C-Net Week #24 28 июня 2007

История

Atari - the history of the company and its popular ATARI computers.

As I mentioned above, the
first computer in my life
- It ATARI 65XE. And I
wanted to talk a little bit
on inside the firm and ATARI
their development. The main
material was taken from the wiki,
though not all, but part of it. So
as the material is sufficient
extensive and all would be simply
does not fit in the room. As
I want to say a huge
AGA thanks for the base
translation. Little
corrected his
Alternatively, I propose to you
attention.

Smeystvo Atari 8-bit - this is
series of 8-bit home
Computer produced
Atari since 1979. All
they were based on MOS
Technology 6502 CPU and were
the first home computers
contain coprocessors.
In the following decade were
implemented some version
based on some
developments, including
original Atari 400 and 800
with the coprocessor, and
series of computers XL and XE.

HISTORY

Beginning.

Development of a series of 8-bit
cars began soon after
how in 1977
created a gaming console Atari
2600. Development Team
(Engineers) from Atari's Grass
Valley Research Center
(Calling themselves Cyan
Engineering) believed that
2600 will last for about 3 years
until such time as obsolete
and began developing the "blue
skying "design for the new
console, which was
replace approximately 2,600
in 1980. The fact that they
came as a result,
was essentially
"Improved" version of 2600,
which were eliminated
the most obvious shortcomings.
The latest development should
had to be faster than 2600,
with better graphics and contain
better sound system.
Work on the chips
(Chips) for the new system
was conducted during 1978
and mainly
focused on
improve video
system known as the Color
Television Interface Adapter
or CTIA.

The origin of the revolution home
computers were
suspended by the appearance of
family Apple II, Commodore
PET and TRS-80. Ray Kassar,
At that time a new CEO
of Atari from Warner
Communications, like
use the new chips in
home computers to
resist Apple. For
prepare the computer for this
role, they should have
maintain the characteristic
graphics, including some
slots for expansion
periphery, and running - at the
while the universal language
programming BASIC.

Management came up with two
"Sentimental" names for
new computers, inexpensive
simplified version of the famous
as Candy and powerful,
high-tech machines,
known as Colleen
(Posluham so called
in honor of the attractive
employees of Atari). The main
difference between the two machines
was their marketing: Atari
Colleen has portrayed the
computer, and Candy - as
gaming machine (a hybrid game
console). Colleen included
a slot for RAM and ROM,
the second slot for an 8-bit
kartrizhda connector,
Connection Monitor
a full keyboard, while
while for Candy
used plastic
membrane keyboard
and internal slots for memory
(Without extension).
Both cars were very
strong, due to the large
Internal aluminum
screen, and match
FCC standards for
television signals. Machines
Apple, without the RF modulators,
did not need to conform
such claims (the first
TRS-80 model in general
never encountered
with such specifications).

At Atari was originally
intention to integrate Microsoft
BASIC in the car as it made
most vendors,
planning to deliver it on
8 KB ROM cartridge. However, all
existing 6502 versions
from Microsoft demanded 12 KB,
and all attempts to reduce Atari
it to 8 KB failed.
In the end, they gave this
the work of a private firm,
asked to write
their own version from scratch,
which was eventually
posed as ATARI BASIC.

The first machines: 400 and 800.


Machines announced
in December 1978 as 400
and 800, were not available
until November 1979 that
more
consistent with the original
a scheduled date.
Original title
turned by the number of
Memory: 4 KB RAM in the 400-th
model and 8 KB RAM in the 800-th
model. However, since their
Output prices of RAM have begun
decline, so the machine
was started with 8 KB and 16
KB, respectively.

Because of FCC restrictions, 400/800
could not use the slots
like computers Apple II.
Instead, they created their own
an expensive serial-based
interface called the SIO
(Serial Input / Output), or
"Daisy Chain" (trains).
All external devices
connected with the use of
this interface (cassette
drive, disk drive, interface
box). In the 800 internal slots
were reserved for ROM
and blocks (modules) of memory.

The original 800-ki
comes with 16 KB,
But as prices for memory
Atari continued to decline
over time, expanded memory
machines up to 48 KB, using all
available slots. Problems
with overheated modules
memory eventually persuaded Atari
remove the protective coating
with the modules, leaving them
"Naked" bars. Later,
expansion of coverage was
minimized, replaced by
on plastic with an easily
opening snaps.

