ZX Review #1-2 31 декабря 1996

Profi

reader-reader - On the hardware, software and Other Computer Profi ...

                          The Reader - Reader

VP Fedin, Moscow

                       On the hardware, software and other ...


    Thank God, the time has come when all have realized that 
with the confusion in hardware and software, a leftover from 
ancient times, it's time to finish. And there was talk about 
standardization. I read about it in different editions, but 
Alas, I see that sometimes the authors of articles on the 
subject are missing some things. I I think that, until the 
standard is necessary to collect information on all existing at 
a given time models to try to take into account the nuances of 
each of them.


    I have made a contribution in this regard and provide 
information about your computer PROFI. 

     I would like to offer you the calculation of the results 
of my research. The first issue discussed will be addressing 
additional devices that computer. So, here we have the 
following picture:     Ports of conventional devices. Always 
available. # XX1F - Port A chip 580VV55, usually - Kempston 
joystick. # XX3F - Port B 580VV55. Usually - the data to the 
printer. # XX5F - Port C 580VV55. Usually - printer management 
(gate and BUSY). # XX7F - control register 580VV55.

# XXFE - curb, recorder, keyboard, etc.
# 7FFD - the first register configuration. Just like Speccy-128.
# DFFD - the second register configuration. Structure discussed 
below. # BFFD - data register AY.

# FFFD - address register AY.

IDE hard disk controller ports. These and the following ports 
are available only removed when the latch (bit 5 of port # DFFD 
is 1). 

# 06AB - a system controller registers only record.
# 07EB - instruction register Winchester. Just write.
# 07CB - register state hard drive. Read-only.
# 06EB - register head number on record.
# 06CB - register numbers head for reading.
# 05EB - byte track number on record.
# 05CB - byte number track for reading.
# 04EB - low byte head number on record.
# 04CB - low byte numbers head for reading.
# 03EB - Register sector number on record.
# 03CB - register numbers head for reading.
# 02EB - count of sectors on the record.
# 02CB - count of sectors to read.
# 01EB - register start precompensation cylinder. Just write.
# 01CB - registry errors. Read-only.

 Ports komporta.

# XXB3 - komportom control register and interrupt controller.
# XXD3 - data register 580VV51.
# XXF3 - control register / status 580VV51.

# XX8F - register read and download the channel 0 580VI53. Sets 
the rate of 

          serial port.

# XXAF - register to read and download the channel 1 580VI53. 
Used to 

          generate -12 V to power 580VV51.

# XXCF - register read and download the channel 2 580VI53. Not 
used. # XXEF - control register 580VI53.


Ports are CMOS-hours.

# XXDF - data register 580VI51.
# XXFF - address register 580VI51. Write only, so the port 
attributes are not 

         influences. However, I for some reason, this port is 
not working, although 

         say he still is.

 I specifically unite ports in groups of devices. In these 
groups, it is clear traced principle of addresses:


XXXXXXXX 0AAXXXXX - 580VV55.
XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX0 - port # FE.
0XXXXXXX XXXXXX0X - port # 7FFD.
XX0XXXXX XXXXXX0X - port # DFFD.
X0XXXXXX XXXXXX0X - port # BFFD
111XXXXX XXXXXX0X - port # FFFD.
XXXXXAAA 1CI01011 - disk drive controller card.
XXXXXXXX 1CA10011 - komport (580VV51).
XXXXXXXX 1AA01111 - 580VI53.
XXXXXXXX 1XA11111 - CMOS-clock.

A - bits of local address (register number in the unit)
C - if this bit is cleared, then select an additional register 
that does not occur 

      the chip, and bits of address are ignored.
I - in the hard disk controller indicates the direction of data 
transmission. 

      0 - input 1 - output.

   We see that the decoding standard ports built a standard, 
but for additional devices meet the bits 0 - 4 and 7, with each 
device corresponds to a strictly defined by their combination. 
Thus, for additional devices can use the remaining combinations

these bits, plus all possible combinations of bits of local 
address. In this case, you can use the following addresses:


XXXXXXXX 10000011 - # 83.
XXXXXXXX 10100011 - # A3.
XXXXXXXX 11000011 - # C3.
XXXXXXXX 11100011 - # E3.
XXXXXXXX 10000111 - # 87. 1
XXXXXXXX 10100111 - # A7. 12
XXXXXXXX 11000111 - # C7. 1
XXXXXXXX 11100111 - # E7. 12
XXXXXXXX 10010111 - # 97. 1
XXXXXXXX 10110111 - # B7. 123
XXXXXXXX 11010111 - # D7. 1
XXXXXXXX 11110111 - # F7. 123
XXXXXXXX 10011011 - # 9B.
XXXXXXXX 10111011 - # BB.
XXXXXXXX 11011011 - # DB.
XXXXXXXX 11111011 - # FB.


