The most popular computer ever sold to-date, the Commodore C-64, sold 27 Million units total back in the 1980’s. Little is left to show of those times, the 8-bit “retro” years when a young long-haired self-taught engineer could, through sheer chance and a fair amount of determination, sit down and design a computer from scratch using a mechanical pencil, a pile of data books, and a lot of paper.
My name is Bil Herd and I was that long-haired, self-educated kid who lived and dreamed electronics and, with the passion of youth, found himself designing the Commodore C-128, the last of the 8-bit computers which somehow was able to include many firsts for home computing. The team I worked with had an opportunity to slam out one last 8 bit computer, providing we accepted the fact that whatever we did had to be completed in 5 months… in time for the 1985 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
We (Commodore) could do what no other computer company of the day could easily do; we made our own Integrated Circuits (ICs) and we owned the two powerhouse ICs of the day; the 6502 microprocessor and the VIC Video Display IC. This strength would result in a powerful computer but at a cost; the custom IC’s for the C-128 would not be ready for at least 3 of the 5 months, and in the case of one IC, it would actually be tricked into working in spite of itself.
Before the CES show, before production, before the custom IC’s became available, there was no choice but to Hack in order to make the deadlines. And by Hack I mean we had to create emulator boards out of LS-TTL chips that could act like the big 48 pin custom VLSI chips that Commodore/MOS was known for .
To add to the fun, a couple of weeks later the marketing department in a state of delusional denial put out a press release guaranteeing 100% compatibility with the C64. We debated asking them how they (the Marketing Department) were going to accomplish such a lofty goal but instead settled for getting down to work ourselves.
As the project progressed we realized that this most likely was going to be the final 8 bit system to come out of Commodore. We began shoving in as many features as could fit in a 5 month time frame. Before we were done we would have a dual processor, triple OS, dual monitor (40 and 80 column simultaneously) with the first home computer to break the 64k barrier. We started referring to the C128 as 9 pounds of poop in a 5 pound bag, we couldn’t quite get 10 pounds to fit. We also joked about turning out the lights on our way out the door as we knew that the 8-bit era was coming to a close.
The C128 would require two brand new 40 pin custom chips; a Memory Management Unit (MMU), a Master Programmable Logic Array (PLA), and the venerable but scary VICII video core chip needed to be re-tooled. We also had the chip guys bond up a very special 48 pin version of the 6502 microprocessor and we decided to use Commodore’s latest 80 column chip which by itself almost caused us to miss CES. (But that’s a different story)
So here is where the need for some serious hacking comes in; we needed to start writing software (a whole new Rom Kernel and Monitor and a brand new version of Basic featuring structured commands), we needed to start the process of making PCB’s and we needed to start debugging the hardware and understanding the implications of trying to use 128k of DRAM (yes “k”, not m,g or t) which was a first, as well as the first MMU in a home computer. Along the way it turned into a dual processor system 6502/Z80, and simultaneous 40 column TV display and 80 column monitor. Home monitors didn’t really exist yet, we were kind of counting on having that done in time also, along with a new hard drive.
What we ended up doing was designing the first PCB to take either finished 40 pin dip chips or 40 pin emulator cables leading to emulator boards built of 74LS chips that when combined with some rather cranky PLA’s (The FPGA of the day) and delay lines and whatever else we could find, acted close enough to a custom chip that the programmers could continue working.
Our construction technique was to add to the PCB as much as we knew we needed for sure and then add jumpers to that as needed. The mainstay though in the 80’s was good old-fashioned wire-wrap, and so we proceeded to lay out a sacrificial main PCB and wire-wrap sub-assemblies to act like the custom chips that would hopefully arrive in a couple of months. (Looking at the bottom of the main PCB its hard to believe that in about 3 months we would start a production run of several million.)
This was just the beginning, ahead lay some fairly insane kludges that all had two things in common; We had to get any hack or fix done overnight while the managers were home sleeping and the end result had to work in million piece quantity.
During the final push to CES we ate our holiday dinners out of aluminum foil in the hardware lab using the heat of disk drives to keep the food warm, and the bathroom sinks doubled as showers. My shoes became unwearable due to extended use and were discarded, only to have a mouse take up residence in the toe. (The first Commodore Mouse)
We assembled units in the booth the night before the show, Commodore Business Machines (CBM) employees were tasked with hand carrying the 80 column chip which had almost been a show stopper. The programmer that had ported CPM was able to fix the last of 80 column bugs by editing raw data on the floppy.
