

|1-Code name:  A\BOX


|1-A leap forward towards realising a vision



                   The product - the data - the facts

                       The hardware of the A\BOX

                           The Silicon Dream

              The corner-stones of the CAIPIRINHA design:

                 The general system design of the A\BOX

      A large number of options for the operating system software

    Open concepts for the future Worldwide availability guaranteed.



                   The product - the data - the facts
                   ==================================

October  22,  1996:   phase 5 digital products are pleased that they are
now  able  to  announce  the  long-awaited  specifications  for  the new
computer  system  scheduled for 1997 and based on a powerful Custom Chip
technology.   Under  the  name  of  the  current  project, A\BOX, we are
realising  a  trail-blazing visionary concept that explodes the barriers
of  today's  standards.   As an extremely powerful and creative personal
workstation,  A\BOX  will  appeal to all users who wish to work actively
and creatively with the most modern technology and who have no desire to
put  up with the limitations imposed by mass hardware products that have
fallen  victim  to  a cost-cutting spree nor by the restraining software
corsets  of  systems  that are intended purely for passive consumers and
users.   With  the enormous power it offers and its integrated functions
the A\BOX project can claim to be implementing a computer design that is
as  innovative,  as  outstanding  and as exceptionally cool as the Amiga
1000 was 12 years ago - a computer design that all Amiga enthusiasts can
welcome  as  the  reincarnation  of their favourite computer system on a
state-of-the-art technical level.


                       The hardware of the A\BOX
                       =========================

The  computer  project  we  announced  has given rise to a great deal of
inaccurate  speculation,  rumours  and false information which have been
bandied  about in general discussion forums (in many Internet newsgroups
for  example)  during  the  last few months.  This is why we would first
like  to put the record straight and deliver a few basic facts about the
A\BOX  concept.  The A\BOX project does not specify a system that builds
up  on  standard  technologies such as PCI-based graphical chips.  We at
phase  5  digital  products take the view that a new innovative computer
must also offer innovative hardware to match in order to stand out among
the current PC designs and overcome the limitations they impose.  On the
other  hand,  this  in  no  way  implies that in designing an innovative
computer we need to depart in any way from standards that are useful and
meaningful  for  the  user  of  the system (such as a PCI bus for simple
expansions,  the  use  of  standardised RAM modules, standard interfaces
etc.).   The technological innovation, rather, is to be found on a level
of integration which is of central importance in controlling the system.
And  despite  the  effort  involved,  which we will be going into later,
today's  modern  methods  of  design  and production make it possible to
realise such an innovative concept in the form of ASIC's at an extremely
competitive price.  The central component of the A\BOX is a novel Custom
Chip which is now under development at phase 5 digital and which will be
responsible  for  many important functions in the system.  These include
complete  memory  administration  and  processor  linkup,  all  DMA-like
functions including video and audio DMA, blitter-type functions, I/O and
control  functions.   A  team of experienced chip and hardware designers
are  working on the realisation of this sophisticated concept, supported
by software designers and aided by the most modern, high-level synthesis
tools  for  VHDL-based  designs.   During  the  first half of 1997 major
efforts  will  go  into  phases of simulation and testing, the result of
which will be the production of the first silicon tapeout.  This will be
followed  by the mass production of the ASIC's which, of course, will be
put in the hands of one of the world's leading ASIC manufacturers.

In  conclusion it can be said that the A\BOX project is an ambitious one
which  creates  new  techniques,  a  project in which we are by no means
reinventing  the  wheel, but rather one in which we are making extensive
use of the most modern techniques and development possibilities that are
available  today  to  an innovative company that is willing to invest in
order to develop an outstanding, powerful and competitive product.


                           The Silicon Dream
                           =================

The  heart of the A\BOX is the system controller, CAIPIRINHA, which will
realise  the functional integration on which the A\BOX concept is based.
CAIPIRINHA  opens up new dimensions of power and technology.  CAIPIRINHA
will  be  implemented  as a VLSI Custom Chip design in 0.35 um CMOS ASIC
technology  using  a  modern, probably 575-pole BGA housing.  With a bus
width  of  128  bits  to the memory bus, extensive dual-port buffers and
FIFO's  in  the  data  lines,  and  clock  rates  of  initially  100 MHz
externally  and  200  MHz  internally, CAIPIRINHA can provide an intense
data  throughput  and powerful additional functions which do not rely on
the processor, such as support for 3D and multimedia applications.


