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For information conceming these products, contact the manufacturers. New Products Editor,Demetrios Michalopoulos, California State University, Fullerton.

New software simulates automated factories

A new software package developed byGeneral Electric Company allows manu-facturing engineers to simulate automatedfactories before construction.The Modelmaster program allows engi-

neers to observe the factory in operation,thus locating bottlenecks in time tocorrect them by redesigning the layout oradding new equipment. Such simulationcan be used to design a facility for peakefficiency.Modelmaster runs on GE's Work-

master Program Control InformationCenter, an industrialized version of theIBM PC. Users employ the keyboard,graphics tablet and mouse to input a scalemodel of the factory; various iconsrepresent such components as assemblylines, robots, and forklift trucks. Com-puter animation combines with colorgraphics to indicate operations: trucksmove and work cells change colors toindicate status, for example.The system is designed for use by engi-

neers having little or no computer experi-ence; approximately one-half day of train-ing is required. Screen prompts assist theuser in providing a technical descriptionof the proposed facility; following simula-tion, the system can produce summarystatistics, color plots, line graphs, piecharts, and other graphics.

For additional information, contact:General Electric Company, Research andDevelopment Center, PO Box 8, Schenec-tady, NY 12301.

Reader Service Number 20

General Electric's new Modelmaster software enables manufacturing engineers tosimulate operations of proposed automated factories. Realistic, computer-animatedrepresentations of facilities are depicted on the VDT, revealing bottlenecks and allowingdesigners to optimize factory design for efficient production.

Industrial computer developed by IBM

Numerous manufacturing and controlprocess tasks can be handled by the newIBM System 9003, an industrial computerdesigned to work as a stand-alone unit oras part of an IBM host computer network(using optional networking features).The unit is enclosed in a sealed cabinet

to protect it from oil mist, dust, other par-ticulates, and water; it can be used for dis-tributed numerical control of machinetools, controlling robotic devices andmanufacturing operations, and sensingtemperature and pressure in industrialprocesses.

The 9003's 68000 microprocessorsupports up to 5MB of memory and up to40MB of on-line disk storage. A real-timeoperating system in ROM provides rapidresponse to sensor and control signalsfrom the plant floor. The computer cancontrol up to 64 tasks concurrently.

The computer's 66-inch high cabinetmeets NEMA-12 standards and includes aclosed-loop air conditioner that enablesthe device to operate at temperatures ofup to 125° F. An optional battery-powered backup allows continued opera-

tion during line voltage drops or briefpower outages.

Both a 57-key, pressure-sensitive key-pad and a typewriter-like keyboard areincluded in the system. Program optionsinclude the Xenix operating system andBasic, Fortran 77, Pascal, and C lan-guages. The basic system is available forpurchase only at $21,130. For additionalinformation, contact: IBM Corporation,Information Systems Group, 900 King St.,Rye Brook, NY 10573; (914) 934-4488.

Reader Service Number 21

116 COMPUTER

Graphics system shows multivariate data Super micro designed forharsh environments

Golden Software, Inc., has developed anew integrated graphics system thatallows the user to visualize multivariatedata, producing contour maps, three-dimensional surface plots, and a variety oftwo-dimensional charts and graphs.The Golden Graphics System consists

of five programs: Topo creates contourmaps; Surf creates three-dimensionalsurface drawings (block diagrams orfishnet plots); Grafit does XY and linegraphs, and bar, pie, and scatter charts;Qgrid creates a regularly spaced grid fromirregularly spaced data; and Plotcallcreates plots from plotting commandsplaced in a data file.

The system can be used with either amonochrome display card or a graphicscard; use of the latter permits output to bepreviewed on the screen. Output is gener-ated on a dot matrix printer.The Golden Graphics System runs on

the IBM AT and PC and IBM compatiblesand requires 128KB of memory and onedisk drive. It is priced at $299; a demon-stration disk is available for $10. Foradditional information, contact: GoldenSoftware, Inc., PO Box 281, Golden CO80402; (303) 279-1021.

Reader Service Number 22

Low-cost universal microprocessor development system

A universal microprocessor devel-opment system, the Universal Develop-ment Laboratory (UDL), has beenannounced by Compu-Mech, Inc. Thesystem is designed to transform a PDP-11,VAX, or personal computer into acomplete development system includingemulator, analyzer, and EPROM pro-grammer for less than the cost of theemulator pod alone on other systems.The UDL emulates the pod by using

proprietary, target-independent hardwarefor emulation and state analysis. The sys-tem is controlled from the host computerover a serial link that uses a softwarepackage supplied with the UDL. The

package provides a 48-channel bus stateanalyzer, four-step sequential triggering,selective tracing, breakpoints disassem-bly, memory, and register-port modifica-tion. Software support is available formore than 30 processors, including the8086, 8048, 8051, and 6800 families.The UDL is supplied with software,

manual and all necessary cables; it acceptsthe output from most cross assemblers(Intel hex or binary format). For addi-tional information, contact: Compu-Mech, Inc., 5242 Angola Road, Suite 75,Toledo, OH 43615; (419) 535-6702.