As far as the product performance at the show we nailed it. Nothing failed, there were no “blue screen” moments, and the press was kind to us. Upon returning to work we struggled with how to ramp down after having been in the crucible for so many months. Showers were taken and eventually the slack-jawed expressions gave way to normal-jawed expression.
We figured we had done the last big 8-bit computer, we knew one era was ending but we were also excited about the advent of the 16-bit Amiga even amid rumors of big layoffs in engineering. Without the drive of the founder, Jack Tramiel, CBM seemed to wander aimlessly canceling the next computer, the LCD Computer system amongst little to no marketing of main products. The feeling for me was as the days of Camelot had come to an end. The team slowly broke up without a new challenge to bind us together, I ended up working at a Trauma Center in New Jersey in my spare time as I had become somewhat addicted to adrenaline.
Bil Herd went on to develop high speed machine vision systems and designed the ultrasonic backup alarm commonly seen on new vehicles. For the last 20+ years Bil has been an entrepreneur and founded several small businesses. Bil keeps in touch with collectors and other fans of the old Commodore computers through his website c128.com and will soon be opening his new site, herdware.com which will feature open source and educational electronics kits.
The C128 Engineering Team as seen in the Easter Egg image:
Bil Herd: Designer & Hardware Lead
Dave Haynie: Intricate timing, PLA Emulator and DRAM
Frank Palaia: Z80 Integration and Ram Expansion
Fred Bowen: Programmer and Software Lead- Kernal & Monitor
Terry Ryan: Programmer- Basic V7 including structured language additions.
Von Ertwine: Programmer- CPM
The Commodore C128 was produced in 1985 and sold 5+Million units generating about about $1.5 Billion in revenue. The C128D with built-in disk drive was supposed to be released at the same time as the standalone unit but the C128D did not make it into production for a couple of years.
German investment in cruise ship design and technology was demonstrated in the past year by 38,530- gt Aida, the Finnish-built, innovative addition to the Rostock-based DSR fleet. The completion in Wismar of the home-grown, 14,000-gt Columbus in June will add another dimension to the German portfolio.
Yet another milestone event for German maritime industry will be the scheduled delivery in May 1998 of 22,400-gt Deutschland to Peter Deilmann from Kiel shipbuilder Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW).
Registered with Deutsche Seetouristik, and marketed through in-house tour operator Arkona Reisen, the twinscrew Aida is tagged a "clubship," reflecting the popularity in Germany of club travel.
Offering a minimum passenger capacity of 1,186 and characterized by a relatively low crew to passenger ratio, the ship was conceived for a younger generation of cruise passengers, and is clearly slanted towards the European market rather than a North American clientele. Aida not only underscores Kvaerner Masa-Yards' propensity for more technically demanding or technologically advanced vessels in the capital-intensive newbuilding sectors, but also the Finnish company's flexibility in product-oriented design and custom construction. Given the marketing emphasis on young, but affluent customers, and parents with young children, Hamburg-based interiors specialist Partner Ship Design had the challenging task of engendering a casual shipboard atmosphere. The vessel represents a change in shipboard practice in the cruising field, with restaurants open virtually around the clock, and no preassigned dining room seating, both of which had implications for design and configuration. The public spaces are distinguished by their arrangement on the uppermost enclosed levels of the ship, adjoining the sun deck. The ship thereby breaks with the tradition of having main public areas, dining and entertainment facilities below at least two decks of cabins.
The landscape-type design approach adopted for the public rooms, and their less constrained interlinking, also makes for greater continuity and easier flows than is the case aboard many cruise ships with tightly compartmentalized public decks.
Employing a trusted dieselmechanical propulsion system for a speed of 21 knots, Aida is equipped with four Augsburg-built, MAN B&W 6L48/60 main engines developing a total 21,720 kW. Power is transmitted to two KaMeWa controllable pitch propellers through MAAG reduction gears. Maneuverability is enhanced by two KaMeWa 1,000- kW bowthrusters, and motion control is exerted through a set of Blohm + Voss fin stabilizers. Wartsila 32 Engines Featured On Columbus The recently unveiled Wartsila 32 engine, with a long pedigree in the popular 320-mm bore category of the market, will have an early, prestigious reference this summer in a sleek new German cruise ship. The 14,000- gt Columbus, ordered by Munich-based Conti Reederei for charter to Hapag-Lloyd Tours of Bremen, will provide only the second, seagoing newbuilding application for the latest class of Finnish-developed machinery.
