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The New Xplor-52 Series Controllers All of the Xplor-32 series controllers are based on the XICOR X88C64, which is no longer available from the manufacturer. As a result, the Xplor-32, Xplor-32a, Xplor-32d, Xplor-32c, Xplor-32ca, Xplor-32u, Xplor-32ua, Xplor-32i, and Xplor-32s controllers will no longer be available from BlueEarth. The good news. We have redesigned the Xplor-32 controllers with an updated but compatible architecture. They have been released as the new Xplor-52 controllers. What's the difference? The primary change is that the TB52 interpreter is resident in the CPU ROM. The ROMless 80C32 is replaced with an 89C52 programmed with the TB52 Tiny BASIC interpreter, utilities, and library files. The Xicor X88C64 8K EEPROM is replaced by a standard 28C64 8K EEPROM or optional 28C256 32K EEPROM. BASIC programs written for the original Xplor-32 controllers should load and run exactly the same on the new Xplor-52 controllers. Assembly language programs can be executed one of the following ways: The code can be burned into available memory in the CPU ROM and called directly from the BASIC program; the Hex file can be loaded to the 8K EEPROM and called with a 16K offset; or the Hex file can be loaded to a 32K EEPROM above 8K and called directly. Assembly language interrupts are mapped to the CPU ROM addresses as before. Any other differences? The ADC circuit on the Xplor PDCs with analog inputs (Xplor-52a and Xplor-52ua) was updated to allow support for the CHAN command when TB52 is running out of the internal ROM CPU. Were any extra features added? Since TB52 is in the CPU ROM, the entire 8K EEPROM can be used for BASIC programs. This was available as an upgrade to the original Xplor-32, but is now included at no extra cost! While we were at it, we added support for a 32K EEPROM with only a slight change in the TB52 interpreter. The addressing for the LCD and keypad will accommodate either configuration with the updated library files, so the changes are transparent to your program. A few useful functions were added to the library files. The most notable is an addition to the LCD routines that allows the cursor to be easily moved to any position on the display. Which models are available? The Xplor-52, Xplor-52a, and Xplor-52d are currently available from stock. The Xplor-52u and Xplor-52ua are also now available, as is the Xplor-52i. What if I want to purchase one of the original Xplor-32 controllers? The original Xplor-32 controllers will continue to be available for a short time in very limited quantities. We simply are not able to purchase any more X88C64 devices. What happens if I need service or support for my Xplor-32 series controller? We will continue to provide service and support for the Xplor-32 series controllers. Our records show that we have replaced extremely few X88C64 chips on controllers that were returned for service.
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©1999-2002 BlueEarth, LLC. Last Updated September 3, 2002 |