Reader Service Number 23

Charles River Data Systems recentlyintroduced a new VMEbus-based, 32-bitsuper microcomputer designed for OEMuse in harsh environments. The Universe2400 incorporates hardware, software,and packaging design features that allowit to operate at temperatures to 1040 F,repel liquid and solid contaminants, andresist electrical connection failures despitevibration, rough handling, and corrosiveatmospheres.The real-time, Unix-based computer is

based on the 12.5 MHz Motorola MC-68000 microprocessor and the VMEbus.Its 32-bit internal datapath and 4KB cacheenable the Universe 2400 to execute 1.25million instructions per second with nowait states.Two models are available. The basic

Universe 2402F comes with 512KB ofRAM, expandable to 10MB, and includesa 20MB (formatted) Winchester disk driveand a 320KB floppy disk drive. TheModel 2403FT is equipped with IMB ofmain memory, a 35MB Winchester diskdrive, a 320KB floppy disk drive, and a45MB 1/4-inch streaming tape unit. Bothmodels can support up to 360MB of pe-ripheral disk storage and can accommo-date from four to 64 users simultaneously.The Universe 2402F is priced at $9999;

the Universe 2403FT costs $17,500. Foradditional information, contact: CharlesRiver Data Systems, Inc., 983 ConcordSt., Framingham, MA 01701; (617) 626-1000.

Reader Service Number 24

Low-cost MS-DOS C language compiler

Toolworks C is an affordable MS-DOSC compiler for a virtually complete subsetof the C programming language. Thecompiler, developed by Software Toolvworks, is a translation and upgrade of thefirm's C/80 compiler and supports integerand character data types.The compiler runs on IBM PCs and

compatibles, Heath/Zenith Z-100computer, the Sanyo MBC-550 series, andother computers running MS-DOS ver-sion 1.0 or later and having at least 128KRAM. Toolworks C requires no assem-bler, directly producing object modulescompatible with the MS-DOS linker. Itgenerates efficient code, running thestandard "sieve" benchmark in 12 sec-onds on an IBM PC.

Run-time libraries include full standardI/O functions and afford selectablesupport of MS-DOS versions 1, 2, orautomatic sensing of either version; all

library source code is included. Specialfeatures include an extension profiler thatlists the number of calls and time spent ineach subroutine, a program trace facility,and the ability to generate assembly lan-guage source files.

Introductory price for the integer ver-

sion of the compiler is $49.95. Foradditional information, contact: TheSoftware Toolworks, 15233 VenturaBlvd., Suite 1118, Sherman Oaks, CA91403; (818) 986-4885.

Readef Service Number 25

Intelligent stepping motorlcontrol driver

Control of two four-phase steppingmotors with currents up to six Amps permotor phase is provided by the MCU-2intelligent stepping motor/control driver.The device incorporates high-speed index-ing and speed controls, LED positiondisplay, manual position controls,incremental encoder feedback input,limits and home variables, and non-volatile memory for system variables.

Several units can be interfaced in a

multi-axis system, controlled by a hostcomputer through a serial communicationlink. Standard RS-232C and RS-485 inter-faces are supported. The MCU-2 is pricedat $2525, or $2175 for the MCU-2A, anOEM version without front panel con-trols. For additional information, con-tact: Advanced Control Systems Corp., 24Teed Drive, Randolph, MA 02368; (617)963-4543.

Reader Service Number 26

June 1985 117

Graphics system adaptedfor Apollo workstations

The DI-3000 device-independentgraphics tools package has been ported torun on the Apollo color DN600 andmonochrome DN300 workstations. Thenew device driver developed by PrecisionVisuals allows the graphics package totake advantage of key hardware capabil-ities provided by the Apollo workstations.The driver supports the workstations'

multiple windowing system by allowingseveral DI-3000 applications programs tobe accessed and displayed in differentwindow, or treating each window as adifferent graphics output device for thesame application by using multiple con-current copies of the Apollo device driver.The driver also supports hardware

polygon fill on both devices as well asthree text fonts, horizontal and verticaltext justification, five marker types, and16, 64, or 256 colors, depending on systemconfiguration. In addition, the DI-3000supports 47 software fill patterns and 64hardware line styles on the workstations.Apollo input devices are also supported,

The 3.5-inch Model 8425 micro-Winchester disk drive from MiniScribe Corp., provides including a touchpad and a mouse.25.6MB of unformatted storage on two disks; the Model 8212 (not shown) offers The DI-3000 is priced starting at $5500,12.8MB of storage on a single disk. Each drive uses thin film media and measures 1.625 including documentation. For additionalx 4 x 5.75 inches. Average power consumption is 9.7W, with an average access time of information, contact: Rob Look, Precision68msec and data transfer rate of 5Mb. For additional information, contact: MiniScribe Visuals, 6260 Lookout Road, Boulder, COCorp., 1861 Lefthand Circle, Longmont, CO 80501; (303) 651-6000. 80301; (303) 530-9000.

