NEWIPRODUCTS

New Products Editor:Demetrios A. MichalopoulosCalifornia State University, Fullerton

Interactive processing systemis IBM MVS compatible

Dialogic Systems Corporation has intro-duced a computer system designed to achieveinteractive processing in the large IBM orplug-compatible mainframe environment.The Dialogic/One system implements layeredinteractive processing by integrating theDialogic/10 satellite computer into the IBMMVS system environment. With the Dialogic/One system, the mainframe continues to per-form batch processing and database man-agement while the satellite computer performsthe interactive processing. Each machine canbe optimized for the tasks it performs best,while the interactive user at his 3270-type ter-minal continues to view the two machines as asingle, familiar system.The Dialogic/10 satellite computer hard-

ware architecture is based on multiple micro-processors working in parallel and is inter-connected through a wide-band communica-tions channel, sharing access to a high-perfor-mance, hard-disk-drive system. The system'ssoftware consists of a replacement for IBM'sTSO and an operating system distributed be-tween the mainframe and the satellite com-puter. The user software, a superset of TSO,includes a set of application packages specifi-cally targeted for application developers andsystem programmers and a high-level com-mand language for developing customer-written applications.The application packages include an editor

interface similar to IBM's interactive systemproductivity facility editor. They also enabledata processing users to perform extendedCobol editing and the full management ofhost MVS system facilities.

According to the company, productivity isincreased through better response time andalso through the enhanced functions suppliedin the application packages. The Dialogic/One system is priced from $198,000 to$385,000 depending on the configuration;software is available on a monthly or fullypaid-up license.

Reader Service Number 29

Telephone/computer terminal is desktop communications center

Digital Transactions, Inc., has announcedits entry into the emerging "super-smart" tele-phone market with an integrated telephone/computer terminal. The Telterminal has beendesigned for the white-collar worker who haslong considered the computer too complexand expensive for personal use.A major feature of Telterminal is the man-

agement assistance package that gives the usersingle-key access to an array of communica-tion and information capabilities. Users caninput a speed-call directory for as many as 250local and network access numbers and sign-onand security identifiers. This directoryfacilitates sending and receiving attended andunattended voice and data messages.

In addition to PBX telephone features suchas call forwarding, call holding, last numberre-try, and on-hook dialing with line monitor,the Telterminal's personal processing capa-bilities include programmable financial

and/or scientific calculator, a calendar, and apink-slip message center. Call message detailrecording for project or client accounting is astandard part of Telterminal and can be out-put to a local printer or display and/oruploaded to another computer system for pro-cessing. The Telterminal can also use IBMPC-compatible software programs.The "personality module" features cus-

tomization for a wide variety of special ap-plications defined by the user, such as specificmenu drivers, protocol and format needs, andtransmission speed requirements when access-ing proprietary databases. The expansioncapabilities of the Telterminal can also pro-vide for electronic mail messaging and elec-tronic funds transfer activities.

Digital Transactions' Telterminal sells for$2495.

Reader Service Number 30

Measuring 16x9x2V2 inches, Digital Transactions' Telterminal looks like a businesstelephone. Positioned between the receiver and the touch-tone dialing system is the familiar typ-ing keyboard and a row of function or command keys. Above the keyboard, an LCD windowprovides text messages and other information.

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Logic analyzers have adual-time base

Dolch Logic Instruments has announcedthe 64300 series logic analysis systems. Fullymodular in 16-channel increments, the 64300.provides 64 channels in a full-up configuration,which includes 16 300-MHz (3.3-ns resolution)asynchronous channels for timing analysis and48 25/50-MHz synchronous/ asynchronouschannels for timing/state analysis.The company states that in time measure-

ments, the 64300 is the only logic analyzeravailable with a genuine dual-time base; it cancapture and correlate independently clockedsignals, and overlay a 300-MHz acquisitioncapability on any channel. A 300-MHz capa-bility is designed to give the user a truer pic-ture of the operation of the system under testby permitting a 3.3-ns resolution with glitchdetection capabilities.The analyzer offers microprocessor-specif-

ic interfaces and disassemblers for all populareight- and 16-bit processors, and these incor-porate features such as 12-level, two-dimen-sional triggering that help to isolate problemsand unravel machine code. Performance fea-tures included as standard with the 64300 aremultilevel triggering; Datapak integrated,transportable mass memory; multiple inter-nal/external clocking capabilities; search andcompare; up-trace module with full disassem-bly; RS-232-C/IEEE 488 interfacing; andsoftware performance analysis features, in-cluding time stamp, area trace, and histo-gram.

