XTree For Windows Debuts
January 1993 $2.95 (Canada $3.95) THE PRACTICAL MAGAZINE FOR PERSONAL COMPUTERS & MICROCONTROLLERS
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01 BASIC -52 Options For 8051 Microcontrollers
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74820 08559 SBC Digital Thermometer With Binary Display
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LIMITED TIME SPECIALS! ORDER TODAY! Buy with confidence from HCC! eNT/ Items stamped with this seal are compatible LOWEST PRICES GUARANTEED! elk\1r with X-10 Powerhouse, Leviton Decora Elec- i tronic Controls. Radio Shack Plug-n'Power, Sears DOUBLE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY Home Control, Stanley Lightmaker, GE Homeminder, TECHNICAL SUPPORTSECOND TONONE and most powerline carrier remote control systems. HOME C1TR1 CONCEPTS IMMEDIATE SHIPPING Lamp Module Mania! Keychain control of anything!, New! HomeBase Plug-in lamp module controls Manufactured by Linear, this low cost RF link is incandescent lights up to 350 Watt max. ideal for wireless control of your own projects, Intelligent Controller Integrates X-10 Off-white color. Module is labeled your home and car alarm, car doodocks, and "Emergency HouseLighter Lamp QQ.Trg and Infrared Technology! ,,4t:/D^ even X-10 modules (with addition of HCC-284 Module." Powerflash Module)! Introducing HomeBase, the most Set security code on ierwee Schlage.HCC- ON LY $690 transmitter and receiver, J powerful mid -end (under $10,000)home apply power to receiver automation system on the market! gle board, and you're ready for wireless control! "Suprisingly easy to use yet extremelypowerful" Lee Wall Switch Module TRANSMITTER: Tiny keychain Intelligent Home Control System -Robert B. Dunham, Consultant to McDonnell transmitter is approx. half the At last, a user interface %Replaces existing wall switch. that's really EASY to use! Douglas and Pacific Bell height of a matchbox! Monitors your powedine and allows IF -THEN Controls incandescent lights up to 500 max. Transmitter has two buttons control. Complete 2 -way X-10 system! Security Mode: Have your front porchlight Watt Ivory color button. Only 830 corresponding to channels 1 and 2. Includes two come on at "approximately" modules reserved for this promo, so Uses PC to set your home's schedule... the time you Lithium batteries. Up to 100' range. once programmed your PC may be powered specify... gives the house a real lived-in look ordeLimit down or used for other things No language to learn r24. HCC 2475. ONLY RECEIVER: Board level User-friendly windows -like interface Add complete Infrared capability with addition CC -2476 3 -Way Switch Set (pair) ONLY *1229 receiver measures of IR Interface (see below) approx 3" square! ' Can even be used with a mouse Pq Real-time clock/calendar keeps track of sunrise/ Expansion port for future add-on products Requires power supply of ` X-10 Development Battery backup sunset Requires IBM PC or compatible w/Serial Port Kit 8 to 24 VDC or 12 to 18 VAC. Use to develop your PC Mega-Controller allows on-line control... own -based "smart" ', Two outputs (channels 1 and 2) can each switch HCC-3001 HomeBase ONLY $299 home automation It's an on -screen X-10 controller and a system! Monitor status of up to 300 mA E 18 VDC maximum to ground. home's lights status display of your home & appliances and make intelligent Directly activate relays, drive bulbs, more. FREE REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS decisions based on their on/off status. Develop * Advanced Scheduling features: IF -THEN -ELSE, HCC-RF1 RF Link set includes UPGRADE KIT a home control system with IF -THEN logic, transmitter, AND/OR, Macros, Timers, Counters, Flags, etc. receiver, documentation. ONLY $3929! Remotely control your homefrom any computeranywhere even 1 -button macros! Add Stanley motion Super Sequence Feature: A series of X-10 HCC-RFX Extra transmitter inthewotd! Dea!erilnstallers,changeyourclienrsschedule detectors to give system input of room presence. ONLY $19m! commands within a settable time window can `CC-PA12V 12VDC 500mA plug-in or debug their system from your office! Allows you to offer Development software is interrupt based (does adaptor $49,J trigger an event. For example, pressing Al, A2, a service contract with your home automation package! not use polling!) and includes compiled library Al within 2 seconds can dim the lights r'(Jnderstanding & Installing Home $99 Value! Yours FREE routines and Systems: Log Feature: Your schedule can log (with time/ sample C -language source code. if your order HomeBase by Dec. 15th! How to Automate Your Home"by David Gaddis date) any event you specify Use with PC to Infrared Interface (below) to Home Automation Book HomeBase's expansion port allows easy integration with add-on develop a system which combines home automation and IR control; any X-10 controller New Edition, expanded and F i HornoSYsem products to expand and enhance your home automation system! can control infrared! improved! Electronic House With addition of Voice magazine says "...really Master Key, voice control of the home becomes Infrared Interface I/O Interface works. ...Gaddis has done a possible. Use X -10's Sundownerto give dusk/ great job..." The Infrared Interface integrates HomeBase with The I/O Interface integrates HomeBase Also reviews in dawn input to your system. Add voice PC voice Popular Science, Radio Elec- your home's infrared -controlled devices! Allows (above) with security systems, moisture mail card for remote call -in control of X-10! tronics, and Circuit Cellar INK. HomeBase to control IR functions such as TV sensors, temperature input, motion detectors, Requires IBM PC or compatible computer with Excellent! Topics include volume & channel, CD player track & song select, motors, virtually anything that X-10 can't! Security, Lights, Appliances, stereo system speakers on/off, VCR play record Opto -isolated inputs, parallel port. Includes TW523 module, adapter, or relay outputs. Available Entertainment, Communications, Energy Man & much more! Avail. December interface cable, development software, demo pro - 1992. HCC-3005 1st Quarter 1993. HCC-3008 agement, Heat & Air, Pools & Spas, Home `ram & technical info/data. HCC-523K ONLY $69j4 Theatre, and more! 150 pa es and over 125 illustrations.ecomen
Professional ! Quality 4T r PC to Infrared Interface 10 Computer Interface,.; illecom ONL`Req.'29J Designer Components e" Great for development of your own infrared White box connects to PC's serial port; 'Ç Home Automation Wall Switch Use to control fluores- home control system! Allows your PC to "push once programmed PC may be shut off or used Video' buttons" Lights, camera, automation! See home cent or incandescent lighting, appli- on remote control! Combine PC based for other purposes. Schedule up to 256 devices home automation with infrared control of your TV automation in action. Learn about equipment, ances, motors, etc. Rated 20A. Neu- (p m&& Mac versions), 72 devices on Apple Ile/ (volume, channel, etc), stereo, VCR, and more! systems, what's available, how to install, tral required. HCC-8001 White; Ilc, Commodore. Battery backup. Console, Add whole -house IR repeater such as X-10's cable, professoinal troubleshooting techniques, never HCC-8000 Ivory before seen tips and Powermid. Use with Covox Voice Master Key HCC-290P (IBM version)ONLY$599 $2,95 Ceiling Fan / Low Voltage Dim- (HCC-VMK1 $169) for voice control of your secrets and lots more. ONLY ming Switch Module Dims low entertainment system! Combine with X-10 voltage ligh ing & controls motor speed (e.g. ceil- Development Kit (above right) to allow any X-10 ing fans) using X10 DIM/BRIGHT! Rated 500W controller to control your infrared devices! Use incandescent, 500VAinductive. HCC-8041 White; with voice mail system for remote control of IR Brand New! One -For-All 121 from any telephone. HCC-8040 IvoryI Possibilities are limitless! EA. Lets You Control X10 and Infrared from one remote! t ONLY $399° Requires One -For -All remote control (see right). Remote has special port which connects to your Universal Electronics has just unleashed their audio or video systems can be powered up with the -10 PC's serial port (using our cable and hardware newest model remote control, the One -For -All touch of a single key! Saves time & convenience! Keychain & Baser,+x4't interface). Use the SendlR program to transmit New! 2 -button keychain 12. Billed as the most powerful universal remote remote can be" r0' infrared signalss by"pushing buttons" on the X10 Compatible! Combine with the HCC-3000 set to unit 1&2 in the world, the One -For -All 12 replaces 12 of codes or 5&6. Plug-in base's remote control. For example type the dos One -For -All Command Center for control of your transceiver receives 16 unit your existing remotes for TVs, VCRs, Cable codes from any X- command SendIR TV MUTE to mute the tv; or home entertainment devices AND X10 devices! Boxes, CDs, Audio Products, Satellite transmitter (incl. SendlR VCR REC to start your VCR recording! Receivers Just aim the remote at the HCC-3000 for instant 10554 below) HCCC 65000NLY$2,95 Call SendlR from DOS batch files, your existing and more! It can even control X10 modules! control of your software program, or develop a program from The One -For -All 12 has a 32K memory which home's lights and scratch 'e Mobile Control { using sample source code. contains the world's largest library of infrared appliances! \Stn/ey8-button hand-held remote \ Complete with cable and hardware interface, codes! In fact, the manufacturer is so confident done in sleek 1990's styling. Transmits \ development software, sample C -language that your component's infrared codes are RF signal up to 100' to plug-in base source code, technical info/data and contained in the One -For -All 12's memory that transceiver (below). Off- documentation. Requires One -For-All remote they're offering a DOUBLE YOUR MONEY BACK white color. HCC-2554 ON LY$1 CrF. control and IBM PC or compatible computer with GUARANTEE! (call HCC Customer Service or serial port. HCC-PCIR ONLY $69! Universal Electronics for further details) he Base Transceiver Check out these great features: Pro- °j- Here's a great chance to expand s\ó PowerFlash Interface" vides any device with a Sleep Timer your X10 or Stanley wireless remote 01 Plug-in module is activated by a 6-24V low function * Simple set-up " One But- 1í'a11 control system to an entire housecode - voyage input or a dry contact switch. Output mode ton System Control Perfect re- Switch Applwncc Muduk Apphancc Module or several house -codes. Set to any `- can be set to several types; use to tum on any X- placement _' for lost or broken Attention PC hackers! The One-For- house -code; receives unit numbers 1-8 or 9-16. 10 module, tum on all lights for an entire house - remotes Toll-Free Consumer code, or send ALL LIGHTS FLASHING C4AII 12 is even PC compatible with the BUILT-IN (will also Help Line Upgradable (by APPLIANCE MODULE! activate PowerHom Siren, HCC-508. $29.95). àddition of the HCC-PCIR PC to Infra- Also features a built-in appliance module preset manufacturer, no charge!) to red Interface! (see description to unit number 1 (may be used as Al, B1, etc). Wire to output of your existing home security match the latest advance- r upper left) This appliance module contains X 10's future 2 - system to flash your X10 lights. Use with external ments in IR remote control way technology... It an answers "status query" switch (e.g. doorbell switch, motion detector, etc) technology... won't become One -For -All 12 Universal command from TW523! (see X-10 to activate an X-10 chime (HCC-CH1 $19.95) or obsolete! emote Control HCC-RC5 Development Kit this pg) Off-white. By Stanley. beeper (HCC-506 $19.95). Your interface be- ONLY $79.95! HCC- Built-in macros mean you can turn on a number of tween X10 and the out- One -For -All Infrared Command IR devices with the touch Center HCC- 9$99XO,20NLY$16OFF side world. By Schlage. ON LY $1 J of one button! Complex 3000 ONLY $29.95! INFO, PRICING & CUSTOMER SERVICE WHOLESALE PRICES. IMMEDIATE SHIPPING.
TERMS: Most in -stock orders ship within 24 hours. Tax applies to Cali!. orders for non -resale. Shipping & Handling charge will be added to order. COD orders add S6.50 to shipping charge. Our standard shipping 1-619-693-8887 method in the Continental U.S. is by UPS ground service. Additional charge for UPS second day air, UPS Next Mastercard i Day Air, Federal Express or Airbome Express. Alaska and Hawaii orders are shipped by air service. International orders must be paid in U.S. funds by money order, cashiers check or credit card. Returned TOLL -FREE ORDER LINE (ORDERS ONLY) merchandise subject to 15°ë restocking fee: before returning call tor required RMA number. Certain merchandise (lest equipment. software. books, etc) may not be returned for credit.' Defective prodcuts will be repaired or replaced at our option. Double manufacturer's warranty on most items.' We will match or beat any competi*.. +.snsible for typographical errors. Limited time specials. Quantities . pUCvER may be limited. 1 -800 -CONTROL 'Phone Department between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time for complete details. t ;I) INFORMATION CARD
www.americanradiohistory.com LNICOHN SINCE 1983 - YOUR I.C. SOURCE - AND MUCH MORE!! NO SHIPPING CHARGES ON PRE -PAID ORDERS!* ELECTRONICS NO CREDIT CARD SURCHARGE! 10010 Canoga Ave., Unit B-8 SCHOOL P.O.'s WELCOME! Chatsworth, CA 91311 LASER DIODES PROTOBOARD DESIGN STATION WAVE- OUTPUT OPER. OPER. STOCK # MFG. 24 25-99 100+ Variable DC output LENGTH POWER CURR. VOLT. -5 - to -15 VDC @ 0.5 amp, ripple - LS9220 TOSHIBA 660nm 3 mW 85 mA 2.5 V 129.99 123.49 111.14 5 mV LS9200 TOSHIBA 670nm 3 mW 85 mA 2.3 V 49.99 47.99 43.19 Frequency generator LS9201 TOSHIBA 670nm 5 mW 80 mA 2.4 V 59.99 56.99 51.29 frequency range: 0.1 Hz to 100 KHz in 6 ranges LS9211 TOSHIBA 670nm 5 mW 50 mA 2.3 V 69.99 66.49 59.84 output voltage: 0 to ± 10V (20 Vp-p) 109.99 104.49 94.04 LS9215 TOSHIBA 670nm 10 mW 45 mA 2.4 V output impedance: 600 (except TTL) LS3200 NEC 670nm 3 mW 85 mA 2.2 V 59.99 56.99 51.29 output current: 10mA max., short circuit LS022 SHARP 780nm 5 mW 65 mA 1.75 V 19.99 18.99 17.09 protected SB1053 PHILLIPS 820nm 10 mW 90 mA 2.2 V 10.99 10.44 9.40 output waveforms: sine, square, triange, TTL sine wave: distortion 3°/e (10 Hz to 100 ROBOTIC KHz) WAO II PROGRAMMABLE KIT TTL pulse: rise and fall time 25ns The pen mechanism in- drive 20 TTL loads cluded with the robot allows it The total design workstation - including Square wave: rise and fall time i 1.5 s to draw. In addition to drawing expanded instrumentation, breadboard Logic indicators straight lines, it can also accu- and power supply. 8 LED's, active high, 1.4 volt (nominal) rately draw circles, and even Ideal for analog, digital and micro- threshold, inputs protected to d:20 volts draw out words and short processor circuits Debounced pushbuttons (pulsars) phrases. WAO II comes with 8 logic probe circuits 2 push-button operated, open -collector 128 x 4 bits RAM and 2K ROM, Function generator with continuously output pulsers, each with 1 normally - and is programmed directly via variable size, square, triangle wave open, 1 normally -closed output. Each the keypad attached to it. With forms, plus TTL pulses output can sink up to 250 mA its built-in connector port, WAO Triple power supply offers fixed 5 VDC Potentiometers
+5 1 1 , 1 , I l is ready to communicate with supply plus 2 variable outputs - - 15 - K 10K all leads available your computer. With the VDC and -5-15 VDC and uncommitted optional interface kit, you can 8 TTL compatible LED indicators, switches BNC connectors connect WAO II to an Apple II, Pulsers 2 BNC connectors pin available and Ile, or Il+computer. Editing and Potentiometers uncommitted shell connected to ground transfering of any movement Audio experimentation speaker Speaker program, as well as saving and Multiple features in one complete test 0.25 W, 8 loading a grogram can be instrument saves hundreds of dollars Breadboarding area performed by the interface kit. needed for individual units 2520 uncommitted tie points The kit includes software, Unlimited lifetime guarantee on bread- Dimensions cable, card, and instructions. board sockets 11.5" long x 16" wide x 6.5" high i ) The programming language is Fixed DC output Input BASIC. +5 VDC @ 1.0 amp, ripple - 5 mV 3 wire AC line input (117 V, 60 Hz Variable DC output typical) 3 (not included) Power Source - AA batteries - to +15 VDC @ 0.5 amp, ripple - Weight 5 mV 7 lbs. STOCK # DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-24 25+ STOCK # DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-24 25+ MV961 WAO ll Programmable Robotic Kit 79.99 75.99 68.39 WIIAP Interface Kit For Apple ll. IIE, Il+ 39.99 37.99 34.19 PB503 Protoboard Design Station 299.99 284.99 256.49 IDC BENCH ASSEMBLY PRESS COLLIMATING PEN LASER DIODE MODULE The Panavise PV505 1/4 ton A low power collimator pen contain- The LDM 135 integrated as- manual IDC bench assembly ing a MOVPE grown gain GaAIAs laser. sembly consisting of a laser press is a rugged, practical instal- This collimator pen delivers a maximum diode. collimating optics and lation tool designed for low CW output power of 2.5 mW at 820 nm. drive electronics within a single volume, mass termination of The operating voltage of 2.2-2.5v @ compact housing. Produces a various IDC connectors on flat 90-150mA is designed for lower power bright red dot at 660-685 em. It is ribbon cable. applications such as data retrieval. supplied complete with leads for Assembly base & standard telemetry. alignment, etc. connection to a DC power supply platen included The non -hermetic stainless steel case from 3 to 5.25 V. Base plate & platen may be is specifically designed for easy align- Though pre-set to produce a rotated 90° for maximum ment in an optical read or write system. parallel beam. the focal length versatility and consists of a lens and a laser diode. can readily be adjusted to focus Base plates & cutting acces- The lens system collimates the diverg- the beam to a spot. sories are quickly changed ing laser light .18 mrad. The wavefront Sturdy. small and self-con- without any tools required quality is diffraction limited. tained. the LDM135 is a precision Additional accessories below The housing is circular and precision manufactured measuring 11.0 device designed fora wide range Size - 10" W e 8.75" D x 9"H mm in diameter and 27.0 mm long. Data sheet included. of applications. 0.64" diem. x 2" Weight - 5.5 lbs. As with all special buy items, quantity is limited to stock on hand long
STOCK e DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-24 25+ STOCK e DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-24 25+ STOCK k DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-24 25+ PV505 Panavise Bench Assembly Press 149.99 142.49 128.24 S81052 Infra -Red Collimator Pen 49.99 47 49 42 74 LDM135-.5 .5 mW Laser Diode Module 179.99 170.99 153.89 LOM135-1 i mW Laser Diode Module 189.99 180.49 162.44 COLLIMATING LENS DUAL MODE LASER POINTER LDM135-2 2 mW Laser Diode Module 199.99 189.99 170.99 This economical collimating New slimline laser pointers only' LDM135-3 3 mW Laser Diode Module 209.99 199.49 179.54 lens assembly consists of a in diameter x 6:" long and weighs black anodized aluminum under 2 oz.. 670 nm @ less than 1 He -Ne TUBES a 6 mm beam. 2 barrel that acts as a heat sink, mW produces New. tested 632nm He -Ne laser switches. one for mode. and a glass lens with a focal continuous tubes ranging from .5mW to 3mW point of 7.5 mm. Designed to fit and one for pulse mode (red dot (our choice). Perfect for hobbyists rapidly). 2 AAA batteries standard 9mm laser diodes. flashes for home protects. Because of the provide 8- hours of use. 1 year this assembly will fit all the variety we purchase. we cannot above laser diodes. Simply warranty. guarantee specific outputs will be place diode in the lens assem- available at time of order. All units bly. adjust beam to desired STOL.K r DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-24 25- are new, tested. and guaranteed focus, then set with adhesive. to at LP35 Dual Mode Laser Pointer 199 99 70.99 function manufacturers specifications. STOCK a DESCRIPTION t-9 10-24 250 ROBOTIC ARM KIT LSLENS Collimating Lens Assembly 24.99 23.74 21.37 STOCK # DESCRIPTION 1-9 10-24 25° Robots were once confined to science fiction movies. Today, whether they're LT1001 He -He Laser Tube 69.99 66.49 59.84 POWER SUPPLY performing dangerous tasks or putting Input 115/230V together complex products, robotics AVOIDER ROBOT KIT way into more and are finding their An intelligent robot that knows how +5v @ 3.75A Arm Kit Output more industries. The Robotic hitting walls. This robot kit that teaches to avoid +12v @ 1.5A is an educational emits an infra -red beam which robotic fundamentals as well -12v @ .4A basic arm detects an obstacle in front and then as testing your own motor skills automatically turns left and con- it to perform simple tasks. Size: 7" L x 5'=" W x 2 H Command tinues on STOCK # PRICE STOCK # PRICE STOCK # PRICE PS1003 $19.99 YO1 $43.99 MV912 $43.99 ORDER LINE - (800) 824-3432 INTERNATIONAL ORDERS - (818) 341-8833 mal FAX ORDERS - (818) 998-7975 TECHNICAL SUPPORT - (818) 341-8833 t 15.00 MINIMUM ORDER UPS BLUE, RED & FEDERAL EXPRESS SHIPPING AVAILABLE OPEN MON-FRI 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM, SAT 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM PDT CA RESIDENTS ADD 8'/.°7° SALES TAX CALL FOR QUANTITY DISCOUNTS CALL FOR FREE CATALOG (FOR 1ST CLASS DELIVERY OR CATALOGS DELIVERED OUTSIDE THE U.S. - SEND $2.00) WE CARRY A COMPLETE LINE OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS NO SHIPPING CHARGES ON PRE -PAID ORDERS DELIVERED IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S.
CIRCLE NO. 140 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
www.americanradiohistory.com Volume 2, No. l January 1993
. = All -TIMERS 04 j aAll-MAOOEH 00`-_'
BA11ON22OTR 1 DOWN tti 14.4E
32 86
UPGRADING to help you get work done more 86 Computer Games & efficiently. By SF Sparrow ENHANCING Game Potpourri.
16 Recycling Old Computers By Raymond H. Green SPECIAL REPORT DEPARTMENTS Let an old computer you no longer use control your home 32 The World of PC Sound 6 Editorial By Tom Benford environment. By Art Salsberg How to add meaningful audio to a Multimedia. 58 CYDAT Goes Parallel personal computer and evaluations By Nick Goss of more than a dozen external and 8 What's Happening! internal sound devices to spark up Using the CYDAT Data- Latest PC News. Collector/Controller to your applications, multimedia setups and presentations. experiment with parallel 9 What's New! processing. By Peter R. O'Dell A roundup of new computer APPLICATIONS COLUMNS and electronic products. 89 Advertiser's Index 24 BASIC -52 Options for 8051 68 Ted Needleman Microcontrollers Making Your Point With Style. By Jan Axelson ON THE COVER: Sound is Options available to BASIC -52 72 Joseph Desposito rapidly moving to the forefront as the next users and a circuit that places New Kind of PROM, Software for step in fleshing out the PC platform for BASIC -52 interpreter in NEC Microcontrollers, Switchable multimedia operation and adding sound to nonvolatile memory to permit use SCSI Terminator and Comparator presentations, applications, educational of a low-cost 8032 chip. with Digital Threshold Control. software and entertainment. Pictured is a Covox, Inc. internal sound board. 46 SBC Applications, Conclusion 74 The World On -Line Cover Photo Courtesy of Covox, Inc. By Tom Fox By Stan Veit Using input capture to turn the On -Line Population; Getting the MAG -11 SBC into an accurate Fax; Closing the GUI Gap; Pre - ComputerCraft on MCI Mail digital thermometer with binary Loaded CompuServe; Beware the display. Tax on Modems!; Setting Up Your You can contact ComputerCraft on MCI Own BBS. Mail directly or through an on-line 54 The Shell Game service, such as CompuServe. Any By Hardin Brothers 76 GUI Guts questions, article proposals, comments, welcome this mail Shells can make your computer a By Yacco etc. are on electronic lot friendlier and much more likely XTree for Windows Debuts. box (MCI ID No. 456-3433).
4 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft
www.americanradiohistory.com THE NEW! Autoranging LCD Digital Multimeter
Convenient autoranging and auto - polarity at a low price. Select the function-meter does the rest. Diode -check mode. Measures to PARTS 1000VDC, 750VAC, 200mA DC current, 20 megohms resistance. Fuse protected, UL 1244 listed. PLACE #22-166 36.99 TECHLINE TM Tools-The new standard in strength and precision! Precision -crafted with top-quality materials Designed for long life and ease of use Backed by Radio Shack's 1 -Year Limited Warranty New TECHLINE tools represent Radio Shack's uncompro- mising dedication to quality. Each is precision -crafted of long-lasting, hard-working materials and employs the lat- est design innovations for comfort and ease of use. And, each is backed by our full 1 -year limited warranty. Speedy service and low prices on thousands of parts and accessories! FREE delivery to Radio Shack on orders $5 and up Semiconductors and ICs Hard -to -find batteries CB and scanner crystals Long -life vacuum tubes Phono cartridges/styli SAMS( service books Why pay more for mail-order? Your Radio Shack stocks 1000 electronic components, and another 15,000 are available fast from our special -order warehouse. Ordering is easy! Bring in the exact part number (or old part). We'll check availability and order by phone. Delivery time to your nearby Radio Shack for most items is a week.
TECHLINE Rechargeable Solder- CD Player AC -to -DC Voltage AC Voltage Sensor. Detects broken ing Gun. Great for autos, boats and Adapter. Saves batteries! Connect connections, blown fuses, defective campers-solder up to 250 joints to your portable CD player's DC jack grounds, open breakers, more. Indi- on one charge. Trigger -activated and plug into wall outlet to play from cates presence of AC voltages from light. UL listed AC charger, case. 120VAC. 3VDC regulated output. UL 70 to 440VAC. Replaceable battery. #64-2194 39.95 listed. #273-1659 16.95 #22-103 11.99
TECHLINE 18 -Piece IR Transmitter Project Project Holder. Alli- DC Voltmeter. Measure Infrared Sensor Card. Hex Key Set. Ideal for Case. For beeper or re- gator -type clamps ad- vehicle or power -supply Detects normally invisi- engine and machinery mote. 9V battery com- just to hold work in any voltage. Jeweled move- ble infrared to confirm work. Heavy-duty steel partment. Molded 7/8 x position. Solid cast-iron ment. Mounts in 17/s" - output from remotes, IR alloy. Standard sizes. 23/8 x 41/4" enclosure. base prevents tipping. diameter round hole. LEDs or lasers. #64-1616 4 99 #270-294 4 49 #64-2093 8 49 #270-1754 7 95 #276-099 5.95
Prices apply al participating SINCE 1921 stores and dealers Radio Ihack AMERICA'S TECHNOLOGY STORE'
CIRCLE NO. 150 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
www.americanradiohistory.com Editorial EDITORIAL STAFF Art Salsberg Editor -in -Chief Alexander W. Burawa Multimedia Managing Editor Dorothy Kehrwieder Production Manager Emily Kreutz Production Multimedia, which integrates text, graph- and possibly a more -powerful micropro- ics, animation and Elizabeth Ryan audio CD, continues to cessor as well. Art Director advance on the personal -computing scene. The PIX-100 uses a V-20 CPU running Barbara Terzo To do justice to it all, you need a bare at 9.55 MHz, with ROM-DOS 3.22 and Assistant Art Director minimum of a 386SX machine. Combined 1M of RAM. It incorporates a 4/2" -diag- Susan Reale with other peripherals, such as a CD-ROM onal monochrome LCD back lit screen Artist player, makes for a rather costly system. that can display seven shades of gray with Edmond Pesonen But for those who can afford it, multime- 320 x 200 -pixel graphics or 25 lines x 40 Electronic Composition Manager dia makes for the possibility of tapping characters. It has a 26 -key QWERTY key- Pat Le Blanc great resources for information, education board, Yes and No keys, a numeric keypad Florence V. Martin and entertainment. Phototypographer The latest move in the Hal Keith multimedia direction has Illustrator been made by Sony's in- Bruce Morgan Photographer troduction of its new Mul- timedia CD-ROM Player. Jan Axelson, Tom Benford, Hardin Brothers, Joe Desposito, Nick Goss, Ted Needleman, The portable (7 "W x Peter R. O'Dell, SF Sparrow, Stan Veit, 2"H x 6 "L and weighing Wayne Yacco 2 pounds) Model PIX-100 Contributing Editors combines a CD-ROM BUSINESS STAFF drive that supports the Richard A. Ross CD-ROM XA standard, a Publisher PC -compatible micropro- Art Salsberg cessor, an LCD display Associate Publisher panel, a speaker, a key- Dorothy Kehrwieder board and a cursor pad. General Manager It's got an audio jack for Frank V. Fuzia stereo speakers or head- Controller phones, a video -output Catherine Ross port for color TV and a Circulation Director serial port for outputting Melissa Kehrwieder to a printer, uploading in- Data Processing Manager formation to a PC or con- Carol Licata necting to a modem. Data Processing A bevy of software Denise Pyne makers have announced Customer Service support discs for the Sony ADVERTISING SALES player, including IBM Margaret Milanese with five $49.95 titles. Interestingly, it's and multiple-function keys, and a built-in (516) 681-2922 reported that Northern Telecom, a leading speaker. Power is provided by a small re- FAX: (516) 681-2926 suppler of digital telecommunications chargeable nickel -cadmium battery pack switching systems, is using Sony's Multi- that provides up to 2 hours of continuous media CD-ROM portable Karen Nauth to provide its play time or an ac adapter that also charges Sales Assistant field technicians with electronic documen- the battery pack. tation, storing 20,000 pages of tech info to Each 5" Multimedia CD-ROM disc has Offices: 76 North Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801. Tele- support its Meridian 1 PBX on a CD-ROM 600M for storage 9,000 graphic images or phone: (516) 681-2922. FAX (516) disc. 681-2926. Computer - 16 hours of audio. The machine also plays Craft (ISSN 1055-5072) is published monthly by CQ Developed by Sony, Philips and Micro- conventional audio CDs. Communications, Inc. Subscription prices (payable in soft in US Dollars only): Domestic-one year $18.97, two years 1989, CD-ROM XA (extended The new PIX-100's suggested list price $36.00, three years $53.00; Canada/Mexico-one year architecture) compresses audio, which al- is $999.95. It evidently competes with Tan- $21.00, two years $40.00, three years $59.00; Foreign- lows it to be interleaved one year $23.00, two years $44.00, three years $65.00. with text, still im- dy's new VIS (Video Information System) Foreign Air Mail-one year $76.00, two years $150.00, ages and motion video. As a result, up to discussed here last month, which lists for three years $224.00. 16 times as U.S. Government Agencies: much audio play time can be $700. Looks like we've got a VHS -versus - Subscriptions to Computer - accommodated on a single disc. Moreover, Beta type Craft are available to agencies of the United States gov- of battle looming. Or should I ernment, including military services, only on a cash with it's claimed that interleaving delivers more - say an IBM -versus -Apple contest, where order basis. Requests for quotations, bids, contracts, etc. accurate synchronization with graphics, each can come up a winner. will be refused and will not be returned or processed. video and text, whereas a traditional CD- Entire contents copyright 1993 by CQ Communications, ROM Inc. ComputerCraft or CQ Communications Inc. as- drive would have to perform a dou- sumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. Al- ble search to play such information togeth- low six weeks for delivery of first issue and for change of er, besides requiring 4M to 8M more RAM address. Printed in the United States of America. Postmaster: Please send change of address notice to ComputerCraft, 76 North Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801.