The vessel's main power and propulsion plant will be based on four such engines in a six-cylinder, in-line configuration, for a total output of 10,560 kW. Anticipated serviceColumbus is the first cruise vessel ordered by containership-oriented Conti, one of the leading firms providing equity finance for shipping through German KG (limited partnership) schemes. Due to be delivered in June from MTW Schiffswerft in Wismar, the high-grade vessel has been designed for 420 passengers and is due to make its debut cruise from Germany to Norway's North Cape at the end of next month.
In its pre-German reunification guise as Mathias-Thesen Werft, the MTW yard had been a prolific builder of passengerships for the USSR and other Eastern Bloc states up to the mid-1960s. Columbus is the yard's first purpose- designed, pure cruise liner.
Columbus encapsulates a megayacht cruising culture, in terms of the interior styling and standard of facilities, and in the operational flexibility conferred by the hull design. Its moderate draft of 16.7 ft. (5.1 m) broadens the scope of itineraries by allowing navigation in estuaries and coastal waters. In addition, hull strengthening to Germanischer Lloyd Ice Class E2 requirements allows passage in polar regions with drifting ice. Some two-thirds of the passenger complement is provided for in outside cabins in the nine-deck design, and overall space per passenger is reportedly 25 percent greater than that of comparable vessels. Flanked by large rectangular windows overlooking the sea, spacious restaurant will cater to all passengers in one seating. Columbus will boost Hapag- Lloyd's cruise market presence beyond current cruise ships Europa and Bremen. The company's travel business was expanded last year through the acquisition of Hamburg firms Hanseatic Tours and Hanseatic Cruises.
New Fast Ferry Designs Although the term "fast ferry" is associated with lightweight twinhulled and high-speed monohull vessel types, two Greek companies have introduced advanced new designs of multi-purpose ferry applications which combine very fast service speeds with exceptionally high onboard facility standards.
Iraklion-based Minoan Lines and rival Athenian firm Superfast Ferries, associated with Attica Enterprises, have brought a new era of speed and luxury to the trans-Adriatic traffic between Greece and Italy using West European-built tonnage. Both companies commissioned stylish new vessels into the trade in 1995, and both have followed up with contracts for further ships, and to a faster speed in the case of Minoan Lines. The Cretan operator's 31,000-gt Ikarus is expected to make 29 knots during trials, and offer a service speed of 26.5 knots for 1,500 passengers and up to 800 cars, or a mix of freight and cars.
A third ship in the series has been booked from Fosen Mek Verksteder, in western Norway. To be named Pasiphae, the ship will be a sister to the 658-ft. (200-m) Ikarus, employing a 44,130-kW, four-engine powerplant compared with the 33,100 kW installed inknot, 558-ft. (170-m) Aretousa. Minoan Lines' enhancement of its network in terms of transit speed and route capacity on connections out of Patras to Brindisi, Ancona and Venice, is pertinent to the commercial freight business no less than to the tourist and passenger traffic. Offering improved access to European markets for Greek producers and buyers, service with the Ikarus-type provides scope for up to 160 trucks of 49 ft. (15 m) per sailing.
While Minoan's two $110 million newbuildings are due to be commissioned in January and June 1998, Superfast Ferries is to augment its trans-Adriatic fleet early23,700-gt vessels. Whereas the initial 27.9-knot pair came from Schichau-Seebeckwerft in Bremerhaven, the latest two are under construction at Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Finland.
Regulatory Requirements Drive Innovation Refinements in passenger ship design and outfitting often follow new regulatory requirements. One clear example of this theory is demonstrated 101,350-gt Carnival Destiny, which incorporates a system which meets the amended SOLAS stipulations concerning location of lifeboats, without impinging on passenger space. The new regulations dictate that all survival craft have to be stowedline for safety reasons, thereby ruling as unacceptable the earlier custom of carrying the boats as high as possible on the upper decks. Compliance with the new edict can mean that valuable cabin space on passenger decks is sacrificed to accommodate lifeboats.
Engineers from Utrecht-based Schat-Harding, part of Norwegianowned Umoe Schat-Harding, developed an under-deck stored power (UDSP) davit in a bid to provide a solution to suit both regulatory and commercial needs aboard Destiny.
