Spehro Pefhany wrote:
> At 01:12 AM 2/27/2004 +0100, you wrote:
> > > Wasn't the 8089 an I/O chip?
> > >
> >
> >The 8089 was a smart DMA Controller which was able to follow programmed
> >instruction sequences. So you could see it as a very specialized processor.
>
> What was it used for,  typically?

It was an I/O coprocessor designed for use with the 8086.

The Apricot (PC built around 1984) had one designed in but did not ship with one
installed. The story goes that when the Apricot went into production they
couldn't get a fraction of the 8089s they required so they patched it out using
a piece of wire and an inverter. Ironically the patched machine ran faster.

I think the story might be true, I got it for the guy that designed the
motherboard.

Regards
Sergio Masci

http://www.xcprod.com/titan/XCSB - optimising structured PIC BASIC compiler

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