6 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft
www.americanradiohistory.com Coming Next Month Special Reports Revisited Ranger Hits Home 1992 and January *Congratulations on your excellent article Supplementing Earlier Reports (November on the application of the Ultrasonic Ran- 1993), February's ComputerCraft Will Present: ger in your June 1992 issue. I am an elec- tronics technology educator and an avid Software to Make PC's "Sing" When Coupled With Sound analog and digital experimenter. Because of articles like this, I have subscribed to Cards and Alternatives to Hardware ComputerCraft for the next three years. Evaluating Eight -Bit Microcontroller Models on the Market Chin Leong Wong Norman, OK
Stick to Niche *Enclosed is my subscription renewal to ComputerCraft magazine. I enjoy each Electronics Workbench edition, but I want to encourage you to The lab in a computer" concentrate on areas of computer hard- electronics ware and microcontroller articles. These are the areas that are handled well in your "...you can do 10 times as many experiments with Electronics magazine and unique to it. They are your Workbench than you'd get done with the real stuff." publishing niche and are ignored in other - ferry Pournelle. Ph.D., Byte Magazine magazines. There are numerous other magazines Includes two Independent modules: that I turn to when I want to see evalua- Pudding and testing circuits is fast and Workbench. Just Analog Module with passive and active tions of business or games software. It real- easy with Electronics components including transistors, diodes, ly seems a shame to waste space to an eval- click -and -drag with a mouse to add and op-amps; a function generator, an uation of a word processor when it has parts, run wires, and adjust oscilloscope, a multimeter, and a Bode plotter. been covered in great detail by several other instruments. The traces on the Digital Module with gates, flip-flops, adders, magazines. a word generator, a logic analyzer, and a s.mulated instruments are the same as unique logic converter and simplifier. K. Lehman you'd get on real equipment. Ontario, Canada DOS Professional Version - $299 Call (416) 361-0333 DOS Personal Plus Version - $199 Fax: (416) 368-5799 FotoMan Camera Update Macintosh Version - $199 Interactive Image Technologies Ltd. *After reading your October review of 908 Niagara Falls 700 King St. W., Ste 815 Prices are in US dollars. Shipping Eli. Offer valid in the USA and Boulevard Toronto, Ontario Logitech's FotoMan digital camera and Canada only. Macintosh and DOS Personal Plus versions are In nunochrome only. All trademarks are the properly of their North Tonawanda, NY Canada I the accompanying FotoMan software, respective owners. 14120-2060 M5v 2Y6 felt compelled to stand up in Logitech's INTER defense. I use the FotoMan on my 386DX through Windows 3.1 and have had un- qualified success in saving images to my hard drive in both TIF and TIF Uncom- pressed (required for use in Core1DRA W pal and Ventura Publisher formats), which the uWi author was unable to accomplish without incurring a General Protection Fault. Also, Mr. Benford found that he could not print any images from FotoTouch under Windows 3.1. Again, I have printed all kinds of images from FotoTouch to my HP LaserJet printer without encountering even one small problem. Either I have a more -recent version of FotoTouch (purchased in late June) or Mr. Benford is doing something wrong. rltzL.r.,.. _:C7 raaa tt.ie.a Ryan J. Hansen . rm rs ._ n ram _. Everett, WA The author's FotoMan software was so early it didn't even have a serial number. r Benford has since received updates from Logitech, and the shortcomings he cited have, indeed, been taken care of, per your comments. Hefound the operations pain- fully slow, however.-Ed.
CIRCLE NO. 139 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT /
www.americanradiohistory.com What's Happening!
Acquisitions. Colorado Memory Systems, Inc., popular PC tape back-up system maker, will be acquired by Hewlett-Packard. With CMS's quarter -inch cartridge (QIC) tape systems for entry-level and midrange stand-alone personal computers and HP's 4 -mm digital audio tape (DAT) back-up products for high -end PCs, workstations and mid to high -end network servers, the new teaming gives HP one of the broadest tape back-up lines in the industry.... Kalok Corp. recently sold its KL3000 line of hard -disk drives to Xebec America (no affiliation with Xebec Corp.) They're 105- and 120-M AT/IDE drives, complementing the company's lower -capacity drive line. Most large drive makers have moved to higher -capacity drives, leaving a vacuum for smaller drives. It's predicated that in 1993, there'll be worldwide shipments of more than 8.5 -million drives in the 30M -to -60M range and more than 4 -million in the 60M -to -100M range.
Intel's Neural -Network Chip. Intel's 80170X electrically train- able analog neural network (ETANN) chip has a high -density parallel architecture that provides a new way to solve pattern - recognition problems such as robotic motion and process optimizing.... To assist PC programmers in creating in implementing neural networks, DynaMind Developer software from NeuroDynamX (800-747-3531) guides designers with little or no neural network experience through step-by-step creating, training and embedding of neural networks. It runs on 286, 386 and 486 PCs. The program costs $145, while the Developer package is priced $495.
Tandy Unveils Factory -Direct Delivery with support of its nearly 7,000 Radio Shack stores. Buyers can choose a variety of hardware -specific options from one of the local stores and, within two days of placing the order, the computer system is shipped directly to the customer by second -day air. The program, which is said to maintain aggressively low prices, comes with a 30 -day money -back satisfaction guarantee and a custom nameplate reading "Custom Made For (Name)." The program is limited to the Tandy Omni Profile 486 series of PCs.
Stolen Computer Registry. A stolen computer registry, created in late 1990 by NACOMEX, is designed to intercept the sale of stolen computers through legitimate secondary sales channels. It's designed for use by insurance companies, brokers, resellers and law -enforcement agencies. For example, bulletin -board operators who list used equipment for their shoppers can protect themselves and customers by subscribing to the Registry. For more information, call 212-777-1291. For this and any potential insurance claims for stolen computers, be sure to keep a record of the make, model and serial numbers of computers in your possession.
8 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft
www.americanradiohistory.com What's New! By Peter R. O'Dell
Notebook Has with 16 levels of gray. It comes with power management utili- Removable ties to extend battery life. Hard Drive External ports are provided for a full 101 -key keyboard, ex- Aurum Computer's new Gold- ternal VGA monitor, a parallel noteSX is a 6.38 -pound, 25 - and two serial ports and a pro- MHz Intel 80486SX-based prietary 100 -pin port for an ex- notebook computer that has a ternal AT bus -expansion sta- removble hard disk (60M, 80M tion. The standard configura- or 130M). The standard unit is tion includes an external power configured with an 80M drive, pack, DOS 5.0, Windows 3.1 a 3'/," floppy drive, 4M of and carrying case. S1,995. Au - RAM (expandable to 16M), rum Computer Corp., 5 Pond full-size 80 -key keyboard with Park Rd., Hingham, MA 12 function keys and embed- 02043; tel.: 617-749-5092; fax: Single -Board operation (110 mA), the abili- ded numeric keypad and ad- 617-749-5188. ty to reduce clock speed as the justable backlit VGA LCD CIRCLE NO. I ON FREE CARD Computer application permits and a Vesta Technology's SBC332 is standby mode. Hard -Drive tion tables, views and edits based on Motorola's MC68020 The SBC332 measures 2.3" BIOS drive -type table, formats processor and has a 32 -bit in- x 6.2.5" and is BCC -compat- Installation Utility the hard drive with operating ternal data path and internal ible for direct employment Micro House's Drivepro per- system transfer, low-level for- 32 -bit address bus, while exter- without porting of software mits installation of any hard mats most drive types, includ- nally it has a 16 -bit data bus systems designed around Mo- drive in any computer, whether ing IDEs, and saves all impor- and 24 -bit address bus. This torola's popular evaluation or not the BIOS supports that tant parameters to a backup facility, coupled to a 16.78 - platform. $249 per board in particular drive type. Drivepro file. Drivepro requires a 286 or MHz clock 28- and 32 -pin DIP 25 -piece quantity. Vesta Tech- stores custom parameters on later processor. Micro House, external memory, makes for nology, Inc., 7100 W. 44 Ave., the drive itself, instead of in 4900 Pearl East Cir., Ste. 101, design and user convenience. Ste. 101, Wheat Ridge, CO CMOS. It finds and executes Boulder, CO 80301; tel.: 800- Low -power operation is sup- 80033; tel.: 303-422-8088;fax: the controller's on -board firm- 926-8299. ported with minimal power 303-422-9800. ware, creates and edits parti- CIRCLE NO.2 ON FREE CARD consumption during normal CIRCLE NO.3 ON FREE CARD MCM ELECTRONICS ... VALUE, SERVICE AND SELECTION CAN TURN YOUR WORLD AROUND
Feel like your whole world's spinning out of control? You don't know where to look for the kinds of electronic parts and components your customers demand? The kind of parts that do the job right the first time? MCM Electronics has what it takes to put your world back in order. We can give you more than 20,000 quality items, and we can have them ready to ship Mithin 24 hours. That's value. That's service. And that's selection. Whether you need connectors, semiconductors, parts and accessories for VCRs, television components, test equipment, tools or chemicals, MCM can deliver. And we're always ready to give you the technical assistance you need.
For a FREE Catalog call: 1.800.543.4330 MCM ELECTRONICS 650 CONGRESS PARK DR. To Order By Fax: 1.513.434-6959 CENTERVILLE. OH 45459-4072 For Product Questions: 1 -800 -824 -TECH (8324) A PREMIER Company
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CIRCLE NO. 142 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 9
www.americanradiohistory.com What's New!
LED Printer Your Calendar CPU Module Okidata's OL810 eight -page - Is Watching You The HC11 CPU module from per -minute LED -based page ACS provides expandable con- printer has built in OKI Powercore has two new "cal- trol in a low-cost format that Smoothing Technology for en- endaring" packages for net- includes all necessary features hanced resolution and superior works and the individual user. for most embedded control ap- print quality. Smoothing Tech- Network Scheduler III (NS3) is plications. Additional expan- nology is able to create four dif- a multi-user calendar that op- sion is provided by the ACS - ferent dot sizes at 10007o, 8007o, erates on most popular com- BUSS via either 64 -conductor 6507o and 2501o. Different -size ic Intellifont scalable outline munications environments to ribbon cable or ACS mother- dots are grouped in varying fonts; and 42 resident bitmap enable a group of users to make boards for larger applications. combinations along the scan fonts. The OL810 printer is HP scheduling decisions quickly Flash EPROM and EEP ROM and sub -scan lines to create III -compatible and has two and automatically. NS3 noticeably smoother lines on font -card slots. $1,699. Oki - schedules persons, work both axes. The OL810 offers data, 532 Fellowship Rd., Mt. groups and such key resources PCL5 compatibility; 1M of Laurel, NJ 08054; tel.: 609- as rooms and equipment. It memory, expandable to 5M; 13 235-2600. provides a shared calendar for resident AGFA Compugraph- CIRCLE NO.4 ON FREE CARD use by the group, with personal reminders for private events. Cleaning Products Any user can request a meeting by selecting the desired day and Read/Right has added several time period. new items to its line of cleaning NS3 informs the user imme- products. New 4 -mm data diately if there are any individ- drive cleaning cartridge No. ual conflicts with the proposed TX255 provides 25 cleanings, place and times. Once a meet- IIIIIIIIIIIIIII1111111111IIII111 and 8 -mm data drive cleaning ing is selected, NS3 broadcasts cartridge No. TX256 provides new requests to each member technology permit remote in - six to eight cleanings. These are of the group. The new meeting system updates. Hardware in- said to provide the latest tech- foreign other matter can often appears on the individual cal- cludes MC68HC811E2 eight - nology in automatic data drive be avoided by regular cleaning. endars, informing the users bit microcontroller, 2K cleaning. To use, you plug a The kit contains a small brush, about the details of the EEPROM with block protec- cartridge into the machine's nonabrasive cleaning wand, meeting. tion, 256 -byte RAM, 16 -bit drive and let it run for 15 20 to foam -cushioned disk holder, 1 Time Vision, available for timer, eight -bit pulse accumu- seconds. Regular use is claimed ounce of specially formulated Windows, DOS and Macin- lator, real-time interrupt, COP to safely eliminate residue and cleaning fluid in a non -aerosol tosh, has many of the most use- watchdog timer, eight -channel dust build-up without damag- pump spray, and instruction ful functions of NS3 rede- eight -bit A/D converter and ing tape heads. sheet. Each kit provides 25 signed and repackaged for the serial port (RS -232 or RS -485). CD ROM disk cleaner No. cleanings, comes packaged in individual user. It can be used Software includes HC I 1 IPL in TX258 uses the radial cleaning a convenient compact storage to plan daily calendars, priori- EEPROM, POST diagnostics method recommended by CD case and is easy to use. Read/ tize "to-do" lists, make ap- and IBM programming utili- ROM disk manufacturers to Right Products Div., 650 E. pointments or schedule other ties. $287. Ackerman Comput- avoid scratching the disks. Crescent Ave., Upper Saddle people and resources. $119 er Sciences, 4276 Lago Way, Data error and signal interpre- River, NJ 07458; tel.: 800- (Time Vision). PowerCore Sarasota, FL 34241-5815; tel.: tation skips caused by surface 327-1237; fax: 800-569-3600. Inc., One Diversatech Dr., 813-377-5775; fax: 813-378- contamination, smudges and CIRCLE NO.5 ON FREE CARD Manteno, IL 60950-0756. 4226. CIRCLE NO.7 ON FREE CARD CIRCLE NO. 8 ON FREE CARD Radio Scanner Autologger appends a com- Computer Control ma -delimited line of data to a Data -Acquisition play of multi -channel strip DOS text file for every event or Packages chart, bargraph and spread- The HB -232 Scanner/Compu- transmission detected by the sheet data with process moni- ter Interface from Commtron- scanner. Each plain -text data Texmate has three new inte- toring functions. Hardware is ics Engineering is a retrofit kit line in the file shows memory grated data -acquisition pack- available in four versions that for the Radio Shack PRO -2004, channel, frequency, mode, de- ages for laboratory and field plug into a PC's parallel port. PRO -2005 and PRO -2006 lay and lockout status, operat- applications. VIS/2000 is vir- DASH300 is a Windows 3.x series vhf/uhf radio scanners. ing function, search increment, tual instrumentation software application program that sup- The modification offers com- date, start time and duration of that employs a mouse and ports most popular eight- and plete two-way communication the event. A built-in feature GUI. It supports four 16 -chan- 16 -channel data -acquisition and control of the scanner by prevents the scanner from lock- nel ac/dc voltage input boards boards. Menu driven, it ac- an IBM/compatible computer ing up on birdies and other un- on an AT. The program dis- quires and displays up to 16 through a serial port. Up to 400 desired signals. Partial kit, plays 16 channels simultane- channels. memory channels can be pro- $170. Commtronics Engineer- ously an panel meters, chart re- Texmate Inc., 995 Park Cen- grammed by downloading in- ing, PO Box 262478, San Die- corders or oscilloscope traces. ter Dr., Vista, CA 92083-8397; formation to the scanner from go, CA 92196; tel.: 619-578- The Acquisitor is a menu - tel.: 619-598-9899; fax, 619- a computer database. 9247; fax: 619-578-2947. driven real-time graphic dis- 598-9828. CIRCLE NO.6 ON FREE CARD CIRCLE NO.9 ON FREE CARD
10 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft
www.americanradiohistory.com No other training shows you how to troubleshoot and service computers like NRI
NEWT 888sx/20 MHz ,INI MONROR SEW! 40 MEG DIAGNOSTIC HARDWARE TOWER COWIFTERI High -resolution, SHARD DISK DRIVE! AND SOFTWARE Features 32 -bit 80386sx nonglare, 12" TTL iou install this R.A.C.E.R. plug-in diagnostic CPU, 1 meg RAM, 64K ROM, monochrome 40 meg IDE card and QuickTech menu- 1.2 meg high -density floppy monitor with tilt zard disk drive driven software, both from disk drive and swivel base _ntemally, for Ultra -X, give you hands-on greater data experience with today's storage capacity professional
SOFTWARE DISCOVERY LAB Train with MS-DOS, GW-BASIC, Complete breadboarding and popular Microsoft Works system lets you design and applications software modify circuits, diagnose and repair faults
DUVAL MULTINETEII Professional test instrument for quick and easy measurements
DIGITAL LOGIC PROBE Simplifies analyzing digital circuit operation
LESSONS Clear, illustrated texts build your understanding of computers step by step
Only NRI walks you through the step-by-step assembly of a powerful 388sx computer system you train with and keep - giving you the hands-on experience you need to work with, troubleshoot, and service No experience necessary ... NRI builds it in With NRI, you learn at your own pace in your own home. No dassroom today's most widely used computer systems. Only NRI gives you pressures, no night school, no need to quit your present job until you're ready everything you need to start a money -making career, even a to make your move. And all throughout your training, you have the full business of your own, in computer service. support of your personal NRI instructor and the NRI technical staff, always No doubt about it: The best way to learn to service computers is to actually ready to answer your questions and give you help whenever you need it. build a state-of-the-art computer from the keyboard on up. Only NRI, the leader in career-building at-home electronics training for more than 75 years, FRE catalog tells more. Send today! gives you that kind of practical, real -world computer servicing experience. Send today for NRI's big, free catalog that describes every aspect of NRI's Indeed, no other training - in school, on the job, anywhere - shows you innovative computer training, as well as hands-on training in TV/video/audio how to troubleshoot and service computers like NRI. servicing, telecommunications, industrial electionics, and other high -growth, high-tech career fields. Get inside the West Coast 388sx computer system ... and If the coupon is missing, write to NRI School of Electronics, McGraw-Hill experience all the power and speed of today's Continuing Education Center, 4401 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, computer technology! DC 20008. With NRI's exdusive hands-on training, you actually build and keep the powerful new West Coast 386sx/20 MHz mini tower IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corp. QuickTech computer system. and R.A.C.E.R. are registered trademarks of Ultra -X, Inc. You start by assembling and testing your computer's 101 -key "intelligent" keyboard, move on to test the circuitry of the main logic board, install the power supply and 1.2 meg high -density floppy disk drive, then interface your SEND TODAY FOR FREE CATALOG high -resolution monitor. For career courses What's more, you now go on to install and test a powerful 40 meg IDE IVA /Schools I:AI, approved under GI Bill hard disk drive today's most-wanted computer peripheral induded in - - McGraw-Hill Continuing Education Center check for details. your course to dramatically increase your computer's data storage capacity 4401 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 while giving you lightning -quick data access. But that's not all! ['Check one FREE catalog only Professional diagnostic hardware and software makes MICROCOMPUTER SERVICING E Computer Programming troubleshooting and fast accurate TVNidea/Audio Servicing Security Electronics Your NRI training now indudes a remarkable diagnostic package that allows E Industrial Electronics & Robotics E Electronic Music Technology you to quickly locate and coiled defects in IBM XT, AT 80286/80386, and E Telecommunications E Desktop Publishing compatible computers. E Basic Electronics Programming in C++ with Windows You'll use your Ultra -X QuickTech diagnostic software to test the system RAM and such peripheral adapters as parallel printer ports, video adapters, and floppy and hard disk drives. You'll go on to use your R.A.C.E.R. diagnostic Name (please print) Age card, also from Ultra-X, to identify individual defective RAM chips, locate interfacing problems, and pinpoint defective support chips. Address This ingenious diagnostic package is just one more way NRI gives you the confidence and the know-how for City/State/Zip advancement, a new career, or a money- Accredited Member, National Home Study Council 4-0193i making business of your own.
www.americanradiohistory.com What's New!
Parallel -To-SCSI Memory uses the first megabyte of memory -management tasks Adapter Management memory is detailed in Chap- with third -party packages. Trantor Systems' T348 Mini - and Multitasking ter 3. Then Chapter 4 defines Chapter 9 moves on to SCSI Plus provides simple, and discusses memory be- memory management in the quick connection of many dif- Beyond 640K yond the first megabyte. context of Windows 3.x, with ferent types of SCSI devices By Lenny Bailes & Three of the more common emphasis on the differences through a computer's parallel John Mueller software tools to access this in performance and capabili- printer port without losing use (Wind crest /McGraw-Hill. memory are discussed: ty between 286- and 386/ of a printer connected to the Soft cover. 434 pages. $29.95) QEMM, Rational Systems 486 -based systems. Quarter- port. It features an integral The popularity of multitask- DOS extender, and Micro- deck's DESQview as an alter- 3 -foot cable, built-in SCSI ter- ing environments Windows soft's XMS. native to Windows is the topic mination and a physical design and DESQview and growing Chapter 5 surveys hard- of Chapter 10. Chapter 11 that improves on the original interest in networks, no mat- ware requirements for differ- discusses memory manage- T338 adapter by moving the ter how small, means that ent PC productivity situa- ment tasks under OS/2. portion of the product contain- more and more PC users are tions and features alternative Appendices cover trouble- ing the active circuitry adjacent being forced to deal effective- upgrade options. Strategies shooting tips, network con- to the SCSI device. This new ly with memory management for improving performance siderations and other sources design makes connection to a or suffer the consequences. by minimizing the overhead of information, as well as a computer port much smaller This book is dedicated to of your current applications brief description of the free - than the T338 and eliminates those users who find them- are covered in Chapter 6. ware and shareware utilities the need for a separate SCSI selves thrown into the middle Coverage of the basics of contained on an accompany- cable. Also, the new T348 of this fray. memory management is han- ing 1.2M disk. Programs makes full use of bidirectional Chapter I is an introduc- dled in Chapter 7, which uses range from an IRQ display parallel ports, which can im- tion to PC hardware with em- examples based on the utili- utility to a basic 386 memory prove the performance of CD- phasis on the features and ties bundled with DOS 5.0. In manager. ROMs and similar devices. limitations of the x86 family Chapter 8, the authors pro- The writing is clear and $229. Trantor Systems, Ltd., of processors. Chapter 2 is vide a similar treatment of concise, and the depth of cov- 5415 Randall Pl., Fremont, devoted to taking stock of DR DOS and show how to erage is more than adequate CA 94538-3151; tel.: 510- your base system. How DOS perform more advanced for the intermediate user. 770-1400; fax: 510-770-9910. CIRCLE NO. LOON FREE CARD EZ- ROUTE PRO TALK TO YOUR COMPUTER WITH VOICE MAS'T'ER KEYS A PROFESSIONAL VOICE PROCESSING SYSTEM ADD UP TO 1024 VOICE COMMANDS TO EXISTING PROGRAMS! Speeds data entry and command input to CAD, desk -top publishing, word processing, spread sheet, data base, or game programs. Simply train the computer to recognize a word or phrase and assign a series of key strokes to that command. Pop-up TSR program features pull -down menus and mouse support. Requires under 15K of main memory if EMS present. Near instant response time and high recognition accuracy. SOUND RECORDING STUDIO Digitally record your own speech, sound, or music. Software control- led sampling rate (up to 25Kbytes/sec) with graphics - based editing and data compres- sion utilities. Create customized audio software for use within education, language training, presentations, entertainment, etc. DMA data transfer provides con- - tinuous recording and playback of The Most Complete Schematic - sound to/from hard disk. PC inter- PCB Layout -Auto-Router System nal speaker supported. INTERACTIVE SPEECH INPUT AND OUTPUT EZ-ROUTE PRO system from AMS for IBM PC, PS/2 and compatibles is an Tag your own digitized audio files to voice recognition macros. Provides speech integrated system and includes schematic capture, PCB layout, Automatic response to your spoken commands -- all from within virtually ALL DOS application software! Reduces CRT "eye fixation". Also ideal for training, Router, DesignRule checker and ability to view security, robotics, factory - gerber plot files. The schematic business -home automation, science experiments, handicapped, etc. capture module from EZ-ROUTE system supports A through E size sheets, COMPATIBLE with talking comes with user expandable library and outputs netlists compatible to several software from IBM, Milliken, First Byte, Davidson, Optimum Resources, Britannica Software, Electronic Arts, different Hyperglot, Orange Cherry, Wesson formats such as Futurnet, PCAD, and EDIF. The PCB Layout Module Intl, Villa Crespo, McGraw-Hill, etc. -- both DOS and Windows -compatible versions. supports 256 layers, trace width from 0.001 inch to 0.255 inch, flexible grid, EVERYTHING INCLUDED Voice Master Key System consists a SMD components on both sides of the board and outputs on penplotters, of half-size card, durable lightweight microphone headset, software (5.25" floppies unless otherwise gerber photoplotter, and dot matrix printers. specified), and manual. Made in U.S.A. One year warranty on hardware. ONLY $199.95 (plus shipping) ONLY $695 Instead of thousands ORDER HOTLINE call: (503) 342-1271 Monday -Friday 8 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time. VISA/MasterCard/American Express phone or FAX orders welcome. NO CODS. Add $5 shipping charge for delivery in USA and Canada. Payment by personal check sub- For a FREE Evaluation call 1-800-972-3733 ject to 3 week shipping delay. Foreign inquiries contact Covox for C&F/CIF proformas. 30 DAY NO -HASSLE MONEY BACK GUARANTEE 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE IF NOT COMPLETELY SATISFIED. CALL , WRITE, or FAX US FOR ADVANCED MICROCOMPUTER SYSTEMS, INC. FREE PRODUCT CATALOG OOVOX Tel: (503) 1460 SW. 3rd St., Suite INC. 342-1271 B-8, Pompano Beach, FL. 33069 675 Conger Street FAX: (503) 342-1283 1 (305) 784-0900 FAX (305) 784-0904 Eugene, Oregon 97402 U.S.A. BBS: (503) 342-4135 CIRCLE NO. 132 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 125 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD
14 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It 111 ComputerCraft
www.americanradiohistory.com PC's & Parts Button Reader The TouchProbe portable MOTHERBOARDS COMPLETE PC's touch reader from Videx is SX about the size of a small pocket 386/25 $129 486/33DLC with 64k SRAM flashlight and reads informa- 386/33 SX $149 Cache, 4 megs RAM, 1.44 tion to and from "touch but- 386/40 OK CACHE $169 Floppy, 16Bit Dual (1:1) tons," which are memory chips 386/40 64K CACHE $199 HD/FD controller, 1 Parallel housed in small water-resistant C486/33 64KCACHE 2 Serial Ports, 101 Key stainless -steel cases. Touch $499 buttons work like electronic la- 486/33 256K CACHE$525 Enhanced keyboard, Mini bels that the TouchProbe can 486/50 256K CACHE$799 tower case, SVGA Monitor access for the purpose of read- All Boards with CPU's. All are AMI w 1MB card, 130 meg HD. ing information or storing than 5,000 reads can be stored BIOS with OPTI or other C/S. $1495.00 data. This is done by a simple in internal memory before Mini size fits nearly all cases. Std. contact of the TouchProbe to downloading to a computer. power conctrs. Fax Fact # 1115 SYSTEM OPTIONS II the button. Communications software is DRAM The standard TouchProbe available for IBM/compatible 386/40 64k cache - $295 model features a cast metal and Macintosh computers. 486/33 256k cache + $39 1 Meg SIMMS 3 chip $43 case, real-time internal clock $395. Videx, 1105 NE Circle 486/50 256k cache + $579 and 128K of RAM. Its lithium OR 97330- 1 Meg SIMMS 9 chip $45 Blvd., Corvallis, Add'I4 MB DRAM + $129 battery requires no recharging 4285; tel.: 503-758-0521; fax: 4 Meg SIMMS 9 chip $199 and lasts more than five years 503-752-5285. All SIMMS are 70 ns speed. Call Add'l 12 MB DRAM+ $499 (about 350,000 reads). More CIRCLE NO. 11 ON FREE CARD for faster speeds & DIP or SIP 1MB SVGA card + $15 packages. 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Start your fax,and the document will begin printing immediately on your fax! $129. Certus, 6896 W. Snow - tivities as redirection of DOS Order Toll Five 24 /-#ours a Day! Dial 1-800-445-7717 Rd., interrupts. In Windows, the ville Brecksville, OH Fax In your order Toll Free, 1-800-448-1084 44141; PC Rx scanning meter runs tel.: 216-546-1500; fax: Use 800 numbers in all 50 states, plus Canada. International voice lines, 317-842-7115 information dialing minimized 216-546-1450. or fax 317-849-8794. Use our BBS for by 317-579-2045 (reduced to an icon) ACE Communications 10707 East 106th Street, Fishers, IN 46038 CIRCLE NO. 13 ON FREE CARD while you continue working. -Checks, Apposed P.O:s & COD. (add MO) & AMEX (add Once a virus is detected, the 5%.). Prizes, specifications and avaiabiiy subject to doge. (Continued on page 80) '1//(d° Express shipping avaaabie. No returns accepted two weeks MasterCard ss after original receipt without substantial restocking charge. 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Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTE RCRAFT / 15
www.americanradiohistory.com Enhancing By Raymond H. Green
Recycling Old Computers
Let an old computer you no longer use control your home environment
Do you have an old IBM PC or compatible collecting dust because it's outlived its usefulness for running today's sophisticated soft- ware? If so, this article describes an easy and fun way to restore it to ser- vice for controlling lights, motors, coffee makers, burglar alarms, fire alarms or anything else you have that operates electrically. My old PC was still serviceable. So I decided to put it to use controlling my everyday electrical appliances, rather than mothballing it. You, too, can re- cycle your old PC to perform the same or similar service. I came up with a simple, elegant solution that could be executed in short order. What makes the system described here easy to implement was that I used existing appliance modules, available from Radio Shack, Sears and other outlets, that can be connected to a PC. Without having to make internal con- nections. All control circuits connect to the parallel printer port. The Hardware ial cable that has a 25 -pin male connec- If you don't already have a computer tor on one end with wires connected BILL OF MATERIALS you can dedicate to appliance control, to all 25 pins and no connector at the you can buy an XT/compatible with other end. 1-6" x 4'/," x %" block of wood monochrome display and one or two If you're starting with a standard 2-Eight-position dual -row barrier floppy drives for as little as $250. A printer cable, cut off the connector at blocks (Radio Shack Cat. No. hard drive isn't required, and 64K of the printer end and fan out the con- 274-670 or similar) 1-Four-position RAM is sufficient. ductors at this end. After you fabri- dual -row barrier block 1-25 conductor cable with DB -25 My control method is easy and ef- cate a barrier -block assembly, male you'll connector on one end (see text) fective I because use the computer's connect these conductors to positions 1-Plastic cable clamp parallel port to operate all external cir- on the barrier blocks, as detailed in 20-Spade lugs cuits I've incorporated into the sys- Fig. 1. Make the cable about 3 to 4 feet 7-Woodscrews tem. This port can monitor up to nine long. Though a longer cable won't 3-Plug 'n Power universal interface input circuits and switch up to eight hurt, you really don't need it. modules (Radio Shack Cat. No. output circuits simultaneously. For this project, you need the items 61-2687 or similar) The best way to connect to a parallel listed in the Bill of Materials. Start 2-Universal appliance modules (Radio port is via a standard parallel printer construction by fabricating the barri- Shack Cat. No. 61-2684 or similar) I-Wall-switch cable that has a 25 -pin male DB -25 er -block Interface assembly. For this, module (Radio Shack connector on the computer end and Cat. No. 61-2683 or similar) you need the first six items listed in the 1-Cadmium-sulfide photocell (Radio 36 -pin male connector on the Bill printer of Materials. Shack Cat. No. 276-116 or similar) end. Alternately, you can use any ser- Construction is simple. Begin with
16 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft
www.americanradiohistory.com VoxxxxxxxDoc23,ó)ogo08190o©o®®
Fig. 2. Pin location, pin view, on male parallel printer cable connector.
