Aemulor

Last updated
Original author(s) Adrian Lees
Initial releaseMarch 2003 (2003-03)
Stable release
2.51
Operating system RISC OS
Type Emulator
License Proprietary commercial software

In computing, Aemulor is an emulator of the earlier 26-bit addressing-mode ARM microprocessors. It runs on ARM processors under 32-bit addressing-mode versions of RISC OS . It was written by Adrian Lees and released in 2003. An enhanced version is available under the name Aemulor Pro.

Contents

The software allows Raspberry Pi, [1] Iyonix PC and A9home computers running RISC OS to make use of some software written for older hardware. As of 2012, compatibility with the BeagleBoard single-board computer was under development.

Development

The software's existence was first reported around the time of the announcement of the Iyonix in October 2002. [2] [3] A demo version was released in February 2003, [4] [5] with the commercial release in March of that year. [6] [7] [8]

Aemulor Pro was released in 2004. This added enhancements, including support for low colour modes, required by scorewriter Sibelius and many games. [9] [10] [11] A version for the A9home was released in 2005. [12] The software was exhibited at the 2006 Wakefield Show. [13]

In 2009, author Adrian Lees [14] [15] posted on The Icon Bar, showing an early prototype of the software running on the BeagleBoard. [15] [16] Progress on further compatibility for the Raspberry Pi single-board computer was announced by Lees on the RISC OS Open forum in 2012. [17] Developer R-Comp was reported in May 2012 to be hoping to make Aemulor available for its BeagleBoard-xM-based ARMini computer. [18]

Features

Sibelius running on the Iyonix Sibelius on Iyonix under Aemulor.png
Sibelius running on the Iyonix

The software provides full 26-bit emulation [6] for applications written in C and ARM assembly language. It employs an XScale-optimised ARM code interpreter, supports SWI emulation from RISC OS 4 to 5, flag preservation and creation of dynamic areas in low memory. [19] Support for running A310Emu is included, allowing users to further emulate earlier versions of the OS, going back to Arthur. [20] As of 2003, due to the memory remapping employed, native 32-bit applications are restricted to a maximum size of 28Mb while Aemulor is running. [21]

The original release included an Easter egg, with a prize of an upgrade to the Pro version for the person who found it. [22] [23]

Aemulor Pro adds support for low-bpp screen modes, sound, hardware emulation of VIDC/IOC, an altered memory map and 26-bit filing systems. [19] Some software, such as Sibelius, can be run both in the desktop and in full screen. [9]

Compatible software

TitlePurposeVendor/publisher
ArtWorks [24] vector graphics MW Software
Impression [24] desktop publishing Computer Concepts
PipeDream 3 [25] spreadsheet Colton Software
Sibelius [9] scorewriter Sibelius Software
Spheres of Chaos . [26] video game
StrongED [24] text editor
Zap [24] text editor

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Risc PC</span>

Risc PC was a range of personal computers launched in 1994 by Acorn and replaced the preceding Archimedes series. The machines had a unique architecture unrelated to IBM PC clones and were notable for using the Acorn developed ARM CPU which is now widely used in mobile devices.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acorn Archimedes</span> Personal computer

Acorn Archimedes is a family of personal computers designed by Acorn Computers of Cambridge, England. The systems are based on Acorn's own ARM architecture processors and the proprietary operating systems Arthur and RISC OS. The first models were introduced in 1987, and systems in the Archimedes family were sold until the mid-1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UAE (emulator)</span> Computer emulator which emulates Commodore Internationals Amiga.

UAE is a computer emulator which emulates the hardware of Commodore International's Amiga range of computers. Released under the GNU General Public License, UAE is free software.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RISC OS</span> Computer operating system by Acorn Computers Ltd

RISC OS is a computer operating system originally designed by Acorn Computers Ltd in Cambridge, England. First released in 1987, it was designed to run on the ARM chipset, which Acorn had designed concurrently for use in its new line of Archimedes personal computers. RISC OS takes its name from the reduced instruction set computer (RISC) architecture it supports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iyonix PC</span> Acorn-clone personal computer

The Iyonix PC was an Acorn-clone personal computer sold by Castle Technology and Iyonix Ltd between 2002 and 2008. According to news site Slashdot, it was the first personal computer to use Intel's XScale processor. It ran RISC OS 5.

Xara is an international software company founded in 1981, with an HQ in Berlin and development office in Hemel Hempstead, UK. It has developed software for a variety of computer platforms, in chronological order: the Acorn Atom, BBC Micro, Z88, Atari ST, Acorn Archimedes, Microsoft Windows, Linux, and more recently web browser-based services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Castle Technology</span> Computer company based in Cambridge, England

Castle Technology Limited, named after Framlingham Castle, was a British computer company based in Cambridge, England. It began as a producer of ARM computers and manufactured the Acorn-branded range of desktop computers that run RISC OS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A9home</span>

The A9home was a niche small-form-factor desktop computer running RISC OS Adjust32. It was officially unveiled at the 2005 Wakefield Show, and is the second commercial ARM-based RISC OS computer to run a 32-bit version of RISC OS. When the Iyonix PC was withdrawn from sale, the A9home remained the only hardware to be manufactured specifically for the RISC OS marketplace.