In combination with speciallydesigned, 150-person lifeboats, the davit enables the total craft installation to be neatly fitted between decks, leaving the underneath promenade deck obstruction-free. Basically, the UDSP davit consists of a fixed support arm welded to the underside of the superstructure, and a traveling beam from which the lifeboat is suspended. As the system is operated hydraulically and has a telescopic arm, far less space is required to stow the lifeboats than is the case with conventional gravity davits, according to the Dutch producer. It is contended that savings in deck height can in some cases be sufficient to enable an extra passenger deck to be installed, depending on the vessel design. An important operational and safety attribute of the UDSP system is that it facilitates embarkation irrespective of vessel list and trim. Besides the requirement for open and uncluttered deck areas, and ease of operation of the boats in combination with the davits, the designers have taken into account a range of other owner demands, for instance, a minimization of the traditional practice of holding lifeboats against shipssides by means of wire ropes or belts to allow embarkation.
Owners also favored a covered or sheltered muster and direct embarkation area, and additionally called for davit steel structures to form an integral part of ship structures as far as possible. A demand for large openings in life craft in the interests of rapid embarkation was also acknowledged by Schat-Harding.
In addition to its important reference in Carnival Destiny, delivered by Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard, UDSP has reportedly been specified by Holland America Line, P&O Cruises and Celebrity Cruises for latest and current newbuildings.
Within 49 ft. (15 m) of the water- next year with an additional two the first of the Fosen series, the 24- speed is 18.5 knots.
Global Coronary Heart Disease Diagnostic Imaging Devices Market
Dublin, July 21, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Coronary Heart Disease Diagnostic Imaging Devices Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Modality (Computed Tomography, Nuclear Medicine), by Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific), and Segment Forecasts, 2022-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
The global coronary heart disease diagnostic imaging devices market is expected to reach USD 2.96 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 6.9% from 2022 to 2030.
Increase in coronary diseases and deaths associated with it calls for better and early diagnosis of the condition. Precise scan interpretation and technologically advanced equipment are the factors influencing the market growth. Various imaging modalities are useful in identifying unique aspects of coronary screening.
For instance, intravascular ultrasound, X-ray angiography, and computed tomography angiography (CTCA) provide a direct evaluation and quantification of alterations in the coronary arteries. However, non-invasive techniques like single-photon computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) provide indirect information on CHD by estimating the myocardial perfusion and metabolism abnormalities that are consequent of coronary artery disease.
Technological advancement in this field had led to the development of sharp camera units consisting of gamma systems, that use semiconductor detectors of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT). This led to faster acquisition of images, reduced capture time, high image quality, and lower radiation dose (1mSv for a single injection), as compared to conventional myocardial perfusion imaging by SPECT. Further, improvements around Computed Tomography, to develop non-invasive techniques have also shown great future growth in this segment. However, economic barriers, subject literacy, and lack of medical staff hold back the implementation of such advanced techniques in real practice.
The coronary heart disease diagnostic imaging devices market saw a sharp decline in 2020, due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear of virus spread, the shift in focus on diagnosing and treating COVID-19 affected patients, reduced admission rates at hospitals for other diseases, and reduced medical staff, led to the reduction in the diagnosis of CVD.
Economic setback observed by end-users also influenced the adoption of advanced techniques to effectively diagnoses coronary alterations. Further, the shutting down of manufacturing units, due to national lockdowns, halt in logistics, and reduction in salesforce also impacted the market negatively. However, diabetic and hypertensive patients witnessed a severe risk of CVD ultimately leading to death. Thus, the pandemic significantly impacted the market in 2020, which is likely to stabilize and grow exponentially by 2022.
Coronary Heart Disease Imaging Devices Market Report Highlights
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Nuclear medicine dominated the modality segment due to the ease of image interpretation and accuracy in detection.
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Computed tomography held the highest CAGR of 7.6% due to its advantages of early detection of even the most intricate alterations which otherwise is impossible to det4ect in the traditional SPECT technology.
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Asia Pacific is anticipated to be growing at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period owing to the increase in R&D activities and numerous resellers.
