports are not emulated through hardware because
they are now RAM-based device drivers which operate faster than a MAC's
own
hardware.
 
 
* AVAILABLE HARDWARE OPTIONS *
 
HIGH SPEED MAC SERIAL PORTS/APPLE TALK SUPPORT
 
The MAC serial port is not emulated, it is duplicated - using the exact
same
standard dual high speed serial interface IC.  Apple Talk is completely
supported through this port like the MAC, via a 8 pin mini-din connector.
This dual high speed serial port can be used on the Amiga side as well,
allowing the connection of two serial devices operating independantly.
Communication speed on these ports are a maximum of 230.4K baud, which is
the speed at which Apple Talk runs.  Maximum modem speed is generally
limited to 57.6K baud.
 
 
SCSI INTERFACE
 
A simple, non-autobooting SCSI controller using NCR8490 high speed
controller IC.  Capable of non-DMA transfers up to 800K per second.
Support for up to 7 SCSI devices including CD ROMs, tape backup units,
and hand scanners.  This SCSI interface can be used on both the Amiga
side and the MAC side, independantly or simotaneously.
 
 
 
 
About the MAC IIx emulation software
------------------------------------
 
The MAC IIx emulator software is relatively simple since the majority of
the emulation is done on a hardware level, giving both better
compatibility
and equally important, emulation speed.
 
The software reads the MAC ROM SIMM module that is installed on the
EMPLANT
board, dumps the ROM image into a block of memory, and patches the image
to run on your Amiga.  One intelligent move on the part of Apple was to
define "global" variables for their operating system.  This makes it
relatively simple to move the code around without a lot of hassles.
Since the MAC IIx is a 68030 based machine, it has a AMU or PPMU to map
memory into various locations.  Using a 68020/30/40 with an MMU allows
virtually 100% compatibility when running MAC software on the emulator.
Another big advantage of having a MMU in your Amiga is that the emulator
will multi-task with the Amiga.  
 
You can transfer files back and forth between file formats without the
need of transfer software.  The MAC IIx operating system supports a
FFS (Foreign filing system).  This is the link to the Amiga.  ANY AmigaDOS
device can be used on the MAC side.  This means that floppys, hard drives,
CD ROMs, and even non-standard AmigaDOS devices (such as MessyDOS) can
be used as valid devices on the MAC side.
 
Full color (up to 256 colors) can be emulated with various 12bit and 24bit
video boards.  Support for DCTV, HAME, Firecracker, and others is
provided by video device driver software modules.  Up to 16 colors can be
displayed using the standard Amiga video output.
 
Sound is emulated exactly via PAULA.  The MAC IIx has 4 channel stereo
sound nearly identical to the Amiga, so this is easy to emulate on a
software level using the existing Amiga hardware.
 
The MAC 400/800K disk format is emulated by using the already successful
SYBIL hardware package.  High density (1.44mb) floppys are supported via
the CBM 1.76mb drives, as well as "do-it-yourself" high density drives
that many people have built themselves.  Complete interface schematics
will be provided (along with information where to find the necessary
components and the high density drive mechanics) with EMPLANT so that
anyone with the basic soldering skills can build their own high density
floppy drive.
 
 
 
Future emulation
----------------
 
Since the EMPLANT's hardware is so versatile, a completely new and 
different computer can be emulated by just changing the emulation
software patch and the ROM(s).  MAC IIfx, MAC QUADRA, Mega ST, and
IBM AT (386/486) emulators are planned in the future.
 
 
 
Price and availability
----------------------
 
Current retail price for the basic EMPLANT system is $199 + shipping.
 
Basic EMPLANT system with High speed serial ports/Apple Talk support
is $259.00 + shipping.
 
Basic EMPLANT system with high speed SCSI interface is $259.00 +
shipping.
 
Deluxe EMPLANT system with both high speed serial ports/Apple Talk
support AND high speed SCSI interface is $299 + shipping.
 
All EMPLANT packages described above come with the MAC IIx emulation
software and necessary device drivers.
 
The EMPLANT systems will be shipping no later than the third week in July
of 1992.
 