Reader Service Number 27 Reader Service Number 29

Programmablekeyboard/trackball

An intelligent keyboard/trackball pe-ripheral for the IBM PC and Apple II,11 +, and lIe computer systems requiresno more space than an average keyboardand incorporates a trackball capable of allstandard trackball commands and mouseemulation.The user-programmable Smart Board

includes 10 horizontally positionedfunction keys, which contain as many as126 characters of information. The *. \trackball has two memory banks and canbe programmed with up to eight charac-ters in any of the four primary directions. _The keyboard comes factory pro-

grammed with both standard Qwerty andDvorak layouts, and with the trackball setto up/down, left/right cursor control.Suggested retail price for the Smart Boardis $399.95. For additional information,contact: Wico Corp., 6400 W. Gross The Smart Board is an intelligent keyboard/trackball peripheral designed for IBM PCPoint Road, Niles, IL 60648. and Apple computer systems. The programmable unit stores aUl user programming

Reader Service Number 28 locally and has a battery backup system.

118 r(AMPlITPC_Wlvlru I CM

Software Toolkit simulatesgate arrays

Bipolar gate arrays can be simulated towithin five percent of performance with a

new Software Toolkit from Honeywell,Inc. The kit comprises three proprietaryPascal programs and a macrocell libraryfor the gate array being designed, andincludes four days of training provided bythe firm.The kit runs on Apollo engineering

workstations and supplements standardMentor Graphics Idea 1000 design soft-ware. Its macrocell library containsHoneywell's predesigned logic functions.The kit is available for the company'sECL-compatible HE2000 or TTL-com-patible HT5000 arrays.

Cost for a single Software Toolkit is$25,000, including the first six months'maintenance. For additional information,contact: National Sales Manager, Honey-well Digital Product Center, 1150 E.Cheyenne Mountain Blvd., ColoradoSprings, CO 80906; (800) 328-5111, ext.340X, or in Minnesota, (612) 870-2142.

Reader Service Number 30

Matrix computationsprovided by PC-Matlab

A novel user interface that acceptscommands in the standard mathematicalnotation for matrix operations is includedin a new integrated analysis program thatspecializes in matrix computations. PC-Matlab is designed to convert the IBM-PCinto a scientific and engineering work-station.

Analytical capabilities include eigen-values, eigenvectors, matrix arithmetic,matrix inversion, linear-equation solu-tion, least-squares, regression, determi-nants, singular-value decomposition, andcondition estimates. Other tools includeroot-finding, fast-Fourier transforms,convolution, and filtering for signal pro-cessing applications. Advanced multi-variate statistical calculations and controlsystems design and analysis can also beperformed.

All computations are done in real or

complex arithmetic as required. Engi-neering graphics commands for display ofresults include linear, loglog, semilog,polar, and 3-D mesh plots; additionalcommands can be added.

PC-Matlab runs on the PC, PC/XT,and PC/AT under MS-DOS 2.0 orhigher; co't is $695. For additionalinformation, contact: The MathWorks,Inc., 124 Foxwood Road, Portola Valley,CA 94025; (415) 851-7217.

Reader Service Number 32

Computerized charts, graphs, designs, and graphics can be converted into 35mm colorslides by using the Computer Slide Express service offered by Visual Horizons. Data canbe transmitted via modem or mailed to the firm on a floppy disk; slides, prints,(standard or enlarged, color or black and white), or overhead transparencies arereturned through the mail. Versions are available for the IBM PCand Apple computers.For additional information, contact: Visual Horizons, 180 Metro Park, Rochester, NY14623; (716) 4245300. Reader Service Number 32

AlEMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Advanced Information & Decision Systems (AI&DS) invites qualifiedcandidates to apply for technical management, research and program-ming positions in artificial intelligence R&D. AI&DS is a growingemployee-owned company of 72 highly talented people workingto develop and implement state-of-the-art solutions to real-worldproblems in areas such as artificial intelligence, software engineering,image understanding, information management, estimation andcontrol, decision theory, signal processing, and cognitive science.In the coming months, positions will be available on projects involving:* Knowledge-Based and ExpertSystemsGeneral ArchitecturesKnowledge Acquisition

* Hypothesis FormationImage and Signal

UnderstandingImage ProcessingInformation Integration

* Planning and Control* Decision-Making Aids

* Robotics* Distributed Al* Intelligent User Interfaces* Natural Language Understanding* Software Development Aids* Information Management

Information RetrievalDatabase Management

* Systems SupportUNIX Systems ProgrammingLISP Programming

With offices in the San Francisco bay area and the Washington, DCarea, AI&DS offers a pleasant and supportive work environment, withexpanding hardware facilities that include VAXs, Symbolics 3600s,SUNs, and a Vicom image processor linked by Ethernets andconnected to the ARPANET.To find out more about AI&DS and the positions listed above, pleasephone Mary Margaret Morton or Clif McCormick at (415) 941-3912, orsend your resume to:Advanced Information & Decision Systems201 San Antonio Circle, Suite 286 A | & DMountain View, California 94040-1270 A I

An equal opportunity employerU.S. citizenship required for many projects

119June 1985