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RUSH #01
29 мая 1999 |
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Development Spectrum - New Speccy - AZXMONSTRUM 512K.
Forwarded by Arseniy Astapenko (500:17 / 1)
AZX-Monstrum [1 / 2]
RUSH>
Unbelievable! Another "monster" ...
no comments ...
Dear programmers, and circuit design.
This file was written to
inform users
programmers and developers of iron on
project company REANIMATOR Creative
Computing 'Research Ltd - PC
AZX-Monstrum 512K. I hope that this
file will run on networks ZX-Petersburg
and will be open for racing on the Internet. Now
directly to the car.
1. Idea.
AZX-Monstrum 512K compatible with
computers ZX-Spectrum 48/128 (tm), with
all of its Soviet counterparts, pogrammno
and hardware. With computers Scorpion
ZS256 (tm), KAY-128/256/1024 (tm), Profi (tm)
and ATM-Turbo 512 this machine is compatible
only adressatsii extended memory
(16KB pages in the Sp-128). Architecture
slot machines. In total there are 12 slots and
3 connectors, including:
- 4 slots for connecting peripherals,
- 4 slots for connecting extensions
Memory (1024 KB)
- 4 slots for connecting the upper memory
(Up to 4 GB)
-1 Core-slot (or connector) for connection
processor (see below)
- 1 connector for IDE-HDD
(Master / Slave),
- 1 connector for FDD (drives A:
and B:).
I do not claim copyright to
this machine, it is free To repeat
Absolutely everything! All electronic components -
domestic. Number of buildings - yet
hard to say, it all depends on whether
how well and wisely we are
develop the periphery.
I can only say that the motherboard
has now about 40-a
buildings. All the details you can find in
any of the Soviet clones of the Spectrum. Refusal
from the chipset is made primarily for
lung recurrence, because most of you ms
vyshey found in the old car.
2. Processor
On the motherboard (hereinafter MOU) is
a special slot - core-slot
processor. Thus, changing only
fee, which sealed the processor, you
can immediately change the weak processor
heavy, slow to fast, etc. The idea
not new, borrowed from the
IBM-compatible, but really, in my opinion
comfortable.
As the main processor for AZX
planned to use Zilog (r) Z380,
as This processor has a:
Data bus - 16 bit
Address bus - 32 bit
Operating voltage 3,3 V-5V
Clock frequency up to 33MHz (about
speed information is a little outdated,
I think there is a version up to 50 MHz)
Maximum adressiruemaya memory (without
banks and directly) 4GB
Full hardware compatibility with the Z80,
Z80A, Z80B, Z80H
Full software compatibility with
these same processors, with one and
the same commands supported by the memory and
at 64K and up to 4GB. This processor is available
as an extension of the model Z80.
Alternative him - Zilog (r) Z180. He
different from Z380 that address bus in
he 20-bit (respectively maximum
1MB memory) data bus 8 bits, the clock
frequency to 25 MHz. Compatibility is the same
as in the Z380. I do not know what to Russia
processors are available and whether the Soviet
counterparts, if there is any information
on this subject, email me please. On
CF, through the use of core-slot
can install any processor
compatible on the inside and arhitneture
command system with the Z80. Since the forms
buildings and the location of the findings from Z80,
Z180 and Z380 are different, and I came upon the idea
coreslota use. Operating
voltage, and processor type ustanavliayutsya
by repositioning the jumpers (jumpers) on
CF (well, just like on a PC). From the OS
should be provided by appropriate
Kernel version (kernell), to eliminate
malfunction (if you want to know
MS-Windows 95 does not digest processor
AMD-K6-2 with a speed of 350MHz and above,
is it too slow for them!
It was a sensation worldwide.
Although very well with a Pentium-II
with any speed. I do not know if it is
some agreement between Microsoft and
Intel - in any way affected by this
users. So I do not want to stay so
happened and we have with you)
3. Motherboard
As already mentioned, the CF has a bunch of
slots. Made (more planned), it was
for many reasons. With expansion slots
everything is clear - the more the better. However,
Midi-Tower too, not rubber, and in my
view of 4 is enough (less than one
foundation for what). With core-slot too, all
clear, although it was interesting to hear-
opinion of this circuit designers (I'm just
only a small developer with a large
dream to have a Speccy with good
capabilities). Now the main thing - four
slot for expansion, and four for the top
memory. Lord, all that is out
address space of the processor is
Memory expansion, and in our case
that is above 64 KB is the top.