* Product specifications and prices are subject to change without notice *
 
To be placed on a mailing for more information, please contact
Utilities Unlimited at:
 
1641 McCulloch Blvd. Suite #25-124
Lake Havasu City, AZ  86403
(602) 680-9004
 
 
Jim Drew, Vice-President
          Utilities Unlimited, Inc.

--
.     Jim Drew - Vice President, Utilities Unlimited of Arizona, Inc.
                (602) 680-9004      (602) 680-9006
                       Support BBS (602) 453-9767

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article: 3934 of comp.sys.amiga.emulations
From: jdrew@cryo.rain.com (Jim Drew)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.emulations
Subject: Re: Questions about EMPLANT
Date: 1 May 92 07:20:58 GMT
Organization: Cryogenic Software - Portland, OR
X-Organization: CryoCafe BBX 503/257-4823


 
EMPLANT inquiries:
 
Yes, EMPLANT does allow you to use ALL of you Amiga peripherals on the MAC
side.  That means hard drives, serial & parallel ports, video boards, etc.
 
Yes, EMPLANT does allow you to use the SCSI & SCC (RS422) ports on the
EMPLANT board (deluxe model) on either side, or both at the same time.
 
You *can* connect a MAC hard drive directly to the SCSI port and use it.
 
System 7 software is *fully* supported, providing you have an MMU.  If you
do not, most applications will be slowed down, but they will function. 
The reason for this is that a translation of 68030-->68030 instructions
has to take place so memory can be moved around without stomping on
background tasks (remember, EMPLANT fully multi-tasks the emulator that is
running).
 
Copy protected disks should load just fine.  Since the MAC hardware is
emulated (or reproduced) with hardware, there shouldn't be a problem with
this at all.
 

--
.     Jim Drew - Vice President, Utilities Unlimited of Arizona, Inc.
                (602) 680-9004      (602) 680-9006
                       Support BBS (602) 453-9767

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article: 3998 of comp.sys.amiga.emulations
From: jdrew@cryo.rain.com (Jim Drew)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.emulations
Subject: EMPLANT info...
Date: 5 May 92 09:52:20 GMT
Organization: Cryogenic Software - Portland, OR
X-Organization: CryoCafe BBX 503/257-4823


 
Some more answers to those questions...
 
"What ROM should I get (MAC IIx /Fx /QUADRA)?"
-----------------------------------------------
You should try to find a ROM SIMM for a MAC IIx.  MAC IIfx and QUADRA roms
do *not* work in a MAC IIx, *nothing* from Apple is backwards compatible.
We *will* be emulating a MAC IIx, not an Fx, or a QUADRA (until Fall that
is).  So, don't go get a QUADRA ROM SIMM and expect it to work...it won't!
 
"When is the IBM emulation going to be available?"
--------------------------------------------------
The IBM emulation wont happen until at least Christmas time (if we're
lucky).  The emulation will be a 386 DX.
 
 
The SCC (8530) IC used on our board to duplicate the MAC series'
Serial/Parallel/AppleTalk port is the same IC that I was using in SYBIL II
(and that AMAX II+ is using).  I am happy to say that I found a more
modern IC that allows 1.5megabaud rates so reading/writing High Density
format can be accomplished (only 1megabaud is required for HD format).
 
It looks a total of about 2K worth of code has to be changed in the MAC
IIx ROM image for it to work on the Amiga with the EMPLANT hardware.  We
are mapping the MMU support for the 040 right now, so this code is likely
to grow slightly.
 
Oh, another thing...since we are capturing ROM images, it will not be
necessary to purchase more than ONE EMPLANT board to be able to emulate
multiple computers at the same time.  
 
If you guys/girls have any other questions about this product, ask away.
:-)

--
.     Jim Drew - Vice President, Utilities Unlimited of Arizona, Inc.
                (602) 680-9004      (602) 680-9006
                       Support BBS (602) 453-9767

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article: 4081 of comp.sys.amiga.emulations
From: jdrew@cryo.rain.com (Jim Drew)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.emulations
Subject: EMPLANT update
Date: 10 May 92 04:06:51 GMT
Organization: Cryogenic Software - Portland, OR
X-Organization: CryoCafe BBX 503/257-4823


 
I just wanted to drop a quick note to the many people here that are
interested in the EMPLANT system.
 