often use address 956. Later models that have a separate printer card usual- ly use address 888. Any address is okay, as long as it's the correct one. If you use BASIC, you can use your computer to locate it's port address quite simply. With DOS 5.0 or later, you need GWBASIC from an earlier DOS version. Put this in your DOS Fig. 1. Fabrication details for the Parallel Interface Board. subdirectory. (Earlier versions of DOS come with GWBASIC.) Boot up your computer, call up BASIC, type DEF Bill is the block of wood specified in the or scheme different for the cable SEG = 0 and hit Enter. Your computer of Materials, using any type of lumber you're using make suitable entries for should respond with "Ok." Type you have handy. When you're fin- each pin. PRINT PEEK(1032) + 256 * PEEK(1033) ished trimming the block to size, sand Next, connect the cable to the bar- and hit Enter. it smooth and give it a coat or two of rier blocks. To assure good electrical At this point, the screen should dis- clear urethane and allow it to dry. and mechanical connections, it's a play port address 956 or 888 or, on Then, referring to Fig. 1, mount two good idea to solder a spade lug to each rare occasions, 632. Make a note of eight- and one four -position barrier conductor end in the cable. this address for future reference, and blocks on it as shown. Label the par- Position the cable on the Interface exit BASIC. To keep things simple, I'll allel -port pin numbers on the block of Board as shown in Fig. 1 so that all its use 956 as the port address in this arti- wood near the positions on the barrier conductors can reach their respective cle. If the port address in your partic- blocks exactly as shown. barrier -block positions. Fasten the ular computer is different, substitute Carefully remove about 4" of outer cable to the board with a cable clamp. its number whenever you read address plastic jacket from the end of the Then connect the conductors to their 956 here. printer cable that has no connector. respective positions on the barrier Strip V," of insulation from the ends blocks, matching the numbers on the -block positions with of all conductors in the cable. barrier the same Table 1. Wiring Scheme For Now determine which cable con- numbers you determined for the con- Parallel Printer Cable ductor connects to which pin on the re- nector on the cable, until you've wired
maining cable connector. With some conductors 1 through 17. Pin Insulation Color cables, you can remove the hood from Interconnect positions 18, 19 and 20 the connector and simply record the on the upper barrier block with a solid Brown insulation color(s) of the conductors bare jumper wire. Then slip the spade 2 Red that connect to each pin of the connec- lugs on conductors 18 through 25 of 3 Orange tor. If you're able to remove the hood the cable under the heads of the screws 4 Yellow from 5 Green the connector, you'll find the pin at positions 18, 19 and 20, distributing 6 Blue numbers molded into the plastic by them evenly. Be aware that some 7 Purple each pin on the DB -25 connector. If cables have a jumper wire inside the 8 Gray you're unable to remove the hood connector that interconnects pins 18 9 White 10 Black from the connector, use an ohmmeter through 25 and have only a single con- 11 Pink or continuity checker to determine ductor in them that serves as a com- 12 Light Green which conductor connects to which mon conductor. Also, if your cable 13 Light Blue pin on the connector. Refer to Fig. 2 has a shield wire, connect this to posi- 14 Brown/White Stripe for the pin -numbering scheme. tion 20 of the upper barrier block. 15 Red/White Stripe 16 Orange/White Stripe Make a chart of the connector's pin 17 Yellow/Brown number and the color of insulation on Stripe LPT1 cable conductor to which each con- Finding Port Address 18-25 Green/White stripe nects. An example of what your table To use the Interface Board, you must Typical example of insulation color scheme should look like is shown in Table 1. know its address. Older computers used for pins on the DB -25 connector on a Some parallel printer cables use the in- with monochrome monitors that have parallel printer cable. sulation color code shown. If the col- the printer port on the video card most
Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 17
www.americanradiohistory.com If you have a second parallel port (typically about + 3.5 volts). which you can put this simple Inter- (LPT2), the address will be the next Next, type OUT 956,0 and hit Enter. face Board and your PC, using simple lower number. For example, if the ad- Your meter should read about + 0.1 control programs written in BASIC. dress of LPT1 is 888, use address 632 volt once again. When you type OUT Computer -Controlled Light Switch. for LPT2. 956,128 the potential on position 9 Begin by connecting a wire from posi- Now test your Interface Board as should be about + 3.5 volts. Typing tion 2 of the terminal block to the + follows. You need an analog or digital OUT 956,0 should yield a meter screw terminal on the Plug 'n Power voltmeter or a multimeter with a min- reading of about +0.1 volt on posi- Universal Interface Module, as in Fig. imum dc sensitivity of 20,000 ohms tion 9 again. If you obtain the proper 3. Connect another wire (ground) per volt. All measurements you make results, you've correctly wired the In- from position 20 to the - terminal on will be less than 10 volts dc. terface Board. the Interface Module. Set both Turn on your computer, and bring The OUT statement in the above test switches on the Interface Module to up BASIC. Set your meter to a range routines and the program listings in position 1 and plug this module into on which you can measure 10 volts dc. this article directs an action to a spe- an ac outlet. Connecting the meter's "hot" and cific address. This statement controls Plug a Universal Appliance Module common test leads to positions 2 and pins 2 through 9, which connect to bits into another ac outlet within sight of 18 on the barrier blocks, respectively, 0 through 7 on your parallel I/O card. your PC. Turn on a table lamp, un- should yield a meter reading of about For example, OUT 956,1 directs bit 0 plug it from the ac outlet and plug it + 0.1 volt. at pin 2 to go high (+ 3.5 volts), OUT into the socket on the Universal Ap- Now type OUT 956,1 and hit Enter 956,128 directs bit 7 at pin 9 to go high, pliance Module. Make sure the unit (don't forget to substitute the ap- etc. OUT 956,0 directs all eight bits on and house codes read the same on both propriate number if you have a differ- pins 2 through 9 to go low ( + 0.1 volt). modules. Power up your PC and bring ent port address from 956 in the OUT up BASIC. Turn on the lamp by typ- statement). With its leads connected ing OUT 956,1 and hitting Enter. To to the Interface Board as above, your Applications turn off the lamp, type OUT 956,0 and meter should read + 3 to + 5 volts Now let's look at a few applications to hit Enter.
Fig. 3. A computer -controlled light -switch arrangement.
18 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCratt
www.americanradiohistory.com 18:00 (6:00 P.M.) and off at 22:00 Listing 1. Computer -Controlled Lamp BASIC Program (10:00 P.M.). You can easily change the on and off times by changing the 10 CLS numbers in this line. 20 PRINT "Light control program, 'LIGHTEST.BAS'." Line 50 tells the computer to OUT 30 LOCATE 6,1 : PRINT "The time is ";TIME$ 40 IF TIMES > "18:00:00" AND TIMES < "22:00:00" then PIN2=1 ELSE 956,PIN2. When PIN2 = 1, pin 2 goes PIN2=0 high. The variable name "PIN2" 50 OUT 956,PIN2 : REM Output 'Hi' on Pin 2 when PIN2 = 1 helps to keep the pin numbers straight. 60 IF PIN2 = 1 THEN LIGHTS = " ON" ELSE LIGHTS = "OFF" Line 60 selects value 70 LOCATE 8,1 : PRINT "The light is ";LIGHT$ the string of 80 GOTO 30 LIGHT$ to be either "ON" or "OFF." Line 70 positions and prints the statement "The light is," followed by Listing 2. Dusk -to -Dawn Light -Control Program the string value of LIGHT$. Line 80 causes the program to loop 10 KEY OFF : CLS 20 PRINT "Dusk to dawn light control, 'PHOTOCEL.BAS'." back to line 30 and run through the
30 LOCATE 6,1 : PRINT "The time is ";TIME$ whole program again. 40 REM Photocell connected to parallel Input, pins 13 and 18 You might want the lights to go on 50 IN13 =-((INP(957) AND 16)=16) : REM Read Input on pin 13 at 2:30 P.M. and off at 2:35 PM., for 60 IF IN13 = 1 THEN PINS = 8 ELSE PINS = 0 example. You do this by changing the 70 OUT 956,PIN5 : REM Output 'Hi' on Pin 5 when PINS = 8 80 IF PINS = 8 THEN LIGHT$ = " ON" ELSE LIGHTS = "OFF" times in line 40 as follows: 90 LOCATE 8,1 : PRINT "The light is ";LIGHT$ 100 GOTO 30 40 IF TIME$ > "14:30:00" AND TIME$ < "14:35:00" THEN PIN2=1 ELSE PIN2=0 Make the change by typing the new With the Interface still connected to entered and saved the program, run it. time over the old and pressing Enter. your computer, you'll now put the When the program starts, the follow- To make the time change permanent, computers' clock to work to control ing message should appear on -screen: use the SAVE command again and give the lamp. Key in Listing 1 and save it the program a new filename like SAVE to disk with the filename LIGHT- Light control program, 'LIGHTEST. BAS'. "LIGHTON,A." EST,A (the ",A" saves the program Now let's look at some practical ap- in ASCII format for compiling or/and The time is 17:43:38 plications for this simple project: viewing it under DOS). The light is OFF Dusk -to -Dawn Light Control. This Line 50 shows 956 as the port ad- Stop the program with a Ctrl + Break. application uses an input port. In ad- dress. If your port address is different, dition to sending out high and low lev- substitute the appropriate number. Line 10 clears the screen. els, the parallel port can monitor in- When entering the program, make Line 20 prints a statement. put levels. This project monitors the sure you punctuate it exactly as Line 30 positions the time statement resistance of a photocell connected to shown. Note in line 60 the space after on the screen and prints it. one of the inputs. When darkness the quote in " ON." Once you've Line 40 sets the lights to turn on at falls, the lights turn on. With a cadmium -sulfide photocell connected between positions 13 and 18 of the terminal blocks on the Interface Listing 3. Control Your Home Program Board, as the light intensity increases, the cell's resistance decreases, to less 10 KEY OFF : CLS
20 LOCATE 2,18 : PRINT "Control your Home Program, than 2,000 ohms with sufficient light 'HOMECON.BAS'." intensity. At this point, the control 30 LOCATE : 3,18 PRINT " port input switches from high to low.
40 LOCATE 5,5 : PRINT "The time is ";TIME$; TAB(60); DATE$ Though you can connect the 50 IF TIMES > "18:00:00" AND TIMES < "22:00:00" THEN PIN2=1 ELSE photocell to any control port input, it PIN2=0 seems be most sensitive and 60 IF TIME$ > "06:30:00" AND TIMES < "08:30:00" THEN PIN3=2 ELSE to the PIN3=0 works best when connected from in- 70 REM Photocell connected to parallel Input, pins 13 and 18 put pins 12, 13 and 15 to ground. 80 IN13 = -((INP(957) AND 16)=16) : REM Read Input on pin 13 These pins have a lower positive volt- 90 IF IN13 = 1 THEN PINS = 8 ELSE PINS = 0
100 OUT 956,PIN2+PIN3+PIN5 : REM Output control on pins 2, 3 and 5 age on them than the others and re- 110 IF PIN2 = 1 THEN L$ = " ON" ELSE LS = "OFF" quire less current to switch. If you 120 LOCATE 8,5 : PRINT "Timer control for Lights. Lights are ";L$ choose a different input from that in 130 IF PIN3 = 2 THEN C$ = " ON" ELSE C$ = "OFF"
140 LOCATE 10,5 : PRINT "Timer control for Coffee Pot. Coffee is the program, modify the program to ";C$ read the pin you use. 150 IF PINS = 8 THEN P$ = " ON" ELSE P$ = "OFF" Some photocells are more sensitive 160 LOCATE 12,5 : PRINT "Control for Photocell. Lights are ";P$ 170 GOTO 40 than others. A small paper tube can help control light if the cell doesn't
Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 19
www.americanradiohistory.com controls a coffee maker or other elec- Table 2. Parallel Port Details for LPT1 trical appliance, again using the com- puter clock. Hexadecimal Decimal Register Port The third circuit (lines 80, 90 and Address Address Type Designation 100) is controlled by a photocell and switches dusk -to -dawn lights. 03BC 956 Eight -Bit Output LPT1 To use the program, plug 03BD 957 Five -Bit Input LPTI correct 03BE 958 Four -Bit I/O LPT1 output address (956, 888 or 632) into line 100. Line 80 shows INP(957) as the input address. If your output ad- dress is 888, use INP(889). If your out- put address is 632, use INP(633). Table 3. Details for Separate Parallel Printer Card More -Complex Control Hexadecimal Decimal Register Port For more complex programs, you Address Address Type Designation need to know more about the parallel port and how to control it. The paral- 0378 888 Eight -Bit Output LPTI or LPT2 0379 889 Five -Bit Input LPT1 or LPT2 lel port is capable of reading up to nine 037A 890 Four -Bit I/O LPTI or LPT2 input ports and switching up to 12 out- 0278 632 Eight -Bit Output LPT2 or LPT3 put ports. As you can see, this permits 0279 633 Five -Bit Input LPT2 or LPT3 control of many things simultaneously. 027A 634 Four -Bit I/O LPT2 or LPT3 If you wish to keep your printer out- put separate, you can install a second parallel card as LPT2 for these proj- ects. There are three port registers on switch low off under light conditions. in Listing 3 illustrates a very good way each card, including an eight -bit out- Very bright light can drop the resis- to control devices around your home put port, five -bit input -only port and tance of some cells as 100 to low as with three separate switching circuits, four -bit input/output port. If you're ohms. In a complete darkness, photo- for which you need three Universal In- using a monochrome display card with cell typically has a resistance of several terface Modules. One module con- built-in parallel printer adapter, its ad- megohms. nects between positions 2 and 18, a dress will probably be set at decimal Input addresses are different from 3 18 second between positions and and 956, 957 and 958 (03BC, 03BD and output addresses. In Listing 2, note 5 18 the last between positions and on 03BE hex), which your computer des- that line 50 shows INP(957) as in- the the Interface Board. ignates as LPT1, as in Table 2. put address. your is If output address Make sure each Interface Module is If you have a separate parallel print- 888 or 632, use INP(889) or INP(633), set to a different unit code number. er card, its address will probably be respectively. Enter and save to disk Also, switch the Appliance Modules decimal 888, 889 and 890 or decimal Listing 2 and then test it. This program to the the same unit code numbers as 632, 633 and 634, as in Table 3. is similar to LIGHTEST.BAS above. Interface Modules that control them. Table 4 details pin connections to To test the program, connect your One thing you can do with this ar- the main output port (used to send Universal Interface Module between rangement is turn on and off an elec- characters to the printer) and the positions 5 and 18 on the Interface tric coffee maker. The first circuit BASIC OUT command required to Board, run the program cover and the (lines 50 and 100 in Listing 3) controls send a high to this pin. photocell with your hand. The Appli- lights, using the PC's clock. To con- Line 100 of HOMECON.BAS in ance Module should switch on when trol switched lights, replace the Listing 3 illustrates how to do this. the photocell is in darkness. switches will Wall Switch Modules. Simply add the values that represent Home Control. The program given The second circuit (lines 60 and 100) the desired switch selection. For exam- ple, OUT 956,8+66+128 switches high pins 5, 6 and 9. In a program, this could Table 4. Pin Connections to Main Output Port be stated as OUT 956,PIN5 + PIN6 + PIN9. If PINS = and PIN6 = 0 and PIN9 = 128, only pin DB -25 Pi n Binary Code Port Bit Address Command 9 would switch high. When connecting to the main out- 2 0000 0001 i) OUT 956,1 put of the parallel port, keep its cur- 3 0000 0010 1 OUT 956,2 rent limitation in mind. Limit load 4 0000 0100 2 OUT 956,4 current to 1 mA when drawing current 5 0000 1000 3 OUT 956,8 from a high and to 10 mA when using 6 0001 0000 4 OUT 956,16 a a 7 0010 0000 5 OUT 956,32 port as sink bit in the low condi- 8 0100 0000 6 OUT 956,64 tion. Absolute maximum ratings for 9 1000 0000 7 OUT 956,128 the parallel output port are 2.6 mA sourcing and 24 mA sinking.
20 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft
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www.americanradiohistory.com Instead of Universal Interface Mod- ules, an output can drive a 500-ohm, 5. Commands Required to Switch Low Four -Bit 1,0 Ports 5 -volt relay, provided the other side of the relay is connected to + 5 volts. The DB -25 Pin Binary Code Port Bit Address Command relay will close when a bit is low and open when a bit is high. A 500 -ohm 1 1110 0 OUT 958,5 14 1101 1 relay draws less then 10 mA. Connec- OUT 958,6 16 1011 2 OUT ting it between an output pin and 958,0 17 0111 3 OUT 958,12 ground would probably damage the parallel port because it would draw more than the 2.6 mA limit. You can exceed these load limitations by buf- fering the output circuit with a 6. Commands Required to Switch High Four -Bit I/O Ports 74LS240 or 74LS244. When using the four -bit input/out- DB -25 Pin Binary Code Port Bit Address Command put port for output, you can't use it for input as well. This limits your inputs 0001 0 OUT 958,10 14 0010 to five. If you plan to drive a greater - OUT 958,9 than -l -mA load, connect it between 16 0100 2 OUT 958,15 17 1000 3 OUT 958,3 the pin and + 5 volts so that it draws current when the pin is switched low. Sinking load current mustn't exceed 7 mA, unless you use a buffer. The ad- 11 can take several seconds to return reading humidity or wind speed and dress for this port is 958. Alternate ad- high after being grounded; so don't monitoring a burglar/fire alarm. The dresses are 890 and 634. use it if you want fast off response. simplest monitoring application is to Table 5 shows the OUT commands Each bit is normally high. Ground- see if the condition of an external required to individually switch low ing an input pin to pin 18, forces low switch is open or closed. each four -bit I/O port bits, while the the input bit. The programs here use To make a burglar alarm, put nor- balance switch high. Most external the format in the above INP statements mally -open switches on windows and loads using this I/O port should return to check the high/low status of the in- doors and connect them in parallel. to + 5 volts so that they operate when put bit you select. Connect one side of the switches to an the bit is low or sinking current. Table Many control applications require input pin, the other to the ground pin, 6 shows the OUT command required to information from the outside world to and have the computer sound an individually switch high each of the respond, including but not limited to alarm if a switch closes. four -bit I/O bits, while the balance measuring temperature, controlling a The Input Test Program given in switch low. The unusual address com- heating system, connecting an electric Listing 4 illustrates how to read all mands in Tables 5 and 6 are the result eye, sensing rain, measuring moisture nine inputs and print on -screen the of interaction between pins 16 and 17 in your soil for watering your garden, status of each. It serves as the basis for and the fact that pin 16 is low when the computer is turned on. Until now, I've shown you how to address the four -bit input/output port Table 7. Using the Four -Bit I/O Port for Input for output. Now I'll show you how to use this same port addressed for input. Table 7 shows the port register connec- DB -25 Pin Port Bit Address Command Open State tions and the BASIC command to use to read this register. 1 W 1 = - ((INP(958) AND 1)=0) High 14 1 ±((INP(958) Pin 17 can't normally be used as an 1N14 = AND 2)=0) High 16 2 1N16 = ((INP(958) input because it comes up low when - AND 4)=4) High 17 3 1N 17 = - ((INP(958) AND 8) = 0) High your PC is turned on. The solution is to insert OUT 958,4 in your program prior to the above address commands to cause the open state of pins 16 and Table 17 to be high. When high, inputs to 8. Using the Five -Bit Input -Only Port this port switch low after the input pin is grounded. This port can read five DB -25 Pin Port Bit Address Command State different inputs. 15 Bit 3 IN 15 = ((INP(957) AND Connections to the five -bit input - - 8)=8) High only port and the BASIC command 13 Bit 4 IN 13 = - ((INP(957) AND 16) = 16) High 12 Bit 5 IN 12 = - ((INP(957) AND 32) = 32) High required to read a given bit are detailed 10 Bit 6 INI0 = -((INP(957) AND 64)=64) High in Table 8. All read high but switch to 11 Bit 7 IN11 = - ((INP(957) AND 128)=0) High low if the pin is grounded. Bit 7 on pin
22 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft
www.americanradiohistory.com Listing 4. Input Test Program Table 9. Parallel -Port Measurements
10 CLS : KEY OFF 20 PRINT "Test all Inputs port test program. 'INPTEST.BAS"" Pin Voltage Current* 30 PRINT "Test program used to check input status." 40 PRINT 50 PRINT "As this program runs, touch a wire between ground" 1 5.0 1 mA 60 PRINT "and each of the following pins respectively." 14 5.0 1 mA 70 PRINT 16 5.0 1 mA 80 PRINT "Notice each input goes to '0, (Lo), when it is grounded." 1 90 PRINT : PRINT "Use Ctrl -Break to stop program." 17 5.0 mA
100 OUT 958,4 : REM Required to raise bit 3 high. 10 1.5 0.5 mA 110 REM Read the input port registers 11 1.7 0.03 mA 120 REM IN numbers are the same as the pin numbers 12 1.5 0.3 mA 130 IN1 = -((INP(958) AND 1)=0) : REM Address 958, Bit 0
140 IN14 = -((INP(958) AND 2)=0) : REM Address 958, Bit 1 13 1.5 0.3 mA
150 IN16 = -((INP(958) AND 4)=4) : REM Address 958, Bit 2 15 1.1 0.3 mA 160 IN17 = -((INP(958) AND 8)=0) : REM Address 958, Bit 3
170 IN15 = -((INP(957) AND 8)=8) : REM Address 957, Bit 3 *When pin is grounded 180 IN13 = -((INP(957) AND 16)=16) : REM Address 957, Bit 4
190 IN12 = -((INP(957) AND 32)=32) : REM Address 957, Bit 5
200 IN10 = -((INP(957) AND 64)=64) : REM Address 957, Bit 6
210 IN11 = -((INP(957) AND 128)=0) : REM Address 957, Bit 7 220 LOCATE 11,1 230 PRINT "Pin #1 Address 958 (Bit 0) = ";IN1 be as shown in Fig. 4. In this example, 240 PRINT "Pin #14 Address 958 (Bit 1) = ";IN14 pin 13 shows 0 because it's grounded. 250 PRINT "Pin #16 Address 958 (Bit 2) = ";IN16 260 PRINT "Pin #17 Address 958 (Bit 3) = ";IN17 Measure and record the voltage and 270 PRINT "Pin #15 Address 957 (Bit 3) = ";IN15 current between each input pin and 280 PRINT "Pin #13 Address 957 (Bit 4) = ";IN13 ground pin 18. I made measurements 290 PRINT "Pin #12 Address 957 (Bit 5) = ";IN12 300 PRINT "Pin #10 Address 957 (Bit 6) = ";IN10 on my computer with the input pins 310 PRINT "Pin #11 Address 957 (Bit 7) = ";IN11 high (nothing connected). Depending 320 GOTO 110 on the particular computer you're us- ing, your results may be different from those given for one parallel port on my computer shown in Table 9. Grounding an input pin causes cur- further experiments you may wish to Line 210 sets the next print position make. Switch to BASIC, type in List- on the screen. rent to flow. If you're going to be a ing 4 and save this program under the Lines 220 through 300 print the re- monitoring inputs on permanent basis an input current exceeds 0.5 file name "INPTEST,A." Alternate sults on the screen. and mA, place a 470- or 1,000- ohm resis- addresses are 890 or 634 in place of 958 Line 310 puts the program in a con- tor in series with the input pin. and 889 or 633 in place of 957. tinuous loop, reading the inputs. Dedicating a computer for the sole Line 10 clears the screen. Notice that the pin number is as- purpose of home control is worth- Line 100's OUT 958,4 statement sets signed to the IN number for easy while, especially if you have an old high bit 3. reference. For example, IN14 means computer you haven't used for a while Lines 120 through 200 read the in- input on pin 14. When you run this or can get one at very low cost. Leav- put ports. program, the on -screen display should ing a computer that lacks a hard drive operating around the clock is econom- ical, too. Just keep the video monitor turned off until you need to read a Input port test program. 'INPTEST.BAS' screen display. Test program used to check input status. The projects described here and others you dream up can be great fun As this program runs, touch a wire between ground and each of the following pins respectively. in addition to providing state-of-the- art control of the electrical devices in Notice each input goes to '0' (Lo), when it is grounded. your home. Use Ctrl -Break to stop program
Pin #1 Address 958 (Bit 0) = 1
Pin #14 Address 958 (Bit 1) = 1 Pin #16 Address 958 (Bit 2) = 1
Pin #17 Address 958 (Bit 3) = 1
Pin #15 Address 958 (Bit 3) = 1 Pin #13 Address 958 (Bit 4) = 0
Pin #12 Address 958 (Bit 5) = 1
Pin #10 Address 958 (Bit 6) = 1
Pin #11 Address 958 (Bit 7) = 1
Fig. 4. Screen display obtained when the program in Listing 4 is run. Raymond H. Green
Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 23
www.americanradiohistory.com Application By Jan Axelson
BASIC -52 Options for 8051 Microcontrollers
Options available to BASIC -52 users and a circuit that places the BASIC -52 interpreter in battery -backed nonvolatile RAM, EEPROM or EPROM to permit use of a low-cost 8032 chip
ntel's 8052 -BASIC microcon- a complete development system for $15 and covers much of the same ma- trollerI has long been popular 8052 -based microcontroller projects. terial. The Systronix manual contains because its full -featured, embedded Using a PC's keyboard and video more example code, while the Intel BASIC -52 programming language screen, you can write, run and debug manual includes circuit schematics. makes it easy to get a project up and BASIC -52 programs. By adding an If you're interested in seeing the running quickly. With the 8052 -BAS- EPROM, a programming voltage and source code for the BASIC -52 inter- IC chip, you don't need a large invest- related components, you can even preter, you can download it from In- ment in development tools or a lot of save your BASIC programs in tel's BBS (it's number was scheduled programming experience because EPROM and configure the system to to change in October 1992 to 916-356- BASIC is easy to learn and use. run the BASIC program automatical- 3605). The source code is in the public Since the 8052 -BASIC was intro- ly on power -up. You then can discon- domain, and you're free to use or duced in the mid -1980s, development nect the serial link to the PC and use adapt it as you wish in your own proj- of products relating to BASIC -52 has the 8052 -BASIC circuit as a stand- ects. To modify the code, you'll also become a small industry in itself. alone system. need an Intel ASM51 or compatible Several variants of the original chip The BASIC -52 interpreter has more assembler. have appeared, including a low -power capabilities than you might expect For experimenting with BASIC -52, CMOS version and low-cost and en- would fit into 8K. Its floating-point you can buy a ready-made printed -cir- hanced BASICs in external EPROMs. math capabilities let you calculate with cuit board with an 8052 -BASIC chip Also available are BASIC -52 -compat- decimal fractions, rather than being or you can build your own circuit. The ible compilers and other development limited to whole numbers as other buyers guide in the November 1992 software. ROM -based BASICs require. ComputerCraft described several In this article, I'll take you on a tour BASIC -52 also permits string vari- BASIC -52 boards, both assembled of the options available to BASIC -52 ables and includes real-time clock in- and in kit form. If you'd rather build users, including a BASIC 31 EPROM structions, a pulse -width -modulated your own from scratch, sources for that executes on low-cost 8031 micro - output and many other functions use- schematics include Q -Line Produc- controllers, and provide you with a ful for controller projects. tions, Pure Unobtainium (schematic circuit and instructions for placing the The main drawback of BASIC -52 is included in parts kit) and the Intel BASIC -52 interpreter in a battery - its slow execution speed. When a BASIC -52 manual. backed or nonvolatile (NV) RAM, BASIC -52 program runs, the BASIC As an alternative to the 8052AH- EEPROM or EPROM that you can interpreter must read each line of BASIC, Micromint offers its 80C52 - then use with a low-cost 8032 chip. BASIC code and translate it into BASIC for $25, which is a low -power assembly language for execution on CMOS 80052 chip with a BASIC BASIC in- -52 History the 8052. Toggling a port bit takes terpreter in ROM, just like the It all started with Intel's 8052AH- microseconds in assembly language original. Maximum power -supply cur- BASIC chip. This is an 8052 micro - but milliseconds in BASIC -52. If rent for the 80052 is just 30 mA, com- controller with a BASIC interpreter necessary, you can write high-speed pared to the 8052AH's 175 mA. The mask -programmed into its 8K on -chip routines in assembly language and call 80052 also has power -saving idle and ROM. The chip costs $25 to $35 in them from a BASIC -52 program. power -down modes. single quantity and is available from Two BASIC -52 manuals are avail- many mail-order sources. The able, Intel's original MCS BASIC -52 BASIC -52 in External Memory 8052AH-BASIC chip, a static RAM User's Manual (No. 270010-003) and The ROM -based BASIC -52 is conve- chip, personal computer, serial inter- a re -write of this from Systronix titled nient, but it can get expensive, since face and a few other components form BASIC -52 Programming. Each costs you have to buy the special, higher -
24 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft
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< < ".-c /77/7/7/ N N I-ONnI!)mh < W N D 01 K N Fig. 1. With this circuit, you can copy the BASIC -52 interpreter from ROM to external nonvolatile RAM. Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 25 www.americanradiohistory.com PROG and FPROG commands in these Here are a few tips to keep in mind PARTS LIST BASICs save a program to NV RAM when assembling the Fig. 1 circuit: or EEPROM but not to EPROM. You must use sockets for U6 and U8 Semiconductors Source code is also available. because move the NV RAM D1 -1N914 or similar silicon signal you'll diode For those who would rather do it from the U8 to the U6 socket after pro- U1-8052AH-BASIC or 80052 -BASIC themselves, the schematic diagram gramming. Use a socket for UI as well (can be replaced by 80(C)32 or 80(C)52 shown in Fig. 1 illustrates a circuit you to permit replacing the 8052AH-BAS- after copying BASIC -52; see text) can use to copy the BASIC -52 code IC chip with an 8032. U2-74HC373, 74HCT373 or 74LS373 from an 8052 -BASIC chip into a NV Wire a jumper or switch to pin 31 of octal latch RAM. You then can use the NV RAM UI to permit tying this pin to + 5V or U3-74HCT08 or 74LS08 quad AND as the BASIC interpreter in projects GND. This allows you to select booting gate that contain an 8032. This circuit is from internal or external memory. RS232 interface U4-MAX232 similar to many other 8052 -BASIC Except for U4, V + power -supply U5-74HCT 138 or 74LS 138 3 -to -8 -line designs. Chip Ul is an 8052 -BASIC, and ground pins for ICs decoder aren't indicat- which you can replace with an 8032 ed in Fig. 1. These are in their tradi- U6,U8-DS1225 64K (8K) battery - backed static RAM, DS1213 or after you copy the BASIC interpreter. tional locations, with the highest - DS 1216 28 -pin SmartSocket with 6264 Like all 8052s, the 8052 -BASIC ac- numbered pin connecting to + 5 volts 8K static RAM installed or 2864 or cesses separate data and code memory and the diagonally opposite pin con- 2865 8K EEPROM (access time 250 ns areas, with PSEN accessing the read- necting to ground. or less) only code memory, and READ and Space decoupling capacitors C2 U7-6264 8K static RAM WRITE accessing data memory. An through C5 evenly across the board. Capacitors (16 -volt) AND gate combines PSEN and READ Wire U4 exactly as shown. Connect C1 -10-µF aluminum or tantalum to create a RDANY signal that's active the positive (+) terminal of C12 to electrolytic when data or code memory is read. ground because pin 6 of U4 is at - 10 C2 thru C6 -0.1-µF ceramic disc The has C7,C8-20-pF ceramic disc circuit three memory sites, volts. Also note the non-standard C9 thru C12 -1-µF aluminum or tan- each of which holds an 8K device. ground location at pin 15 on U4. Wire talum electrolytic Chip U6 is an 8K NV RAM that oc- RS232 OUT, RS232 IN and RS232 GND to Resistors ('/4 -watt, 507o tolerance) cupies code memory from 0 to 1FFFh. a connector that mates with your PC's R1 thru R9-10,000 ohms When an NV RAM containing the serial cable. Miscellaneous BASIC -52 interpreter is placed at U6 To connect to a typical male 25 -pin J1-Three-position jumper and pin 31 of Ul is jumpered to GND, DB -25 serial connector, use a female -action SI-Spst momentary pushbutton BASIC -52 runs automatically on pow- DB -25 connector and wire pin 13 of switch er -up. Chip U7 is an 8K static RAM U4 to pin 2 on the DB -25, pin 14 of U4 XTAL1-12-MHz crystal (see text) that occupies data memory from 0 to to pin 3 pin 15 U4 7. Printed -circuit board or perforated and of to pin 1 is board and Wire Wrap or soldering FFFh. This included because Check your serial port's documenta- hardware (see text); DIP sockets (re- BASIC -52 requires at least 1K of tion, since pinouts can vary. quired for U6 and U8 and recommend- RAM beginning at 0 in data memory. The crystal frequency isn't critical. ed for other ICs); DB -25 or other Chip U8 holds another NV RAM, Any value from 3.5 MHz to 12 MHz RS -232 connector at 8000h in combined data/code mem- should work. ory. This site is used for permanent For NV RAM, you can use Dallas storage of BASIC programs, duplicat- Semiconductor's DS1225 or the ing the function of the EPROM in a DS1213 or DS 1216 SmartSocket with priced 8052 -BASIC chip for each sys- regular 8052 -BASIC system. a 6264 static RAM installed. A Smart - tem you build. To get around this, you Other circuit components include Socket contains a battery -backup cir- can place the BASIC-52 interpreter in 74HCT138 3 -to -8 -line U5 decoder cuit in a socket into which you plug a an external EPROM and then use the that divides the 64K memory area into 6264 or similar 8K static RAM. Use EPROM with a lower -cost 8032, eight 8K blocks, each of which has its separate NV RAMs to store the BAS- which is identical to the 8052, except own chip -enable signal, although only IC -52 interpreter at U6 and BASIC -52 that it has no internal ROM. Of 0 and 8000h are used in this circuit. programs at U8. NV RAMs and course, with this approach you have 74HC373 octal latch U2 latches the SmartSockets are available from parts the added expense of the EPROM and low address byte (AO through A7) on distributors, or order parts and a data its socket and wiring, but you can still the multiplexed data/address bus. book directly from Dallas Semicon- come out ahead, since the 8032 sells MAX232 U4 provides a serial inter- ductor, with no minimum order. for as low as $3. face to a PC. You'll also need a regu- Iota Systems offers two EPROMS lated + 5 volts at 0.5 ampere to power Copying & Using BASIC -52 for use with its EC -series boards: the project. Now I'll describe how to use the Fig. BASIC -52 for $15 and BASIC -52 I built the Fig. 1 circuit on perfor- 1 circuit to copy the BASIC -52 inter- PLUS for $25. BASIC -52 PLUS adds ated board using Wire Wrap hardware preter to NV RAM and then detail monitor -type commands for display- and techniques. You could also use how to use your new BASIC -52 in ex- ing, filling and changing internal and point-to-point wiring and solder com- ternal memory. These instructions external memory and uploading and ponents and leads or design and make assume that you have some experience downloading Intel hex files. The a printed -circuit board. using the 8052 -BASIC chip. 26 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com force the 8052 to boot to external Listing 1. BASIC -52 Program for Copying from Internal ROM to External RAM memory at U6. If you wish, you can now replace the 8052 -BASIC chip 10 PRINT "copying BASIC -52 from ROM to RAM at 8000h..." with a ROM -less 8032 or 80C32, since 20 FOR I=0 TO 1FFFH you no longer need BASIC -52 in 30 XBY(I+8000H)=CBY(I) ROM. You can also use any 8052 or 40 NEXT I 50 PRINT "verifying..." 80052 microcontroller. 60 X=0 Reconnect the serial link, power up 70 FOR I=0 TO 1FFFH the circuit and press the space bar, as 80 IF XBY(I+8000H)<>CBY(I) THEN GOSUB 120 before. You should see the same sign - 90 NEXT I 100 IF X=0 THEN PRINT "Copy successful" on message, and BASIC -52 should 110 END function exactly as before, with one 120 PHO. "Error at location ",I main exception. BASIC -52's PROG 130 X=1 FPROG which store 140 RETURN and commands, programs in EPROM, will no longer work because BASIC -52 uses the ad- dress and data lines as I/O ports with these commands. When BASIC -52 ex- Begin by configuring and running space bar on your PC's keyboard to ecutes from external memory, these the circuit as a normal BASIC -52 sys- see the BASIC -52 sign -on message. lines are needed to access U6. tem. Install an 8052AH-BASIC or Listing 1 is a BASIC -52 program In -circuit EPROM programming 80052 -BASIC chip in the UI socket that copies the BASIC -52 interpreter isn't possible. But there's another way and a DS1225 or equivalent in the U8 from the 8052 -BASIC's internal pro- to store programs, which I've adapted socket. Leave the U6 socket vacant for gram memory (0 to 1 FFFh) into U8. from one of Micromint's application now, but install the other components Enter the program and run it as you notes for its RTC52 board. Install a as labeled. Jumper pin 31 of UI to + 5 would any BASIC -52 program. You second NV RAM in the U8 socket. volts so that this chip will boot to its should now have the BASIC -52 inter- Write and test your BASIC programs internal ROM. preter stored in the NV RAM at U8. as usual. When you want to store a As with other BASIC -52 circuits, To test your new component, power program permanently, append the plug the 8052-BASIC circuit's serial down the circuit and disconnect the code in Listing 2 to your program. The connector into a serial port on your serial link. Remove the DS1225 from code is shown beginning at line 9000, PC and run your communications the U8 socket and install it in the U6 but it can begin at any line number software or terminal emulator with socket. If you use a SmartSocket, be after the END statement in the pro- eight data bits, one stop bit and one sure to remove it along with the RAM gram you want to save. parity bit. BASIC -52 automatically installed in it, to preserve the battery Let's take a quick run-through of detects the baud rate. Power up the back-up. Listing 2 to familiarize you with 8052 circuit and, as usual, press the Jumper pin 31 of Ul to ground to what's going on as it runs: Line 8990 indicates the end of the pro- gram you want to save. Lines 9000 through 9040 have the user press "P" to copy the current Listing 2. BASIC -52 Program Simulates PROG and PROG- Commands BASIC -52 program to NV RAM at U8 or "Q" to quit without copying. 8990 END Line 9050 has 55h indicate to the inter- 9000 PRINT "Press 'P' to copy the current BASIC program to RAM at 8000h." preter that a BASIC program follows. 9010 PRINT "Press 'Q' to quit." Lines 9060 through 9080 copy the current 9020 G=GET BASIC -52 program, which is stored 9030 G=GET : IF G=0 THEN 9030 beginning at 200h in external data 9040 IF (G<>80.AND.G<>112) THEN END 9050 XBY(8010H)=55H memory U7, to NV RAM U8, begin- 9060 FOR X=200H TO (200H+LEN) ning at 8011h. These lines (beginning 9070 XBY(X+7E11H)=XBY(X) at 8990) are also copied as part of the 9080 NEXT X current program. 9090 PRINT "Press a number from 1 to 6 to do PROG1-PROG6." Lines 9090 9130 91D0 PRINT "Press 'Q' to quit." through have the user 9110 G=GET press a number from 1 to 6 to simulate 9120 G=GET : IF G=0 THEN 9120 a BASIC -52 PROG1 through PROG6 9130 IF (G<49.OR.G>54) THEN END command or press "Q" to quit with- 9140 XBY(8000H)=G 9150 XBY(8001H)=INT(RCAP2/256) out executing a PROG-. 9160 XBY(8002H)=RCAP2-(XBY(8001H)*256) Lines9140 through 9190 have the PROG- 9170 IF G<50 THEN END simulation store the PROG- value, 9180 XBY(8003H)=INT(MTOP/256) RCAP2 upper and lower bytes (for 9190 XBY(8004H)=MTOP-(XBY(8003H)*256) 9200 END saving the baud rate) and MTOP up- per and lower bytes, as requested. (See Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 27 www.americanradiohistory.com the BASIC -52 manuals for more on tine that contains the "do-nothing" for data and voice telephone carrier the PROG- commands). loop "FOR J = 1 to 2:NEXT J" or lines, special effects controller for To store a program in U8, type something similar. radio -controlled aircraft, phase - GOTO 9000, where 9000 is the line If you design your own circuits us- locked -loop tester and battery cycler. number at which Listing 2 begins, and ing BASIC -52 in external EPROM, He offers two versions, BASIC 31 and follow the on -screen instructions. The remember that each circuit must have VBASIC 31 at $25 each, as pro- code can simulate all of the PROG the following: grammed EPROMs. User's manuals functions, including automatic execu- Any 8052, 8032, 80052 or 80C32 ($6) summarize in 20 pages hardware tion on power-up, setting baud rate microcontroller chip. requirements, BASIC 31's differences and saving MTOP. BASIC -52 stored in non-volatile from BASIC -52 and BASIC 31 com- This technique stores only the cur- memory (NV RAM, EEPROM or mands and statements and include a rent program, not multiple programs EPROM), beginning at 0 in code sample schematic. like the original PROG command. But memory. Also available is a kit that contains you can store a new program when- At least 1K of read/write memory a bare BASIC 31 printed -circuit board ever you wish by writing over the pre- (RAM), beginning at 0 in data and assembly manual for $41. Write viously stored program. And you memory. for a complete price list (see Sources don't have to worry about removing For permanent storage of BASIC -52 box at end of article). and erasing an EPROM when it has programs, non-volatile memory VBASIC 31 differs from BASIC 31 been filled. beginning at 8000h in data or mainly in that the interrupt vectors are You now have a BASIC -52 system data/code memory. relocated from 4003h through 4023h without the 8052AH-BASIC chip. If One other thing to be aware of is to 8010h through 801Ch. Thus, you you want to store BASIC -52 or your that, on power -up, BASIC-52 ex- don't have to add program memory at BASIC -52 programs in EPROM, you amines and clears contiguous data 4000h if you write your own assembly - can do so with many EPROM pro- memory beginning at 0. In Fig. 1, language interrupt routines. BASIC grammers. Configure the EPROM BASIC -52 clears only U7 and ignores 31 retains the original BASIC -52 programmer to read a DS1225 RAM U8, since no data memory exists from interrupt -vector locations. VBASIC or, if this option isn't available, a 2764 2000h to 7FFFh. This enables you to also replaces BASIC -52's > prompt EPROM, since the pinouts for reading save BASIC -52 programs in U8 with to prevent the problems some these two devices are equivalent. Place without loss on powering down. communications programs have in the DS1225 or SmartSocket and RAM If you design a circuit with a 32K distinguishing when the > symbol is in the programmer's socket and read RAM at 0 on power -up, BASIC -52 meant as a greater -than operator and the contents into the programmer's clears an NV RAM at 8000h unless when it's used as the prompt. buffer. you do one of the following: in Creating BASIC 31 from BASIC -52 Remove the DS1225 or SmartSock- BASIC -52, set MTOP to 32767 involved several challenges: et from the programmer. Be sure not (7FFFh) and use Listing 2 to do a As in Fig. 1, the original PROG and to subject the DS1225 to any EPROM PROG3, -4, -5 or -6 to instruct FPROG commands won't work when programming voltages, which would BASIC -52 not to clear memory be- the BASIC interpreter is in external be lethal to it. Plug a 2764 EPROM in- yond 7FFFh; install a jumper that ties memory. So PROG and FPROG were to the programmer's socket, and pro- pin 27 of U8 to + 5 volts, preventing revised to use ordinary write instruc- gram the EPROM with the buffer's writes to U8; or use an EPROM at U8 tions that copy a program to an NV contents. You now have an EPROM when your program is debugged and RAM or EEPROM. You can use with the same contents as your NV requires no more changes. PROG and FPROG without having to RAM and can use it just like the NV add EPROM -programming compo- RAM at U6 or U8, except that U8 is nents or voltages to your circuits. BASIC 31 now write -protected. FPROG waits 1 ms between write You can also use 8K EEPROMs at Figure 1 requires an 8032 or 8052 cycles, and PROG waits 50 ms to ac- U6 and U8. Many modern EEPROMs chip-not an 8031 or 8051-mainly commodate EEPROMs that require operate entirely from a single + 5 -volt because the BASIC -52 interpreter uses longer delays. supply and function much like NV TIMER 2, which the 8031/51 doesn't Another challenge in creating BAS- RAMs. That is, you can read from and have. But the 8031 and 80C31 are IC 31 was that BASIC -52 uses TIMER write to them, and they retain their more widely available than the 80(C)32 2 in its baud -rate generator for the contents when power is removed. The and often cost less. If you want to use serial port. TIMER 2 is a 16 -bit timer, main thing to be careful about with 8031s, there's a solution. Reader and the 8031 has only two eight -bit EEPROMs is their write cycle time Ronald Papasso has developed a ver- timers, TIMER 0 and TIMER 1. In (minimum time between write cycles). sion of BASIC -52, which he calls BASIC 31, the baud -rate generator Typical values are 2 and 10 ms. For an BASIC 31, that runs from an external and associated code were rewritten to EEPROM with a 10 -ms write cycle EPROM using an 8031 or 80C31. He use TIMER 1. time, writing to 8192 (IFFFh) loca- created the code by modifying and Because TIMER I is just eight bits tions should take at least 82 seconds. reassembling the original BASIC -52 wide, BASIC 31's automatic baud de- To slow down Listings 1 and 2 to source code. tection isn't as capable at adjusting to give a longer delay between writes, af- Projects Ronald has created using different baud rates, but it's adequate ter each XBY statement, call a subrou- BASIC 31 include a loop -back tester for most purposes. The BASIC 31 28 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com Moving the baud -rate generator to boards differs slightly from Sources on these TIMER 1 creates new problems the original. because BASIC -52's PWM, LIST-, A final possibility is Micromint's Binary Technology PRINT-, PROG and FPROG all use ROM A and B ($100), which add an P.O. Box 541 TIMER 1. In BASIC 31, these now use assembler, monitor commands, line Carlisle, MA 01741 TIMER 0, as does the real-time clock; renumbering and other utilities to Tel.: 508-369-9556 CIRCLE NO. 102 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD so only one of these functions can be BASIC -52 systems. Dallas Semiconductor used at a time. 4350 S. Beltwood Pkwy. Moving On Dallas, TX 75244-3292 Other BASIC -52 Options Next time, I plan to answer a variety Tel.: 214-450-0400 To complete this roundup of of questions submitted by readers over Orders: 1-800-336-6933 BASIC -52 tools and options, you the past several months. CIRCLE NO. 103 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD should be aware that compilers and Intel Books or P.O. Box 7641 development systems are also avail- Ifyou have comments, suggestions Mt. Prospect, IL 60056-7641 able. BASIC -52 -compatible compilers questions relating to designing, build- Tel.: 1-800-548-4725 include Binary Technology's BXC51 ing and programming microcontrol- CIRCLE NO. 104 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD ($295) and Systronix's BCI51 ($299). lers or other small, dedicated com- Iota Systems Compiled programs execute faster puters, contact me on Compuserve at P.O. Box 8987 than interpreted programs and 71163 ,3555 or by writing to me at Incline Village, NV 89450 eliminate the need to store the BASIC ComputerCraft, 76 North Broadway, Tel.: 702-831-6302; fax: 702-831-4629 interpreter in -circuit. Hicksville, NY 11801. Questions of in- CIRCLE NO. 105 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD If you like the convenience of the terest to all may be published and MDL Labs BASIC -52 interpreter but long for a answered in this space. For a personal 1073 Limberlost Ct. more -elegant development environ- Columbus, OH 43235 reply by mail, please include a self- Tel./fax: 614-431-2675 ment than BASIC -52 offers, several addressed stamped envelope. CIRCLE NO. 106 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD alternatives are available. Micro Micro Future Future's BDT52 ($199) and MDL 40944 Cascado Pl. Labs' BASIKIT ($150) include fea- Fremont, CA 94539 tures like block editing, structured Tel.: 510-657-0264; fax: 510-657-5441 modules, elimination of line numbers, CIRCLE NO. 107 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD stripping of comments, on-line help, Micromint debugging tools, communications 4 Park St. software and conversion of BASIC -52 Vernon, CT 06066 programs to hex files for EPROM Tel.: 203-871-6170; fax: 203-872-2204 programming. BASIKIT also has ver- CIRCLE NO. 108 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD sions that are compatible with Blue Ronald V. Papasso Earth's Micro -440 and Iota Systems' P.O. Box 611 since the BASIC -52 Jan Axelson Atco, NJ 08004 EC -series boards, CIRCLE NO. 109 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Pure Unobtainium P.O. Box 285 Tolland, CT 06084 Tel./fax: 203-870-9304 DR. "CHIP" MUNK SAYS CIRCLE NO. 110 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 805/ f3oardMokcr 68HC05 I 68HC11 PC Layout software for MS-DOS machines Q -Line Productions DEVELOPMENT TOOLS QUALITY end BoardMaker 1 - Entry level $ P.O. Box 393 SERVICE (no net Ilst Input) 95. WI 53585 AFFORDABILITY Sharon, a PCB and schematic drafting CIRCLE NO. 111 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Easy and Intuitive to use I Systronix Ground plane copper fill 754 E. Roosevelt Ave. "Chip" experts agree with Dr. Munk. BoardMaker 2 - Advanced level $295. P.O. Box 526398 TECI's PC based microcontroller devel- All the features of BM1 PLUS: Salt Lake City, UT 84152-6398 opment tools are the most cost effective Full netlist support - OrCad, others Full Design Rull Checking Tel.: 801-487-7412; fax: 801-487-3130 for veterans or beginners. 2 Boardßouter CIRCLE NO. 112 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 6805 PRIMER FOR BEGINNERS $195.00 BoardMaker with $495. 6805/68HC05/68HC11 CROSS ASSEMBLERS $99.00 Simultaneous multi - layer routing 6805/68HC05 SIMULATOR / DEBUGGERS $99.00 SMD and Analog support 68705P3,P5,U3,U5,R3,R5 PROGRAMMERS FROM $349.00 Full Interrupt, pan, zoom while routing 68HC705/68HC805 PROGRAMMERS FROM $395.00 Output drivers - included as standard COMPLETE PC BASED DEY. SYSTEMS manual lists ranges of allowable FROM $449.00 Laser, Postscript, 9 & 24 pin printers 68HC05/6811C11 REAL TIME EMULATORS FROM $895.00 crystals at different baud rates. At Penplotters - Photopiotters - NC Drill higher baud rates, the ranges are more TEC1= Call for Info or FREE evaluation kit Advanced restricted. You can use the popular CALL TOLL FREE 1-800-336-8321 Call (800) 626-4460 Systems 11.059 -MHz crystal at all common The Engineers Collaborative, Inc. FAX (603) 635-3918 Design, Inc, baud rates from 300 to 19,200. Rt #3 Box 8C, Barton, VT 05822 USA Mastercard and Visa accepted Pelham, NH TEL:(802)525-3458 FAX:(802)525-3451 CIRCLE NO. 152 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 126 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 31 www.americanradiohistory.com SPECIAL FR 'p The World of PC Sound y By Tom Benford When designers of the original create and store your own patch and sound effects, and still others re- IBM PC made a list of essen- libraries as well. ly on actual digitized samples as the tial features to build into the machine, Music files can also be edited into sound source. There are other differ- sound was apparently at the bottom of new versions or variations on the origi- ences as well. So it might be a good it. The PC contained only a wimpish nal that were never possible before. idea to define the basic required capa- 2" speaker that's capable of produc- With a sound board and the right soft- bilities and componentry that com- ing little more than a "beep" sound. ware, complex variations, like chang- prise a sound board. This shortcoming was filled by the Ap- ing the entire key of a song, can easily A sound -generation source is a pre- ple Macintosh, Atari and Commodore be accomplished with a couple of requisite for any sound board. Most Amiga models, which took the sonic mouse clicks. Dedicated sequencer, boards use a multi-timbral FM (fre- route. In time, however, things compositing/arranging and score - quency -modulated) synthesizer chip changed. printing software packages can all be or chips for the sound source, al- With a sound board, you can im- utilized with the sound card's on- though devices that utilize actual digi- mediately enter the world of multime- board synthesizer, too. So you don't tized sound samples (though quite dia, for example, whether you're a have to spend a bundle on purchasing pricey) are beginning to make their ap- staunch DOS user or you run every- additional hardware to tap into the pearance in the marketplace. thing under Windows. Digitized voice world of MIDI. Using digitized sound samples is narration, sound effects and music If you want to explore or work with another way of providing a sound can all be added and blended with MIDI beyond what the sound card it- source for the board. There are advan- graphics, text and even animated se- self can provide in the way of audio, tages and disadvantages with this quences to make presentations, appli- external MIDI devices, such as key- method. Major advantages are that cations and programs come alive with boards, synthesizers, drum boxes, digitized sample sounds are absolute- sound as well as sight. lighting and more, can also be ac- ly pristine renditions of the in- The ability to digitally sample your cessed and controlled. Most sound struments (or other sources) that own voice, sounds and music gives cards provide MIDI support, either as created them since they're digital computing a whole new perspective. a standard feature of the card or with recordings of the actual sounds. Once sound is digitized, it can be an optional MIDI cable kit. Virtually Moreover, sounds can be changed by manipulated, processed, cut and past- all sound cards that support MIDI are replacing the EPROMs on the board ed, reversed and more with almost the Roland MPU-401-compatible (in with a different "library" of samples. same ease as using the editing func- UART mode) and are capable of send- Major disadvantages are high cost of tions of a word processor. ing, receiving and passing -through the board and forfeiture of the ability What can't be sampled can proba- MIDI control signals. This makes to produce satisfactory audio effects bly be synthesized with an on -board linking together several MIDI devices with some software, especially games, 11- or 20 -voice synthesizer chip, under computer control and further that make extensive use of synthesized depending on sound card and model. expands creative possibilities. sound effects. Virtually any musical instrument Today, the PC audio card is one of For satisfactory playback of these sound and sound effect can be created the most popular peripherals you can programs, each waveform variation (or recreated) by controlling the chip's add to your system, opening up a of the most commonly -used sounds registers. "Patches" of sounds are whole new dimension in computing. would have to be recorded (since also provided with the software that there's no on -board synthesizer). In a comes bundled with many sound practical Sound Source sense, the sonic variations boards. Patches-preprogrammed used in game and recreational soft- libraries of sound settings ready to PC sound devices come in numerous ware products are almost limitless. So load and use-can change the sound varieties and flavors. Some are inter- covering all bases with a library of of the synthesizer from laser zaps to nal boards that require an expansion sampled sounds would be impossible. "ah-ooga" horns, for example. Many slot. Some are self-contained units This month, I'll deal the hardware of the sound utility programs provid- that connect externally. Others utilize means of implementing high -quality ed with sound boards permit you to synthesizer chips to produce music sound on the PC by looking at exter- 32 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com nal and internal devices from a varie- TABLE 1 ty of manufacturers. Next month, I'll SYNTHESIZER CHIP COMPARISON conclude with an overview and cap- sule evaluations of a range of software YM3812 YMF262 alternatives to implementing sound on OPL-II OPL-III the PC. Sound Generation System FM FM MIDI and More Type monophonic sterephonic The MIDI (Musical Instrument Digi- tal Interface) standard is included as Number of Operators/Modes 2 4 an integral part of Windows 3.1 and as part of the Multimedia Extensions Total # of Sounds Possible 11 20 1.0 for Windows 3.0. Many of the (9 sounds or (18 simultaneous melody sound boards and devices to be exa- 6 melody sounds or 15 melody sounds with mined here contain a multiple -voice with 5 rhythm sounds) 5 rhythm sounds, other sound/ FM synthesizer chip that can be ac- operator variations possible; cessed through MIDI to create and 8 selectable waveforms) play back music files. The Windows Effects built-in vibrato for Media Player makes it oscillator LFO accessory 8i amplitude modulation vibrato and tremolo possible to play back MIDI files oscillator (AM) effects through an installed sound card without the need for an externally - Other Features input/output TTL compatible two programmable timers connected MIDI device. Si -gate CMOS-LSI 5V single supply silicon gate CMOS process A synthesizer chip artificially cre- 5V single power supply shorter register access time than YM3812 ates facsimiles of sounds. These 24-pin DIP or 24 -pin SOP package sounds can be simulations of musical instruments, common everyday nois- Recommended D/A converter YM3014 YM3015 (stereo) es, sonic special effects and more by changing values of the synthesizer reg- isters via software. This approach is - mat. A preamplifier is also required to the most common means of generat- monophonic boards, with two single channel amplifiers or a dual -channel boost microphone gain, as are some ing sound on an audio board and is the stereo filters to remove any alias distortion. method used by most manufacturers. amplifier for boards. -to converter (DAC) DMA of input is also desir- Synthesizer chips most frequently A digital -analog support rather than the byte -by -byte employed are from Yamaha. The two to translate stored digital sound data able, to an analog format capable of transfer method. leading ones are the YM3812 and the that's head- The boards and devices YMF262, more commonly referred to being heard through speakers or sound covered here contain all or most of the as the OPL2 and the OPL3, respec- phones. physical means of outputting listed components to one degree or an- tively. The OPL2 is a monophonic A sound. Headphone and/or line-out other. But the ways they are put to- synthesizer, while the OPL3 is a stereo provided, along with gether and the resulting capabilities chip with some additional capabilities jacks are usually an output connector for MIDI signals vary quite a bit from one product to (see Table 1 for feature comparisons of both chips). if the board supports MIDI. another. infor- As with just about any other com- Some sound boards use a pair of A means of transferring sound mation from PC to sound card. This puter peripheral, how deep your pock- OPL2s to provide stereo (discrete left - as ets are determines how lavish a sound and right -channel) capability. Newer can be byte -by -byte transferral, or in setup will be right for you. Included board designs are utilizing the OPL3, with Covox's SpeechThing, which produces cleaner -sounding DMA (direct memory access) blocks, here are sound boards from the lowest which is method used in most to highest price ranges, as well as soft- audio and requires less support circuit- the In to ware to produce sound through the ry. This results in a smaller physical sound-card designs. addition providing a faster transfer rate, the PC's own speaker. board size. DMA method also works in the back- Let's take a look at the products ground; so other events, like anima- themselves. Other Key Components tion, can take place in the foreground Regardless of whether the sound simultaneously. Products Evaluated source is synthesized or sampled, oth- A physical means of inputting sound er components are essential to make if the board is capable of sampling. In- a sound board a functional peripheral. puts are usually provided for micro- External Sound Devices These include: phone and line sources. An amplifier to boost the raw signal An analog -to-digital converter Covox "SpeechThing" ($100) to an easily audible level. This can be (ADC) for converting analog sound The smallest and least -expensive external a one -channel amplifier for source information into digital for- audio hardware device covered here, Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 33 www.americanradiohistory.com -SPECIAL documentation states that on some com- but it connects to a parallel port, rather ris puters SpeechThing sounds better without than requiring an internal expansion slot. the + 5 -volt source plugged in. I found this This makes it compatible for use with lap- to be true of my CAF 386SL notebook tops and notebooks as well as desktop PCs computer, which generated static sounds (even Micro Channel machines). Since it O during floppy or hard -drive accesses. attaches to this port, no conflict exists with Unplugging the + 5 -volt connector si- I/O addresses, IRQs or DMA re- lenced the noise without compromising quest/acknowledge settings. quality of the sound. Other features of the external model in- A 9 -volt dc power adapter is supplied, clude separate tone and volume controls and the speaker can also be powered via located on the front of the unit, where % " a 9 -volt battery that fits into a compart- miniature phone jacks for microphone in- ment inside the enclosure. The wedge- put and speaker output also reside. On the shaped speaker cabinet (4" tall by 3 "wide front panel are also a built-in speaker, and deep) has a red LED power indicator high/low microphone impedance selector and a thumbwheel volume control with switch, red power LED and nearby green power on/off switch built in. The speaker LED that turns on when VoiceMaster's delivers surprisingly good sound for its size. (recognition) mode is active. SpeechThing is a D/A-converter play- A pass -through printer port and a paral- back -only device. You can't sample sounds lel -input port (a 3 -foot cable is provided or digitally record your own voice with it. for connecting to the PC) are on the rear To do so, you need one of Covox's other of the enclosure. The pass -through port products (SoundMaster II or VoiceMaster keeps System II and printer connected Key System in either the internal or exter- simultaneously. A