Prices of the 64300 vary from $7930 for a16-channel implementation to $14,930 for the64-channel implementation for 16-bit micro-processor and microprocessor-based-systemanalyses.

Reader Service Number 31

Acoustical housing reducesprinter noise

A 26-inch-wide acoustical printer housing,the Soundtrap Stretch from Trace Systems,reduces noise to an average 44-dBA level forpopular 136-column dot matrix and smalldaisywheel printers. Noise absorption im-provements include more surface area andresin-formed top and sides lined with densefoam.

Design of the housing includes a "peel-out"slot for bottom-feed printers, louvers in theback panel for ventilation, an angle-shapedcover, and a tilted lid with "stay-open"memory hinges.The Soundtrap Stretch fits office printers

such as Apple Letter Quality, Brother HR-15,C. Itoh Starwriter, Epson MX 100, Man-nesmann Tally MT 160/180, NEC, Okidata83A, Qume Sprint 11, Smith Corona, Tran-star 315 color pinter, and Toshiba TH-2100H/G. The inside dimensions of the model are26 x 17 inches with height limitations depend-ing on each printer's shape and accessories.The retail price for the Soundtrap Stretch is$189.

Reader Service Number 32

An automated vision system to sort a variety of complex parts moving down an assembly linehas been announced by View Engineering. The View 1101 multivision system uses a microcom-puter that stores in memory complex details of parts, enabling the system to search a partthrough 360 degrees in 300 milliseconds, the time required to compare a live video image againstany stored reference. The price ranges from $20,000 to $70,000, depending on quantity and con-figuration.

Reader Service Number 33

Data switch connects RS-232-C, current loop, and TTL devices

A line-controlled central exchange for up toeight RS-232-C, current loop, and TTL de-vices is available in a single board or a com-pletely packaged enclosure from Digital Lab-oratories. The Micro Matrix II featurespatented circuitry that allows the transfer ofdata anywhere in a network of eight RS-232-C, current loop, and TTL devices under soft-ware control. Providing 64 memory-mappedconnection points, the data switch's setup issimplified by firmware that handles ports byuser name and includes prompts, a commandmenu, and connection displays.

Offered as a single-board microcomputeror a complete package with an 8K firmwarenetwork handler, power supply, and en-closure, the data switch incorporates IK RAMnonvolatile storage for 16 different switchingarrangements. All 64 connection changes oc-cur within 7 As with no switching glitches ortransmission interruptions, the companystates.The Micro Matrix II is priced at $795 for the

single-board configuration (OEM discountsoffered) and $995 for the complete enclosure.

Reader Service Number 34

Text editor eases mainframe use by PCs

Uni/edit from Schonfeld & Associates, is atext editor designed for mainframes andminicomputers that use PCs and WPs asdumb terminals. Uni/edit runs with alloperating systems supporting Fortran 77. Itruns on VAX, DG, IBM, Burroughs, Prime,and CDC systems. Where different systemsare used, Uni/edit can serve as a standardeditor.PCs and WPs with standard serial commu-

nications can perform text editing on remotehost systems. Uni/edit, however, replacesmainframe-based screen editors, special emu-lator boards and programs for PCs and WPs,expensive editing terminals, and special com-munications gear. Users can command

Uni/edit to conform to any PC or WP. Ac-cording to the company, Uni/edit can also beused by all dumb and smart terminals on thesame system, preserving prior terminal invest-ments as well as providing flexibility. The texteditor features a natural syntax, a pocket-sized user's manual, on-line Help tutorial,and features such as left and right tab columnalignment.A one-year license costs $800 for the first

CPU and $400 for each additional CPU at thesame site. Perpetual and three-year licensesare also available. A 40-percent discount is of-fered for educational institutions.