I will be unavailable for the next two to three weeks so that I can
finish the hardware and software for EMPLANT.  If you have questions
concerning the product, you can try to leave email to me (I probably
wont have a lot of time to wade through all of the messages on this
sig), or you can contact our office.
 
One thing that I have really learned in this business is to listen to
your customers.  When I designed the interface screens for Super-Card
Ami II and SYBIL, I designed from ideas presented by customers.  This
time, I am confused...  Now that I am designing the interface for
EMPLANT, I am getting more people saying that they want the OS2.0
"look and feel" than any other time, perhaps a statement that 2.04 is
really here, and accepted.
 
So, by popular demand, the interface screen and all accompanying
software for the EMPLANT system has been changed to the OS2.0 style,
following all of the guidelines laid out in the 2.0 Style guide.
 
I stated that I spent 5,000 hours working on SYBIL since last august.
Although the number of hours is correct, I wasn't working entirely on
SYBIL.  You see, the EMPLANT project has been going on since last July.
So, this isn't something that just all of the sudden came up.  It has
been months of work.  Unfortunately, a lot of the time spent on the
EMPLANT was time that was stolen from the development of SYBIL, and
as many of you know, has caused quite a bit of headaches for some
people.  For this I appologize.  The SYBIL software is now getting my
full attention, as it is the main link to the MAC disk format when
using EMPLANT.  There will be an improved SYBIL hardware unit
available shortly after EMPLANT is out.  This new unit will never
require calibration, leaves the video display alone, and installs
internally in ALL Amigas.  Yes, we will be offering some sort of
replacement policy.
 
I would like to point out that the EMPLANT product is in no way
attempting to be competition with ReadySoft's AMAX II+.  If we
released the EMPLANT with the IBM emulator instead of a MAC emulator,
then we would probably hear statements about competing with ATOnce.
No matter what computer (that people want) we release a emulator for,
we are bound to be stepping on someones toes.  I hate to see this
happen, and that is why we picked a computer that is not currently
being emulated (it is a MAC, but comparing a MAC+ to a IIx is like
comparing a C64 to an Amiga...so I am told by MAC owners).
 
I would like to also point out that I realized it is not right for
any company or individual to possibly interfere with technilogical
advances and/or the well-being of another company.  For this reason,
I have decided to remove the pending restraining order for US sales of
ReadySoft's AMAX II+.  ReadySoft is in violation of patents that I
hold (like using SCC8530 to clock variable rate data on 3.5" disk
drives, and others) with AMAX II+.  I am also going to make this
technology public.  WHY DO THIS???  As a show of good faith that we
are _really_ not out to get ReadySoft.  Of course, I have looked
at one of their boards, and I was most impressed.  I would recommend
that anyone wanting to emulate the MAC+ computer, buy AMAX II+.
 
We have been contacted by DMI, PP&S, and several other companies that
manufacture video boards for the Amiga.  I would like to publically
thank them for their support of the EMPLANT project.  Due to their
help, EMPLANT is supporting SAGE format, opening the door to
endless video boards (well, lots anyway) and adapters.  ALL of the
known 24bit boards that do not have the TI graphics processor will
be supported as well.  What we have done with the new knowledge
graciously supplied by the above mentioned companies, is to patch
the 32bit color quick draw routines to use the TIGA/SAGE routines.
This yields faster display updates...faster than the MAC IIx itself.
 
We already have pre-orders for over 1,000 EMPLANT units.  We are
producing 10,000 EMPLANT units to start, so there will not be a back
order situation.  Interestingly enough, nearly 1/2 of the pre-orders
we have are universities across the US.
 
Again, if you need to contact me, please try email first before public.  I
can reply publically if you wish...

--
.     Jim Drew - Vice President, Utilities Unlimited of Arizona, Inc.
                (602) 680-9004      (602) 680-9006
                       Support BBS (602) 453-9767

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

   There!!! That ought to satiate the desires for information on Emplant.
Please direct all questions to Jim Drew, not to me!!!


| Terry Ricketts			|  Internet: terry@helios.ucsc.edu
| Senior Electronics Engineer		|  	     loel@helios.ucsc.edu
| Lick Observatory Electronics Lab	|  Phone:    408-459-2110
| University of Calif, Santa Cruz 	|
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.emulations