three -position switch on nal configuration). the front panel establishes priority for Sys- Plenty of software is supplied with tem II, printer or automatic selection of SpeechThing, including a CVSD playback either device. utility for CD-ROM and IBM talking pro- A power jack is on the rear panel of the grams, Smooth Talker text -to -speech soft- cabinet, along with dual miniature phone Covox's SpeechThing was one of the first ware, a music synthesizer utility that mod- jacks for external input and output. A dc products released for sound on the PC. ulates sampled sound, utility software for power adapter is also supplied with the While it has remained basically un- playback of digitized speech and sounds unit, along with a Covox microphone/ changed over the last few years, Covox's and speech/sound editing software. headset, for hands -free recording, driver and utility software has undergone Also included in current packages is a playback and speech recognition. constant improvement and finessing, with driver for Windows to playback .WAV Voice Master System II doesn't contain the latest release providing support for the sound files via SpeechThing. (Covox has an FM synthesizer. Therefore, it isn't ca- playback of .WAV files through the latest versions of all its drivers for Win- pable of playing back digital sound files or SpeechThing in Windows. dows on its BBS. They're available for MIDI files. It can record and play back Measuring only about 2%" square and downloading free of charge. Call digital speech and sampled sounds in either weighing well under an ounce, Speech - 503-342-4135. Set up your modem for native Covox .VOX format or, under Win- Thing plugs directly into a PC's parallel 1,200, 2,400 or 9,600 baud and 8-N-1 ter- dows, .WAV file types. port. Unlike the other parallel devices minal settings). Aside from providing an excellent mon- covered here, which monopolize this port, Because no FM sound synthesizer is used ophonic means of digitally recording and SpeechThing is a transparent device that in SpeechThing, MIDI playback and en- playing back sampled sounds, Voice Mas- fits between printer cable and parallel port. coding aren't possible. Notwithstanding its ter System II's strongest card is its ability Since it doesn't interfere with normal drawbacks, the SpeechThing, ounce -for - to provide speech recognition for voice printer operation, SpeechThing can be left ounce and dollar -for -dollar, is truly a control of the PC and application soft- permanently installed at the parallel port, bargain for the hardware, software and au- ware. A Voice Master Key software utili- adding to its convenience of use and overall dio playback capabilities it delivers. ty lets you add voice commands to existing appeal. programs. These commands activate a pre- SpeechThing uses FIFO (first -in, first - Covox Voice Master System II ($240 defined series of macros that enable you out) data streaming instead of the DMA External) to perform tedious tasks, repetitive key- (direct memory access) schemes used with strokes or multiple mouse movements by other external -connected devices. Al- uttering a spoken command. Version 3.1 though this doesn't affect sound quality, of Voice Master Key software supports up it does cause other operations to come to to 1,023 commands, while memory VOICE MASTEN KEY' . re- a standstill as sound is being output through quirement has been reduced to under 20K, it. FIFO streaming hogs all I/O operations i er. C". when using EMS. while sound is being accessed, but DMA m. 1ó' The voice -recognition software uses a permits other events (like video refreshing, pull -down menu system and features con- mouse control, keyboard input, etc.) to text -sensitive help and mouse support. continue while sound is playing. This software is currently available for Covox provides an amplified speaker DOS. A Windows version is nearing com- that mates with a miniature phone jack on Voice Master System II is the external pletion and should be available by the time SpeechThing's cable. A second cable fit- counterpart of Covox's internal PC -card you read this. Recording and playing back ted with a subminiature jack is used to Voice Master Key System covered else- of .WAV files, however, is currently sup- deliver an additional + 5 volts of dc power where in this article. It shares all of the ported with the Covox Windows driver. to the speaker from the parallel port. The same capabilities as the internal version, Covox's user manual is thorough to the 34 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com point of almost containing too much in- thumbwheel volume control is mounted on AudioPort is a very good way to easily add formation. You'll surely like this manual the opposite side of the unit. AdLib- and SoundBlaster-compatible if you have more than a casual interest in AudioPort comes with an assortment of sound to your system, particularly if you're a learning about sound and voice recogni- software for using the product under Win- Windows user. tion or in writing your own programs in dows 3.1 or 3.0 with MultiMedia Ex- BASIC or C that utilize the Voice Master tensions 1.0. The main software program MicroKey "AudioPort" ($195 to $295) Key System. The manual, along with the is Lotus Sound, a Windows application additional software and utilities provided that permits recording and playing back with System II, is identical to that provided digitized sound. The program can be used with the internal model. It's covered in independently or with any other Windows more detail in that section. application that supports OLE, such as Lotus Ami Pro, Microsoft Excel or Micro- MediaVision 'AudioPort" ($349) soft Word. Pocket Recorder permits you to record and play back eight -bit digital audio at sample rates up to 22 kHz. The main r.n.t, rc :.±. strength of this application is extensive editing capability of digital sound files, in- DÜDIÖPDDi cluding splicing and blending files and add- ing special effects like echo, reverberation, pitch adjustments and directional revers- ing of sound files. The user interface for both Lotus Sound and Pocket Recorder is a graphical analogy to the controls on a standard cassette re- corder. It has "pushbuttons" for rewind, stop, play, fast forward and record. Scroll - Both MicroKey and MediaVision have li- bars are also available for moving to a de- censed the name "AudioPort" for their re- sired point in the recording for editing, and spective products, but the two are different views at different magnifications are pro- and distinct devices and don't share a com- vided for easy editing of even the smallest monalty of engineering or design. To avoid audio file sections. confusion, I'll use the full brand name AudioPort doesn't support DOS -based from here on. applications directly from the system Another external device that connects A self-contained external device measur- prompt. However, games and other pro- via the PC's parallel port, the MicroKey ing a petite 4'%," long x 2' " wide x %e" grams that utilize sound can be run in a AudioPort from Video Associates Labs is thick, the AudioPort plugs into the 25 -pin DOS window from within Windows with slightly shorter than the MediaVision de- parallel printer port of any PC. This little the SB2AP utility program, a virtual Win- scribed above. The MicroKey AudioPort device fits conveniently into a pocket and dows driver that's also part of the supplied measures 2.18" wide x 3.42" long. It's provides a host of features, including software (Windows 3.1 must be running housed in metal, rather than plastic, add- digital recording and playback of sounds. in enhanced mode to use SB2AP). ing considerably to its weight. Power for the AudioPort can be from An animated talking calendar program, As with the MediaVision unit, the Mi- four internal AAA cells that install inside At Your Service, is supplied with Audio - croKey AudioPort doesn't provide a paral- a snap -open compartment or from a sup- Port. This is a personal reminder that runs lel pass -through port. Thus, a parallel plied supply that delivers 6 volts dc. as a background task in Windows and fea- printer can't be connected simultaneous- Average battery life expectancy is rated at tures "Jeeves," the talking butler. Based ly while the device is in place. Since power about four hours, a realistic figure. on data entered into the calendar's data- for the unit is provided by an included For sound generation, a Yamaha base, Jeeves reminds you of appointments, 9 -volt dc adapter, you'll need an ac outlet YM3812 FM synthesizer chip produces 11 phone calls, meetings and other events that any time you intend to use this unit. This voices. The AudioPort can sample eight - require action or attention at the appropri- is a limiting factor for notebook users on bit monophonic sound at rates ranging ate times. This program has some practical the go who like to fly solely on battery from 2 kHz to 22.1 kHz. Frequency re- merit, but it's more "cutesy" than I care power, but it shouldn't pose a hindrance sponse is 100 Hz to 12 kHz, with a signal- for in my software. So I'll stick to ACTfor for desktop PC users. to-noise ratio of - 50 and - 80 dB at maxi- Windows for my scheduling tasks and Two miniature phone jacks are located mum and minimum gain, respectively. reminders. on the MicroKey AudioPort between two A 'A" miniature microphone jack is pro- MIDI file playback is supported via the thumbscrews for fastening it to a parallel vided for audio input. Input level is 10 mV, Media Player accessory in Windows, al- port. One is for input from a microphone and input impedance is 10,000 ohms. though the device doesn't allow MIDI in- or, with an included - 40 -dB attenuating Automatic gain control (agc) is built into put through it. adapter, from a line source. The other is the device and yields 20 -dB minimum and Overall, AudioPort is an ideal device for for output. There's no built-in speaker, but 100 -dB maximum boost. notebook users and users who are slot - supplied headphones make the output Mounted on the side of the unit, next to poor when it comes to adding internal peri- audible. A 500 -ohm ball -type microphone the input jack, is a %" miniature micro- pherals. It's unfortunate that AudioPort is also provided, along with a microphone - phone jack for connecting Walkman -type isn't a transparent device that permits a stand adapter and a stereo miniature headphones or speakers. A built-in 11/2" in- printer to be attached at the same time as phone -to -standard phone plug adapter. ternal speaker provides audio playback it is. Since there's no through port, you Sonic capabilities for the MicroKey without connecting other external devices. must disconnect your printer to attach the AudioPort are up to most tasks since the Sound quality is surprisingly good. A sound device. Aside from this limitation, unit supports monophonic 12 -bit sampl- Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 35 www.americanradiohistory.com SPECIAL No support is provided for input or play- miniature phone jack for connecting an back of MIDI files through the unit, which earphone or extension speaker. itu doesn't contain an FM synthesizer chip. As with the external System II, the bus This is an important point to consider if version of the Voice Master Key system can you wish to incorporate MIDI music with record and play back sampled sounds and O presentations and digitized samples. is capable of voice recognition. Two record Though lacking an on -board synthesizer and edit programs are provided as part of and a few other features, the device does the standard software complement. One provide a functional means of inputting is a very sophisticated graphics -based edit- and outputting sound to and from the PC's ing program that displays sound wave- parallel port, without having to open the forms and supports cut -and -paste, raises/ system unit. Its greatest appeal will be to lowers sound levels and provides high- and users who want a good device for exten- low-pass filtering, inversions, duplications sive voice annotation (or even dictation and more. over a network) and don't want or need the Sampling rate is user -variable between ing at eight user -selectable sampling rates musical/sound-effects capabilities of a 1K and 25K bytes per second. An includ- from 4 kHz to 44.1 kHz. Built-in agc con- synthesizer chip and MIDI support. ed data -compression utility can compress trols input signal strength. No volume con- the sound file in the buffer by removing trol is provided; so no manual override is Eight -Bit Internal silence periods, sections of sound or com- possible. Dynamic recording range is Sound Boards pressing to four-, three- or one -bit samples. greater than 55 dB for both recording and Though this editing program is DOS - playback, and frequency response is 20 Hz based, it relies on a graphical user interface to 20 kHz ±3 dB). Covox Voice Master Key ($200 Internal) to make working with sound files almost ADPCM 3:1 compression is supported as easy as using a word processor. Using to let you store up to 11 minutes of audio the same procedures as in a word proces- in a 1M file. MPC (.WAV) files are direct- sor, you can highlight a section of sound, ly supported, and uncompressed Sound - cut or copy it, modify it and paste it wher- Blaster -format .VOC files are converted ever you want. You can also cut and clip for compatible playback using an includ- sections of sound files to create altered ver- ed utility. sions. You can save to disk and link to DOS -based software supplied with the form digital sound files for use in software unit is straightforward and easy to use, programs or even external EPROMs. thanks to a drop -down menu scheme you The other utility is much easier to use but use for recording, editing and assembling bare -bones in capabilities. But it's enough presentations. The device is compatible to meet the needs of most users. Record with numerous presentation graphics, and Say utilities are executable programs multimedia and authoring packages, in- you run from the DOS prompt to record cluding Autodesk Animator/Animator The internal counterpart to Covox Voice and play back, respectively. Command - Pro, Ask*Me 2000, Freelance Plus/ Master System II reviewed earlier, the line arguments permit you to select record/ Graphics, GRASP, Harvard Graphics, Voice Master Key is a half-length card that playback rates, format coding (eight-, Show Partner FX, Asymetrix Toolbook fits into any eight- or 16-bit expansion slot. four-, three- and two-bit PCM/ADPCM) and some others. This model has DMA circuitry that permits and port addressing (internal, external Several stand-alone utility programs are recording and playback of a single audio Voice Master or internal PC speaker). also provided for recording and assem- file up to the maximum capacity of avail- These utilities are normally used for creat- bling sound files. And a rich assortment able hard disk space. A side benefit of ing sound files (verbal responses) for the of samples and example programs give DMA access is that audio files can play in Voice Master Key recognition program, food for thought as well as showcase the the background while you're accessing rather than elaborate sampled files with device's capabilities. other applications in the foreground. lots of special effects as a result of heavy In addition to required Windows Voice Master Key's default port config- editing. drivers, Voyetra's WinDAT digital -audio uration is jumpered for 22Fh. Because Another program, Convert, lets you editing software comes with the unit. The changing the jumper to any of the adjacent convert custom sound files created with the "DAT" in the software's name stands for three pin pairs changes port address to graphics -based editor to Say -executable "digital audio transport," an appropriate 24Fh, 28Fh or 2CFh, resolving any I/O format. In addition, Covox provides sever- moniker because it uses the familiar tape - conflicts with other devices is easily al sound samples, a talking blackjack game deck interface that features mouse - accomplished. and an oscilloscope program. Needless to activated pushbuttons for play, record, re- A cable lets you bypass the PC's inter- say, plenty of value and utility are pack- wind, fast forward and pause, in addition nal speaker and route the sound through aged with the hardware. to range -selection controls. Drop -down the Voice Master Key card to get enhanced menus further simplify using the program audio. The board features an eight -bit Covox SoundMaster II ($230) that allows you to play, record and edit PCM digitizer that supports software -de- SoundMaster II is a three -quarter -length sound files with the MicroKey AudioPort. fined sample rates that range up to 25K card that plugs into any eight- or 16 -bit slot Documentation consists of a 43 -page bytes/second. on a PC bus. It incorporates all of the re- user manual for AudioPort itself and a Recording and playback are both under cording, playback and voice -recognition 24 -page manual for WinDAT software. software control, although volume can be capabilities of the Voice Master Key board Between the two, everything you need or controlled via software or a bracket - reviewed earlier and adds FM sound syn- want to know about the device and using mounted knob. Separate high- and low - thesis and MIDI (UART mode) capabilities. it from either DOS or Windows is covered impedance miniature microphone jacks The board makes extensive use of in depth. are mounted on the card's bracket, as is a CMOS logic for high noise immunity and 36 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com low power consumption. SoundMaster was the quietest of all the boards covered Microsoft Introduces Sound System here in terms of residual background noise through Labtec Model CS -150 amplified speakers. Just as I was finishing this report, Micro- On the heels of this, Microsoft also an- Every function of SoundMaster II has soft announced its new Windows Sound nounced release of SoundBits, a new alternate addresses so that two boards can System. This is a set of software applica- software series that consists of a number be installed in a PC at the same time for tions and an internal sound board. of audio software collections. Aimed at stereo output or extended instrument voic- According to Microsoft, the Windows making using sound in the Windows en- ing using the FM synthesizer(s). Three Sound System was designed specifically vironment more enjoyable and fun, jumper banks let you avoid any device con- for the business environment, with appli- SoundBits includes digitized sound flicts with other installed peripherals. One cations that include voice annotation, samples of one-liners, fun sound effects bank selects address 330 (default) or 338 proofreading and voice recognition fig- and a variety of musical sounds. for the MIDI port. Another jumper set uring heavily into product design. In Three SoundBits collections will be governs selection of DMA acknowledge keeping with the "business" intent of the available by the time you read this. channel 1 (default) or 3, while shunting a system, there's no joystick port on the Classic Cartoons from Hanna -Barbera second set of pins selects DMA request Sound System's board. brings back the childhood fun and channel 1 (default) or 3. A three -cap row The Windows Sound System has a sug- nostalgia of The Flintstones, The Jet - of jumper pairs select DMA interrupt 3, gested retail price of $289, or $349 when sons, Yogi Bear and Scooby-Doo. 4, 5, 6 or 7 (default), MIDI IRQ 2 (default), bundled with Windows 3.1. Classic Hollywood Movies features 3, 5 or 7 and port 220 (default), 240, 280 The half-slot Sound System card is a memorable dialog clips from Groucho or 2C0. 16 -bit board that supports selectable Marx, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant On the card's mounting bracket are two sampling rates up to 48 kHz and includes and some of the characters from The miniature microphone jacks, designated a CODEC chip, Yamaha YMF262 Wizard of Oz, among others. Musical M I and M2 for high- and low -impedance, (OPL3) FM music synthesizer and five Soundsfrom Around the World provides respectively; a rotary volume control; an connectors (inputs and outputs). The rare cuts of international music ranging earphone/external speaker jack; and a board will ship with headphones and a from harmonicas to violins to African nine -pin D connector for attaching the in- microphone. drums and Andean pan pipes. Each cluded combination MIDI input/output The unique feature of the Sound Sys- SoundBits collection has a suggested cable. An included jumper wire lets you tem board is that it includes Analog De- retail price of $39.95. route the PC's speaker sounds through vice's AD1848 SoundPort CODEC IC, SoundMaster II. a chip that supports audio from a varie- $289; $349.00 A headset/microphone comes as part of ty of difference sources, including CD - Windows Sound System, With Windows 3.1 the standard complement of accessories. quality (16 -bit, 44 -kHz) and telephone - Bundled SoundBits Collections, $39.95 Each Col- The headset is outfitted with dual 1/8" mini- quality (eight -bit, II -kHz) sampling. The ature plugs, one from the high -impedance board also comes with a load of software lection hands -free microphone and the other from utilities, among which are VoicePilot, Microsoft Corp. the earphone built into the headset. which provides a limited number of One Microsoft Way A Yamaha YM3812 FM synthesizer voice -recognition commands, and Redmond, WA 98052 chip provides the audio source for creating QuickRecord, which adds vocal and Tel.: 1-206-882-8080 (IRCLE NO. 117 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD music and sound effects, with a 1 -watt other sounds to documents. audio amplifier. A pair of stereo Walk- man -type speakers and a stereo -to-mono miniature phone adapter are provided. Be- cause SoundMaster's output is mono- phonic, the adapter is needed to route the signal to both speakers. The user manual tells you everything you could want to know about SoundMas- ter II and the software provided with it and how to program for it. In addition to the Voice Master Key software supplied with Voice Master systems, SoundMaster in- cludes Covox's DSP-FX digital signal - processing utility. This facilitates real-time pitch changing, harmonizing, flanging, chorusing, echoes, reverberation, distor- tion and numerous other special effects. The Covox graphic waveform editor is also included, as are dozens of MIDI song files, sound samples and other interesting tidbits. The real bonus is the inclusion of PC- Lyra, a graphics -based music -composition program that permits musical input using a mouse or computer keyboard or direct- ly from a MIDI instrument connected to the PC via SoundMaster's cables. All of these software programs run from DOS. Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 37 www.americanradiohistory.com SPECIAL area than the tight integration used on the newer model. Both models, however, have a sticker that bears the legend "FM 1312" covering the top of the 3812 chip. Jumpers are provided for selecting port O address of either 220 (default) or 240. Like- wise, shunting pairs of pins with a jumper cap changes the IRQ setting from the de- fault 7 to 2, 3 or 5, if needed. 00 In addition to the input already men- tioned, the card's mounting bracket pro- vides access to a thumbwheel volume con- trol, the subminiature audio output jack and a 15 -pin D -type connector for attach- ing an analog joystick or optional MIDI As of this writing, Covox's Windows connector box (circuitry for an MPU-401 drivers are shipping and can be download- MIDI interface in UART mode is built in- ed from the company's BBS (503-342-4135). to the board itself). Covox is converting its other software and SoundBlaster comes with FM Intelligent utilities to run under Windows as well. Organ, a program that's very easy to use These should be ready by the time you read and lets you compose and play composi- ing bracket are a thumbwheel volume con- this. Contact Covox directly to check tions directly from a PC keyboard or an trol, miniature phone jacks for audio in- availability. attached MIDI device. Included is Talk- put and output and a 15 -pin joystick -port ing Parrot, a program that displays on- connector. Creative Labs SoundBlaster ($230) screen a gaudily -colored parrot that Both DOS and Windows versions sup- mimics speech, talks back and makes port eight -bit digital -audio recording and wisecracks to passersby (an AT -class or playback from 2 kHz to 22 kHz and fea- better machine is required for proper pro- ture dynamic filtering to reduce noise. The gram execution). The parrot's digitized sound source for ThunderBoard is a voice has a markedly "pigeon English" ac- Yamaha 3812 (OPL2) synthesizer chip that cent, which is good for evoking a laugh or produces 11 frequency -modulated voices. two with some of its erroneous pronuncia- In addition to a manual volume control, tions and misplaced emphasis. agc is built in to further improve recording Voxkit is also included in the basic pack- quality by reducing overload distortion. age and wraps up a well-rounded assort- ThunderBoard is capable of realtime ment of sound- and voice -development hardware compression at a 2:1 ratio and tools that permit recording, compressing, realtime hardware decompression at ratios editing and playback of digitized sounds. of 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1. Software compres- Since SoundBlaster supports DMA trans- sion/decompression at 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 is fer, sound files of any length up to avail- also supported so that large sound files can able capacity of the hard or floppy disk be- be'compressed and expanded on the fly to ing used. conserve disk space. As with any compres- Required Windows drivers and DLLs sion algorithm, the greater the compres- One of the original sound cards to make are also provided. Hence, you can take ad- sion factor, the greater the sound -quality its way onto the PC scene, the three -quar- vantage of the board's sonic capabilities deterioration, although the 2:1 compres- ter -length SoundBlaster, has become the from the DOS prompt or within Windows sion ratio yields very acceptable sound with de facto standard for PC audio in the DOS 3.1 or 3.0 with Multimedia Extensions 1.0. either ThunderBoard version. environment, and it was the only sound SoundBlaster is the sound card that Thejeal difference between the DOS card directly supported by Multimedia Ex- started it all for lots of PC users. It con- and Windows versions is the software that tensions 1.0 for Windows 3.0. tinues to be a strong seller and a good accompanies the hardware. The DOS ver- Longevity for hardware peripherals in choice for adding sound for both DOS and sion comes with Thunder Master, a utility the microcomputer industry depends Windows applications. program for recording, editing and play- largely on support for the device by soft- ing sound files. The program is straightfor- ware developers. SoundBlaster is unques- ward to use, and on-line help is available tionably the most -supported audio card, Media Vision ThunderBoard if needed. as evidenced by the thousands of applica- ($179 for Windows; $169 for DOS) With Thunder Master, you can record tions and recreational titles that access its Media Vision's half-length Thunderboard and play back sound files of any length audio capabilities. comes in two flavors: DOS and Windows. since DMA transfer is supported. Sound SoundBlaster plugs into an eight- or These are separate entities, each in its own file length is limited only by available disk 16 -bit slot. The heart of the board is Yama- distinctive packaging. The ThunderBoard space. The Sound Editor feature of the ha's 3182 synthesizer chip, which delivers card is physically the same in both versions, program lets you edit and enhance record- 11 -voice FM sound. Older versions of but accompanying software and drivers ings, and quite a bit of control is afforded SoundBlaster are about 2" longer than the are different. by it. Available modifications include add- current version and sport only one audio ThunderBoard requires only an eight - ing echo, reversing a sample or section input jack, as opposed to the two micro- bit slot for installation. A six DIP -switch thereof, increasing/decreasing playback phone and line -input jacks on the newer bank is utilized for setting DMA channels, speed, changing sample rates in 1 -kHz in- model. The older model uses more discrete and a four -pair jumper block is used to se- crements from 4 kHz to 22 kHz, changing components, which requires more surface lect IRQ 2, 3, 5 or 7. On the card's mount- volume and mixing prerecorded sound files. 38 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com For DOS -based software, Thunder slot. It has several features that aren't MediaVision ProAudio Spectrum Plus Master does a lot and does it well. A games found on the monophonic model. For ex- ($199) sampler software assortment is included to ample, a 40-pin CD-ROM interface header get you started using ThunderBoard right accommodates an internal or external CD- out of the box. This includes special ver- ROM drive from Creative Labs, Panason- sions of Nova 9, Lemmings, Lexi-Cross, ic, Matsushita or any other drive that com- Rex Nebular and Goblins and, on special- plies with the SBCD or Panasonic interfac- ly marked boxes, F-15 Strike Eagle. ing standards. (Note: this is not a standard ThunderBoard for Windows comes SCSI interface.) with drivers and DLLs need for Windows, A four -pin connector on the card is used Lotus Sound (OLE -enabled sound record- to route a CD-ROM drive's audio output er utility), Sound Forge (fairly sophisticat- through SoundBlaster Pro for mixing or ed waveform sound editor), At Your Ser- processing. A pin header is provided for vice (talking Windows calendar and sched- connecting the PC's speaker signals to SB uler), Monologue (Windows text -to -speech Pro, as well for enhanced audio. converter) and Pocket Recorder (simpli- On SB Pro's mounting bracket are sub- fied "down -and -dirty" recorder/playback miniature phone jacks for microphone and utility for quickie sound bytes). MIDI mu- line input, a thumbwheel volume control sic files can also be played through Thun- and a stereo subminiature jack for audio derBoard's FM synthesizer via the Win- output. A 15 -pin D -type connector allows dows Media Player accessory. you to attach single or dual joysticks, as Since ThunderBoard for Windows also well as the included MIDI cable kit. supports all PC games for DOS and Win- With the exception of the Covox Sound - dows, this is the versions to go for if you Master II, SoundBlaster Pro is the only think you'll be upgrading to Windows in other product covered here that includes MediaVision's ProAudio Spectrum Plus the near future. You can also use the DOS all required MIDI cabling and software as is a three -quarter -length high-performance version under Windows, but you have to part of the basic package. MIDI kits are stereo sound card that offers plenty of flex- obtain the drivers and other Windows extra -cost options with all other products ibility and an excellent assortment of stan- sound utilities yourself. In either version, reviewed here that support MIDI. dard features. It requires a 16 -bit slot and ThunderBoard is a good, moderately pric- All standard configuration features are has the circuitry required to support a ed means of adding sound and music to selectable by changing jumper settings. built-in MIDI interface, joystick port and your PC. Jumpers are used to select IRQ address 2, SCSI interface. 