   Here is the complete list of ports available for use by any 
devices. Now, for compatibility with other computer models, 
discard those address that conflict with the devices not in 
Profi, but present in other machines. Of the backlog interface 
here known:


XXXXXXXX SXXXX0XX - ZX-LPRINT.
XXXXXXXX XX0XXXXX - Kempston mouse.
XXXXXXXX XXX0XXXX - modem.


   Dropping from the above list addresses that conflict with 
these, will # B7 and # F7, decoding of which should be 
performed as follows: 

XXXXXXXX X0X10111 - # B7.
XXXXXXXX X1X10111 - # F7.


    In this case, we do not consider the high byte address, and 
if you apply and it we get well very many devices. Just do not 
try to simplify addressing. Here I have simplified the decoding 
of up to a limit, dropping 2 bits, but any Further 
simplification leads to conflicts. Here's an example, how can 
bring to simplify addressing. If the standard ports Speccy-128 
decode completely, and addresses would be much greater. 
Remember proverb - a miser pays twice. So do not chase the 
cheap - a pair of buildings are not satisfied with anyone.


   Looking at this map ports Profi, you could not miss
one sad fact - no Kempston mouse, or modem does not fit into 
it. Here You sad example of what the developers do not always 
take into account the peculiarities other existing devices. 
That Shmelev in ZX REVIEW 96 / 9 proposed plow interface VV55. 
Of course, the quanta is worth nothing to do, but here on the 
Profi ... No, I'm not saying that all authors of such 
developments wrong, but on the contrary were wrong, developers 
Profi. They began to sculpt new ports are not acquainted with 
what is already there. And now the owners of these vehicles 
unable to use the Kempston Mouse, and if they enjoy HDD and 
komportom, then when you work with them they have to turn off 
all and a modem. That's where we come from.


    Therefore, I declare to all the developers of equipment - 
STOP inventing new STANDARDS! ENOUGH! But go to the other 
extreme - to encourage all povykidyvat machines, like mine, and 
buying a Scorpion, too, should not, because these unfortunate 
mutants too much, and suddenly change the fleet impossible. 
Already there are some standards, though not quite established, 
but nevertheless they must be reckoned with. Otherwise it will 
not stop. We must choose a single standard and stick to them, 
but so that it can be implemented on all machines. I would 
really like to have read my article in Editor ZX-FORMAT, 
promotes Kempston Mouse and the calls bring to the dump all the 
rest, and distinguished members of the studio X-TRADE, 
preparing to release his General Sound. How would it not work 
the same stories, as with the Kempston Mouse on the Profi ...


   And finally tell a little bit on the new operating system. 
This theme directly related to the one I reviewed above. After 
all, to ensure operation of new equipment we need a new OS. 
Only such a system must be flexible and scalable to ensure its 
adjustment to any new equipment. In ZX REVIEW 96/7-8 was 
suggested that we should change to Profi under CP / M. I repeat 
- NO ONE YOU WILL NEVER MAKE Discarded SCORPIO AND BUY YOUR 
PROFI (as, indeed, and vice versa - note for editorial 
ZX-FORMAT). 

   Besides the base model is a car with 128K, hence the OS MUST
OPERATE WITH THIS Memory capacity. Next - loaded OS is subject 
to to viruses and PZU'shnaya - no. Especially because no one 
wants BASIC-128. 

   A few words about the fourth page of ROM. Not used, it is not
everywhere. For example, in Scorpione it is the shadow display 
on GRMe - the system menu on the Profi - loader CP / M and all 
sorts of tests. Also on Many machines require hardware 
improvements for the software access to it, and this increases 
the cost of the OS. This is what should be saving, and not 
LL'kah in the decoder ports. In addition, CP / M scary braking. 
"But for This is a TURBO! "-will tell you. And on the IBM PC 
was also TURBO, then it was removed, because he stopped off, 
and then it became a little ... No Comrades, this is not good 
... In addition, not all of it is. Hence, another condition - 
the operating system MUST be at a normal rate at 3.5 MHz. AND 
contemporary software just as TR DOS'e far superior CP / 
M'ovskoe not the number of unnecessary bells and whistles, but 
on usability. In general, the topic we another bet and now have 
to call it a day, and then if I start to disassemble bones in 
this issue, the article will be twice as long.