Reader Service Number 35

October 1983 127

Real-time spectrum analyzer plugs into IBM PCs

The Ariel Corporation's RTA 331 is al/3-octave real-time audio frequency spectrum'analyzer that plugs into a single expansion slotinside the IBM PC. The analyzer divides theaudio spectrum into 31 "/3-octave bands from20 kHz to 20 kHz and interactively displaysthe relative amplitude of each frequencyband. The unit can also convert an incomingaudio signal to eight-bit samples and store it inthe PC's 512K-byte main memory in which 20seconds of audio can be stored. Any block ofmemory can be similarly read out using theanalyzer's eight-bit DAC.

Assembly language subroutines handle allhigh-speed operations. All subroutines are ac-cessed from Basic, so users can create new andspecialized applications such as digital signalprocessing and speech synthesis or recogni-tion. The RTA 331 features on-board pinknoise generator, digitally controlled gain, 1/4dB resolution, and ANSI A, B, or user-defined weighting, averaging, and peak-holdfunctions.

Ariel's RTA 331 analyzer is priced at $650.

Reader Service Number 36

Video image processor stores image data digitally

A video image processor designed to con-vert radar or sonar video signals to TV rasterscan for display on a standard televisionmonitor has been introduced by Hughes Air-craft Company's industrial products division.According to the company, operators nolonger have to rely on long-persistence phos-phors in their CRT monitors for retention oftarget images until refreshed by the next sweepof the antenna. With the Model 666, imagedata is stored digitally and can be displayedcontinuously.

The image can be displayed on remote orlocal monitors, or it can be recorded onvideotape. The radar/sonar image can beviewed in normal ambient lighting, elimi-nating the need for a darkened room. The pro-cessed image is electronically smoothed toprovide an appearance similar to that of aconventional television display. When ac-tivated, selectable image fade algorithms

emulate the phosphor fade characteristic ofan analog radar display.

Stored information can be displayed simul-taneously with dynamically updated informa-tion. A vertical gray calibration scale appearsat the side of the radar/sonar display, andalphanumeric legends and messages can beoverlayed on the image or written in desig-nated locations outside the displayed imagearea.Memory consists of MOS dynamic RAMs

organized 512 x 512 x 4 bits, and imageresolution is 512 pixels per line x 480 lines.The unit is microprocessor controlled with upto 8K bytes of program memory and 768 bytesof RAM to execute processing commands.Analog sweeps can be entered with sweepspeeds up to 51 microseconds full scale and apulse repetition frequency up to 1000 Hz.The single-unit domestic base price is

$25,000.

Reader Service Number 37

Filing/writing program offeredfor IBM PCs

Fast Facts, a filing system/report writingprogram for executives, office workers, andhome users of IBM PCs and compatibles fromInnovative Software, runs on both mono-chrome and color machines.

According to the company, any informa-tion normally stored on file cards or in a filingcabinet-from personnel records to mailinglists to recipes-can be stored with Fast Facts.Information can be called up by last name, byaddress, by zip code, and in combinations;AND/OR statements are allowed.

Fast Facts can write information to otherspreadsheet programs, such as VisiCalc, 1 2 3,and MultiPlan, in a DIF data storage format,and interface to Wordstar through an ASCIIinterface, which allows the user to generateform letters.

Fast Facts has a built-in calculator which,when called up, prints across the bottom ofthe screen. Every screen has Help menus thatuse plain English and tutorial information towalk users through a process. Forms can bedeveloped by the program to include both textand graphics. Fast Facts has Enter, Search,and Display functions and can copy files andadd pages. Utility options permit the user tochange default parameters, display files,rename a file, organize a logged-on file,redesign a form, or use the DIF interface.The program allows 1000 forms per file, up

to 50 pages per form, and 100 items per page;a page is one screen, 80 columns wide and 20rows long. Two disk drives, either two flop-pies or one floppy and one hard disk with128K RAM, are required; a printer is op-tional. Suggested retail price is $195.