5 (default), 7 or 10; DMA channel 0, 1 or The joystick port is ready to use right out Internal 16 -Bit Sound Cards 3 for acknowledge/request (1 is default for of the box, but you need an optional MIDI both functions); and I/O address 220 (de- Mate kit to take advantage of the MIDI in- fault) or 240. terface. This break-out box "kit" connects Creative Labs SoundBlaster Pro ($300) The software assortment is good and in- to the card and provides a full -duplex (play cludes the FM Intelligent Organ that came and record simultaneously) MIDI port. with the original SoundBlaster. Additional To utilize the card's on -board SCSI software include: an advanced SB Voice adapter, you also need an optional SCSI Editor II recording, editing, processing cable kit. Internally -mounted SCSI de- and playback utility; memory -resident SB vices, like a CD-ROM drive, can be accom- Talker to convert text to speech (it isn't as modated via the 40 -pin header, which ac- good as Monologue that comes with the cepts a standard SCSI ribbon cable. Any MediaVision products); CD Music Player external SCSI devices you use requires an to bring all the features of a home audio external SCSI cable that attaches via the CD player to a PC so that you can play joystick port. audio CDs on a CD-ROM drive; and a The 16-bit PC bus interface enhances complement of Windows drivers, DLLs card performance while extending the and utilities. The last includes a Mixer that choices for interrupt and DMA settings. lets you mix all attached audio sources This is something to consider if you have (stereo DAC, stereo FM synthesis, micro- lots of peripherals installed in your system. phone input, stereo line input, stereo CD Jumpers are provided for selecting port audio and PC speaker signal). 220 (default), 230 or 240. Another trio of Using the original SoundBlaster as a star- Voyetra's Sequencer Plus Pro MIDI jumper pins lets you select DMA sharing ting point, SoundBlaster Pro takes a good software is also provided to let you utilize (the default) or non -sharing for some PCs thing and makes it better by expanding the the 22 -voice capability of the on -board (like the Dell 310, HD 386/33, Swan capabilities of the board and adding some synthesizers. Though this is a "bundled" 386SX/ 16, PD 386/25, Microlabs 386/33 additional features. This three -quart- software product, it's comprehensive and others) that cause the board to have er -length board, like the original mono- enough to satisfy the demands of even the problems with the default setting. phonic version that used only a single chip, more -than -casual computer musician and Software -selectable DMA and IRQ set- utilizes a pair of Yamaha 3812 FM synthe- it's easy to use and well -documented. An tings make installation quick and easy. sizer chips to produce 22 voices of synthe- MMPIay Presentation utility is also inte- Available IRQ settings are 2 through 7 and sized sound (11 voices per stereo channel). grates graphic animations with the sound 10 through 15. DMA choices are 0, 1, 2, Like the mono version, both of these chips capabilities of the board for creating syn- 3, 5, 6 and 7. wear the "FM 1322" sticker that mask their chronized presentations. On the card's mounting bracket are sep- true identity. SoundBlaster Pro represents a good arate miniature phone jacks for micro- SoundBlaster Pro mounts in a 16 -bit value for the standard in PC sound. phone input, line input and audio output. Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 39 www.americanradiohistory.com PRODUCT Covox Covox MediaVision MicroKey Covox SpeechThing VoiceMaster Key II AudioPort AudioPort SoundMaster II Sample/digitize sounds No Yes Yes Yes^ Yes Playback digitized sounds Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Can be used from DOS Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Can be used from Windows Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Attachment to PC External External External External Internal card (parallel port) (parallel port) (parallel port) (parallel port) 3/4 -length Slot required None None None None 8 -bit Microphone Input No Yes Yes Yes Yes Microphone included No Yes* No Yes Yes* Line Input No Yes Yes (Mic. port) Yes (Mic. port) Yes (attenuating adapter included) Bulit-In Speaker Yes Yes No No External speaker included Yes No No No Yes Patch cables Included No No No No No Ear/headphones Included No Yes* No Yes Yes' Audio Output Jack Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Manual Volume Control Yes (on speaker) Yes Yes No Yes Power Batt./DC adapter DC Adapter Batt./DC adapter DC adapter PC exp. slot Power Adapter Included Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A Built -In FM Synthesizer No No Yes No Yes Synthesizer Chip None None Yamaha 3812 (OPL2) None Yamaha 3812 (OPL2) AdLib compatible synthesize No No Yes No Yes Mono/Stereo Output Mono Mono Mono Mora Mono Ñ of Synth voices 0 0 11 0 11 MIDI Capable No No No No Yes MIDI connectors Included N/A N/A N/A N/A Yes Joystick port No No No No No Sample sizes 8 -bit 8 -bit 8 -bit 12 -bit 8 -bit playback sample rates (DAC 444 4-44 2-22kHz 3.5-44.1 4-44kHz Record sample rates (ADC) N/A 4-25kHz 2-22kHz 3.5-44 4-22kHz Output Power 1 Watt 1 Watt 1R -Watt 1/2 -Watt 1 Watt Mfg. Sugg. Retail $99.95 $239.95 $199.00 $295.00 $229.95 ^a p ayback-on y version (no recording capability) of the MicroKey Audioport is also available for $195 list 40 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com Covox Creative Labs MediaVision Creative Labs MediaVision ProAudio MediaVision ProAudio MediaVision Voice Master Key SoundBlaster ThunderBoard SoundBlaster Pro Spectrum Plus Spectrum 16 Thunder & Lightning (DOS & Windows) (Sound + Super VGA) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes DOS version Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Windows version Yes Yes Yes Yes Internal card Internal card Internal card Internal card Internal card Internal card Internal card 1/2 -length 3/4 -length 1/2 -length 3/4 -length 3/4 -length 3/4 -length 3/4 -length 8 -bit 8 -bit 8 -bit 16 -bit 16 -bit 16 -bit 16 -bit Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes' No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes (Mic. port) Yes Yes Yes Yes (Mic. port) No No No No No No No Yes No No No No No No No Yes No Yes No No No Yes' No No No No No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes PC exp. slot PC exp. slot PC exp. slot PC exp. slot PC exp. slot PC exp. slot PC exp. slot N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes None Yamaha 3812 (OPL2) Yamaha 3812 (OPL2) 2 - 3812 (OPL2) YMF262 (OPL3) YMF262 (OPL3) Yamaha 3812 (0P12) No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Mono Mono Mono Stereo Stereo Stereo Mono 0 11 11 22 20 20 11 No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A No (optional extra) N/A Yes No (optional extra) No (optional extra) No (optional extra) No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8 -bit 8 -bit 8 -bit 8 -bit 8 -bit 8, 12, 16 -bit 8 -bit 4 44 4-44kHz 2-22kHz 4-44kHz 4-44kHz 2-44kHz 2-22kHz 4-25kHz 5-12kHz 2-22kHz 4-44kHz 4-44kHz 2-44kHz 2-22kHz 1Watt 4 Watts/channel 2 Watts 4 Watts/channel 4 Watts/channel 4 Watts/channel 4 Watts $199.95 $229.95 DOS = $169.00 $299.95 $199.00 $299.00 $349.00 Windows = $179.00 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 41 www.americanradiohistory.com SPECIAL channel volume for each device, as well as MediaVision devoted lots of attention to a master volume control. shielding the circuitry and adding dynamic TrakBlaster Pro is a music utility that filtering to eliminate noise. provides a four -track scope, spectrum Sixteen -bit stereo sampling (linear analyzer and left and right VU meters. ADC) as well as 16 -bit stereo playback Pro Speech is a text -to -speech synthes- (linear DAC) are supported, and Media - izer that works surprisingly well, once your Vision touts the board as being capable of ear becomes accustomed to its synthesized recording CD -quality (16 -bit, 44 -kHz) re- pronunciations. cordings. I'll attest that digitized music I Audio Mate is a DOS -based multimedia recorded directly from an audio CD application that lets you add CD -audio, through the mixer utility was virtually in- digital sound effects, stereo synthesized distinguishable from the original CD music audio and MIDI to existing DOS files. on playback. Without doubt, the Pro Au- Autodesk Animator/Pro, Harvard dio Spectrum 16 does, indeed, have the Graphics and other popular applications best sound of all the products covered here. are supported, and you can even add Eight-, 12- and 16 -bit PCM sampling No manual volume control is provided, sounds to your .BAT and .EXE files with from 2 kHz to 44 kHz in stereo is possible, since this is a software -controlled function. this utility. along with user -programmable dynamic A 15 -pin D -type connector on the bracket A rich assortment of MIDI songs, digital filtering in the 4 -Hz -to -20 -kHz range. No lets you attach an analog joystick or an op- sound effects and four -track music files are manual volume control is provided. Soft- tional MIDI Mate kit to the card. This port included, as are all drivers and DLLs for ware permits master volume adjustment also provides for connection of external Windows 3.1 and 3.0 with Multimedia from 0 to - 62 dB in 1 -dB increments. The CD-ROMs, as mentioned earlier. extensions. input mixer also provides volume control The sound source for ProAudio Spec- from + 1 to - 60 dB in 2 -dB increments. trum Plus is a Yamaha YMF262 (OPL3) MediaVision ProAudio Spectrum 16 Dynamic range and signal-to-noise rat- FM synthesizer chip that provides 20 voices ($299) ings are 90 dB for synthesized and mixed for synthesizing music and sound effects. audio, sampled audio and PCM. Total MIDI files can also be channeled through harmonic distortion is only 0.0507o for a the synthesizer for playback without the frequency response of 30 Hz to 20kHz at need for an external MIDI device. ± 3 dB. If a better -sounding audio card ex- Also provided is a four -pin connector ists, I've yet to hear it! for channeling audio output from a CD- As with Spectrum Plus, to take advan- ROM drive through the board for addi- tage of the MIDI or SCSI features support- tional processing and mixing. This is a very ed by Spectrum 16 you'll have to purchase convenient feature because it allows all of an optional MIDI Mate for $69.95 or SCSI the PC's audio to emanate from one pair cable kits for less than $50. The SCSI inter- of speakers, rather than requiring a separ- face built into the board is capable of 690K - ate pair for sound board output and anoth- bytes -per-second transfer rates. Hence, it's er pair for CD-audio. capable of driving virtually any multime- MediaVision packs a rich assortment of dia -capable CD-ROM drive and related software utilities that enable you to exploit applications, including those with full -mo- the card's potential from DOS as well as tion video, without a problem. Windows. The Stereo Studio F/X wave- The user manual is very well -written and form sound editor features easy access to extraordinarily comprehensive in cover- all record, playback, edit, cut and paste age. Excellent organization makes finding functions through a GUI. You can record help on a particular topic a painless proce- sounds directly from a microphone, CD or dure. The troubleshooting section is espec- another source and add such effects as ially helpful in resolving DMA and IRQ echo, reverberation and envelope shaping The only device covered here that features conflicts, too. to alter the original file. a true 16 -bit linear DAC, the ProAudio The same rich assortment of software Included SP Spectrum software pro- Spectrum 16, is designed to meet the de- programs, utilities and sound/music files vides a reasonably powerful MIDI se- mands of high -end users who want superi- that come with Spectrum Plus is also in- quencing program that lets you compose or PC audio. cluded with Spectrum 16. However, some and play back music using the card's syn- Physically, the Spectrum 16 is very simi- of the applications and utilities (like Win- thesizer. Though it also works well with ex- lar to its sister, the Spectrum Plus. On its dows drivers) are tweaked to take advan- ternal MIDI devices, if you have serious metal mounting bracket are miniature tage of this board's 16 -bit recording and MIDI musical requirements you'll want a phone jacks for microphone and line in- playback capabilities. more -powerful dedicated program, such puts and a stereo output. On the bracket If you want really superb sound along as the Passport Designs software that I'll is also a 15 -pin joystick/expansion connec- with the optional MIDI and SCSI capabili- review next month. A mixer utility lets you tor. The board sports a 40 -pin SCSI con- ties this board supports, the ProAudio set volume levels for CD -audio, digital nector for attaching a ribbon cable to mate Spectrum 16 is the way to go. audio (sampled sound), FM synthesized an internal SCSI device and four -pin con- audio, external line input, microphone in- nectors for CD -audio, routing PC -speaker put and PC speaker input. sound and auxiliary audio input (the lat- Media Vision Thunder & Lightning A jumper on the board lets you route PC ter isn't present on the Spectrum Plus). ($349 Combination Audio/Video Board) speaker sound through this speaker as well. The principal distinction of the Spec- The three -quarter -length, 16 -bit Thunder The mixer uses familiar slide -type controls trum 16 is its 16 -bit 44 -kHz stereo sound & Lightning board is a new product that for adjusting individual left- and right - that yields incredibly pure and clean audio. was released by MediaVision in time to be 42 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com ditional standard and enhanced VGA to install the ribbon connector and second modes up to 1,024 x 768 in 256 colors are mounting bracket. also supported, as are 15- and 16 -bit color A 26 -pin VGA feature connector (800 x 600 is the maximum resolution, but mounted on the board accommodates the 16.8 -million color palette is active in another video card for special applications these modes). A comprehensive set of that support tandem video processing. drivers for Windows and popular applica- Jumper -pin headers are also used to se- tion packages like AutoCAD, GEM, Ven- lect IRQ, DMA request/acknowledge tura Publisher and others are included with channels and MIDI interrupts. Available the hardware. audio interrupts are 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12 The board is very densely populated, and 15. Available audio DMA channels are with a Yamaha 3812 (OPL2) 11 -voice FM 0, 1 or 3. MIDI interrupt can be 2, 3, 5, 7, synthesizer as its sound center. On its 10, 11, 12 or 15. With so many choices mounting bracket are a thumbwheel available, there should be no problem find- volume control, miniature phone jacks for ing a setting that's compatible with any audio input and output and a 15 -pin video other installed peripherals. connector. A 10 -position DIP switch lets The board's audio amplifier outputs 4 you enable/disable various audio features watts into a 4 -ohm load. Frequency re- and select I/O addresses. A four -pin head- sponse is 35 Hz to 10 kHz. The audio sec- er routes the PC's speaker audio through tion has all of the same features and func- the Thunder & Lightning board. tionality of ThunderBoard for Windows. A 15 -pin header mates to an included It's guaranteed to be fully SoundBlaster-, ribbon cable that terminates with a stan- ThunderBoard- and AdLib-compatible. included in this guide. The product is note- dard IBM joystick port on a second mount- (Though AdLib is no longer in business, worthy because it combines both audio ing bracket. This port also doubles as the the popularity of its sound boards has and video on a single card for use under MIDI connector for attaching MediaVi- made it one of two standards, along with Windows 3.1. sion's optional $69.95 MIDI Mate the SoundBlaster, for manufacturers to This multi -function card combines su- breakout box (the T&L board has MIDI make their sound boards and other pro- per -VGA graphics with high -quality au- MPU-401/UART mode circuitry built in). ducts to be compatible with.) dio. It's capable of displaying 24 -bit col- If slots are at a premium in your machine The included software bundle consists or up to 640 x 480 resolution from a and you don't intend to use a joystick or of Lotus Sound, Sound Forge for Win- palette of up to 16.8 -million colors. Ad- an external MIDI device, you don't have dows, At Your Service, Pocket Recorder COMPUTER SHOW Low Cost CAD Software & SALE SCHEDULE for the IBM PC and Compatibles WHOLESALE PRICES - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Now for DOS and Windows'M Dec. 12 Wm. Paterson College - Wayne,NJ «ii Design & Sat. 20 M in to New York City - 400 Tables Simulation Dec. 19 Royal Plaza Trade Ctr - Marlborough 1111.11.1151.1111 Sat. In MA Near Boston - off Route 1-495 o Jan. 2 Geo. Washington Lodge -200 Tables PCR r Layoct Sat. Willow Grove, PA - PA Tpke. Exit 27 * Easy to use schematic entry program (SuperCAD) for cucul diagrams, only 599 I dudes netlisting, bill of Jan. 9 New Carrollton, MD - Sheraton materials, extensive pans libranes, dot metre porter output More pans, FIPGL plo er and laser palter output available separately or n enhanced CAD package (SuperCAD.) for only 5199 New Windows version available. Sat. 1-95 Exit # 20-B - Near D.C. * Powerful, event -driven digital simulator (SuperSIM) allows you to check logic circuitry quickly before actually wiring A up. Works directly within the SuperCAD editor from a pulldown menu and displays results in logic analyzer" display window. Starling al 599, this is the lowest cost simulator en the market Support for PALs, a Jan. 16-17 Royal larger Norary, and a separate interactive logic viewer are available n f ull-featured SuperSlMv for only $395. Plaza Trade Centrer Library part models include YU, CMOS and ECL devices. New Windows version available. Sat. & Sun. Marlborough, MA - 500 Tables * Circuit board artwork editor and autorouter programs, starting at $99 each. Produce high quality artwork directly on dot maim or laser prreers. Separate plotter driver available for $49. You can do both sengte or double -layer boards with plated through holes. Includes drill hole listing utility. 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Low power CMOS technology 675 Conger St. Only 3.5"x 4.5" with mounting holes Eugene, OR 97402 Supports RS232 or RS485 Battery -backed RAM socket Tel.: 1-503-342-1271 Watchdog timer and power -fail interrupt CIRCLE NO. 119 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD circuitry and Monologue for Windows (see the Parallel I/O: 4/ 8 -bit I/O ports Configurable for all known byte -wide devices ThunderBoard review for more detail on SoundBlaster, $229.95 4 Jumper -Selectable Memory Maps this software). As a special bonus, a work- SoundBlaster Pro, $299.95 508-369-9556 FAX 508.369.9549 ing sample demo of Passport Designs Mas- Creative Labs, Inc. Call for detailed brochure andquantity pricing ter Tracks Pro MIDI Sequencer for Win- 2050 Duane Ave. Binary Technology, Inc. dows and an assortment of MIDI song Santa Clara, CA 95054 P.O. Box 541 Ca,lwe. MA 01741 samples are included. Tel.: 1-408-986-1461 Thunder & Lightning does, indeed, pro- CIRCLE NO. 120 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD vide a viable single -slot solution for adding both audio and high -end video capabilities MediaVision AudioPort, $199 PAY TV AND SATELLITE DESCRAMBLING to a PC system. ThunderBoard, $169 (DOS Version) ALL NEW 1992 EDITION ALL NEW ThunderBoard, $179 (Windows Version) 1992 Edition Updates Latest Circuits. Turn-Ons, Bypasses. Bullets, Bags, ProAudio Spectrum Plus, $199 Blackciphers. VCII Plus and 13 -Mac Fixes. Only $15.95. VC11 W'zzard Hacker's In Closing Bible includes Plus. Tells All. $15.95. Pay TV And Satellite Descrambling Vol. ProAudio Spectrum 16, $299 1 (Basics), 1989, 1991 Editions Are All Different. $14.95 Each. MDS Hand- Be with us next month, when I'll tell - book $9.95. Satellite Systems Under $600. $12.95 (52). Any 3/$29.95 or Thunder & Lightning (Sound & Super 5/$49.95. 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In -line assembly language The Austin, TX 78759 option Tel.: 1-800-331-0547 only Compile time switch to select CIRCLE NO. 122 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 8051/52 8051/8031 or 8052/8032 CPUs Compatible with any RAM BASIC or ROM memory mapping give summary reviews of some really compiler Runs up to 50 times faster than interesting software packages I've used the MCS BASIC -52 interpreter. for this purpose and to expand upon that is the abilities of sound boards. As Includes Binary Technology's sound becomes as standard a feature SXA51 cross -assembler 100% on the PC as a mouse now it, prices for & hex file manip. util. sound boards will probably drop and BASIC 52 Extensive documentation their capabilities increase. Getting Compatible Tutorial included started now means that you'll be a step Runs on IBM-PC/XT or ahead when sound finally-and and compatibile inevitably-does become a routine Compatible with all 8051 variants part of daily computing"' has full BXC51 $ 295. floating 508.369.9556 point, FAX: 508-369-9549 integer, byte & bit variables. Binary Technology, Inc. Tom Benford P.O. Box 541 Carlisle, MA 01741 44 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com If you enjoy Amateur Radio, you'll enjoy CQ. It's a different kind of ham magazine. Fun to read, interesting from cover to cover, written so you can understand it. That's CQ. Read and enjoyed by over 90,000 people each month in 116 countries around the world. It's more than just a magazine. It's an institution. CO also sponsors these thirteen world famous awards programs and contests: The CO World Wide `In Thìsdssue: All th ,.,est . . . 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Paid by: D Check Money Order VISA MasterCard American Express aa312EM CZ712M0 VISA Card Number: Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of first issue Name Street City State or Country Zip www.americanradiohistory.com Applications By Tom Fox SBC Applications Conclusion Using input capture to turn the MAG -11 SBC into an accurate digital thermometer with binary display T ast month in Part 1 of this arti - The programmable prescaler divides Three registers are used by 1 4 cle, I introduced you to MAG - this E clock by 1, 4, 8 or 16; 1 is the de- MAG-I1's binary thermometer: 11's binary output and how to use its fault value, chosen automatically after TIC1. Input Capture 1 Register stores D/A converter to produce a digital a system reset. the value of the 16 -bit free -running voltmeter with binary display and a From the prescaler, this clock then counter at the time an input -capture photometer with bargraph display. goes to the 16 -bit free -running count- occurs. It isn't affected by reset and This time out, I introduce you to er, which starts from a count of $0000 can't be written by software. It isn't MAG -11's input -capture feature and after reset and then counts up continu- shown here because it can be viewed detail how to use it to make an accu- ously. Nothing, except perhaps if as two read-only registers located at rate binary -display thermometer. someone steps on the board or hits the $1010 and $1011. Normally, TICI is RESET switch, stops it while the MCU read with an LDD or other double -byte is in normal mode. You can read this instruction. Using Input Capture counter at any time. TCTL2. Timer Control Register 2 In the past, when data like voltage, The contents of the timer counter ($1021) enables the capture input and temperature, pressure, etc., was input are in the TCNT register at $100E and determines whether capture occurs on into an MPU-based circuit, one in- $100F. It's important to read this regi- a falling or rising edge or both (see Fig. stinctively reached for a data book on ster with only a double -byte read in- B). Table 4 details the significance of A/D converters. With the HC 11's ad- struction like LDD or LDX. If you try the various bits. vanced timer, it's often easier to in- to read this register with a single -byte The other register used by the Bina- put information using its input -cap- read instruction, you'll likely get er- ry Thermometer is TFLGI (Timer In- ture capabilities at pins 6, 7 and 8 rors associated with the data. When terrupt Flag Register 1; Fig. C), which (MC68HC 11 A 1 P) than using an ex- the register reaches its maximum indicates the occurrence of timer sys- ternal or even internal A/D converter. count of $FFFF, the counter rolls over tem events and by both the input -cap- The built-in binary -display ther- to $0000, sets an overflow flag (bit 7 ture and the output -compare systems. mometer, contained in MAG-11DIAG of TFLG2 at $1025) and continues The Binary Thermometer makes use firmware, makes use of this feature. counting. of bit 2, Input Capture 1 flag. Now let's look at the concept of input The basic concept of input capture OCxF. This Output Compare x Flag bit capture and how it can be used to mea- is simple. All it does is use the timer to is set each time the timer counter sure temperature. measure the length of a portion of an matches the output -compare Register Both input -capture and output - input waveform. The input -capture x value. This bit is cleared by a write compare features make use of the function includes edge -detection log- of 1; a 0 write has no effect. HC1 l's timer. The concept of this timer ic; so the the time between successive ICxF. This Input Capture x Flag is set is almost trivial, but it's a complex de- rising edges, successive falling edges or each time the selected active edge is de- vice. One look at its block diagrams any edge can be determined. Since f = tected on the Icx input line. As in the in Fig. 10-1 and Fig. 10-3 in the I /T, you determine instantaneous fre- OCxF, this bit can be cleared only by a M68HC1I Reference Manual will quency at the same time. write of 1. convince you of this. Figure 5 here il- You can configure the MC68HC The sensor circuit is a simple invert- lustrates the Main Timer System 11A1P's three input -only pins for in- er astable multivibrator. With RTH in Block Diagram. put capture. They're on Port A and the circuit, the period decreases as the In essence, the timer is a free -run- are PAO/IC3 pin 8 (bit 0 of Port A or temperature rises. It's approximately ning 16 -bit counter with a four -stage Input Capture 3), PAI/IC2 pin 7 and 2.2RC, where C is 0.1µF and R is the programmable prescaler and an over- PA2/ICI pin 6. We'll concentrate on combination of the R5 and RTH pa- flow function that allows software to PA2/ICI pin 6, since it's used by rallel and R6 and R19 serial networks. extend the timer's range. The basic MAG -11's built-in binary thermom- (Exact frequency depends on the type clock is the MCU's E clock. With a eter. The other input -capture pins per- of inverter and IC technology used.) 4 -MHz crystal, the E clock is 1 MHz. form identically. The length of the oscillation period is 46 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com counter. The program continues loop- 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 ing until bit 2 of the TFLG1 register is TFLG2 set, indicating a capture has occurred. 0 0 EDG1B EDG1A EDG2B EFG2A EDG3B EDG3A $1021 Practical Aspects keet O O 0 O n o o o Of the Thermometer you Fig. B. Timer Control Register 2 ($1021). To run the binary thermometer, must have an EPROM with MAG- 11DIAG firmware in the EPROM plugged into the U7socket. To operate 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 the thermometer, set position 5 of S1 TFLG1 to ON and all other positions to OFF. OC1F OC2F OC3F OC4F 005F IC1F IC2F IC3F $1023 (Of course, if position 9 is also OFF, MAG -11 is in its low -power invisible Reset 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 mode and all but LED11 are always off.) Press the RESET switch. Fig. C. Timer Interrupt Flag Register 1. After a few seconds, the binary thermometer starts running. Because 3.6864 -MHz crystal was originally used, the E clock ran at about 921.6 made more linearly related to the tem- CLRLED, simply turns off all LEDs, kHz and a 74HC14 Schmitt -trigger with RS. perature and JSR DLY500 causes a delay of about hex inverter was used, values chosen After adjustment, the multivibra- 500 ms. MAG-11DIAG software au- for RS, R6 and R19 are acceptable. tor's output period at OF is 2,503 µs, tomatically executes this program However, using a 4 -MHz crystal and or 2,307 cycles with a 921 -kHz clock. when positions 1 through 4 and 6 a 74HC 14 prevents calibration of the (With a 1 -MHz clock, exact figures are through 8 of S1 set to OFF and position thermometer with the values shown. slightly different, but the basic theory 5 is set to ON. (If you change the value of R19 to is identical.) Each cycle corresponds Listing 5 should be meaningful if 6,040 ohms, you can then calibrate the to 1 ° F, and each decrease (in cycles) you're familiar with 6800 -series thermometer.) of period length corresponds to an in- MPUs. We'll briefly look at the If you use a 74HCT04 as U14, you crease of 1 ° F. BRCLR 0,X -$04 * instruction, which can calibrate the thermometer with the If the data was used directly by the is new to the 68HC11. BRCLR is resistor values shown, but only if you display, it would appear nonsensical BRanch if bit(s) CLeaR. Lets see what use a 4 -MHz crystal. The reason for because as temperature increases, the BRCLR 0,X -$04 * does. this is that the 74HCT04 provides a displayed value would decrease. This Here, o,x means index addressing is slightly shorter period waveform. For problem is simply corrected by com- being set with a 0 offset (the address calibration, set R6 so that the display plementing the data and then subtract- is contained in the index register). In shows the temperature of TTH in bi- ing 63,228 (65,535 - 2,307) from the our example, this is the address of the nary notation. For instance, if the in TFLG1 complement. The partial program register, since we previously temperature is 72 ° F, adjust R6 for a Listing 5 was taken directly from the stored this address in the index register. display of 0100 1000 (64 + 8 = 72). assembly-language listing for MAG - Next, -$04 is the mask (in binary it's 1 1DIAG. Its only difference is that a 0000 0100). This instruction causes a few more comments (preceded by *) branch if the mask bit at the address More Input Capture have been added for more clarity. of interest is clear; otherwise, the pro- Listing 5 is included here for in- gram continues. A simple application is use of the structional purposes only and doesn't The * in this instruction is inter- input -capture pins as a general-pur- show subroutines. Subroutine names preted by the assembler to branch to pose input, even if the input -capture are descriptive of their function: JSR the current value of the program function is enabled. To do this, simp- ly read Port A ($1000). Read bit 0 for logic -level data at pin 8, read bit 1 for data at pin 7 and bit 2 for pin 6. Table 4. Significance of Various Bits for TCTL2 One possible application for the in- put -capture pins is to use them in a robot, where pin 6, 7 or 8 connects to EDG1B EDG1A Configuration a front "bump" sensor that causes the MCU to issue a "back-up" command o 0 Input Capture 1 disabled motor if the robot o 1 Capture on rising edges only to the main drive 0 Capture on falling edges only bumps into something. Another possi- 1 Capture on either rising or falling edge bility is in an HC 11 used in an agricul- tural weather -monitoring instrument, The lin EDG 1 B and EDG1A refers to Input Capture 1; 2 and 3 have similar meanings. where an input -capture pin could be connected to a sensing circuit so that Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 47 www.americanradiohistory.com it can be used to record the start and Listing 5. Thermometer With Binary end of a critical wetting period. Display' A somewhat more sophisticated use for the input -capture pins is as a flexi- ble interrupt input. To enable masked interrupt structure, you must clear the *CONFIGUR TCTL2 FOR FALLING EDGE CAPTURE MODE LDAA #001000006 [ bit in the CCR (Condition Code STAA TCTL2 Register). It's automatically set after 'DELAY 1 SECOND reset. Additionally, you must set the JSR DLY1S appropriate control bit in the TMSK1 `CLEAR ANY IC1F FLAG GOTEMP ($1022) register to generate a hardware LDAA #$04 interrupt request STAA TFLG1 whenever the corres- 'BE READY TO DETECT FIRST FALLING EDGE 1 ponding ICxF bit is set to (see Fig. D). LDX ifTFLG 1 Before leaving the interrupt service 'LOOP HERE UNTIL EDGE WAS DETECTED routine, clear the ICxF bit by writing to BRCLR 0,X $04 'WHEN FIRST EDGE DETECTED CONTINUE the TFLG1 register. "FIRST READ TIME OF FIRST EDGE For an interrupt request to occur at LDD T1C1 pin 6 of ICI (PA2), bit 2 (lc l[) of the 'SAVE TIME OF FIRST EDGE AT FIRSTE TMSK1 register must be set. Interrupt STD FIRSTE requests for the other pins are similarly 'CLEAR IC1F FLAG LDAA #$04 enabled. You can individually config- STAA TFLG1 ure pins 6, 7 and 8 as an edge -triggered 'WAIT FOR SECOND EDGE interrupt with its own interrupt vector. BRCLR 0,X $04 You can also specify the type of edge 'WHEN SECOND EDGE DETECTED CONTINUE that causes an 'FIRST READ TIME OF SECOND EDGE interrupt. LDD T1C1 Referring back to Table 4 and regis- *SUBTRACT FIRST TIME FROM SECOND TIME WITH ter TCTL2, for an interrupt occurring "DIFFERENCE IN DOUBLE ACCUMULATOR. THIS at pin 8 (Ic3), the interrupt vector is 'DIFFERENCE IS PULSE LENGTH IN CYCLES OF CLOCK 'E' SUBD FIRSTE $FFEA and $FFEB; for pin 7 (1c2), 'IF TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 255 F BRANCH TO TOOHI it's $FFEC and $FFED; and for pin 6 CPD -2050 Oct), it's $FFEE and $FFEF. Recall BLO TOOHI that the interrupt vector is the address 'IF TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 0 F BRANCH TO TOOLOW that loads into the program counter CPD #2307 BHI TOOLOW when the respective interrupt occurs. Normally, a programmer places the starting address of the interrupt ser- vice routine at the address of the inter- 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 TMSK1 rupt vector. For example, let's sup- $1022 pose you're designing a cuckoo clock OC 1 I OC21 0C3I 0C4I 0C5I Ich I IC2I IC3I that pops out a bird from its house and cries "cuckoo" every hour and vocally Reset 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 tells you the weather outside and how you should dress. If you use an HC 11, Fig. D. TMSK1 Register. you connect pin 8 to a simple rain sen- sor that alerts the clock when it starts to rain outside. Having detected a rain condition, al subsystems. The input -capture generated (if enabled), and timer out- you might program the clock's bird to function is just one of the several peri- put pins are automatically changed per vocalize something like: "Close that pherals that make use of the program- software -accessible control bits. window! I don't want soggy feathers! mable timer. Moreover, there are As a simple but practical example, Its raining outside!" Assuming the many different ways of using the in- let's use the output -compare function software for the cuckoo clock's rain put -capture pins, considerably more to generate an accurate 1 -kHz square routine starts at address $D000, you'd than have been discussed here. wave. To hear this signal, breadboard make sure $D0 is stored at address The concept of output -compare is the Fig. 6 circuit, which uses an opti- $FFEA, with $00 at address $FFEB. almost trivial. As in the input -com- cally -isolated input and an LM386 IC pare function, output -compare makes audio power amplifier to drive a small use of the free Output -Compare Function -running timer. How- speaker. Connect a wire from pin 4 of ever, here you set up a 16 -bit "num- J3 to the circuit's input. Use an oscillo- By now, you should have a glimmer of ber" (up to 65,535 decimal). When a scope to view the signal. the enormous versatility of the HC 11's match occurs between this number Use BUFFALO's ASM line assem- design. For instance, the programma- and the free -running timer, a status bler to enter the program in Listing 6. ble timer is just one of the chip's sever - flag is set (ocxF), an interrupt can be Run it with the GO B650 command. 