              The corner-stones of the CAIPIRINHA design:
              ===========================================

128-bit  high  performance UMA (Unified Memory Architecture) controller,
using  fast  SDRAMs with a clock frequency of 100 MHz and a maximum band
width  of  up  to 1.6 G-bytes/second 64-bit processor bus with a maximum
clock rate of 100 MHz two 24-bit video DMA units with freely addressable
access,  with  integrated  24-bit video DAC's four 16-bit audio outputs,
44.1  KHz  with  any  number of virtual tracks, sample output, FM and AM
synthesis  video-in  ports  for 2 independent video inputs in Y/UV 4:2:2
quality  audio  inputs  in 16-bit stereo CD quality LCD (TFT) controller
according    to    the   VESA   standard   a   PCI-bus   interface   for
medium-performance I/O applications a local 16-bit DMA bus with 66.7 MHz
and  a  maximum  band width of 132 M-bytes/second for universal low-cost
applications an integrated IEEE 1394 firewire controller for digital I/O
applications a desktop bus interface.

CAIPIRINHA  is  basically designed as a highly complex system and memory
controller  in  the  form of a SOMA Engine (Sole Memory Access).  At the
same  time CAIPIRINHA manages all access to the A\BOX memory which takes
the  form  of  a highly powerful Unified Memory Architecture (UMA).  All
external  memory  access,  including  that of the processor, only occurs
virtually  and  is  administered and implemented by CAIPIRINHA.  Unified
Memory  Architecture  means  that  the  entire  system  memory  is  made
available  as  a  unified memory which stores all types of data, such as
programs  and  their  data,  display data, 3D-textures or Z-buffer data,
audio  data,  incoming  flows of video data etc.  etc.  and which can be
addressed by all functional units in the system.  For the user UMA means
that  the  entire memory in the system is available for all applications
at  all  times.   When  the  memory  is  expanded with inexpesnive SDRAM
modules, the additional memory capacity is then always available for all
applications and functions in the system.  In terms of its principle UMA
corresponds  to  the  Amiga  Chip RAM which can be addressed both by the
processor  and  by the custom chips and video and audio DMA units of the
Amiga.   Unlike  the Chip RAM, however, and unlike the low-cost attempts
made  to implement UMA memories in the PC field, the memory subsystem of
the  A\BOX  in  the  form  of  a  unified  memory  architecture  will be
implemented with 128 bits databus width and by use of synchronous DRAM's
which  have  a  speed  of  100  MHz,  which  allows  a band width of 1.6
G-bytes/second.   A special method of controlling the SDRAM modules also
considerably reduces latency times when accessing the memory.

Due  to  the integration of the video DMA into CAIPIRINHA the UMA memory
can simultaneously be used as a display memory.  CAIPIRINHA provides two
video  DMA  engines:   one  220  MHz  high-performance  video output for
resolutions  of  up  to  1600  x  1280 pixels with 24 bits and a refresh
frequency  of  75  Hz  and  a Genlock-capable 135 MHz video output for a
second  monitor or image output in video resolutions such as PAL/NTSC or
S-VHS.   The video output of the 135-MHz output can be superimposed as a
window  on  the  220  MHz display while both video DMA's are in parallel
operation.

Unlike conventional raster scan displays, CAIPIRINHA's video DMA engines
function on the basis of a random memory access (Random Access Display),
which makes it possible to display any data in visual form at any random
screen  positions.   With  this  method windows, as hardware windows for
example,  can  be superimposed and moved around anywhere with their full
content,  without  any delay or jerkiness, even with moving animation or
video sequences.  Special pipelines and FIFO buffers within CAIPIRINHA's
video  DMA  ensure  a  stable  data  throughput.   The  complex  display
possibilities   are   controlled  by  an  integrated  display-list  RISC
processor  (DLRP).   As  the  video DMA engines always have an output in
24-bit  display  mode,  it  is,  of course, possible to mix any depth of
shade  at will.  In this way, for example, on a memory-saving background
with  a  colour  depth  of  8  bits it is possible to display 16-bit and
24-bit  windows in any position.  Of course CAIPIRINHA makes it possible
to  open  and display virtual screens of any size and to make use of the
capacity of the entire RAM.  For example an image-processing application
can  open  a virtual screen of 4000 x 4000 pixels in 24 bits in a system
expanded  to  72  M-bytes  and  scroll  it  in  a  display  that  can be
represented  on  the  monitor in 1280 x 1024 pixels without any delay or
jerkiness.

Another  interesting  feature  of  CAIPIRINHA's video DMA engines is the
fact  that  windows need no longer be merely rectangular, but can assume
practically  any  outlines.   Last, but not least, video data in the RAM
which  are  intended for output can be stored in various formats such as
RGB, YUV or CMYK and displayed simultaneously.