Reader Service Number 35

Options on the Model 666 video image processor from Hughes Aircraft Company's industrialproducts division include rectangular display formats, electronic calipers with automatic digitaldisplay of distance between calipers, auxiliary data readout, and 2X and 4X read zoom.

Statistical multiplexers offeredin four versions

The Multi-Mux series of statistical multi-plexers from Multi-Tech Systems is availablein one-, two-, four-, and eight-channel ver-sions. Both point-to-point and multipoint net-works can be supported by the units.The Multi-Mux channel accepts asynchron-

ous data at any speed up to 9600 bps fortransmission over a single, synchronous, full-duplex link. Total peak input rate is 19,200bps. Channel speeds and flow-control meth-ods can be individually configured from eitherlocal or remote sites. Automatic speed selec-tion, dynamic buffer allocation, and CRC er-ror detection/correction are also provided.Diagnostic capabilities with local, remote,and self-test; individual link and channelXMT/RCV indicators; and seven system sta-tus indicators are provided. When used inmultipoint networks, the Multi-Mux providespoll-addressing capability for nonintelligentterminal sites.A typical four-channel version lists for

$1295, and an eight-channel unit for $2095.

Reader Service Number 39

128 COMPUTER

Portable logic analyzerincorporates CP/M micro

The portable, 27-pound Omni 11 logicanalyzer from Omnilogic, Inc., integrates atiming/state logic analyzer with a full-func-tion CP/M microcomputer while incorporat-ing a software-intensive design approach.Used as an interface between the engineer

and complex digital problems, the Omni II

can collect 1000 data samples on each of 16channels or, optionally, up to 48 channels of330 samples each. Four channels of glitchdetection are provided with a minimum de-tectable pulse of 10 ns. The system utilizes in-ternal or external clocks as fast as 20 MHz,either of which can be qualified. Triggeringmodes include the basic AND/OR/NOT ondata or glitch, with the trigger point position-ed within the 1000-word sample memory. Ad-ditional triggering modes are absence ofrepetitive event, repeat until correlated withreference memory, and delay by event or time.External trigger and trigger qualifier are alsoprovided. Two rear-panel connectors supplyclock and trigger outputs.Upon power-up, the Ommni II invokes an

automatic self-check of its internal circuitry,and a "setup page" automatically appears topermit configuration of the machine for datacollection. After data collection, the analyzerprovides the timing analysis for hardwaretroubleshooting and software analysis. Theintegral CP/M computer utilizes a Z80 CPUand 64K of RAM. Mass storage is provided bytwo 5¼/4-inch, double-density disk drives. Thebuilt-in, nine-inch monitor displays 24 rows

by 80 columns in P31 green phosphor. A de-tachable ASCII keyboard, with its cursor con-trol keys and numeric pad, provides control of

Omnilogic's Omni 11 logic analyzer is a portable unit that provides up to 16 channels of datarecognition. An optional plug-in module permits up to 48 channels and bus demultiplexing.

the logic analyzer and computer. Omni 11 alsooffers seven CP/M programs, such as a wordprocessor, a high-level language, and an elec-tronic spreadsheet.

Another feature of the Omni II is its signa-ture analysis capability. It can derive the hex-adecimal signature of 14 independent testpoints simultaneously. These results can thenbe compared automatically with a set of

"known good" signatures previously savedon disk.

All digital testing parameters, data, andtime and date can be stored on disk, withCP/M compatibility, for additional off-lineanalysis. With the connection of a printer, theOmni II can provide hard copy of displays.The Omni 11 is priced at $3950.

Reader Service Number 41

Converter system makes MS- Corporate stock option system is IBM PC-compatibleDOS and CP/M-86 compatible

Users of 16-bit microcomputers can runsoftware written for two popular operatingsystems on a single microcomputer with theOS Converter from Dynamic MicroprocessorAssociates. The OS Converter permits PC-DOS (MS-DOS) object code to run onCP/M-86 microcomputers and enablesCP/M-86 object code to run on MS-DOS withno loss of speed, according to the company.

