piece of iron - The company "Peters presents his new development of a home computer, "Sprinter".

                  A N O N S!


  Firm "Peters presents his new
development of a home computer with the working
entitled "Sprinter".



  Common characteristics.


  1. The type of processor - Z80.


  2. Screen.


     Modes:


  * Std ZX Spectrum 256h192 peak
    debris flows with two colors in one familiarity

    8x8 pixels


  * Graphics mode 320x240 with the job

    16 colors for each pixel of the panel

    4000 colors


  * Graphics mode 320x240 with the job

    256 colors at each pixel of the panel

    4000 colors


  * Text enhanced mode 80 characters

    on 25 lines with the quality of IBM CGA text

    set the color of each character


     Features:


  * Programmable size (the number varies

    pixels vertically and horizontally from

    Standard 256h192 to 320x240)


  * Ability to split the screen into regions with

    different modes (the organization of windows)


  * Multiple display pages from 4 to 16,

    each page can be given its own solution
    bench press (number of pages is different for different 
regimes     mov)



  3. Memory allocation.


  The scheme is designed to connect more than
4 MB of RAM. Provides for compatibility
organizing pages on the ZX Spectrum 48 and Scorpion ZS 256 and 
Elcom 256. 


  On top of this new allocation is applied. The new scheme 
contains a 4 paged port who connect any of the 256 pages of 
memory in any of the 4 x 16-kilobyte blocks of the processor 
Z80. 


  The scheme is constructed so as to be able
organization of several machines from 48K to 256K
without the necessary transfer information from one
blocks in the other (like MagOS).


  4. The distribution of ports.


  Flexible distribution ports (programmable ROM in the port 
addresses for each device) will reconfigure the ports at the 
request of the programmer and to adjust the machine if 
necessary, under the new devices. 


  Allocates addresses for all
existing devices (standard set
ZX Spectrum + mouse, hard drive, IBM-keyboards).


  5. Turbirovanie processor in 2 ... 4 times

     (7, 10, 14 MHz). TURBO button includes
turbirovanie. In the "Included" program automatically selects 
the TURBO / no-TURBO. In the "Off" processor running at a 
standard frequency 3.5 MHz.



  6. The system bus is compatible with 256 KAY

     (2-3 slots).


  7. Built-in disk drive controller card and

     drive at 720K.


  8. Ability to set encoder PAL, re
     giving the full palette of colors.


  More information about the possibilities of the computer and
history of its creation tell the director
LLC "Firm" Peters "Nikolay Noskov.



  (C) Nikolay Noskov, 1996.



  Watching the home market of personal
computers, we concluded that at the present time is really a 
massive home computer in Russia and has not appeared. Existing 
Spectrum-compatible computers are less satisfy the requirements 
of consumers and, therefore, use all lower demand, and demand 
for computers other platforms limited by their relatively high 
cost. 


  As a result of these studies, we decided to create a computer 
that would be on the technical parameters and user-friendliness 
to satisfy needs of most consumers, but

it remained in the price range Spectrum-compatible computers.


  First and foremost, we are faced with the problem
mass programmatic support future computer. Given that the 
Russian market are the most common Spectrum-Compatible 
computers, and they also have a wide enough range of qualified 
customers, we decided to to base the system command processor 
Z80, which determined the choice of the type of processor for a 
new computer. 


  Next, we began to understand what are the requirements are 
for the market to your home computer. Main in our opinion, are:



  * More performance than the

    mass-produced cars


  * A new scheme of memory allocation, let
    schaya work with a large size of RAM and

    on another of his address


  * The existence of the text mode, which allows

    post 80 characters per line


  * Availability of graphics modes higher

    permission


  * Open architecture


  * High-quality sound.


