Amiga BoXeR
Developer: Access Innovations/Mick Tinker
Announced: 1997
Cancelled: October 2001 |
The BoXeR represents the ultimate development of a 'pure'
Classic Amiga solution since Commodore's liquidation. Unlike other
efforts, such as the A5000, it was
based upon an entirely new motherboard that attempts to improve
Amiga technology through the use of manufacturing techniques
unavailable five years previously. This has led to a number of
improvements on the basic Amiga design, including 30% speed
increase on Chip RAM access and improved Zorro performance.
Since its first demonstration at the at the Cologne Computer '97
show, the motherboard had remained unseen by public and press
alike. It was only when the motherboard entered final prototype
that the design was demonstrated. ISA slots have been dumped
in favour of PCI and USB. This allows the connection of cheap PCI
2D/3D cards, modems, Ethernet, and SCSI devices. The board includes
a redesigned DMA decreasing CPU overheads dramatically, even
showing an improvement on the A3000+
prototype. Propriety Amiga custom chips have also been replaced for
the first time with a single chip, dubbed the "Hombre". This replaces the costly (and slow) AGA
chipset to emulate and expand up its ability, leading to the
removal of the Chip RAM limit (presumably based upon user defined
settings).
The WIntel market has shown distributors that buyers are wary of
custom-based units that are difficult to upgrade. This led Access
Innovations to strike away from traditional Amiga hardware, and
current trends in digital convergence technology that promote such
a closed technology producing an OEM-clone that can be tailored to
the customers specifications. This will lead to a range of
customized Boxer bundles and leave the architecture open for future
expansion. The board may pave the way for G3/G4 accelerators that
do not require a 68k processor to be fitted. The BoXeR will be sold
in three ways:
- As the heart of the new Blittersoft range of BoXeR Amiga
systems.
- As a single motherboard solution to the customer, to build
their own unique system.
- Through OEM dealers who may customize the unit to their own
particular markets.
After four years of collaboration between Blittersoft and Access
Innovations (previously known as Index Information), BoXeR
development was sold to Anti-Gravity Products, with Mick
Tinker becoming Director of BoXeR development. It was suggested
that this would ensure the launch of the motherboard. However, the
project was cancelled in October 2001 by Mick Tinker. It's passing
was only marked by a brief statment on
Mick Tinker's web site.
Specifications
The latest specifications for the BoXeR
motherboard are:
- 100% Amiga compatible.
- ATX motherboard based on Amiga technology - fits in ANY
standard PC Desktop/Tower case.
- Motorola 68040 or 68060 at 25-75MHz supported in a single
processor socket.
- Integrated single chip chip-set, AGA feature compatible but
with performance enhancements.
- Most peripherals support high speed DMA transfers, increasing
throughput while reducing processor overhead.
- No CHIP RAM limits.
- 2 x 64-bit DIMM sockets for combined use as FAST/CHIP.
- Dual IDE Hard disk interface, supports fast IDE modes,
including UDMA.
- Flash ROM 2Mb, 32 bit wide. Used to boot operating system and
resident modules.
- Floppy disk drive interface, supporting DF0: and DF1: directly
and DF2:/DF3: option.
- CD-ROM audio input connector and mixer.
- Real Time Clock.
- Keyboard port for standard low cost PC PS/2 keyboard or Amiga
Keyboard.
- Mouse port for standard low cost PC PS/2 mouse.
- 4 x Active PCI slots.
- Amiga Video slot.
- Expansion connector to support 2xZorro 3 slots.
- Connector for full 64-bit PowerPC expansion card.
- Dual USB interface. (currently not committed to stay final
design)
Connectors:
- Printer port (buffered with DMA transfers).
- RGB video (VGA connector).
- PS/2 Keyboard.
- PS/2 Mouse.
- Serial port (buffered with DMA transfers).
- Dual Joystick port.
- Stereo audio.
- IDE - 40 pin (Dual) header
- Floppy drive DF0:/DF1: header.
Key Design Points:
- Single chip chip-set with AGA feature and register
compatibility
- Completely new logic to achieve the highest performance and
most flexible design.
- No limits to CHIP RAM size.
- Supports 68040 or 68060 from 25MHz - 75MHz.
- Designed to achieve low system cost.
- Supports industry standard DIMM's.
- Mounts in standard PC ATX case. (Huge selection of cases
available from a wide range of suppliers at the lowest price
points)
- Processor connector to support a low cost PowerPC upgrade.
- PPC only systems possible when using appropriate emulation
software
- Live working PCI slots to support low cost peripherals such as
graphics, ethernet, sound cards, etc.
- FlashROM allows software and hardware updates.
Graphics
BoXeR 1997 Prototype (98k) | BoXeR 2000 Prototype (61k) | BoXeR Memory Bus Block Diagram (27.9k) |
BoXeR poster (16.4k)
Announced bundles
Neila- BoXeR based system
Alien Boxer
Statements
Why has the Boxer been delayed
(6/11/00)
The Boxer is dead (October 2001)
BACK
Last Update: 1/11/2001
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