Users can run such programs as MicroSoftBasic and Fortran, Digital Research Pascal,and other language compilers, as well asutilities like Microsoft Assembler and Linker.The 4K-byte program operates by loading atarget program into memory and creating theenvironment that the program expects. Thereis no interpretation of instructions; the pro-gram itself remains in control of operations.When in use, the converter resides just abovethe operating system in RAM and enables theprogram being run to take full adavantage ofavailable memory. The OS Converter for theIBM PC is supplied with a companion pro-gram that enables PC-DOS systems to readCP/M-86 files.The $95 OS Converter is available for use

with either PC-DOS (MS-DOS) or CP/M-86.

Reader Service Number 40

Stork 1.0, a system for managing corporatestock option plans, runs on the IBM PC, PC-compatible machines, and most CP/M micro-computers and is available from The BailyCompany. Stork 1.0 keeps track of incentivestock options, nonqualified options, andstock appreciation rights. Full-screen data en-try onto preprogrammed formats allows themanager to add information as grants and ex-ercises occur. The system can generate 13standard reports and answer current and his-

torical questions on exercised or outstandingoptions.Programs are written in dBase II, and data

files are standard ASCII text. Files can bedownloaded from a mainframe computer di-rectly into the system files.The stock option management system can

be licensed for a one-time fee of $6000, plus$500 for a dBase 11 license.

Reader Service Number 42

Protocol converter links ASCII devices to IBM world

The Avatar PA1000 protocol converter,manufactured by 3R Computers, links ASCIIterminals, PCs, portable computers, or otherASCII devices, to IBM BSC or SNA/SDLCenvironments. The device also permits localor remote access to asynchronous hosts and topublic information or timesharing services.

The PA1000 provides IBM 3278/2 terminalemulation via its coaxial port. Two standardRS,232-C ports connect both the ASCIIdevice and an asynchronous host, printer, or amodem for remote communications. The mi-croprocessor-based unit, which supports upto 9600 baud, also includes memory for screenbuffers and protocol conversion.

The Avatar device can be configured in avariety of ways: local terminal, personal, orportable computer connection to IBM with apass-through mode of operation for screencontent printing; local ASCII device connec-tion to both IBM and asynchronous hosts in adistributed processing environment; remoteASCII device access via modems to an IBMenvironment; and local access to an IBM hostand to one or more remote asynchronous sys-tems.

Available for immediate delivery, thePA1000 is priced at $995 with quantity dis-counts available.

Reader Service Number 43

October 1983 129

Interface connects computers or WPs to telex lines

A series of telecommunication devices thatpermit computers, word procesors, orprinters to be interconnected with domesticand international telex systems without bulkyand expensive telex hardware has been in-troduced by Teleface Corporation. The Telex-plug is designed to adapt computer-relatedequipment as the transmission media forentering telex, TWX, or DDD networks, thusbypassing conventional telex machines. Onlyone party in an exchange between companiesor individuals needs the new interface in placeto access the various telex systems and con-duct "conversation."The interface operates on a microcomputer

chip that permits the design of a low-costgateway to various communications systems.The chip gives the interface the capability tohandle code and speed conversions up to 9600baud. Telexplug can be interposed directlybetween a computer or word processor and itsprinter or other output peripheral, permittingconnection through use of supplied cable toequipment with a single port. It can also beconnected to a separate communications port,allowing the equipment interfaced to engagein unrestricted communication with the newdevice. In this arrangement, Telexplug acts as

a modem to open two-way access betweencomputer elements and the telex network.A flexible memory enables the interface to

store incoming messages if connected com-puters or printers are busy; once the connec-ting equipment is free, the telex messagedistribution is activated. Users can choosefrom block or conversational telex modes foroutgoing messages. Once outgoing messageshave been prepared and edited on a user'scomputer, the Telexplug is activated, eitherdirectly or through a printer and sends themessage by itself-dialing, establishing con-nection, giving and accepting answer-backs(an identification signal of up to 20 char-acters), and transmitting the message.