Expanded memory with us for 16 pages
KB, which we use as we want and races
tensile right up to 1MB! Now, ladies and gentlemen
programmers, a question for you. You do not
wondered sklko time loses
processor to switch pages? When
you use the vast array of data, you
have to switch back and forth, because
that one page is not enough for your
data! Yes, you say, but another is not given
and rightly so - has not yet been given. Now
provide a continuous array of 4GB.
Rejoices the heart, right? That's me
zaradovalos when I read the technical
description of the Z380, as well as descriptions of its teams
for memory. Incidentally, all those who
wants to read it (the description) it can
download from the page at Zilog
www.zilog.com.
Description format Adobe Acrobat,
quite extensive and in English. I
plan to translate it and send it to your
sites, but first you need to contact the firm
Zilog. Now, back to CF. Frankly,
so many things I just took it and licked with
MS. In my opinion, once again reinvent
bike is not worth it, and the fact that after years of
tested, and on different platforms,
we can also ipolzovat. It so happened
and CF. The idea is simple - everything that runs
or responds to user actions,
need to stick to the CF. I'm talking about
many joysticks on the Spectrum, the
mice, etc. All this must be arranged in
One of the devices, located by default
in CF and accessible to all. Need only
think and choose which joystick, and what
Mouse will be standard. In my opinion it
should be Kempston-Joystick and
Kempston-Mouse, as they use
the same port and are supported by
all programs. Thus, quite
reasonable and feasible to intercept any
appeal to other devices
(Sinclair, Cursor, Keyboard Joysticks, etc.
etc.) and transfer control to the real
Kempston. The same principle I used
at Port Sele ctor, which is responsible for
compatible ports for memory management.
Then, over time, all programmers
move to this type of manipulators, and
old program will be just all
willing revamped.
Printer interface, and standard
Speccy devices are self-a
also in CF. What about printers can not yet
nothing to say. At first, I was guided
the standard ZX-Lpt III, but I do not know
how many users use this type of
interface. Any information on this
about the very useful, I beg you all to me
very helpful.
In CF is also the controller HDD,
FDD, and the system bus. Just want to say
about the system bus. I stopped at the
ZX-BUS, because I seemed Cohen
the most convenient, and users with this
bus probably is not enough. But Luba
criticism and suggestions are accepted and
discussed - the project open, has a word
each of us. Controller FDD - Beta-Disk
Interface, is all, all, and
remain. Maybe with time appears
something new, but so far in this area, I would
did not interfere, because of the large number of
programs and operating under the device. Well
Now for the sick - the controller HDD.
Through my hands passed all three schemes
by Nemo, from the ZX-Next, and one from Yugoslavia.
Differences are different. Since the scheme is not Nemo
draws attention to the data bus Speccy,
she had an 8-bit, and any screw runs
at 16 (which, incidentally, and his problem).
Controller ZX-Next is looking at 16 and 8 bit
but writing under his driver - it
troublesome. Kotnroller of Yugoslavia is good
all, but uses only one ms PLM, so
difficult to repeat. I would have stopped
First on the controller or the ZX-Next
has developed something new. This is also
Huge front of us all. On
this until all of CF.
4. Memory
About the memory I have already said a lot,
can only add a few details.
The processor Z180 and Z380 exists
slightly different notion about the bottom
memory. Their address space
divided into several segments (only
not as a PC, with its terrible segments
and A20-Gate) is divided into segments -
primary, lower and upper. In our
system has lower - this is the same
that the upper, but in the future should this
feature to use. We have all the memory,
as mentioned, is divided into basic
(# 0000 - # BFFF), expansion (# C000-# FFFF) and
top (# 10000 - # FFFFF, etc.). C
extended and the top is clear, but
base is divided further into two sections -
ROM and RAM. These are standard parts of Speccy.
