coaxial cable. An optional fibre optic interface is also available which allows HP-I B Extenders to operate over a dual fibre optic link up to 1000 m. A measure of pro.tection is provided by a simple error detection/correction algorithm which automatically identi- fies and corrects any transmission errors.

37203A is transparent to HP-I B operation and supports the full range of HP-IB procedures including pass control and a form of parallel poll.

Price of the extender is £513. The fibre optic interface is £282. (Hewlett-Packard Limited, 308-314 Kings Road, Reading, Berkshire RGI 4ES, UK. Tel: (0734) 61022)

and the TBP28L86 at £12.00 in 100- piece quantities. Both part types are available now in sample quantities from Texas Instruments. (Tel: (0234) 67466, UK)

Dicoll FORTRAN compiler Dicoll Data Systems are supplying a p-code-compatible FORTRAN compiler, complying with ANSI standards. The compiler enables PASCAL and FORTRAN software to be mixed and to operate under the UCSD-Pascal operating system.

The software costs £I00. (Tel: Basingstoke 61551, UK)

Litronix intelligent displays

Litronix have produced a range of intelligent micro-display modules, which interface via an integral CMOS controller chip.

DL-1414 is a 12-pin DIL package containing four 16-segment LED units each capable of displaying the 64-character ASCII subset, from 7-bit ASCII input.

The CMOS controller contains input RAM, ROM decoder, segment drivers, digit drivers, multiplex and signal control circuitry enabling direct connection to/JP data, address and control bus. (Tel." Hitching 56322, UK)

In brief

National display•. . An optoelectronic display featuring a serial data-in/parallel data-out LED driver, designed to operate with minimal interface to the data source, has been introduced by National Semiconductor. Designated NSM4000A, the device is a four-digit 0.3 inch high display that is constructed on a standard pcb substrate and covered with a plastic lens. (Tel: (0234) 47147, UK)

• . . and real-time clock

A real-time clock, developed by National Semiconductor for use with Microbus-compatible microprocessor systems, is available from the Com- ponents Division of Celdis. Known as MM58174, the device is a low threshold metal gate CMOS circuit providing real-time clock and calendar information for microprocessor systems. (Tel: (0734) 582211, UK)

8k bipolar PROMs from TI Two 8k bipolar PROMs have been announced by Texas Instruments. TBP24S81, organized 2k x 4, features a maximum access time of 70 ns, and TBP28L86, organized 1 k x 8, dissipates 350 roW, about 60% less power than Tl's standard high speed 8k PROMs.

The TBP24S81 is priced at £12.50

A Science and Technology Press wordprocessor? (No --- ours use advanced felt-tip technology). The IPC (no relation) 300-C4 microprocessor-based pro- grammable controller is basically a relay replacement unit. The language is mostly relay logic using standard J IC symbols. More advanced data handling is carried out with a minimum of special instructions.

The controller has a capacity of 2048 inputs and outputs. The system is built up from individual modules chosen to suit the control voltages required tbr the project.

The 8-bit CPU consists of six printed circuit cards each with a dedicated function. Memory sizes include 4k, 8k and 16k. Memory cards can be changed in the field. IPC 300 programs are loaded into the CPU using the 395 loader/monitor, which displays lines of logic. For complex calculations, data can be handled in a 16-bit double precision form.

Distributed control can be achieved through a processor-processor com- munications unit which allows one master PC to communicate with up to four slaves. The master can also act as a computer interface. (IPC-Merren Limited, Wellingborough, Northants, UK. Tel: t0933) 77705)

330 microprocessors and microsystems