  Since we used 8-bit processor such as Z80, it is virtually 
the only way to improve its performance is increase the clock 
frequency, that is turbirovanie. The idea is not original, 
since it is implemented in the Scorpion-TURBO, where the 
processor runs at 7 MHz. We are, in principle, lay the 
possibility of using processors running at frequencies of 7, 
10.5, 14 and 21 MHz, but for various reasons, believe that the 
clock 10.5 MHz would be enough for normal computer operation.



  A new scheme of memory allocation to its paging organization 
must, finally, to allow programmers to create a complete 
operating system for the Spectrum-compatible computer, which 
they and some manufacturers say so long (take, for example, the 
article Captain Nemo and comments to her firm Iskrasoft ", 
published in the journal" ZX-Format ", N4), and the amount of 
RAM in a few megabytes will be able to meet the needs of 
existing and anticipated software. 


  Further, it became clear that the programmers have
compatibility problems with existing types of
computers, because they have not quite match the scheme of 
distribution ports. Therefore, we concluded that it was time to 
discuss the wide port configuration and make it a single 
standard. For a user of our new computer

suffered because of his old software
software does not work on the new machine was
decided to make a flexible distribution scheme
ports that would allow the computer to adapt to the software 
adapted for other types of machines. 


  Since we paid much attention to working with
texts, it became clear that there should be advanced
text screen size of 80 characters per line
on 25 lines with the quality of IBM CGA text that
have been implemented in this model.


  More - more. Time is advanced text screen, then why not be 
extended graphic mode with graphics far beyond the usual 
schedule Spectrum, especially that before the eyes were the 
work of programmers, Even allowing for the usual Speccy give 
three-dimensional image, and 16 colors on one of familiarity 
Multicolor mode, although in their technical capabilities of 
the hardware to do this should not be!



  It became clear that a very modest graphics capabilities 
serial Speccy honed skills of programmers in Russia and CIS 
countries and prepare them to work with graphics of higher 
permission. Therefore, we decided to make the graphics mode of 
320 by 240 pixels, with the possibility of set 16 colors at 
each pixel. 


  Here, however, it became clear that in order to
implement these technical capabilities, you must change the 
basic elements a computer, so as collected on the usual 
elements of graphics adapter in size approaching the 
commercially available cards Spectrum, and if you realize all 
the above ideas, then dvuhplatny Profi, size and price 
significantly superior normal Speccy, seem inexpensive compact

machine on its background. And nothing about the reliability of 
this case would have to forget completely, whereas

it must necessarily increase.


  In this regard, it was decided to do
computer-programmable logic arrays (PLA) from ALTERA, which 
allowed multiple reduce the number of chips on the PCB, 
reducing its area, and to achieve the required level of 
reliability, especially as the PLA Company ALTERA, unlike 
traditional (PT, PE), has a copy protection, and so on

how much harm to the developers of computers
brought theft circuitry can not
speak.


  Solving these questions, we have learned prototype of the new 
machine at the court of public computers, in particular, to 
show and discuss it at ENLIGHT'96.



  During the discussion it became clear that since
graphics mode is 320x240, it is very byloby
well do not 16 colors per pixel, and 256.
In this case, the graphics should be faster,
than the usual schedule Speccy, otherwise the programmers would 
not be of interest to write programs for new car, because the 
existing rate changing screen them depressing. Skeptics told us

that extended the screens they've seen in Profi and
ATM-TURBO, and our new car is waiting for the same
fate. And it is here that we realized that all the previous 
work was just saying, the fairy tale the same way as they say, 
will come. 


  We had a short period of time "plow"
distribution patterns of memory and graphics card. Who is 
involved circuitry, will understand, What we should have, being 
a disabled 8-bit processor and a relatively its low clock 
frequency (10,5 MHz), to achieve high-speed graphics! 