<i>Star Fighter</i> (video game) 1994 video game

Star Fighter or Star Fighter 3000 is a 3D flight-based shoot-em-up developed and published by UK company Fendet Software, and released in 1994 for the Acorn Archimedes. The gameplay is mission based and involves elements of strategy and planning. The player can order wingmen to fly in formation and attack specific targets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RISC OS Open</span> Software company

RISC OS Open Ltd. is a limited company engaged in computer software and IT consulting. It is managing the process of publishing the source code to RISC OS. Company founders include staff who formerly worked for Pace, the company which acquired RISC OS after Acorn's demise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raspberry Pi</span> Series of low-cost single-board computers used for educational purposes and embedded systems

Raspberry Pi is a series of small single-board computers (SBCs) developed in the United Kingdom by the Raspberry Pi Foundation in association with Broadcom. The Raspberry Pi project originally leaned toward the promotion of teaching basic computer science in schools. The original model became more popular than anticipated, selling outside its target market for uses such as robotics. It is widely used in many areas, such as for weather monitoring, because of its low cost, modularity, and open design. It is typically used by computer and electronic hobbyists, due to its adoption of the HDMI and USB standards.

RISCOS Ltd. was a limited company engaged in computer software and IT consulting. It licensed the rights to continue the development of RISC OS 4 and to distribute it for desktop machines from Element 14 and subsequently Pace Micro Technology. Company founders include developers who formerly worked within Acorn's dealership network. It was established as a nonprofit company. On or before 4 March 2013 3QD Developments acquired RISCOS Ltd's flavour of RISC OS. RISCOS Ltd was dissolved on 14 May 2013.

<i>Drobe</i> Computing news web site with a focus on the RISC OS operating system

Drobe was a computing news web site with a focus on the RISC OS operating system. Its archived material was retained online, curated by editor Chris Williams until late 2020.

<i>Acorn Arcade</i>

Acorn Arcade is a computing resource website with a focus on the RISC OS operating system and its gaming scene. It has been recognised by Acorn User magazine and was an award winner at the Wakefield Acorn Computer Show.

RISC OS, the computer operating system developed by Acorn Computers for their ARM-based Acorn Archimedes range, was originally released in 1987 as Arthur 0.20, and soon followed by Arthur 0.30, and Arthur 1.20. The next version, Arthur 2, became RISC OS 2 and was completed and made available in April 1989. RISC OS 3 was released with the very earliest version of the A5000 in 1991 and contained a series of new features. By 1996 RISC OS had been shipped on over 500,000 systems.

The MicroDigital Omega was a home computer developed and sold in the early 2000s by MicroDigital. It runs the RISC OS operating system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VirtualAcorn</span>

VirtualAcorn is the brand name of several commercial emulators of Acorn Computers computer hardware platforms.

Impression is a desktop publishing application for RISC OS systems. It was developed by Computer Concepts and initially made available in pre-release form during 1989, having been demonstrated in February 1989 at the Which? Computer Show and subsequently announced as being available from June 1989. The "completed" version was eventually delivered on 18th January 1990.

References

  1. ↑ "Aemulor - 26bit emulator for Raspberry Pi 'PreOrders - Raspberry Pi Forums".
  2. ↑ Williams, Chris (20 October 2002). "Iyonix 26 bit emulator in development". Drobe . Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  3. ↑ "32-bit introduction". IYONIX pc. Castle Technology. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  4. ↑ Williams, Chris (22 February 2003). "South West show news". Drobe . Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  5. ↑ Williams, Chris (9 March 2003). "South West show news". Drobe . Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  6. 1 2 Williams, Chris (25 March 2003). "Aemulor sees the light of day". Drobe . Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  7. ↑ Hoare, John (25 March 2003). "Aemulor Released". Acorn Arcade . Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  8. ↑ Peachey, John (June 2003). "Aemulor in Use". Archive . Vol. 16, no. 9. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 Williams, Chris (12 March 2004). "Aemulor Pro embraces Sibelius". Drobe . Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  10. ↑ Mellor, Phil (6 May 2004). "Aemulor Pro is out now". Acorn Arcade . Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  11. ↑ Lee, Jeffrey (22 April 2004). "Aemulor Pro-gress". Acorn Arcade . Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  12. ↑ Williams, Chris (5 November 2005). "Aemulor for the A9home released". Drobe . Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  13. ↑ "Wakefield 2006". RISC World . Vol. 6, no. 6. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  14. ↑ Lees, Adrian. "The homepage of Adrian Lees". Adrian Lees. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  15. 1 2 Naulls, Peter (20 December 2009). "Aemulor on BeagleBoard". riscos.info. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  16. ↑ Lees, Adrian (20 December 2009). "Aemulor BeagleBoard". TIB forum. The Icon Bar . Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  17. ↑ Lees, Adrian (20 June 2012). "Aemulor on the Beagle/Panda boards". ROOL forum. RISC OS Open . Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  18. ↑ Proven, Liam (10 May 2012). "Best and the Rest: ARM Mini PCs". Reg Hardware . Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  19. 1 2 "Aemulor Professional". Spellings Computer Services. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  20. ↑ Williams, Chris (19 April 2003). "Aemulor turns to RISC OS 2". Drobe . Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  21. ↑ "Inside Aemulor". Foundation RISC User . Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  22. ↑ Williams, Chris (5 August 2003). "Aemulor 2.2 upgrade online". Drobe . Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  23. ↑ Williams, Chris (19 December 2003). "Aemulor's brief Windows affair discovered". Drobe . Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Williams, Chris (19 November 2002). "Aemulor: Number of apps working on Iyonix 'growing daily'". Drobe . Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  25. ↑ "PipeDream 3". Colton Software.
  26. ↑ Brett, Paul. "Games World". RISC World . Retrieved 29 June 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.