Other features of the device include multi-linking to a telex line, direct and exclusive ac-cess for confidentiality, unattended opera-tion, message repetition self-diagnosis and theability to send different types of printed mat-ter-via ASCII serial asynchronous formatup to 8000 characters, and to store about threeincoming and outgoing messages.The cost for each unit of the seven Telex-

plug models is $1270.

Reader Service Number 44

Universal counter takes measurements automatically

NewLtrature

IBM PC source book. This where-to-find-itdirectory of software, hardware and ac-cessories for the IBM PC and IBM-compat-ible microcomputers is organized by num-erous subject catagories. Names and ad-dresses of hundreds of companies are in-cluded. The Blue Book for the IBM PersonalComputer, WIDL Video Publications, 5245West Diversey, Chicago, IL 60639; (312)622-9606; $24.95; 328 pp.

Data on transistors. Publication presentstechnical information for both bipolar andfield-effect transistors that constitute theMotorola small-signal transistor line. Small-Signal Transistor Data Book, Motorola Semi-conductor Products, Inc., PO Box 20912,Phoenix, AZ 85036; $6.25.

Hewlett-Packard's HP 5334A universalcounter allows users to measure frequency,period, rise time, fall time, pulse width, andpeak-to-peak volts automatically at the touchof a button.Auto trigger, auto attenuation, and internal

storage of up to 10 complete front-panel set-ups are designed to simplify measurementsand operation. Math capability lets users viewresults in familiar engineering units, if desired.Key instrument features include two-chan-

nel, 100-MHz capability; nine-digits-per-second resolution; two-nanosecond single-shot time interval (200 picoseconds withaveraging); and keyboard-selectable gatetimes in millisecond increments from onemillisecond to 99.99 seconds.

In addition to performing the standardcounter measurements of frequency and timeinterval, the HP 5334A includes period, ratio,and totalize measurements. It also has exter-nal arming capabilities. Rear terminals sim-plify cabling in rack-mounted systems. Op-tions include a high-stability oven oscillator, a1000V floating DVM, and a 1.3-GHz Cchannel.

External arming and gating allow many ap-plications, such as measuring the frequencywithin a pulsed RF signal, averaging burstsfor irncreased resolution, selecting a specifictime interval within a pulse train, and select-ing a portion of a pulse train to be totalized.The price of the HP 5334A is $2800.

Reader Service Number 45

The HP 5334A universal counter from Hewlett-Packard offers full HP-IB capability forautomatic operation with a computer and integration with other instrumentation in laboratoryor production applications.

Software productivity. Semiannual directoryof software products, or tools, that can helpto improve the productivity of the systemsdevelopment function covers over 400 soft-ware products in some 20 classifications.Guide to Software Productivity Aids, AppliedComputer Research, PO Box 9280, Phoenix,AZ 85068; $95 per year.

Robotics. Monthly newsletter will coverdevelopments in hardware and software,market trends, applications, governmentlegislation, and news concerning people andcompanies in the personal robotics industry.Personal Robotics News, PRN PublishingCompany, PO Box 10058, Berkely, CA94709; (415) 524-7115; subscription, $125.

Terminal and PC directory. Report identifies87 major user-programmable terminal sys-tems and 51 personal computers employed forgeneral-purpose processing in data communi-cations environment. Personal Computersand User-Programmable Terminals, DataDecisions, 20 Brace Road, Cherry Hill, NY08034; (609) 429-7100; $29; 26 pp.

Rotating memory ICs. Brochure illustratedwith block diagrams and tables describes com-pany's product line. Rotating Memory Inte-grated Circuits, Silicon Systems, Inc., 14351Myford Road, Tustin, CA 92680; (714)731-7110; free; 8 pp.

X-Net primer. Brochure describes the fullrange of applications, functions, and com-ponents of the X-Net local and wide-area datacommunications network. Available from CRComputer Systems, Inc., 1145 W. CollinsAve., Orange, CA 92667; (714) 633-8660;12 pp.

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