  Was allocated video RAM and is designed so-called 
VIDEO-ACCELERATOR (accelerator ekrannyhoperatsy), allows to 
raise data transfer rate of video RAM. As a result,

mode 320x240 received two sub-modes:


  * 320x240 with 16 colors on the task of each peak
    mudflow from a palette of 4000 colors


  * 320x240 with 256 colors on the task of pixel

    the same palette


  The first mode, respectively, higher speed, the second - at 
least. And thanks ACCELERATOR'u VIDEO-speed operation screen 
was little dependent on the CPU clock, and although the machine 
can be set processors operating at frequencies of 14 or 21 MHz, 
we decided to confine the frequency 10.5 MHz, so

as the transition to higher frequencies price
processor increases dramatically.


  To complete the theme of the video, we say that for a new 
car, a special PAL-encoder, which can transmit high-quality 
whole range of colors on the screen TV.



  Given the stronger requirements imposed
to open computer architecture, we decided to
make the system bus in the standard KAY 256
that will allow you to connect external devices
developed under this bus. Do this step, we
demonstrating full readiness for any reasonable proposals for 
standardization Spectrum-compatible computers. Also, for the 
convenience of users, the board will be installed disk drive 
controller card that will allow the presence of appropriate 
software to connect the hard drive without any problems.



  We attach great importance to the quality
sound, and therefore already begun to develop
sound card, but more about that next time.


  So we turned the layout a home computer with the working 
title "Sprinter". By aggregate capacity of its already hard to 
name a familiar word Speccy. This is the new home computer, 
among other things, able to work Spectrum'ovskom mode, and with 
proper software support (especially if under it will have 
developed a new operating system, preferably compatible disc 
format with MS-DOS), which has a chance to become a mass home

computer.


  Determine the estimated selling price
"Sprinter", we proceeded from the fact that she
shall not exceed the price, for example, Scorpion-TURBO, and be 
within 700 thousand rubles for the base model. Difficulties in 
our way a lot, but we will do everything to keep this value. 
Moreover, to facilitate the transition for a new car now 
considering the possibility of taking old computers, as part 
payment of the new machine. 


  "Sprinter" will allow, while remaining within the price 
category usual diskovodnogo Speccy, get new opportunities at 
work. 


  We look forward to the appearance in the near future
graphic and text editors
"Sprinter", which would, for example, the possibility
when working with text to see the whole thing and make higher 
quality print and graphics materials.


  If there are program-recoder graphic image format of 320x240 
(256 colors), we can distill from the IBM-format to "Sprinter", 
which allows the use of pictures, written by IBM, to create 
programs for the "Sprinter". This should contribute to more 
rapid appearance of games and applications programs, its 
brilliance is not inferior to IBM'ovskim.



  In general, much will depend on
how much heat would be adopted "Sprinter" you.

  According to preliminary surveys, the strong interest
showed him how programmers and other
users. We already have an agreement with
programmers to create text and graphic editors, monitor 
debugger and STS demonstration programs. Computer games are 
also promised not to stay away. 


  It is noteworthy that we feel the support of
many people and work with pleasure.


  Friends! We will consider any proposals
architecture and capabilities of computer software for it.


  You can contact us

at:


     198320 St.-Petersburg

            Lenina 77 of.332

            LLC "Firm" Peters "

telephone:

            (812) 132-05-86

fax:

            (812) 132-70-03

            (Marked "To" Firm "Peters")


  We also invite you to cooperate with legal
and individuals engaged in selling computers.


  Let me finish on this today
a story about a new computer.


  In conclusion, given that the name "Sprinter" is working, we 
would like to announce Competition for the best name for your 
new computer. This idea was supported by the editors of 
"Spectrum Progress "and vowed to contest at its SPEECH WAS 
DELIVERED pages.




  From the Editor SP.


  Exactly! Read section CONTEST!


  We will not now comment on the article Nikolay Noskov. Only 
an illiterate would not understand how important it started a 
firm of Peters. " But skeptics like to remind that "better once 
see, what once read (even in SPECTRUM PROGRESS!). We have 
already seen ... 

  In the next room, you will learn how to have passed the test 
pilot batch of a new computer.