Controlled the entire memory Port Selector'om,
which catches addresses Pentagon
Scorpion, Kai, Profi and ATM on the principle
a first request came, the port and
activated, all other ports
disabled. This means that, for example
when the test program for expanded memory
First came a request to switch
Pages on port # 7FFD. This port is at
all of these machines. PC
gives good and includes # 7FFD, while
simultaneously clogged ports ATM Kaya
Scorpion, etc., and included mode
512K on port # 7FFD, the more the
better. In the future it would be nice
use extended memory as cache or
More graphics memory.
Structurally, the memory can be made
as you like - you can use the 30pin SIP
modules, or just make shawls, which
can be inserted in place of such a module in
Soquel. For upper memory (above 64K)
not use SIMM memory, with time
access to 60-70 ns. This is quite normal
performance for potsessorov Z180 and Z380.
Anyway, I would like to hear from
Experts in this regard. Not desirable
(In the good can not) set
upper memory to the processor, lower Z180.
It will only have energy, and access
no. Better to do extensions.
Expanded memory uses 4 separate
slots for CF, for banks to 32, 64, 128,
256 KB. The upper is made on standard
IBM. This is all about memory.
On this for now. The following e-mail
Share your thoughts about the graphics,
audio, modem and other communication and the new
OS for the Speccy. Again, I invite all
interested circuitry
programmers and amateurs Speccy
take part in this project. Huge
thanks to all the people who responded
on my e-mail and wrote me an answer -
Thank you very much.
With respect to all of you
colleagues sinkleristy, Andreas Kaiser
Hamburg, den 31.03.1999.
Part Two:
On schedule, the new OS and the first problems
1. Schedule.
As I promised, in this part of my
article I will talk about the graphics card
AZX-XGA. It's no secret that one of
Spectrum shortcomings that prevent it becoming
more or less modern computers, it
graphic resolution. However, this
at the same time and win for that machine,
as Graphics Speccy eliminates the need for
without any additional modes and switching
text / graphics. Anyway, you are typing or
draw - you always work with one
memory area. Thereby provided
high speed graphics course for
This class of machines at a relatively low
CPU speed. I certainly do not
the first who tries to do, and somehow
solve this problem. So I thought up
The following paragraphs on the subject:
* The card should not take any
pieces of the system clocks to their needs
(Like the GS, but a little differently)
* It should have its own memory,
which could be expanded in stages
* It should support standard
Mode Spectrum
* It should not take any byte
main memory for their routines
* It can use the system
variables operating in its target (below explain
why)
* It should not be in conflict with any
one page of ROM, I mean OS
TR-DOS and can be, shadow drivers (who
knows, maybe this map will be
sufficient success and it will include in the environment
Scorpion instead GMX)
* And most importantly, it should be easy
to repeat and be built on
domestic element base. "A lot of it
conceived, "You think, but oddly enough
it's quite realistic and feasible. I do not
I promise that the card will consist of two
three milliseconds, according to my calculations, you can get
into a maximum of 20 buildings, including memory.
Now specifically for each above
item.
2. Circuitry
Firstly, to release the processor from
completely alien to him of the case, draw points,
I've found so far are only two ways - either we
take for the video processor card (which, in
Basically, you can do from the second Z80)
or we make a scheme using
Controller DMA (Zx80DMA, where x
denotes 1 or 3, respectively Z180DMA
or Z380DMA or Z80DMA) or similar
Soviet counterpart, which is itself in
Custom mode for Speccy
Interrupt IM2, read from
any EMS page and display it on
screen. I chose the first option, ie
use of the video processor. On
Today, there are huge
number vysokointegrirovanyh
video processors that can build
vector, display windows, etc. In the extreme
If you can "proemulirovat"
(Ugly word, and absolutely terrifying
World Speccy), this video processor. This
can be done by the same method to
which was built by General Map
Sound. I would like to hear opinions
Specialists of the corporation, and
it would be nice to download their technology.
Then there could be General Video
(Know what it smells - Sound Blaster,
Video Blaster, Internet Blaster ...).