Key courses Covered:
Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope
Chapter 2. Executive Summary
Chapter 3. Coronary Heart Disease Diagnostic Imaging Devices Market Variables, Trends & Scope
3.1. Market Lineage Outlook
3.1.1. Parent Market Outlook
3.1.2. Related/Ancillary Market Outlook
3.2. Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping
3.3. Industry Value Chain Analysis
3.3.1. Reimbursement Framework
3.4. Market Dynamics
3.4.1. Market Driver Analysis
3.4.1.1. Increasing Prevalence Of Coronary Artery Diseases
3.4.1.2. Rising Adoption Of Early Diagnostic Techniques
3.4.2. Market Restraint Analysis
3.4.2.1. Lack Of Skilled Radiologists
3.5. Coronary Heart Disease Diagnostic Imaging Devices Market Analysis Tools
3.5.1. Industry Analysis - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
3.5.1.1. supplier Power
3.5.1.2. Buyer Power
3.5.1.3. Substitution Threat
3.5.1.4. Threat Of New Entrant
3.5.1.5. Competitive Rivalry
3.5.2. Pestel Analysis
3.5.2.1. Political Landscape
3.5.2.2. Technological Landscape
3.5.2.3. Economic Landscape
3.5.3. Major Deals & Strategic Alliances Analysis
3.5.4. Market Entry Strategies
Chapter 4. Coronary Heart Disease Diagnostic Imaging Devices Market: Modality Estimates & Trend Analysis
4.1. Definitions and Scope
4.1.1. Computed Tomography
4.1.2. Nuclear Medicine
4.1.3. Ultrasound
4.1.4. X Rays
4.1.5. Magnetic Resonance Imaging
4.2. Modality Market Share, 2018 & 2030
4.3. Segment Dashboard
4.4. Global Coronary Heart Disease Diagnostic Imaging Devices Market by Modality Outlook
4.5. Market Size & Forecasts and Trend Analyses, 2018 To 2030 For The Following
4.5.1. Computed Tomography
4.5.1.1. Computed Tomography Market Estimates and Forecast 2018 To 2030, (USD Million)
4.5.2. Nuclear Medicine
4.5.2.1. Nuclear Medicine Market Estimates and Forecast 2018 To 2030, (USD Million)
4.5.3. Ultrasound
4.5.3.1. Ultrasound Market Estimates and Forecast 2018 To 2030, (USD Million)
4.5.4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging
4.5.4.1. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Market Estimates and Forecast 2018 To 2030, (USD Million)
4.5.5. X Rays
4.5.5.1. X Rays Market Estimates and Forecast 2018 To 2030, (USD Million)
Chapter 5. Coronary Heart Disease Diagnostic Imaging Devices Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis
Chapter 6. Competitive Landscape
6.1. latest Developments & Impact Analysis, by Key Market Participants
6.2. Company/Competition Categorization
6.2.1. Innovators
6.3. Vendor Landscape
6.3.1. List Of Key Distributors and Channel Partners
6.3.2. Key Customers
6.3.3. Key Company Market Share Analysis, 2018
6.3.4. Ge Healthcare
6.3.4.1. Company Overview
6.3.4.2. Financial Performance
6.3.4.3. Modality Benchmarking
6.3.4.4. Strategic Initiatives
6.3.5. Fujifilm
6.3.5.1. Company Overview
6.3.5.2. Financial Performance
6.3.5.3. Modality Benchmarking
6.3.5.4. Strategic Initiatives
6.3.6. Siemens Healthineer
6.3.6.1. Company Overview
6.3.6.2. Financial Performance
6.3.6.3. Modality Benchmarking
6.3.6.4. Strategic Initiatives
6.3.7. Toshiba
6.3.7.1. Company Overview
6.3.7.2. Financial Performance
6.3.7.3. Modality Benchmarking
6.3.7.4. Strategic Initiatives
6.3.8. Hitachi
6.3.8.1. Company Overview
6.3.8.2. Financial Performance
6.3.8.3. Modality Benchmarking
6.3.8.4. Strategic Initiatives
6.3.9. Koninklijke Phillips
6.3.9.1. Company Overview
6.3.9.2. Financial Performance
6.3.9.3. Modality Benchmarking
6.3.9.4. Strategic Initiatives
6.3.10. Canon Medical Systems Corporation
6.3.10.1. Company Overview
6.3.10.2. Financial Performance
6.3.10.3. Modality Benchmarking
6.3.10.4. Strategic Initiatives
6.3.11. Analogic Corporation
6.3.11.1. Company Overview
6.3.11.2. Financial Performance
6.3.11.3. Modality Benchmarking
6.3.11.4. Strategic Initiatives
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/jd1ee
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