Atari 400 notwithstanding
membrane keyboard
and the only internal slot
the ROM cartridge sold
slightly better than the Atari 800
with high functionality
opportunities. In this regard,
developers in most
cases are reluctant to use
800 - just slot right
cartridge.

Liz


Startup screen later
Model Atari 8-bit (XL Series
later), when not
loaded, no program.

800-ka was a complex
and expensive machine to
establishment, consisting of
printed circuit boards to be placed
inside or outside of the massive
aluminum screens. Except
Furthermore, the machine was
designed to
add RAM only
through the cards that
require expensive
connectors and packaging though
it's fast enough
supplied directly from the factory.
At the same time, 400 could not
compete technically with
some of the newest machines,
emerged in the early 80th
years, which tended
to be completed with as much as possible
more memory
and a real keyboard.

Another significant
change was the introduction
specific FCC rules
for home and office
digital devices.

In 1982, the Atari started
Sweet Projects 8 '(or "Liz NY")
and the Sweet 16. The result was
streamlined package
machines in some respects
like 400-and 800-ki ki,
but more simple to assemble and
less expensive in
production.
Improvements in chip
made it possible to combine
- Compression of the original chips
systems into one. For comparison,
The original 800-ka
used 7 separate
Printed plan, while
new car used
only one. As more
Early machines Sweet 8 / 16
planned to release in 2
versions: 1000, with 16 KB and 1000X
64 KB; RAM still
remained fairly
expensive to be considered
this difference is significant.

1200XL

When the machines were actually
ready to go out into the light,
was implemented
only one version, 1200XL,
distant hybrid
possibilities inherent
projects Sweet 8 / 16.
Notable
characteristics it had 64 KB
RAM, built-in self test
, Streamlined keyboard
(With typical 4
function keys
and HELP button) and
upgraded cable port
layout. In general, 1200XL
most closely
consistent with the concept of
high-Sweet 16.
Not looking at it as 1200XL
contained a number of
deficiencies.

Era Tramiela (Tramiel): Series
XE and XEGS.

The last car in the 8-bit
series were 65XE and 130XE. They
were announced in 1985
at the same time as the initial
model of a series of Atari ST:
130ST and 520ST.
It was originally planned
name 900XLF, 65XE was on
functionally equivalent
800XL without PBI compounds. 65XE
(European version) and 130XE
had the Enhanced Cartridge
Interface (ECI),
partially compatible version
Parallel Bus Interface (PBI).
130XE was osnaschen128
KB of memory available
by individual banks
memory.

Additional version 800XE
existed in Europe (main
way in Eastern Europe)
in fact it was the 65XE.
XE Series stopped at the
XL-Expanded. Cause
on which the 130XE
"Repackaged" in the 800XE,
Atari was an attempt to raise
the popularity of the original
800XL in Europe. Unfortunately,
65XE and 800XE sold
Eastern Europe contain
bad chip GTIA, made
specifically for these machines
in China in 1991.

Finally, with the revival
gaming industry improved
(Advanced) Nintendo, Atari
developed XE Game System
(XEGS), implemented in 1987.
XEGS sold in a set
with separate keyboard
(For the first time, computers Atari),
joystick and light pen
(XG-1), and a pair of games
Cartridges (Bug Hunt and Flight
Simulator II). In essence,
XEGS was modified 65XE
and the result was
compatible with all possible
Atari 8-bit software and hardware devices.
Poor marketing and lack of
Recent releases
prevent the sale.

Desing.

Atari models have on board:
6502, a combination of
ANTIC chips and GTIA,
providing graphics and POKEY
chip to control the sound
and I / O port.
Additional chips
controlled by
sequence of registers
in memory, which can be
manage. For example, GTIA
use a series of registers
to select the colors for the screen;
These colors may vary
in making appropriate
values ​​in registers, which
were available in memory,
I had seen 6502. Some
part of the system also
utilize the available
user memory as a buffer
especially ANTIC display buffer
and the "Display List" (on
There is a small program
assembler, which
ANTIC reported as
interpret these or other
data and convert
them for display).

ANTIC.

ANTIC - microprocessor
who handles the team
for display. Full Time
sequence of commands
called the Display List.
Each team described how
displayed on the screen line
(In text or graphical
mode), where it is displayed,
if she interrupted,
if there was or was not
scrolling is involved, where
read data from memory (text
(Character set) or
graphic information). ANTIC
read this display list
using DMA (Direct Memory
Access), then broadcast
This display list in
electronic data
processing of their GTIA. All
signals was performed without
any intervention by CPU.