In short you can take a second Z80, ROM and
make a map. Against the obvious - it
can be done, but it takes too much
knowledge is of iron and have very
tinker much with the selection of interim
parameters. Exact same problem occurs when
performance of other options, unless of course
there any sample or prototype,
Who said I do not have? In any
case, the processor is not worth downloading
calculation charts. While this is especially for
speed is not affected, thanks to turbo
and unique algorithms work schedules in
Speccy. But I see that our programmers
already eager for the field of 3D-graphics. Then
the entire system clock will not go on
processing code, and the calculation of polygons and
others. The more that 7 MHz is not enough.
Ask RS-Schnick, how much they spend
earlier in the procedure of direct
programming registers and grafikkart
how much they now spend on schedule? But
at all about romance. I still write e-mail to
firms to "X-Trade" and "Peters", ineresno
learn how they solved these problems (although
I'm not sure that anyone of them to sell
the technology for nothing). In the first
I was all I rely on your
support and cooperation, one I will
little or will do for a long time. In any case,
I have been working on this, but from
hardware card has one but ...
3. Memory.
Memory must be proper, nor
one byte from the Speccy. Otherwise we risk
"Shoot" every other program,
writing to date for the Speccy.
Yes, the graphics card's memory ... There is
several nuances: You can turn
graphics memory address
space Speccy, donating to this
a couple of pages of EMS, but then it would be difficult
expand the memory, and sooner or later we
stumble at the border, or you can still
specific ports (which, probably,
have done), through which will
regardless of the system clocks read
information from the memory card, but
still can not do without special logic,
such as an arbitrator between the ULA and the processor in the
original Speccy, or controller DMA. If you use the video
processor, you can instead it around, and the number of
buildings decreases and the card will be easy for
programming. Memory size depends
primarily on the maximum resolution and
the number of colors, but worth taking
a standard resolution and color (I
I mean, what permits are necessary and
no can do, or how many
must be a minimum of flowers in a Hot-swappable). In
Spectrum has 15 original colors
color after white generated by
luminance. Thus, using
one-byte attributes and FLASH-bit
standard attribute byte can be
a 8 * 8 = 64 colors. It's already a lot of, well
And if we splurge and put RAMDAC
(Those who do not know, the PC-card for shnyh
With this stuff can be digital
RGB color values of the initial folding
between themselves and convert to analog
color signal), we can at least
to reproduce the 256 colors for each
point. Yes, you may say, the dreams he had
good, but who do these things be? And I
Patriotic - no one except those who have
desire. Neither company has the world will not
it, as to assume that
Spectrum died long ago that no one ever
need and that cost is never a ebya
is not justified. And they unfortunately will
right ... Okay, what am I doing? There is no
Funeral Speccy, but rather his baptism.
As already mentioned, it's all doable.
Now the question about the permissions. I have already
figured how many permits us
need a minimum version. For
start there may be three - the standard
Screen Speccy, medium-resolution screen and
screen is higher resolution. Remains
Only select sizes.
My suggestion for the average
Screen resolution doubled Speccy and
increased four times the screen. So
way we - 256x192 pics, 512x384
pics (4 standard screen) and 1024x768
pics (16 standard screens). For this
we need:
Standard screen - 192 * (256 / 8) = 6144
bytes or 6 kbytes or 1 page,
Average screen - 384 * (512 / 8) = 24576 bytes
or 24 kilobytes or 1,5 pages,
elevated screen - 768 * (1024 / 8) = 98304
bytes or 96 kilobytes or 6 pages.
256x192 512x384
+----+ +----+----+
! ! ! ! !
+----+ +----+----+
! ! !
+----+----+
1024x768
+----+----+----+----+
! ! ! ! !
+----+----+----+----+
! ! ! ! !
+----+----+----+----+
! ! ! ! !
+----+----+----+----+
! ! ! ! !
