The ECL RISC processors that form the basis of FPS Computing’s new Model 500 multi-processor Unix machine launched last week (CI No 1,049) turn out to be the same chips used for key support functions by Apollo Computer in the Series 10000 personal supercomputer, Alliant Computer Inc’s FX40 and FX80 systems, and the HP Series 9000 Model 835. The B3110A floating point multiplier and B3120A floating point arithmetic logic unit, along with five port register files, come from the former Floating Point Systems Inc’s Beaverton, Oregon neighbour Bipolar Integrated Technology Inc, the company currently working on an ECL version of Sun Microsystems’ SPARC processor, and are used for both the scalar and vector processor boards within the FPS 500. Elxsi Corp of San Jose is another customer, using the chips in its Pegasus Superframe. Meanwhile, Les Soltesz, Bipolar Integrated’s vice-president of marketing, revealed that its BIT1 ECL implementation of the Sun Microsystems Sparc microprocessor was running behind schedule, and would not now be unveiled by the end of the year as originally promised. We’re close, said Soltesz, but we’re now looking at a product introduction during the second calendar quarter of 1989. Bipolar Integrated is also working on a higher performance BIT2 version of the Sparc: both products are destined to be used in future Sun Microsystems workstations, as well as being offered on the merchant market.
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