ANTIC predominantly
be used to draw
background-and graphic
screen, or text output.
Also ANTIC missed
video via GTIA,
which added color
and drawing sprites. This
combination that has led to such
curiosity as an opportunity
invert the entire text
on the screen by changing the value
in memory. Character Set
(Fonts) can be easily
reorient the following
changes in the registers ANTIC,
that allows users to
create their own
fonts are relatively simple.

CTIA / GTIA

Color Television Interface
Adapter was graphics chip
used in the early
Atari home computers
400/800, he was a receiver
chip TIA, used
the Atari 2600. CTIA chip was
replaced by a more GTIA
later processed 400
800i and all other members
"Family" of 8-bit Atari.
According to Joe Decuir, George
McLeod has developed CTIA
(Colleen TIA) in 1977.
GTIA, also designed by
George McLeod, received
graphic information from the
ANTIC, as well as manage
sprites, revealed
collision, owned
priority control,
controlled brightness
and saturation of all the objects
(Including DMA objects from
ANTIC). GTIA render them as
separate digital brightness
and the signal of the color, brightness
and saturation of images,
are mixed
(Combined) to
analog form
composite video signal.

POKEY

The third auxiliary chip
named POKEY, answered
for reading data from the keyboard
sound generation and
sequence
Communication (in conjunction
with the PIA). It also provides
timers, random number generator
numbers (for acoustic noise
as well as for
random numbers), as well as
masked interrupts. POKEY
had 4 semi
audio channels, each with its
natural frequency,
control of noise and level of
volume. For improved
quality audio sound 2
could be combined to
more precise (exact) sound
(16-bit). Title POKEY
came from the words "POtentiometer"
and "KEYboard", which were
two of those I / O devices
which was connected POKEY.
This chip is considered one
of the indisputable achievements
Atari's and was actually
used in several
arcade machines, Atari 80th
years. Despite the fact that
arcade division is not included
in the Atari Computers, Inc.Modeli computers.

400 and 800 (1979) -
Machine-founders of their
classes, in 400 was the membrane
Keyboard, 800 had
a full keyboard,
2-port cartridge connector,
to connect a monitor,
expandable memory slots (up to
48 sq.).

1200XL (1982) - new
aluminum and smoky
plastic casing, 64 KB
RAM, only 2 ports for
joysticks. Key aid
4 function keys.
The new OS (operating
system) has created problems
compatibility of some
old software
software.

600XL and 800XL (1983)
- Updated 400, 800
1200XL and without functional
keys. 600XL had 16
KB of memory, 800XL - 64 KB
and a connector for the monitor. In both
was built in BASIC and
expansion of the port known as the
Parallel Bus Interface (PBI).

800XLF - 800XL with Atari FREDDIE
chip and BASIC rev. C. Were
released only in Europe.

65XE and 130XE (1985) -
800XLF modified with the new
casing and keyboard. 130XE
came with 128 KB of RAM and
Enhanced Cartridge Interface
(ECI) instead of PBI. Version
65XE for States and Canada
did not contain the ECI or PBI.

XEGS (1987) - Game Machine
in a light beige housing
with separate keyboard
with normal keys
but a little fuzzy. (Atari
ST'ish)

800XE - the last car
in a series, modeled as
same as the 65XE and 130XE. 130XE
with 64 KB RAM. Met
mainly in Eastern Europe.

Prototypes / "ghost"
(Do not come down to
official implementation)

1400XL - very close
but with a 1200XL PBI, FREDDIE
chip, built-in modem
and a speech synthesizer. Abolished
Atari.

1450XLD - mostly
1400XL with built-in 5,25 "disk
drive and expansion for
connecting a second 5,25 "disk
drive. Code name
Dynasty. Everything was ready
to the pre-sale, but was
abolished Tramiel.

900XLF-altered 800XLF.

65XEM - 65XE c AMY sound
synthesis chip. Abolished.

65XEP - Portable 65XE
c 3.5 "disk drive, 5" Green
CRT screen and battery pack.
Never implemented.

1090 expansion system,
5 slots in a large case (never
not implemented)

XF354 - 3.5 "disk drive

1 January 1992. Atari
officially stopped
support of all remaining
8-bit product lines. "