48 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com how the bits control Output Compare 2. Line 1 loads the stack pointer with $50, which is a good habit to get into. *NOW COMPLEMENT DOUBLE ACCUMULATOR AND SUBTRACT 63,228 Line 2 loads the index register with COMA $1000 so that reads and writes to COMB SU B D #63228 HC11's registers can use index ad- *ACCUMULATOR B NOW HAS TEMPERATURE IN DEGREES F FROM 0 TO 255 F dressing when desired. *NOW WE MAKE LED1 - LED8 INDICATE TEMPERATURE IN BINARY Lines 3 and 4 configure TCTL1 so STAB TEMPF that pin 2 of the HC11 toggles when LDX #LED1 a successful compare is made. *ACTIVATE LED POINTED TO BY 'X' NXTLED STAB O,X Lines 5 and 6 clear double -byte reg- LSRB ister TOC2. 'LAST LED YET? Lines 7 and 8 clear the Output Com- CPX #LED8 pare 2 Flag in the Timer Interrupt Flag *IF DONE BRANCH TO GOTEMP FOR NEXT READING BEQ GOTEMP Register 1. 'OTHERWISE SET UP INDEX REGISTER FOR NEXT LED Line 9 loads the double accumula- INX tor with 500 decimal ($1F4). BRA NXTLED Assuming you're using a 4 -MHz 'THE FOLLOWING ROUTINE SIMPLY MAKES LED8 FLASH ON AND OFF crystal, the free -running clock TOOHI JSR CLRLED timer's LDAA #$01 has a period of 1µs. So if you want a STAA LED8 1,000 -Hz output signal (1 -ms or JSR DLY500 1,000-µs period), you must toggle pin CLR LED8 2 every 500 ms. To do this, simply load JSR DLY500 DOAGIN JMP GOTEMP D with decimal 500. *THE FOLLOWING ROUTINE SIMPLY MAKES LEDI FLASH ON AND OFF Line 10 adds the data in the TOC2 TOOLOW JSR CLRLED register to D. LDAA #$01 Line 11 stores the result back in the STAA LEDI JSR DLY500 Toc2 register. Line 12, t\,e program CLR LEDI waits until the TCNT timer register JSR DLY500 matches TOC2. When the compare is BRA DOAG I N successful, the program branches back to line 7 and clears the Output *Binary display drivers are contained in MAG-11DIAG firmware. Compare 2 flag and continues to run through again. Listing 6 polls the TFLG1 register. All you have to do is change line 9 by (With a Data Precision 5740 Digital simply holds the "number" you wish loading D with a different number. Frequency meter, the output frequen- to compare the free -running timer There are limits to how high a fre- cy measured 1,000.1 Hz when E was with. It isn't shown here pictorially quency you can generate. Unless you 1.000087 MHz.) since there's no need for it. Its address change bits 0 and 1 of the TMSK2 regis- Two registers I haven't discussed is $1,018 and $1,019. Timer control ter ($1024), the longest wavelength sig- yet are used by this example. TOC2 is register 1 (TCTL1; Fig. E) has several nal that can be generated (assuming E a 16 -bit output -compare register that important 5 control bits. Table lists = 1 MHz) is 2 x 65,535 µs or 0.13107 second, or 7.6295 Hz. You do this by loading D in line 9 with 65,535 decimal (FFFF hex or 1111 1111 1111 1111 Listing 6. Square -Wave Generator Using Polling binary). What if you load D with 1 in Line 9? Line Address Is a 500 -kHz signal generated? Try this and note your result. If you keep in 1 B650 LDS #0050 mind that the shortest instructions (for 2 B653 LDX #1000 3 B656 LDAA #40 'OC2 PIN TOGGLES ON example, NOP) take at least two cycles SUCCESSFUL COMPARES (2µs) to complete, it's obvious that it 4 B658 STAA 1020 isn't possible to generate a 500 -kHz 5 B65B CLR 1018 signal. (The instruction on line 12 6 B65E CLR 1019 *CLEAR TOC2 7 B661 LDAA #40 alone takes 7µs to complete.) 8 B663 STAA 23,X *CLEAR ANY OC2 FLAG Practically speaking, don't try to 9 B665 LDD #01 F4 *LOAD D WITH 500 create a signal shorter than 70µs (f x 10 B668 ADDD 1018 14,286 Hz) using a 4 -MHz crystal. If 11 B66B STD 1018 you want a wavelength with a longer 12 B66E BRCLR 23,X 40 B66E *LOOP HERE TIL OC2F=1 13 B672 BRA 13661 period, first change the TMSK2 regis- ter. If you set both bits 0 and 1 of this Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 49 www.americanradiohistory.com J3 Pin 4 (PA6/0C2, Ri U1 Pin 2) 1K J6 Pin 5 o +5V 4N26 Cl D1_ (optical C51. 0.001 µF 1N914 isolator) 100µF- 2 C2 C4 0.1 µF 2 6 220µF 3 . 6M386 ' R3 J6 Pin 15 Fig. 6.MAG-11 can be programmed to generate accurate square waves. If you wish to listen to the output signal, wire this circuit and connect it to the SBC. JMP Table 5. How Bits Control Output Compare 2 that they require a op code (7E) to be placed before the address of your interrupt service routine. 0M2 OL2 Action Taken The first step in using the 0C2 inter- rupt is to bring it to life by clearing the o o 0C2 Does Not Affect Pin (OC1 still may) I bit in the CCR register, using op code o Toggle pin 2 of 68HC11A1P on successful compare CLI and setting the 0C21 bit (bit 6) in o Clear pin 2 of 68HC I l A 1 P on successful compare the TMSKI register. I 1 Set pin 2 of 68HCI IAIP on successful compare Listing 7 provides a 1,000 -Hz sig- nal, as did Listing 6. However, this time, instead of polling, the interrupt method is used. As before, it's shown 7 6 1 5 4 3 2 o here in a form that allows direct entry TCTL1 0M2 OL2 0M3 OL3 0M4 OL4 0M5 OL5 $1020 using BUFFALO's ASM line assem- bler, and the program resides in the Reset 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 HC11's EEPROM. To run this short program, enter GO B6B0. If you have the circuit connected as shown in Fig. Fig. E. The TCTL1 Timer Control Register. 6, you should hear a loud, moderate - pitched sound from the speaker. Lines 2 and 3 load the JMP op code register, you can produce a wave- Table 6. However, if you use the BUF- at location $00DC, which is the pseu- length that's slightly longer than 2 sec- FALO monitor, these assignments do -vector for Output Compare 2. onds (16 x 0.13107) in duration. aren't very useful because they're oc- Lines 3 and 4 load the starting ad- cupied by BUFFALO. Fortunately, dress ($B6A0) at address $00DD and BUFFALO provides pseudo -vectors, $00DE. Thus, after an 0C2 interrupt Generating Square Waves located in internal RAM space. is detected, the program jumps to Because polled -driven software wastes (They're identical to the pseudo -vec- $B6A0, which is the starting address CPU time, the designers of the HC 11 tors used by the HC11's bootstrap of the interrupt service routine. (who must hate the thought of wasting ROM. The only difference is that at re- Line 7 sets 0C2 for a toggle of pin CPU time) included a myriad of inter- set, the bootstrap ROM jumps to 2 on a compare match. rupts. We'll look at only the Timer $BF40, while the BUFFALO monitor Line 8 clears the 0C2 flag bit in the Output Compare 2 interrupt here (I jumps to $E000). TFLGI register. discussed several others in previous Refer to the right column in Table Line 9 enables the 0C2 interrupts Installments). 6 for the starting address of these and the CLI. The HC 11's Interrupt vector assign- pseudo -vectors. These differ slightly Line 10 enables the interrupts. ments are shown in the left column of from normal vector assignments in Lines 11 through 14 make up a pro - 50 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com Table 6. HC11's Interrupt Vector Assignments Listing 7. Square -Wave Generator Using Output - On -Chip Normal Interrupt Source Pseudo -Vector* Compare Interrupter Vector Address Source Pseudo -Vector* Line Instruction FFD6,D7 SCI 00C4 FFD8,D9 SPI 0007 1 B680 LDS #50 2 B683 LDAA #7E OOCA FFDA,DB Pulse Accumulator 3 8685 STAA DC (Input Edge) 4 B687 LDX #B6A0 FFDC,DD Pulse Accumulator OOCD 5 B68A STX DD (Overflow) 6 B68C LDAA #40 7 B68E STAA 1020 FFDE,DF Timer Overflow OODO 8 B691 STAA 1023 FFEO,E I Timer Output Compare 5 00D3 9 B69A STAA 1022 FFE2,E3 Timer Output Compare 4 00D6 10 B697 CLI 11 B698 NOP FFE4,E5 Timer Output Compare 3 00D9 12 B699 NOP 13 B69A NOP FFE6,E7 Timer Output Compare 2 OODC FFE8,E9 Timer Output Compare 1 OODF Note: After entering line 13, press LINE FFEA,EB Timer Input Compare 3 00E2 FEED or +-not ENTER. FFEC,ED Timer Input Compare 2 00E5 14 B69B BRA B698 The next line starts the interrupt service LINE FEED FFEE,EF Timer Input Capture 1 00E8 routine. Press or + until ad- FFFO,F1 Real Time Interrupt 00EB dress B6A0 shows up. FFF2,F3 IRQ 00EE 15 B6A0 LDD 60 16 B6A2 ADDD 1018 FFF4,F5 XIRQ 00F1 17 B6A5 STD 1018 18 B6A8 LDAA #40 FFF6,F7 SWI 00F4 19 B6AA STAA 1023 FFF8,F9 Illegal Opcode Trap 00F7 20 B6AE RTI FFFA,FB COP Fail 00FA Press LINE FEED or + instead of ENTER FFFC,FD Clock Monitor 00FD until address B6B0 shows up. The next program segment places the fre- FFFE,FF Reset E000(IN ROM) quency/period data at addresses 60 and 61 and then jumps to the start of the main program. Note: in All addresses are hexadecimal. 21 B6B0 LDX #1F4 22 B6B3 STX 60 *Starting address of pseudo -Vector used by BUFFALO monitor. 23 B6B5 JMP B680 gram that serves as a place to wait for scale from about 93 Hz to nearly 9 termines the frequency produced by interrupts. (A JMP xxxx instruction can kHz. The rate of frequency climb is the listing. substitute for the three NOP5. You can determined in the third line (the LDY Lines 9, 10 and 11 cause a/, -second use this instruction to lead into a more - -300 instruction). Change the data here delay for the "note" to be heard. meaningful program.) if you want to experiment. If you want Line 12 causes the program to get Line 15 starts the Interrupt Service to try this program, change line 11 of another number. routine. It loads the double accumula- Listing 7 to jump to the start of Listing tor with the data (pre -stored in inter- 8 as follows: MAG -11 Plays Music nal RAM at $60) for the delay time for After loading Listing 9, running the cycle. Line New Instruction program and listening to the "alien" Lines 16 and 17 add this value to the 11 B698 JMP B6C0 sound produced for a few minutes, it last compare value and store it back in becomes obvious that it isn't difficult the 0C2 compare register. Enter GO B680 to run this program to have MAG -11 produce computer Lines 18 and 19 clear the oc2 flag in from the BUFFALO monitor. music. Keep in mind that the length of the TFLGI register before returning Lines 1, 2 and 3 load D with a pseu- time a note is held is determined by line from the interrupt (Line 20). do -random number. (The original 9. If you load D with $B000, the length Line 21 a starts short program that number comes from free -running tim- of a note will be about 'A second. stores 500 decimal, or $1F4 hex (for a er register TCNT.) The basic program to produce mus- 1,000 µs period) at location $60. The Lines 4 through 7 reject this number ic is given in Listing 10. The data re- program them jumps to $B680, where if it's less than 56 decimal ($38) or quired to play Old MacDonald is given the square -wave program starts. greater than 4,608 decimal ($1200). in Listing 11. Key in M EM 1100, fol- Line 8 stores this number at $0060 lowed by ENTER to enter this data. Use Interesting Programs and $0061 if its number passes the test the space bar-not ENTER-to step Listing 8 automatically sweeps the in lines 4 through 7. This number de - the address for loading the data. Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 51 www.americanradiohistory.com Listing 8. Square -Wave Data FF causes a delay (lines 6, 7 man ear interprets such a combination Sweep Generator and 19 through 24), and data 00 causes of notes as the "pink noise" of the "s" the program to halt (lines 5, 16, 17 and sound. Rapid alteration of frequencies 18). The larger the number in data, the is required to obtain the sound of the Line Instruction lower the pitch of the note. Note pitch human voice. Some sounds, like a is also determined by lines 3 and 9 of long "e," don't require as abrupt 1 B6C0 I_Dx #1500 Listing 10. changes in frequency as does 2 B6C3 STX 60 "s." 3 B6C5 LDY #300 The length of the note is determined Its obvious considerable memory is 4 B6C9 DEY by line 11, and the relative length of needed for MAG-11 to vocalize a sin- 5 B6CB BNE B6C9 pause is determined by line 20. If gle word, with no guarantees on speech 6 B6CD DEX you're using the MAG-11BAT bat- quality. However, experimenting with 7 B6CE DEX tery -backup it would wise 8 B6CF CPX #38 board, be to computerized speech is a fascinating 9 B6D2 BLO B6C0 install it before entering the data in pursuit all by itself. 10 B6D4 BRA B6C3 Listing 11. Because this data is stored in CMOS static RAM, it will be lost Advanced I/O Pin Control shortly after power is removed when Our examples of output -compare con- MAG-11BAT isn't used. trol of pin 2 is labeled "Normal I/O Listing 9. Produces Music If you run the program in Listing Pin Control" in the M68HC11 Refer- 10, you must first change line 11 of ence manual. "Advanced" methods of Line Instruction Listing 7 to J MP B7C7. Again, run the using oc 1 are also covered. OC1 per- program with GO B680. mits one output compare to control up 1 B6D8 LDD 100E If you'd like to experiment with 2 B6DB MUL to five pins or two output compares to voice synthesis, load D in Line 11 of 3 B6DC MUL control one pin. Details of using ocl 4 B6DD CPD #38 Listing 10 with $150 or even $100 in- in this manner are beyond the scope of 5 B6E1 BLO B6D8 stead of $B000. Doing this allows the this article. 6 B6E3 CPD #1200 program to take several hundred of A simpler feature in the HC1l's 7 B6E7 BHI B6D8 these short notes to voice a word. I've 8 B6E9 STD 60 output -compare system is Forced Out- 9 B6EB LDY #8000 briefly experimented with MAG -11 in put Compare (Fig. F), used in some 10 B6EF DEY voice synthesis, but generating speech 11 B6F1 BNE B6EF with it seems possible. 12 B6F3 BRA B6D8 If you do experiment with voice syn- thesis, vary the notes sharply. For in- Listing 10 Electronic This program is fun to listen to. Line 11 of Listing 7 must be altered to actually stance, a fairly accurate "s" sound can Organ Vocal Chord use this listing as follows: JMP B6D8. Use be made with the data: FO 01 E0 05 FO GO B680 to run this program. 01 DO 80 01 FO 01 EO . . . . With 100 Line Instruction to 300 distinct notes a second, the hu - 1 B7C7 LDX #1100 2 B7CA CLI 3 B7CB LDAB5 #6 4 B7CD LDAA 0,X 5 B7CF BEQ B7F0 6 B7D1 CM PA #FF The Pocket Programmer- $129.95 7 B7D3 BEQ B7F4 TimeType 8 B7D5 MUL The portable 9 B7D6 ADDD #A7 In today's business world, an eight hour Eprom 10 B7D9 STD 60 day sometimes isn't enough. But why 11 B7DB LDY #B000 programmer should you stay in the office babysitting 12 B7DF DEY that uses the chores that TimeType 2.0 can easily 13 B7E1 BNE B7DF printer port handle? From hard drive backups to 14 B7E3 INX of your PC instead of a internal card. The 15 B7E4 remote logins, TimeType simulates your BRA B7CA software has 24 functions and programs keystrokes at a time you set, so you get 27/28/25/68764, Cmos, EEproms & Flash press 'LINE FEED' or key the most from your time. from 16K - 4Meg (2K -256K x 8) with a 32 16 pin socket. Adapters available for 874X . Occupies only 3K of memory B7F0 SEI . Encrypts commands to prevent password theft 17 MCU's, 40 -Pin Eproms, 5 -Gang, 16 Pin X4 B7F1 NOP . Handles CTRL or ALT key combinations and 18 B7F2 WAI & X8 Prom, Serial Eproms and Eprom function keys with ease . Can serve as a driver to all kinds of popular Emulator x 8. to 32K software press 'LINE FEED' or key $29.95 19 B7F4 SEI Intronics, Inc. 707S. Division, Suite I 20 B7F5 LDY #3000 CMS Ann Arbor, MI 48104 21 B7F9 DEY Box 13723 Add $3.00 for shipping ChnMar Systems (313) 761-8076 22 B7FB BNE B7F9 Edwardsville, KS 66113 Add $3.75 for COD. (913) 422-2094 VISA/Master Charge 23 B7FD INX 24 B7FE BRA B7CA CIRCLE NO. 131 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 138 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 52 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com Prairie Digital, lnc. Listing 11. Data for "Old MacDonald" 77 FF 77 FF 77 FF 90 FF 87 FF 87 FF 90 90 FF FF FF FF FF FF 65 FF 65 FF 70 FF 70 FF 77 77 FF FF FF FF FF FF 77 FF 77 FF 77 FF 90 FF 87 FF 87 FF 90 90 FF FF FF FF FF FF 65 FF 65 FF 70 FF 70 FF 77 77 FF FF FF 77 FF 77 FF 77 FF FF FF FF 77 FF 77 FF 77 FF FF FF FF 77 FF 77 FF 77 FF 77 FF 77 77 FF FF FF FF FF FF FF FF 77 FF 77 FF 77 FF 90 8,8188181'.i9ig FF 87 FF 87 FF 90 90 FF FF FF FF FF FF 65 FF 65 FF 70 FF 70 FF 77 77 00 00 Starting address is at $1100. PC DATA ACQUISITION Note: Data reads across; press space bar for next address. SYSTEM - $79 INCLUDES SOFTWARE ON 5.25" FLOPPY MODEL 30 -FOR 386'S, XT'S, AT'S, PS2 MODEL 25 & 30'S. FEATURES: * 24 LINES OF PROGRAMMABLE INPUT/OUTPUT 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 * 8 BIT ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER * 8 CHANNEL ANALOG MULTIPLEXOR CFORC * 12 BIT CMOS COUNTER FOCI FOC2 FOC3 FOC4 F005 0 0 0 $100B * EASY INTERFACE TO ALL POPULAR LANGUAGES * OPTIONAL 7 CHANNEL 50V DRIVER AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL $5 Reset 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 APPLICATIONS: * CONTROL RELAYS, LIGHTS & MOTORS * MEASURE TEMPERATURE, PRESSURE, LIGHT LEVELS, & HUMIDITY * INPUT SWITCH POSITIONS, THERMOSTATS, & Fig. F. Forced Output Compare Register. LIQUID LEVELS * GREAT FOR ROBOTICS, SERVO CONTROL LOOPS automotive spark timing systems. tems, but its complexity can unnerve Brat rie Uiuii8L Inc. Forced Output Compare enables a some designers. If you persevere, Sh Digit 18811 to RS232 Convert.. program to "force" a compare before you'll soon find yourself deeply en- a compare can occur in the "normal" meshed in the fascinating world of way. This "force" mechanism uses mocrocontrol. the CFORC register ($100B). To force one or more output -com- MODEL 70 18 BIT (5.5 DIGIT) pare channels, write to this register Parts Availability A/D WITH RS232 INTERFACE $239 INEXPENSIVE- Equivalent resolution of 51/2 digit DVMs with 1s in the bit positions that corres- costing over $10001 FAST -- 16.7 to 133 ms/conversion pond to the channels to be forced. The following items are available from depending on resolution and mode Magicland, 4380 S. Gordon Ave., Fre- MULTI -CHANNEL CAPABILITY - Up to 32 model 70's Thus, storing $40 at $100B "forces" can be daisy chained together off of 1 serial port a compare of 0C2 at the next mont, MI 49412: ready -to -wire double - SOFTWARE - Virtual instrument software features easy timer pull down menus, mouse support, CGA, EGA, VGA sided MAG -11 pc board with plated - counter clock cycle. (In our examples, support. Will log to screen, printer, or disk data file for through holes, component -placement easy import to spreadsheets and graphic programs. this would occur at the next E clock cy- Source code included silkscreen and complete Parts List (No. (QuickBasic) cle, since the prescale factor for the $239 COMPLETE (- Includes software on floppy, PC MAG-11BD), $25; semi -kit with pc cable, 9 volt wall mount power supply and manual) timer system is the default value of 1. board and all ICs that aren't optional, in- $199 WITHOUT - Software and cable If the prescale factor was set to 16, cluding a 27C256 programmed with your forced compare would require 16 E choice of MAG-11DIAG or BUFFALO clock cycles to occur.) firmware, IC sockets, thermistor, 7.32K We've looked at, sometimes with and 6.04K 1% tolerance resistors, load- significant myopia, most of the ed PC -compatible software disks with all 68HC1 l's features and peripherals so software mentioned thus far and pc fab- rication guides for MAG -11 revision c far. Two peripherals I didn't mention and MAG -11 are the Synchronous Serial Peripheral BAT, and a utility for print- Interface ing the exposure mask using a HP Laser - (SPI) and Pulse Accumulator Jet II -compatible laser printer or 100% MODEL 150 TRUE RMS DMM W/RS232 PORT - $149 (PA). SPI permits communication with compatible IBM dot-matrix printer (spe- peripheral devices like an LCD display cify your choice of 3%2" or 51/4") manual; INCLUDES RS232 PC CABLE AND driver and a multi -channel D/A con- and three-ring binder (No. MAG-11PKT SOFTWARE ON 5.25" FLOPPY verter. The Pulse Accumulator can be /c), $69. Also available are: MC68HC * LARGE 33/4 DIGIT DISPLAY (3.999 VS. 1.999 FOR used to count things like pieces on an 11 A 1 P CPU, $25; 27C256 programmed 3 1/2 DIGIT METERS) * RS232SERIAL INTERFACECOMMUNICATES WITH assembly line or count time like the with either MAG-11DIAG or BUF- COMPUTERS AND PRINTERS width of a pulse. FALO firmware, $12; loaded pc - * MEASURES AC -DC VOLTAGE AND CURRENT, compatible disk (see above), $10. FREQUENCY, RESISTANCE It should be obvious that the * 20 AMP CURRENT RANGE, 30 Hz TO 40 KHz All prices include postpaid 68HC11 is "loaded." The only things shipping in FREQUENCY RANGE the US. Add $5 for shipments to Canada, * DIODE TEST AND AUDIBLE CONTINUITY you need to fully use this MCU are de- $10 for shipments to all other countries. SEND CHECK, MO, VISA, MC sire and a little skill. The HC1l's de- Deduct 15% on orders that exceed $100. INCLUDE $8 FOR SHIPPING & HANDLING sign is a two-edged sword, though. Its Michigan residents, please add 4% sales Prairie Digital, Inc. numerous features permit you to de- tax. 846 Seventeenth Street sign simplified and economical sys- Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin 53578 Tel: (608) 643-8599Fax: (608) 643-6754 CIRCLE NO. 148 ON FREE INFORMATION CAR D 53 www.americanradiohistory.com Applications By Hardin Brothers The Shell Game Using shells can make your computer a lot friendlier and much more likely to help you get work done instead of hindering you Lurking in your CONFIG.SYS file MS-DOS Shell File Options View Tree Help is probably an innocuous - C:\MASM [Mille looking line that says something like: ®A ®B OD R SHELL = C: \ COMMAND.COM /P Directory Tree C:\MASM\».. /E:512. You may know that this line C:\ 8 ASM .BAT 129 0438-91 t reserves 512 bytes for the master en- -+ ACAD CHEF .EXE 28,427 83-11-88 - BASIC a vironment (the text you see if you type -tn COMM n CV .HLP 239,863 02-07-90 SET at the DOS prompt). Otherwise, -e] DOS EXE2COM .EXE 3,063 11-18-88 - GAMES LINK .EXE 142,015 02-28-90 you probably ignore this line com- MAG 8 MASM .EXE 124,712 03-11-88 pletely. However, this line says a lot -e+ i] -r MISC a about how DOS and other operating Command Prompt systems work. Before it sets aside en- Editor vironment space, it specifies that you MS-DOS QBasic Disk Utilities want to use a program called COM- MAND.COM as your DOS shell. With- out really thinking about it, you've a defined the program you'll probably use most often while your computer is The DOS 5.0 shell's main screen. turned on. A shell is an unusual program. Very often, its design is crucial to the suc- cess of an operating system. In fact, DOS performs the requested function, the shell is responsible for interpreting in most people's minds, the shell is the puts data and status information back your request, making the necessary operating system. But if you're an as- into the CPU registers and returns to DOS calls to generate a list of files and sembly -language programmer, you the application program that called it. putting the filenames on the screen. probably have a more -realistic view of DOS provides a large number of The only thing DOS does during this DOS and what it really is. services, but it's severely lacking in one operation is pass filenames to the shell, At its heart, an operating system is area. It has absolutely no user inter- one at a time. a collection of services that are face. DOS itself doesn't know how to Almost any program can be used as available to application programs. display a C > prompt. It doesn't know a DOS shell. If you like to experiment, These services take care of the disk file how to interpret or react to simple format a bootable floppy disk and system and other computer resources, commands like DIR and TYPE, and it copy any small program onto this including the keyboard and time -of - doesn't know how to run a program disk. Then create a CONFIG.SYS file day clock. The services an operating when you type its name at your key- on the floppy that has only a SHELL = system makes available strongly in- board. These aren't properly DOS ac- line that defines the program as your fluence the applications written for it. tivities at all. Instead, they're the job shell. Now boot up from this floppy For example, DOS's eight -character of the user interface shell. disk, and you'll see your chosen pro- filenames give it a completely different When you turn on your computer, gram instead of the DOS prompt. The feel from the operating systems that it goes through its self -tests (the POST program should run in the normal permit much longer filenames. routine), loads a bootstrap program manner, but if you try to exit from it, To request a DOS function, a pro- from disk, loads and initializes the you'll see a "Bad or missing command gram puts specific values into the operating system and, finally, starts a interpreter" error, and the computer CPU's registers, including a function - user shell. The shell is then responsi- will lock up. selection number. The program then ble for all interactions between you Remove the floppy disk and re -boot transfers control to DOS, usually by and the operating system. If you want from your hard drive to restore your invoking software Interrupt 21 hex. to see a directory of files, for example, computer to normal operation. This 54 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In Comput erCraft www.americanradiohistory.com little test demonstrates a shell's first You could, for example, disable DEL with MS-DOS4, MS-DOS itself incor- responsibility: it can't end. If it does, and ERASE or the COPY command. A porates the option of using its own you're left without a method of inter- sophisticated user will find ways of shell to work with the OS in a visual acting with your computer. performing the same operations with way. The most popular replacement If you try this experiment, you'll various application programs, but you for COMMAND.COM is a shareware also see that COMMAND.COM, not may keep relatively inexperienced product called 4DOS from J.P. Soft- DOS, runs your AUTOEXEC.BAT file users from accidentally destroying im- ware (the NDOS program included (and all other batch files). COM- portant files. Of course, you should with the Norton Utilities is an earlier MAND.COM is also responsible for make sure that you have a good back- version of 4DOS). maintaining the environment, includ- up of the original COMMAND.COM to 4DOS is fully compatible with MS- ing the PATH, displaying the C > use in case your patches cause unex- DOS' and PC -DOS' COMMAND. prompt, reacting to your typed com- pected problems. COM and adds many new features that mands and launching other programs. Just because COMMAND.COM is are absent in both of these DOSs. It in- Commands listed as "internal" in shipped with DOS and installed as the cludes an improved command history your DOS manual are those built into default command interpreter, it isn't that lets you re -issue commands with- COMMAND.COM. "External" com- the only user shell available. Starting out retyping them, faster and much mands are any other programs avail- able on your system, including several 48 HOUR ELENCO & HITACHI & B+ K PRODUCTS CALLOTOLDL FREE utilities, like XCOPY, that are shipped 1-800-292-7711 SHIPPING with DOS. AT DISCOUNT PRICES 1-800-445-3201 (Can.) You probably know how to change ELENCO OSCILLOSCOPES B+K OSCILLOSCOPES Hitachi Compact Series Scopes 2120 - 20MHz Dual Trace $395 V-212 - 20MHz Dual Trace $409 the name of an external command by 2125 - 20MHz Delayed Sweep $539 V-525 - 50MHz, Cursors $975 1541B - 40MHz Dual Trace 9749 0-523 - 50MHz, Delayed Sweep $949 changing the file name. For example, 2160 - 60MHz Dual Trace, Delayed Sweep, Cr-a V-522 - 50MHz, DC Offset $849 Dual Time Base $949 many users change the name of FOR- _ V-422 - 40MHz, DC Offset $749 2190 - 100MHz Three Trace Dual Time Base, V-222 - 20MHz. DC Offset $625 .a.; Delayed Sweep $1 395 MAT.COM to something else and then l V-660 - 60MHz, Dual Trace $1 095 - ' 2522 - 20MHz / 10MS/s Storage $069 V-665A - 60MHz,DT, w/cursor $1 325 1442 - 20MHz Portable $1.229 1/-1060 write a batch file called FORMAT.BAT - 100MHz, Dual Trace $1 375 1443 - 40MHz S-1325 25MHz $ 349 Battery / AC operated with V -1065A - 100MHz, DT. w/cursor 51.649 Cursor 8 Readouts $1 439 that keeps them from accidentally for- V-1085 - 100MHz. QT, w/cursor $1 995 Dual Trace Oscilloscope V -1100A - 100MHz. Quad Trace $2 195 matting their hard disks. And you may V-1150 - 150MHz, Quad Trace $2,695 S-1340 40MHz $495 LOGIC ANALYSERS have read that you can't write a pro- l32 channels (VC -3120) or 48 channels (VC-3130) Hitachi RSO Series Dual Trace OscilloscopeP 25MHz synchronous operation on all channels RSO's feature; roll mode, averaging, save gram or batch file with the same name 100MHz asynchronous operation (8 or 12 channels) memory, smoothing, interpolation, pretrigger- as an internal command, because such S-1360 60MHz 5ns glitch capture capability , ing, cursor measurements. Dual Trace, Delayed Sweep Multi -level trigger sequencing VC -6023 - 20MHz, 20MS/s $1,650 II Non-volatile data and set-up memories VC - 20MS/s $1 950 a program will never run. The point of Automatic beam finder -6024 50MHz, Disassembler options for popular uPs VC -6025A - 50MHz, 20MS/s_ $2,350 $ Built -In component fester a 75 9 inch LCD screen VC -6045A - 100MHz, 40MS/s Ca I this warning is that COMMAND.COM 1mV Comonettivity Call for prices reads through its internal list of com- Dual time boss VC -6145 - 100MHz, 100MS/s Ca Digital Capacitance Meter DeltaI LCR Meter .