+----+----+----+----+
It is calculated only for the data size
memory for the attributes may vary
conformance with the number of colors. If
the maximum number of
simultaneously displayed colors if
1024x768 at 256 colors
will need at least 512 KB
graphics memory. For this waste
we get a photorealistic
(Photorealistic) image. You can also
introduce a minimum of 6 modes - three with the
same set of attributes, like the Spectrum
(Ie, shading occurs on familiarity)
and three without any attributes. Who will it
I use it? Someone who needs it. But this
is still under development. All
structure of the screen should be left unchanged,
ie its construction, location of
data and attributes, their sequence
etc. This will use the old
program for new permits, while
This method of constructing an image
is one of the fastest! 17 years
ago, Sir Clive Sinclair has invented it, and so
thus invented one of the fastest
computers in this class.
4. Supports standard mode Speccy.
This question I think is understandable, it should be
for program compatibility, not
using the resources of the card. This
support can be implemented in all
modes.
5. Neither bytes of memory Speccy.
The card should work for the rights of
TR-DOS. This allows her to remain
transparent to the program format
Spectrum-48 or 128. This raises
the question of where to have Video-BIOS, at
map as a separate ROM or AZX-BIOS
(See below). I would have chosen a middle way:
AZX-BIOS supports all major functions
cards, and such things as building
vectors, scrolling, etc. lie in the ROM
card. So you can kill two
rabbits (by the way, on Easter to you all) - we
establish a stricter standard, which
will be required to support all
subsequent cards, the second rabbit - we can
mapping of more powerful and extend its ROM
and memory.
Most of you all vysheopisanoe
seem complete nonsense. Arise,
Naturally, the idea - if it's just
to do so, so why is still not
done? Because most people
trying to make a profit on things
on Speccy. But no one comes
the idea that Russia is no longer chasing
"Weak" commodity. No one will be for the money
buy "some unknown thing",
which is not known yet whether to work with
his computer. Therefore, "it is better to fall down
on the PC, where all have been made, tested and
works "(ha ha). And people really
loving Speccy, Ots less and
less. And only they can do that
not done in his time with the Speccy in
England. (I mean Spectrum QL and
Spectrum Loky).
The new OS.
As always, I start with my "I". I
did, I thought I ... In short, I:
Thought that the new OS should be
the same as the old one, ie should also
look. The new OS may consist of a 2-x
parts - the very standard Speccy OS and
Speccy BIOS. In my version of the role of Speccy
BIOS performs AZX-BIOS. She interrogates and
sets the system configuration,
provides for the use of
routines for working with graphics, HDD,
FDD and other things. After all this, she seeks
index.html file on the HDD, then passing
management at the TR-DOS, looks for the file to
FDD and if it is not, then, depending
switch from B-Disk is a TR-DOS
or jumping into a standard BASIC. In my
opinion, this is the best option,
as in the absence of all the bells and whistles
user is ultimately in
Standard BASIC.
Where is the AZX-BIOS? Good
question, but do not be surprised my
response. I threw the BASIC-128. Yes, I did
it. Tell me about any compatibility
this case can we speak? How many
programs exist that use
operators and PLAY SPECTRUM? If these and
there is, very few of them, and they are written in
BASIC, which can be converted! A
routines work with the printer, banks
EMS can be left on the same Metakhim in the new
BIOS.
This decision brings some
profit - any Sp-128 gets it
with this ROM, as a result of any such computer
You can easily update by replacing
ROM (with the machines, where both are BASIC
ms in one case a little harder, but also
not a particular problem).
Above I said that the BIOS looks
executable file systems. This
truly a revolution in the Speccy, but
did it not me. This makes it possible
have a single screw several versions of the OS,
You can have a starter disc for TR-DOS and
etc. More than writing anything about the OS does not
I will - the computer had not yet done. Like
to see the new OS is fully compatible
with old and at least one multi-tasking
(Multitasking os).
Finally I would like to say a word
thanks to everyone who responded to my
proposal and agrees to work with me, and
to all who read these lines, all
weighed, pondered, and decided to enter into this
enterprise. For all questions, criticism,
offers and requests, please contact
me to address:
Andreas Kaiser
Ohlestr. 36
22547 Hamburg
BRD
Tel.: 49-040-8315760
or by e-mail:
AKaiser@Comvers.de
C and respect the wishes of success
REANIMATOR.
PS: Do not write for the sake of God, my boss
on Info@Comvers.de, he was constantly changing
wondered what was going on in these
e-mail ...
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