CHARON-TB Application Program Interface (CHAPI)
CHARON-TB was developed as an adaptable virtualization platform. In addition to its kernel (with enough functionality to run a basic VAX or PDP-11 configuration), it provides a standard bus interface (the CHARON API: CHAPI). The CHAPI connects emulated peripherals that are designed as external code modules to the product kernel. Without the need to change the product kernel, this allows to modify the peripheral functionality of the emulated system, as can be required in industrial or process control systems.
With the CHAPI, custom peripheral hardware can be emulated and connected to the product kernel. With the developer in mind, the CHAPI development wizard has templates for parallel, serial, disk and tape controllers. The CHAPI library functions provide the standard elements (registers, interrupt logic, etc) common to all interfaces. The CHAPI has a 'generic' port that provides access to the full emulated Q/UNIbus and memory address space in the host system to implement bus adapters or hybrid systems. In this initial release, the CHAPI provides Qbus and UNIBUS connectivity, but it is designed for a compatible extension to BI, XMI, VME, PCI and AT subsystems in future emulator products.
Source code listings of some applications developed using CHAPI are available by request. In order to receive them please download the following form, fill the required information, sign it and send it by fax to Software Resources International: +41 22 7941073.
