From: jww@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Jack W. Wine)
Subject: Galaxy CAD freeware for Atari ST
Organization: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 20:38:39 GMT

Anyone tried this digital CAD program for the ST?  If it gets ported
over to the hi-res TT (and Falcon!) computers, then thousands of 
universities would buy a bundle.

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Announcing the GALAXY CAD SYSTEM...

The Galaxy CAD System is an integrated environment for digital
design and for rapid prototyping of CAD tools and other software.
The system currently includes schematic capture and simulation of
both low-level and high-level digital designs, capture and simulation
of state diagrams and hardware flowcharts, synthesis of Intel EPLDs,
and mapping of logic into physical boards (e.g., Wire-Wrap).  Galaxy runs
on most of 680X0 platforms, including the Apple Macintosh, HP9000/3XX/4XX,
Sun-3, Apollo Domain, and Atari ST.  Versions for Intel 386+ and
RISC workstations are under development.

The Galaxy CAD System is an ideal environment for all levels of digital
design.  It has been used successfully for both introductory logic
design and computer design courses at Wisconsin.  Some of the
features of Galaxy that make it suitable for education are:

1.  Integrated multiple-window environment:  All Galaxy tools run
    concurrently in a multiple window environment.  Copying data
    from one window to another is simple.  Any number of simulation
    sessions can be active simultaneously.

2.  Hierarchy:  The schematic editor and simulator are both fully
    hierarchical.  Building hierarchical designs is simple, including
    creating symbols for modules.  The simulator is a true hierarchical
    simulator: it does not require a time-consuming macro-expansion
    step.

3.  Integrated editing and simulation:  Designs are edited and
    simulated in the same environment.  Simulation input and output
    can be shown directly on schematics, allowing direct manipulation
    of net values.  Unlike other products, Galaxy does not require
    modification of the schematic to insert "switch" and "light"
    components.  In addition, Galaxy allows display of bus values in
    hexadecimal directly on schematics to simplify debugging of
    high-level designs.  Simulation I/O can also use waveforms,
    text files, and soon, tables.

4.  Faults:  Stuck-at faults can be introduced on the schematic
    editor and simulated immediately without rebuilding the
    simulation model.  This provides an excellent way to display
    the effects of faults.

5.  Buses:  Galaxy supports specification and simulation of bus
    structures, including complex extractions, fanouts, and bit
    reversal.  Buses are specified by annotating nets with text.
    For simulation, buses are kept intact so that multiple-bit
    high-level components can be used.  Galaxy includes a library
    of register-transfer components suitable for high-level
    computer design and simulation.

6.  Alternate specification of designs:  In addition to schematics,
    Galaxy users can specify design modules using a textual HDL
    (GHDL) and using hardware flowcharts and state diagrams.  A
    hierarchical design can mix these representations as desired.

7.  High-quality PostScript output: Galaxy schematics are of excellent
    quality.  Gates are drawn according to standard practices, e.g.,
    OR gates are drawn with the correct circular arcs and not ellipses.

8.  Uniform user interface: Galaxy tools have the same user interface
    on all platforms, reducing student learning curves.  In fact,
    the same tool OBJECT CODE runs on all platforms due to the unique
    structure of Galaxy.

9.  Adding new simulation primitives is straightforward.

10. No cost for the software:  Galaxy is available for free via 
    anonymous FTP or for copying charges from A. B. Creative
    Consulting.

11. High quality user documentation:  The comprehensive "Galaxy CAD
    User Manual" describes how to use all released Galaxy tools.
    It includes both tutorials and detailed reference material, and
    has extensive indexing and cross-referencing.  This manual is only 
    available in hard copy form ($20 plus shipping from A. B. Creative 
    Consulting).

    Galaxy is also an excellent environment for rapid prototyping
of new CAD tools.  By building on top of available resources, we have
been able to prototype new tools in days or weeks that would ordinarily
have taken months or years.  For more information, send e-mail.

    To obtain Galaxy CAD, connect to "eceserv0.ece.wisc.edu" (128.104.38.25)
using FTP.  Log in as "anonymous" with password "guest".  Galaxy is
in directory "pub/galaxy".  The file "README" in that directory
gives further instructions.  Please register as a user by sending
e-mail to "beetem@engr.wisc.edu".

John F. Beetem
ECE Department
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI  53706
USA
(608) 262-6229
beetem@engr.wisc.edu
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