It  goes  without saying that CAIPIRINHA has a highly complex functional
unit  (FAME,  Flexible  Area  Movement Engine) for rapidly writing into,
copying  and linking memory locations or images, and which, in a similar
way  to  the hardware windows that can be displayed with CAIPIRINHA, can
assume  practically any outlines and not merely the rectangular forms we
know  from  classical  blitters  (block image transferers).  At the same
time  a  parallel  DSP-RISC type processing unit is also integrated into
this  functional  unit.  With a very compact set of commands this allows
fully  programmable  image  and signal processing and matrix operations.
This  means  that  FAME  supports special multimedia and 3D applications
which  can make optimum use of this supportive processing capacity which
is  available parallel to that of the CPU.  Because it is a programmable
DSP-RISC  processing  unit,  however,  FAME  is  not  limited to today's
standards.    Its  powerful  features  are  also  available  for  future
standards such as new 3D or video-compression algorithms.

Audio  output  via CAIPIRINHA physically occurs via 2 channels in 16-bit
CD  quality.   Internally  the number of virtual audio tracks is limited
only  by the memory space available.  FAME is able to engineer real-time
generation and mixing of various audio tracks in any random format (e.g.
also  24-bit audio) without making demands on the processor.  It is also
possible to generate various sound effects, a feature which is optimally
supported  by  functions  similar  to  DSP.  In general digital samples,
FM-synthesized sounds and envelope-VCO generated tones can be generated,
modified, mixed and output via these freely programmable audio-DMA.

In  addition to these superb functions CAIPIRINHA offers a full range of
additional  controlling  functions:   an  integrated  PCI-bus controller
controls  the PCI expansion bus which is available for low-cost standard
expansions  in  the lower performance range or for I/O applications with
medium  band width (e.g.  Ultra-SCSI or ATM).  A local 16-bit DMA bus is
available   for   further  I/O  applications,  and  an  interesting  and
easy-to-implement   interface   is   specially  available  for  hardware
manufacturers  who  do  not  want  to work with standard PCI components.
Another  important  feature  which  will  play  a  major  role in future
multimedia  applications  is  the  integrated IEEE 1394 firewire bus.  A
large  number  of  electronic enhancements for computer and consumer can
connected via this high-speed serial bus.


                 The general system design of the A\BOX
                 ======================================

The  A\BOX  system  will  be implemented as a progressive and innovative
concept  of a personal workstation which offers extremely good value for
money.   As  we  have  mentioned, the system builds up on the innovative
CAIPIRINHA chip which serves as the functional heart of the system.  The
type  of  processor  we  intend  to  use  will  be  the  Initial PowerPC
processors  of types 603e and 604e.  Theoretically these can be operated
with  clock  frequencies  of  up to 500 MHz.  At present, with the first
A\BOX  design,  a  maximum  of  two  processors  can be connected on the
CAIPIRINHA  processor  bus;  a  corresponding  expansion  option for the
second processor will be available in the A\BOX design.

The  memory  can be expanded by using inexpensive standard SDRAM modules
with  a  width of 64 bits (168-pin JEDEC DIMMS).  In future these SDRAMs
will  increasingly  be replacing slower, traditional DRAMs.  Eight slots
will  be  available  so  that  the  memory  can be expanded to a maximum
capacity  of 1 gigabyte.  The slots can be expanded in pairs (due to the
128-bit mode).

As  a  standard  feature  the  system provides two video outputs, one of
which has a maximum pixel rate of 220 MHz and the second of which can be
operated  at  135 MHz.  In addition to this, the second video output can
be  synchronised externally and is thus suitable for compatible analogue
video applications.

Also  available,  naturally,  are  an integrated Fast SCSI-II controller
with  an  external port and an integrated ISDN connection.  Via standard
video inputs two analogue video inputs can be simultaneously digitalised
in  Y/C  quality  and then processed in real time.  The audio inputs and
outputs also offered by CAIPIRINHA which it will, of course, be possible
to  synchronise with the video ports, are available in the form of Cinch
jacks for processing high-quality audio data.  Keyboard, mouse and other
operating  devices  are  connected  up  via  a  serial  desktop bus.  In
addition  to  this,  there  are  external  connections for the IEEE 1394
firewire port, the serial interface and the parallel interface.

Due  to  the  open  design  concept  of  A\BOX, the outstanding hardware
features of the CAIPIRINHA system controller and the excellent operating
system  capacities, A\BOX offers itself as an ideal platform for unusual
applications  for  third-party  developers  working both in the field of
software  and in the field of hardware.  Any I/O expansions which may be
required,  such  as ATM boards, Ultra SCSI or RAID controllers or others
can  be  easily  adapted via the PCI bus.  In addition to this, the most
versatile  enhancements  can be developed for the A\BOX via both the PCI
and the 16-bit DMA bus.

