[[Image:Cpcboosterplus.jpg|thumb|CPC Booster+]]
The '''CPC Booster (+)''' is an extension card for the CPC specialized on I/O features constructed by [[Antitec]] / [[Dirty Minds]]. It includes components like a very fast serial interface, a music digitizer, a DAC and even a free programmable and useable microcontroller (AVR). It is possible to connect a Bluetooth module transparently to the CPC Booster, which means that you can use the normal CPC Booster software with this solution, too.
== Features ==
''This list of CPC Booster + features has been copied from its homepage''
* '''ONE SYNCHRONOUS/ASYNCHRONOUS SERIAL PORT:''' Improved serial port (RS232) with the ability to enable parity check, select the bits of the frame, the stop bits and many more things to control it. The speed is from 4800 baud till 1382400 1,382,400 bauds.
* '''SERIAL PORT BUFFER:''' A 255 bytes buffer added for the UART which can be enabled/disabled by the user. Improves performance of the serial communication.
* '''TWO ANALOG INPUTS:''' Two analog to digital convertors. They are used for stereo or mono 8bit sound sampling. You can select the sampling rate directly from the cpc booster.
* '''KEYBOARD SCANNING:''' A function which will make keyboard scanning a lot easier
* '''TCP / IP IMPLEMENTATION:''' This is also a feature I want to add in the future in order to give the CPC users the ability to go online in the internet with their CPC! In this part everyone can contribute, if you have knowledge of how the PPP and TCP/IP works, then contact me.
* '''RS485 NETWORK:''' An RS485 network is installed in the CPC Booster+. With this it's easier than ever to make a super fast network of up to 32 CPCs, forget everything else you've seen so far.Note: The small 2-position switch allows to select between RS232 and RS485 mode.* '''1 WIRE PROTOCOL:''' Support for the 1wire protocol is added. Now you can connect many 1 wire devices in the expansion port of the booster, here's a link to get an idea: [http://www.maxim-ic.com/products/1-wire/] == Technical == The overall I/O ports are described in the manual (see there). The documentation lacks some important details though. For example:* It fails to describe which of the two PWM channels is the left, and which is the right channel - so the the "stereo" feature could be used only when doing some reverse-engineering.* Some differences between CPC Booster and CPC Booster+ are the type of CPU and the serial interface / networking interface. == Software == * Arkos ROM Pack: [http://www.julien-nevo.com/arkos/tools.html]* Some functions of the CPC-Booster(+) are supported by [[FutureOS]].* Updates to the CPC-Booster software are available as 3 zip files (dated 2 Feb 05, 5 July 05, 28 July 05), though the latest source code appears to be from December 2010. Antitec's web site says to apply them in order. Each update also includes Antitec's terminal application.* The updates are also saved here: [[File: update1.zip|update1.zip]] [[File: update2.zip|update2.zip]] [[File: update3.zip|update3.zip]]* One disc containing all four updates for CPC-Booster+ [[File:CPCBPCUPD.DSK]] == Manual == * [[Programming:CPC_Booster|CPC Booster+ manual]] (Wiki page)* [[Media:CPC-Booster+.pdf|CPC Booster+ manual]] (pdf) == Source and Schematics ==* The source code, schematics and PCB layout are available here: [ftp://ftp.cpcszene.de/pub/Computer/Amstrad_CPC/Hardware/CPCBoosterPlus/ CPC Booster Plus on cpcszene.de ftp server]* The source code is also kept (and maintained?) with the Linux CPC SDK here: [https://code.google.com/p/cpcsdk/source/browse/trunk/resources/CPC_BOOSTER CPC Booster Plus at CPC SDK]* A local copy of the source code/schematics is also preserved here: [[File:CPCBoosterPlus.zip|CPCBoosterPlus.zip]]* There are also some files available here (don't appear particularly useful): [http://cpcrulez.fr/hardware-serie-interface_cpcbooster_plus.htm CPC Booster on CPCrulez.fr]* This is the zip file from that page: [[File:CPCBooster.zip|CPCBooster.zip]] Notes:* Latest dated source code is December 2010* The schematic is not complete, but the PCB layout is == MiniBooster == The MiniBooster is similar to the CPC Booster, with these differences: The MiniBooster lacks all the CPCBooster+ "older" connectors to reduce the board size and to be more versatile. Instead, it mainly provides a blutooth socket and a 16-pin connector that allow to add some modules and expansions like: * Serial's USB, RS232, RS485, Ethernet, WIFI... TTL Modules.* SPI's SD Card, RTC, LCD... Custom expansions. Also note:* INP(&FF00) returns 170. (It is a booster board)* INP(&FF01) returns 238 on a MiniBooster, but 85 on a CPCBooster. That allows to know witch board is used and properly set the device speed and supported features.The CPU of the Mini-Booster is more quick than the CPU in the CPC Booster. Website: [http://centpourcent.net centpourcent.net]
== Web links ==
* [http://h01cdirtyminds.freewebpagedxm.orggr Dirty Minds website] (Seems to be down 14/dm_hardware05/13 - try here [http://www.html geocities.ws/dminds_cpc/ Antitecs website])* [http://www.octoate.de/wp/articles/connecting-a-bluetooth-module-to-the-cpc-booster/ Connecting a Bluetooth module to the CPC Booster homepage at Dirty Minds website+] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial interfaces]] [[Category:Manual]][[Category:Network]][[Category:DIY]][[Category:Memory expansions]][[Category:Expansion ROM]][[Category:Music and sound]]