From: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.advocacy
Subject: Falcon Spec's [per Comdex handouts]
Date: 23 Nov 92 00:22:08 GMT
Reply-To: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA

This is from the Falcon literature handed out at COMDEX - any
transcription errors may be due to my receiving a "D" in typing
class a few years back.

For those wondering if the A1200 was designed to compete with the
Falcon, please note that this is the first "Atari" information I've
seen on the Falcon and the design was complete before I'd even
heard the name "Atari Falcon"...

A few items are marked with my [] notes otherwise I think it's
inclusive and unmodified

************************************************************************

Atari Falcon030 Specificiations

System Architecture

o CPU: Motorola 68030 operation at 16 MHz.
o On-chip demand-paged memory management.
o Separate on-chip 256-byte instruction and data caches.
o Independent address and data buses for increased performance.
o Pipelined architecture.
o BUS: 32-bit data, 32-bit address. [1]
o FPU: Optinal Motorola 68881/2 operating at 16 MHz.
o RAM: 1, 4, or 14 MB configurations.
o ROM: 512 KByte internal; 128 KByte external cardtrige.

Digital Signal Processor

o Motorola 560001 DSP operating at 32 MHz.
o 16 MIPS perofrmance at 32 MHz.
o 32 KWords of 0 wait-state static RAM.
o DSP conenctor allows easy connection of low-cost fax/data modems,
	voice mail systems, direct-to-disk digital audio recorders.

Expansion Bus

o inernal direct processor slot for 286, 386 and 486SX processor
	boards to run DOS and Windows(tm) applications, DMA
	coprocessors, etc.

Graphics

o Super VGA: 640x480 256 colors. [2]
o True color 16-bit mode; allows display of up to 65536 colors.
o Accepts external video sync signal to allow high-quality genocking.
o Overlay-mode for easy video titling and special effects.
o Optional overscan.
o 262,144 possible colors. [2]
o Hardware-assisted horizontal fine scrolling. [3]
o BLiTTER(tm) graphics coprocessor.

Sound

o Eight 16-bit digital audio DMA record and playback channels with
  up to 50 KHz sampling rate.
o Stereo 16-bit digital DMA audio output.
o Stereo 16-bit digital DMA audio input.
o SDMA sound/DMA coprocessor.

Standard Ports

o SCSI II port with Direct Memory Access (DMA).
o High-speed LocalTalk(tm)-compatible LAN port.
o Connecor for VGA, composite vidoe, RF, or broadcast analog RBG.
o Bi-directional parallel printer port (also suitable for
	image scanners).
o Cartridge Port (128K-byte capacity).
o MIDI IN / MIDI OUT.
o Stereo microphone input: miniature stereo plug.
o Stereo audio out: miniature stereo plug.
o Two 9-pin joystick connectors.
o Two 15-pin enhanced digital/analog controller and light-pen
	connectors.

Data Storage

o 1.44 Mbyte floppy disk drive.
o MS-DOS(r) formt compatibility.
o Optional internal IDE hard drive.

User Interface

o Standard QWERTY keyboard layout, Low profile, sculptured
	ergonomic design.
o 94 keys; 10 function keys.
o Separate numeric and cursor keypads.
o Keyboard processor to reduce CPU overhead.
o 2-button mouse supplied as standard.

System Software

o Pre-emptive multitasking with adaptive prioritization (MultiTOS).
o Inter-process communcation through multiTOS messages and pipes.
o TOS in ROM.
o Hierarchical file system with sub-directories and pathnames.
o Icon-based graphical user interface, with self-explanatory
	command functions.
o On-line help.
o Multip window user interface with icons and drop-down menus.
o NewDesk(tm) desktop and extensible Control panel allows
	customization by user.

************************************************************************

[1] this apparently only pertains to the processor, other sources describe
	a 24-bit address bus and 16-bit processor bus.

[2] most folks would consider this VGA not super-VGA

[3] "assisted" by the BLiTTER(tm)?

-- 
George Robbins - now working for,     work:   to be avoided at all costs...
but no way officially representing:   uucp:   {uunet|pyramid|rutgers}!cbmvax!grr
Commodore, Engineering Department     domain: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com