At  present  all  options  are  still  open  as  far  as  the housing is
concerned.   The  mainboard  design of the A\BOX will, at all events, be
geared towards the usual standards so that the option of choosing a more
inexpensive  standard  housing will be kept open in addition to a custom
housing.


      A  large number of options for the operating system software
      ============================================================

A  large  number  of  options will be available for the operating system
software  of  the A\BOX.  In general the A\BOX project aims to implement
an  Amiga-OS-compatible operating system of a state-of-the-art technical
standard  and  to  provide it as a basic operating system for the A\BOX.
Modern  functions  such  as  support  for  multi-processing  are  to  be
transparently  integrated.   The  basis for this development has already
been  created  in the form of the Amiga-OS 3.1 compatible operating core
which  is currently being tested in the software labs of phase 5 digital
products.   In  the near future we will also be pressing ahead with more
development  work  in co-operation with important software partners, for
example  on an updated GUI or other high-level components.  An important
aspect  of  this  development  work  will  be  our  efforts  to make the
operating  system  provide complete support for the superb possibilities
offered by the hardware.

In  addition  to  this  we  also  plan to implement a NetBSD and a Linux
version  for the A\BOX in co-operation with other partners.  The current
concepts  provide  for  a very close integration of these OS adaptations
into  the basic operating system of the A\BOX so that parallel operation
of the two operating systems and of software applications based on these
operating  systems  will proceed with extreme transparency and excellent
coordination.   A\BOX  will  also  be  open for other operating systems,
especially including the ones that are already suitable for the PowerPC.
In  the future we might use attractive standard operating systems by way
of licence agreements and emulation.


                      Open concepts for the future
                      ============================

The  A\BOX  concept  which we have introduced here will be structured in
such  a way that it is forward-looking and open.  The technology used in
the  CAIPIRINHA  custom chip is upgradable on silicon level.  This means
that  in  the future it will be possible to implement compatible systems
enhancing  the  functions with wider memory or wider processor buses and
to  realise  faster  versions of this custom design with higher internal
clock  rates.   In  addition to this it is conceivable that a downgraded
64-bit  version will be implemented.  This means that systems of average
capacity  (e.g.   24-bit screen resolution with a maximum of 1280 x 1024
pixels)  but  which  possess the full functional power of the concept we
have  outlined can be implemented at a price range considerably below DM
1500  or  USD  1000.   In  order  to possibly implement such a low-price
version  of  the CAIPIRINHA Custom Chip, phase 5 digital products in the
near  future will be seeking contact with partners who might possibly be
interested   and   who  offer  the  preconditions  for  the  large-scale
manufacture  and  distribution of such a product.  But phase 5 will also
be  open  for  OEM  partnerships  with regard to the mass-produced A\BOX
mainboards or the CAIPIRINHA system controller.


                   Worldwide availability guaranteed.
                   ==================================

Worldwide  availability  guaranteed.   For  our own A\BOX systems, which
will  be  sold in a price range starting from DM 3,000 (USD 2,000 or GBP
1,300)  net  (in  the  150 MHz class with the basic features, i.e.  a 16
M-byte  memory,  a  hard disk in the 1 GB range and a CD-ROM disk drive)
phase  5  digital  products  will  be setting up an active international
distribution  system  during  the course of 1997, which will ensure that
product  and  sales  support is available as soon as delivery commences.
This  work  will  include  selecting  sales representatives, giving them
preparatory  training  courses  and  opening up distribution and service
branches  as  far  as  is  necessary  for  professionally  attending  to
important  markets.   The  expansion  of  our Internet activities in the
fields  of  sales,  support,  product support and marketing will make an
important contribution towards distributing the system among an interest
group  that  spans the four corners of the globe.  These activities will
guarantte   for  a  worldwide  availability  of  the  A\BOX  systems  to
interested users and customers.


                                Contact:

                        phase 5 digital products

                              In der Au 27

                        61440 Oberursel, Germany


                     Intl.  Phone:  +49 6171 583787

                       Intl.Fax:  +49 6171 583789


                         Email:  mail@phase5.de

                       oder:  aproject@phase5.de



Disclaimer:   All  rights  reserved.  All specifications are preliminary
and  subject  to change without notice.  AMIGA is a registered trademark
of  the  respective owners.  PowerPC is a registred trademark of the IBM
Corporation.  Now, Davy, that's what we call Cool Stuff!



end
