[[RS232 ]] Interface for the CPC by [[Schneider]]. Schneider is the german German distributor for Amstrad CPC hardware (however, thisinterface seems to be was Schneider's own invention, not an [[Amstrad ]] product).
Note: == Clones == The uncommon shape of the housing dates back to a original [[Schneider BTX modul (which RS232 Interface]] was being intended to be plugged into released around 1985. Two years later, in 1987, a software-compatible clone was released as DIY schematic in a German book ([[Maschinenspracheprogramme und Hardware-Erweiterungen für Schneider Television SetsCPC's|link]]). Apparently Schneider produced too many housingsEven later, and re-used them for around 1996, a copy of that DIY schematic also circulated in the internet ([[Tim Riemann's RS232 interface|link]]). ActuallyThe DIY port address, a RS232 interface is very much timings and handshake signals are exactly the same as a BTX interface (in the actual BTX modem must be rented separately from Deutsche Bundespost), so even the PCB may be original Schneider version - except that DCD (almost/exactly?Data Carrier Detect) isn't implemented in the same for both devicesDIY version.
== Pictures ==
Image:Terje Schneider RS232 PCB top.jpg|PCB top
Image:Terje Schneider RS232 PCB bottom.jpg|PCB bottom
Image:Schneider RS232 Interface.jpg|Interface
Image:Schneider-sio-front.jpg|Front Plate
Image:Schneider-sio-label.jpg|Label
Image:Schneider-sio-lead.jpg|Expansion Port Cable
Image:Schneider-sio-psu.jpg|Power Supply
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<gallery caption="Schneider RS232 interface 300dpi scans by Robcfg">
Image:Schneider_RS232_Unit.jpg|Interface
Image:Schneider_RS232_Unit_Bottom.jpg|Front Plate
Image:Schneider_RS232_PCB_Top.jpg|PCB Top
Image:Schneider_RS232_PCB_Bottom.jpg|PCB Bottom
</gallery>
== I/O Ports ==
F8E0h Z80 STI Indirect Data Register Read Write
F8E1h Z80 STI Gen. Purpose I/O Interrupt Read Write
F8E8h Z80 STI Pointer Vector Register Read Write
F8ECh Z80 STI USART Control Register Read Write
F8EDh Z80 STI Receiver Status Register Read Write
F8EEh Z80 STI Transmitter Status Register Read Write
F8EFh Z80 STI USART Data Register Read Write
== Software ==Supported by "Starwriter"Default I/O addresses are F8E0h-F8EFh (though the interface can be jumpered to use different addresses).
== Similar (or identical?) Interface == F8E0h - [[Z80-STI]] Indirect Data Register F8E1h - [[Z80-STI]] General Purpose I/O Data Register F8E2h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt Pending Register B ;\ F8E3h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt Pending Register A ; F8E4h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt in-Service Register B ; not used F8E5h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt in-Service Register A ; F8E6h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt Mask Register B ; F8E7h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt Mask Register A ;/ F8E8h - [[Z80-STI]] Indirect Index and Interrupt Vector Register F8E9h - [[Z80-STI]] Timers A and B Control Register ;\ F8EAh - [[Z80-STI]] Timer B Data Register ; not used F8EBh - [[Z80-STI]] Timer A Data Register ;/ F8ECh - [[Z80-STI]] USART Control Register F8EDh - [[Z80-STI]] Receiver Status Register F8EEh - [[Z80-STI]] Transmitter Status Register F8EFh - [[Z80-STI]] USART Data Register
The circuit is very similar (or possibly indentical) to Aside from the [[Tim Riemann's RS232 interface]]above 16 directly addressable registers, both circuits there are using a Z80 STI, both mapped to the same I/O port addresses8 indirectly addressable ones. Whether or not For details on the circuits are fully compatible with each other is '''unknown'''. Some small details might differ. For exampledirect & indirect registers, the clock source being passed to the see [[Z80 -STI chip could be different]].
== Software == * Supported by "Starwriter".* BASIC example (for the official version) is found in the Schneider RS232 manual (see below scans)* ASM example (for the DIY version) is included with [[Tim Riemann's RS232 interface]] == Manual (germanGerman) ==
<gallery>
File:SchneiderSioManualPage1.jpg|Page 1 (cable/ jumpers)
File:SchneiderSioManualPage2.jpg|Page 2 (schematic)
File:SchneiderSioManualPage3.jpg|Page 3 (z80-sti registers)File:SchneiderSioManualPage4.jpg|Page 4 (blank / footer)
</gallery>
== Datasheet Note == The uncommon shape of the housing dates back to a Schneider BTX modul (Missingwhich was being intended to be plugged into Schneider Television Sets) . Apparently Schneider produced too many housings, and re-used them for the RS232 interface. Actually, a RS232 interface is very much the same as a BTX interface (the actual BTX modem must be rented separately from Deutsche Bundespost), so even the PCB may be (almost/exactly?) the same for both devices. ==Reviews == A review appeared in German magazine [[CPC Schneider International]] (issue 12-1985, pages [[Media:Schneider International 8512-p038 - Schneider RS232.jpg|38]], [[Media:Schneider International 8512-p039 - Schneider RS232.jpg|39]]).
* A "Z80 STI" is a 40pin MK3801 chip from Mostek. Details on that chip are reportedly found in the "MOSTEK 1982/1983 Microelectronic Data Book" (there is no datasheet in the internet yet).== Datasheet ==
* The MK68901 seems to be A [[Media:Mostek_3801_Data.pdf|"Z80 STI"]] is a newer/similar 40pin [[Media:Mostek_3801_Data.pdf|MK3801]] chip from Mostek. Details on that chip (but neither port addresses nor pinouts are backwards compatiblefrom the "MOSTEK 1982/1983 Microelectronic Data Book" (kindly made available by John Robertson).
[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]]