- - -, Mst8meterwith mands before it searches for a .COM, 000-; Capacitance FLUKE MULTIMETERS CIA-1550BLG1601 (All Models Available Call) a7'r Translator Testa eters .EXE or .BAT file to execute. $58.95 $125 Model 93 $1,095.00 7oder701 Model 95 $1,395.00 Model 7011 $65.00 q Ranges Meawm: $55 CM15008 Model 97 Mode17711 5145.00 coda Ive -200e - Reeds ipe,oh,, $1.695.00 you want way . p1.20.000uld BI01 If really to alter the 10 Seams Mode17911 5169.00 .5% basic accy. Display Capº.1p1.2ooul cunenl, c,,,,aors, and Model 10 $62.95 80 Wee Zero control w/ Case Res .01-20M ,. :., Traniºors COMMAND.COM works and use your Model 12 $79.95 Model 87 $289.00 e 1. Display Nodes/with lase own DIR.BAT or DIR.EXE program, Soldering Station Video Head Tester Digital Multimeter Color Convergence Generator you can. All you have to do is disable CALL US Temperature Controlled HT-200 w/ inductance SG -250 & Ca acitance FOR ALL 1' SL-30 $99 r'--'` $44.95 P $89.95 the DIR command inside COM- YOUR V Digital Display n Tells 'Ir * $75.00 Temp Range you - Kit $69.95 VH$ need LCM1850 COMPONENT 300F-900í I ` "tl $ = nes the industry MAND.COM. If you examine COM- Is defective o- Grounded Tip i- Ten Functions 10 rack steady patterns NEEDS or worn Overheat Protect +j )°'.t RF 8 video output MAND.COM with a sector editor like . by Elenco the one in Norton Utilities or PC 12A DC Power S pply Triple Power Supply XP -620 The Survivor Duel -Display LCR Meter Tools, you'll find a list of commands Bo 1686 Assembled $75 Model 2860 '_. Wl Stet Functions $169.95 9 Kit $50 -. Model 878 9 2 to 15V091Á $B9 in upper-case letters. Between each B.KS best DMM $239.95 4l! -2 to -15V (9 1A 1 e1/' (or 4 to 30V 1A) Large 3-1/2 digit Auto/Manual Range Fully regulated command, you'll see a few nonsense & protected and 55 @ 34 Rugged conslruceon Many Features 'Separate voll meters Full featured 8 current All the desired features for doing experiments. 4Mcaraliiir w/ D Factor r..th current limiting , characters, which you can ignore but low ripple Features short circuit protection, all supplies. High Accuracy not change. COMMAND.COM shifts Multi -Function Counter Audio Generator 2MHz Function Generator Digital Multimeter Kit Elenco F-1200 BeK 3001 ® with Training Course any command you type to upper-case 1.2GHz f." -r" 65 Elenco Model $ n M-2665K and then tries to match your command $229 20Hn150611 Sine/Square * ti $49.95 with word in its list. Fun o EasyMeasures a command If you dhad" Frequency. Period, Totalize H *A» to Build want to disable one of these internal 8 LED digits. Crystal oven oscillator, .5ppm accy Learn Program Full Function 34 Ranges, Includes commands, use your sector editor to to Build and Elenco Wide Band 13K 3011B $219.95 Capacilance,Transistor/Diode Testing Computers with this KR Signal Generators LED Display, Sine, Square, Triangle, Ramp 20Amp AC/DC, Extra Large Display, Ideal change one or more characters in the Incurs: All Pads, Assembly and Lesson Manual 8 Pulse Waves. TTL 6 CMOS School Project Model NTSC Generator w/RGB 100MHz Portable Frequency command to lowercase. You can re - MM -6000 . r^^'m'-^ ' .-_- Counter enable the command at any time by $129.00 - -!!` rl I::-9.'s " « r raised changing it back to uppercase. _' You may not have a reason to alter COMMAND.COM on your personal SG -9000 $129 RF Free 100K4SOMHi AM Mcdula rWtlnebnmetfarer 50K 1249A $479 BA 18038 $179 might make roubuildaooeWebsyesem.ar than of lKHZ Variable RF output computer, but doing so an Awo-srM nexar madam you o arse into RAMS. NTSC color bars. Excellent for most sank- 8 Digit display, battery operation ROAM and run a vrMm uas 150SG- MI00 w/ D1apkY a ¡rig roes ...prat work. A must Selectable gate times, High Accuracy office computer a lot more secure. amlar machine language s IoM PC. 180 MHz built-in Coumer$249 WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD C&S SALES INC. 15 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE UPS SHIPPING: au STATES 5°., FULL FACTORY WARRANTY 1245 ROSEWOOD. DEERFIELD. L 60015 IL RES 7.55 TAX (53 min StO maxi FAO. 708-520-0085 (708) 541.0710 WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG PROBES INCL ALL SCOPES&METERS Places suodtel locuANGI r'IRCLE NO. 129 ON FREE INFORMATION CARI) www.americanradiohistory.com Earn Your B.S. Degree in more powerful batch files, many new MAND.COM, redefine the DOS and vastly improved commands, prompt. Then, once the new prompt ELECTRONICS more -powerful aliases or macros than is displayed, type EXIT. You'll be or those available in DOS 5 and many returned to your original copy of other new features. I use 4DOS con- COMMAND.COM and its normal COMPUTERS stantly on my computer. Though I prompt. may be biased in its favor since I You probably won't have much rea- helped write the manual for the cur- son to start a second copy of the rent version, I can honestly say that if primary shell like this, but before DOS you enjoy using a command -line inter- 3.3's CALL instruction, doing so was face, you might want to try 4DOS and the only way to run one batch file as see whether its powerful enhance- a subroutine of another batch pro- ments help you get your work done. gram. Also, every time you "shell to DOS" from an application program, you're essentially, starting a secon- Secondary Shells dary copy of COMMAND.COM. The program defined on the SHELL = Dozens of commercial and share- line in CONFIG.SYS is known as the ware programs call themselves DOS primary shell because it's the first link shells. Almost all are meant to be run between DOS and the user. However, as a secondary shell instead of the By Studying at Home it's certainly possible to start a secon- primary shell. They leave the work of Grantham College of Engineering, dary shell to install a new user inter- maintaining the environment, re- now in our 43rd year, is highly experi- face, either temporarily or until you sponding to direct commands and ex- enced in "distance education"- teaching reboot your computer. ecuting AUTOEXEC.BAT to COM- by correspondence-through printed mate- Both COMMAND.COM and its MAND.COM. These programs then rials, computer materials, fax, and phone. substitutes can be used as a secondary take over the computer to provide an No commuting to class. Study at your shell. At the DOS prompt, type COM- improved user interface. own pace, while continuing on your present MAND and you'll start another copy Secondary -shell programs usually job. Learn from easy -to -understand but of COMMAND.COM. To prove that fall into two categories. One group in- complete and thorough lesson materials, this really is a second copy of COM- cludes programs that normally display with additional help from our instructors. a file list and/or directory tree and let Our Computer B.S. Degree Program you move a light bar or mouse cursor around the screen to select programs includes courses in BASIC, PASCAL and you want to execute. These point -and - C languages-as well as Assembly Lan- Order Back Issues of shoot programs are often aimed at guage, MS DOS, CADD, Robotics, and new computer users and experienced much more. users who simply want a faster method Our Electronics B.S. Degree Pro- ComputesCraft of finding and launching programs. gram includes courses in Solid -State Cir- Probably the best-known program in cuit Analysis and Design, Control Sys- this category is XTree in its many tems, Analog/Digital Communications, versions. Microwave Engr, and much more. The other group is composed of An important part of being prepared menu programs. These shells usually to move up is holding the right college Analog & Digital let you set up a series of menus that Circuit Design & Simulation degree, and the absolutely necessary part is for the Macintosh & PC with Windows launch favorite applications or run a knowing your field. Grantham can help subset of DOS commands, often with you both ways-to learn more and to earn the help of a secondary copy of COM- your degree in the process. MAND.COM. These menu programs Write or phone for our free catalog. are excellent if you want to set up a Toll free, 1-800-955-2527, or see mailing computer for someone who has no ex- address below. perience with DOS. They're also good if you want to create a standard user interface for all computers in an of- Accredited by fice. And because many menu pro- the Accrediting Commission of the grams include password protection National Home Study Council for some menus and many DOS oper- a.) 2 ú ations, they can help improve the safe- ty of data on an office LAN. One of GRANTHAM 1 iranelenr Graph the most -thorough menu programs College of Engineering I've seen is Menu Works Advanced, Grantham College Road but there are hundreds of other such Beige Bag Software Ph.:(313)663-4309 programs from which to choose. Slidell, LA 70460 Fax: (3131663-0725 715 Barclay C . Ann Arbor. MI 44105 CIRCLE NO. 128 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 56 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com If you're thinking of trying either a shell, and several developers believe around at user -group meetings and on point -and -shoot or menu -based sec- they've come up with a better way to bulletin boards and read as many ondary shell, you may want to try a use Windows. Some of these pro- desktop reviews as possible until you shareware program before paying for grams are meant to be a primary shell, find a program that seems geared to a full commercial program. There are while others are intended to be used as your tastes. dozens, if not hundreds, of shells from a secondary shell, running beside the You may understand intellectually which to choose on information ser- Windows Program Manager or File that DOS and Windows are collec- vices and bulletin boards and in the Manager. tions of services for application pro- catalogs of disk resellers. Try two or If you want to look for a new Win- grams and COMMAND.COM and three that sound interesting, and you dows shell, you have a few shareware Program Manager are simply the de- may find one you like as well as any programs and many commercial pro- fault user interfaces. But these inter- commercial product. grams from which to choose. Probab- faces have a lot to do with the way you Your choice of a secondary shell ly the most popular is the Norton feel about these two operating sys- will be determined largely by your Desktop for Windows, which in- tems. A new shell or desktop will alter tastes and the way you want to use tegrates several utility programs with your feelings, perhaps dramatically. your computer. Therefore, don't feel features borrowed from both the Pro- When you've found the right shells for limited to programs suggested by oth- gram Manager and the File Manager. your way of working, you'll enjoy ers. Their tastes and requirements will Some programs, like New Wave 4.0, these operating systems much more probably be different from yours and create a completely different kind of and won't be willing to return to the even from each others'. desktop and organize your applica- built-in defaults. tions and files according to projects Part of the power of DOS and Win- and activities, instead of directories dows is that they permit and even en- and application groups. courage development of new shells. Shells Around Windows Some replacement Windows shells, When you take advantage of this pow- If you use Windows 3.0 or 3.1, you use like Windows Express, are meant to er, you'll probably find that your com- another shell. Like DOS, Windows is provide a common user interface puter is a lot friendlier and much more an operating environment. Also like throughout an office and give the likely to help you get your work done DOS, it has no built-in way to collect system administrator the ability to add instead of hindering you. and react to user commands. To use password protection to files and appli- Windows, you need a shell program cations. Others, like Win Tools, seem that translates whatever requests you aimed more at individual users and try make into Windows commands. to make Windows more intuitive en- ELECIRONIC ENCLOSURES The Windows shell is defined in the vironment to use. file SYSTEM.INI in the Windows sub- Instead of calling their products directory. If you look at this file with Windows shells, distributors of these . ----imes___ a text editor or Windows Notepad, programs often call them Windows el?). _ you'll see a line that probably states: desktops. Some have macro com- shell = progman.exe. This line tells mands and even agents, which are Rack Mount Split Case Windows to run PROGMAN.EXE (the simply powerful macros that can be Windows Program Manager) during triggered automatically based on the Complete line in Aluminum, Steel & initialization. It also tells Windows time of day, particular windows ap- ABS; also Hardware, Silkscreening, that when the user exits from PROG- pearing on the screen or specific Hand Tools, Custom Fabricating MAN.EXE, it's time to shut down keystrokes or mouse activity. If you're Call for our FREE Full Color Catalog Windows and return to DOS. interested in these programs, make Like DOS, Windows can run any sure that the package you pick can (800) 800-3321 (216) 425-1228 Fax program as its shell. Unless you use support both universal, or system- Windows to run a single application, wide, agents and local agents that ap- you'll want to make sure to choose a pear only when you're using a specific shell that can launch other programs. application. Universal Those who dislike the Program Man- Like their DOS -shell cousins, Win- ager often choose to install the Win- dows shells or desktops are designed Cage & Preamp dows File Manager as their shell. If to fit particular ways Enclosures WIN tastes, of work- ABS you want to make the change, edit the ing and computer expertise. Because "shell = " line in SYSTEM.INI to read: Windows is much more flexible than shell = winfile.exe. Then save DOS, you'll find a greater variety of le Knobs SYSTEM.INI and restart Windows. If programs from which to choose. Linear i,,I'I & Parts you want to use the Program Manager However, being that few shareware also, you can start it (and any other ap- Windows desktops are available at the (Project Pro plication) from the File Manager. present time, you probably won't have Of course, not everyone will want the luxury of trying several ap- 1710 ENTERPRISE PKWY TWINSBURG OH 44087 to use either the Program Manager or proaches before you find the one the File Manager as their Windows that's right for you. Instead, ask CIRCLE NO. 136 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 57 www.americanradiohistory.com Application By Nick Goss CYDAT Goes Parallel Using the CYDAT Data Collector/Controller to experiment with parallel processing n the November and December is- these devices to the parallel data and formance with its Peripheral Proces- sues of ComputerCraft, I detailed control buses in small processor sys- sors managing individual tasks how to build a CYDAT Data-Collec- tems. Though this approach serves concurrently! tor/Controller system that lets you use well in many cases, in other cases, the If you've ever wanted to experiment just about any microcontroller you single -processor approach can some- with parallel processing, CYDAT prefer as an "engine." Now I'll show times overwork the processor, result- gives you an excellent opportunity to you how to include a parallel -proces- ing in processor latency and poor over- build a simple and easy -to -understand sor arrangement that greatly increases all system performance. CYDAT system with which to do so. Some of the power and flexibility of the basic breaks with traditional controller the things you can do with such a sys- system. When you do this, you can use architecture by heavily utilizing what tem include performing several pro- CYDAT as a processing platform by has become known as "parallelism." cessor -intensive tasks simultaneously; adding modems, nonvolatile memory, Using a high-speed "global" serial experimenting with distributed intel- real-time clocks, speech processors, bus, CYDAT can share data with and ligence; and developing an array pro- digital signal processors, math copro- control seven on up to 255 Parallel cessor. Only your imagination and cessors and more. Peripheral Processors (PPPs). Thus, technical proficiency limit how you Traditionally, one simply added CYDAT is capable of amazing per- can expand CYDAT to achieve an al - 58 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com PARALLEL I/O INTERFACE CARDS PERIPHERIAL PROCESSORS SS1 CARD 0 256K EEPPOM SPI PROCESSOR CARD ' DATA BUS REAL TIME CLOCK CARD 2 PROCESSOR CARD 3 MODEM SPI _ PROCESSOR CARD 4 BUS PROCESSOR SS4 CARD 5 CONTROL SERIAL PERIPHERAL SPEECR BUS INTERFACE SPI PROCESSOR CARD 6 SS5 FRONT PANEL CARD 7 SPI PROCESSOR CARD 8 SS6 DSP SPI PROCESSOR CARD 9 RS -232/422 REMO' E Fig. 1. Block diagram of CYDAT system architecture. most bewildering variety of sophisti- peripheral processors to manage a va- cific peripheral processor and the Bus cated tasks. riety of real -world tasks in parallel. In Processor or globally across all addition to the power of parallel pro- processors. Parallel Processing cessing, CYDAT opens the door to Figure 2 shows that individual peri- Parallel processing isn't new. How- customized processing. pheral processors can take on specific ever, though the theory behind it is I chose the Motorola 68HC705C8 functions through a special -function very simple, the hardware needed to as an inexpensive microcontroller to module (SFM). These inexpensive implement it has traditionally been too implement the CYDAT Parallel Peri- function blocks are "personality mod- costly to be practical in most applica- pheral Processors. Last month, I de- ules" that add required hardware to tions. Too, parallel processing pre- tailed how to use the '705 as the Bus the basic Peripheral Processor Card to sents special challenges in terms of in- Processor for the CYDAT system. perform predetermined tasks. ter -processor communication. Now let's look at it as a Peripheral As an example of the above, if you Many communication schemes Processor that can be used for expan- need to configure a peripheral proces- have evolved over the years, each op- sion purposes. sor to function as a modem, you sim- timized for the particular problem the Notice in Fig. 1 that the '705 Bus ply attach a Modem SFM to the card parallel processor was designed to Processor connects directly to the I/O via the 40 -pin module socket. You can solve. For various topologies, unique interface cards via the parallel data then download the appropriate mo- software also had to be evolved. and control buses. This arrangement dem software directly to a given The CYDAT system has a very sim- remains the same during the expan- '705C8 peripheral processor. If you ple and efficient high-speed serial bus sion process. However, by selecting wish to change the card's "personali- with which to communicate with its (enabling) individual peripheral proc- ty" later, just change the SFM and peripheral processors. Its SPI (Serial essors with the data bus, you can use controller software. Peripheral Interface) scheme is easy to the SPI as an inter -processor com- In addition to standard SFMs, you understand and use. It isn't difficult munication system. With the SPI, you can build modules of your own design. to imagine how powerful a CYDAT can communicate between individual These might contain specialized hard- system can be when using separate peripheral processors, between a spe- ware for data encryption, fiber-optic Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 59 www.americanradiohistory.com interfaces, math coprocessors, etc. Keep in mind that CYDAT is flexible and is designed to serve as a platform a0 N 1 for personal experimentation and I I I a a a a a a O a development. In Fig. 2, Ul is a standard Motorola MC68HC705C8 microcontroller that mounts in a 40 -pin IC socket for easy removal and reinstallation during pro- b In -J-2 gramming. The frequency control -2 -2J crystal connected to pins 38 and 39 of Ul mounts in the SFM IC and oper- ates at 4 MHz. Power for UI is supplied by fixed + 5 -volt regulator U3. Capacitors C2 and C3 bypass the power supply lines, and resistor RI and capacitor CI pro- vide a power -on reset timing function. Ports A, B and C of Ul go to the as- M sociated pins on SFM chip U2. These lines handle control and transfer of M data to and from the SFM and are con- N figured in software according to the 31 needs of the specific SFM IC. Pins S.0 through 37 of U2 route signals be- tween the SFM and the outside world. Individual Peripheral Processor Cards mount on a small motherboard, called the Parallel Peripheral Proces- sor Bus Card. In Fig. 3, you can see how PPP Bus Card connectors are arranged. Ribbon cables that attach at con- nectors P3 and P4 connect to the PPP rv Bus Card. Each card slot contains PI and P2 connectors that correspond with the PI and P2 connectors on each PPC. The P2 connectors use pins 7 and 8 to supply + 12 volts to the PPCs. Power from the external power -sup- ply module attaches via P6, as shown in Fig. 3. Each card slot position along the PPP Bus Card receives a different SS Enable line from the Bus Processor Data Bus at pin 4 of P2. These individ- ual lines signal the appropriate Periph- eral Processor Card when a data ex- change is made to or from that card. With this simple enable technique, the Bus Processor is able to establish and coordinate the SPI communication protocol. Pins 1, 2 and 3 of P2 are the back- bone of the SPI bus. They correspond to the MISO (Master In/Slave Out), MOSI (Master Out/Slave In) and SCK + (Serial Clock) pins on the '705C8. The --/- p auxiliary bus formed by the Pl and P3 connectors aren't defined, which leaves them free for you to customize as card -to -card interconnects or card - Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of Peripheral Processor Card circuitry. 60 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com to -outside world terminals. Parallel Peripheral Processors com- municate with each other over the SPI bus. If you think a serial bus is slow, consider that the SPI transfers data at 1- and 2 -MHz bit rates. This is both fast and efficient for a simple eight -bit serial bus. The Bus Processor discussed last 0 ! cp i(1 J ` N tL J? J I I I I I I I N) N) M N) N) M M M yI I I yI I month functions as the master SPI C._ a a a a a a a C_a á C_ n_ a á á processor, and each Parallel Processor rA ^ ^ A I. A Al A A A AA y (1) 3 0 CL PARTS LIST O PPP Bus Card I I n a fl ti 16-Eight-position Molex male KK connectors L^_^J L 1-Two-position Molex male KK con nector 1-Six-position Molex male KK con nector 8-4-40-'/" Phillips -head screws 4-4-40-Y," threaded spacers V V V V V V V .. .. i V V V1 Misc.-Printed-circuit board (see Note r., below); machine hardware; etc. Peripheral Processor Card Semiconductors V V V V V V V V1 V V r. V V U1-MC68HC705C8P microcontroller r- U2-ASIC special -function module U3 -78L05 fixed + 5 -volt regulator Capacitors Cl,C2,C3-10-µF, 16 -volt electrolytic V V V V V V Resistors ('/-watt, 51/4 tolerance) O V V r. V R1-10,000 ohms Miscellaneous P 1,P2-Eight-position Molex female KK connector .. V P3 -10 -pin C -grid male connector r- Printed -circuit board (see Note be- low); plastic card extractor clip (plas- tic); two 40 -pin DIP IC sockets; etc. Note: The following items are available from U.S. Cyberlab, Inc., Rte. 2, Box 284 V V Cyber Rd., West Fork, AR 72774; tel.: 501-839-8293: Ready -to -wire PPP Bus Card pc board, $19.95; PPC card, $9.95; CYDAT enclosure chassis with 10 slot card rack, $39.95; MC68HC705C8 Bus Processor kit, V $69.95; EPROM version of MC6SHC705- r. C8S, $22.95. Other available items include: Cyber HC5 Development System, $89.95; membrane front -panel keypad, $24.95; and Optrex two-line by 16 -character LCD unit, $24.95. A complete Modem SFM kit with V V V r. V Vl pre-programmed '705, pc board and all parts is available for $99.95. A 256K EE - V o D N O M V PROM T 7 7 7 - SFM kit with pre-programmed C.4 r4 '705, PC C_ CL 2 d d 1 d 2 a Cl ä ä ä ä a ä board and all parts costs $79.95. A Real -Time Clock SFM kit with pre-pro- grammed '705, pc board and all parts costs $69.95. Call for free full -line catalog and specifications sheets on DSP, Speech and Neural Net SFMs (sold individually or as kits). Arkansas residents, please add 5% Fig. 3. Schematic diagram of Parallel Peripheral Processor Bus Card circuitry. sales tax. MasterCard and Visa welcome. It In Say You Saw ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 61 www.americanradiohistory.com Card functions as a slave. Pin 34 of the '705 Controller presented last month ties to + 5 volts to configure the proc- TROY essor's SPI as a master device. The 399 \ ) r. 68HC7805C8 Bus Processor uses its data bus to directly select the individu- al SS (Slave Select) lines at pin 34 of each PPC. 335595399993999.1 The MOSI signal at pin 32 is the 0 Master Output/Slave Input line that outputs data from the master device 00 (Bus Processor) and receives data at the slave device (Peripheral Processor Card). This line transfers data from . 1111 ò . the master to the slave, with the most - llll òll l significant bit sent first. The MISO signal at pin 31 is the Master Input/Slave Output line that receives data at the master device (Bus Processor) and outputs data from the slave device (Peripheral Processor .8888888g) f (.4 Card). This line transfers data from slaves to the master, with the most -sig- nificant bit sent first. Fig. 4. Actual -size artwork for Peripheral Processor Card printed -circuit board. The SCK signal at pin 33 is the serial clock that synchronizes data transfer in and out of the master and slave de- prefer not to fabricate your own pc from the source noted. Fig. 6 shows vices. Master and slave processors can board, you can purchase a ready -to - the full-size artwork to use if you fab- exchange a byte of information dur- wire one from the source given in the ricate your own board. Drill all holes ing a sequence of eight serial clock Note at the end of the Parts List. If you with a No. 68 bit, except for the large cycles. The Bus Processor (master) fabricate your own board, drill the Molex connector pad and extractor - genrates the serial clock. Software in PPP Bus Card connector holes with a handle holes, which should be made the master and slaves select the data - No. 52 drill to allow for plenty of with a No. 52 bit. transfer rate by controlling the SCK clearance on the Molex pins. Referring to Fig. 7, solder the Mo- clock stream. Referring to Fig. 5, populate the lex connectors into place on the com- When the Bus Processor wishes to board. The male connector pins are ponent side of the PC card. Mount transfer data to one or more Peripher- easy to solder into place, but make high -quality 40 -pin IC sockets in the al Processor Cards, it parallel -loads a sure that the connectors are perpendic- ut and U2 locations. Snap the extrac- byte of data into a special on -board ular to the board's surface before sol- tor handle into place along the top of hardware shift register. Using the SCK dering. I like to tack -solder a pin or the card. Then mount and solder into signal, the master device shifts the data two, check vertical alignment and place voltage regulator U3 (make sure out to the slave devices. As data is re- then, when everything appears to be it's properly oriented). Finally, mount ceived at the slave, it's loaded one bit okay, finish soldering all pins. Make the other passive components and at a time into an on -board hardware mounting holes with a No. 28 or No. 10 -pin C -grid male connector below shift register. After all eight bits are 30 bit so that they're large enough to the extractor handle. transferred, the data byte can be paral- clear the 4-40 screws that will secure lel -loaded into the slave accumulator the spacers against the bottom of the Configuring It with a software command. CYDAT chassis. Install whatever special -function To simplify use of the SPI, other on- I use the CYDAT chassis for mount- modules you plan to include in your board control registers set options like ing the PPP Bus Card. While you can system. The source listed in the Note serial peripheral interrupts, clock po- certainly leave the card out on your at the end of the Parts List can provide larity, clock phase, write collision pro- bench as you experiment, the chassis several different types of SFMs. For tection, etc., all from software. As you provides support for the PPC card example, if you wish to add a modem can see, the SPI is an efficient and fast guides and makes a professional -look- to your CYDAT, simply plug a Mo- communications technique. ing system package. dem SFM into any one or more of When connecting the various rib- your PPCs. The modem SFM is pro- bon cables to the PPP Bus Card, route vided with pinout information for Construction them neatly out of the way of the PPC connecting it to the telephone line and Begin building the CYDAT Parallel card guides. a software disk or pre-programmed Peripheral Processor by fabricating Construction of the Peripheral Pro- '705C8 controller. the PPP Bus Card, using the actual - cessor Card is straight forward. Again, In addition to the Modem SFM, size artwork shown in Fig. 4. If you fabricate a pc board or purchase one nonvolatile memory modules (EE - 62 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com SUPER 12 HOUR RECORDER CALL TOLL FREE Modified Panasonic Slimline. 6 hrs per side. 120 TDK tape furnished. AC/DC Operation. Quality Playback. Digital Counter. $119.00* Durable Lightweight Plastic PHONE RECORDING ADAPTER Starts & Stops Recorder Automatically When FCC Hand Set is Used. APPROVED Solid State! $28.50 * VOX VOICE ACTIVATED CONTROL Solidstate Adjustable $28.50* Sensitivity. Voices & Sounds Activate Recorder. Adjustable Sensitivity. Provisions for Remote Mike. 'Add for ship. & handling. Phone Adapter & Vox $2.00 each, Recorders $5.00 each, Colo. Res. add tax. Mail Order, VISA, M/C, COD's OK. Money Back Guar. Qty. Disc. available. Dealer inquiries invited. Free data on other products. ALL MAIL TO: Box 20100, Boulder, CO 80308 AMC SALES INC., 193 Vaquero Dr.. Boulder, CO 80303 Phones (303) 499-5405 1-800-926-2488 FAX (303) 494-4924 Mon -Fri 8-5 MTN. TIME CIRCLE NO. 123 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD DC/CAD introducing ... THE TERMINATOR Super High Density Router (Complete with Schematic & PCB Editor) Features the following powerful algorithm & capability: No copy protection p F 1 -mil Autoplacer and Autopanning Two-way Gerber and DXF Automatic Ground Plane w/Cross- Hatching Complete w/Schematic & Dolly Libraries Optional simulation capability & enhanced mode for 386 users *PCB LAYOUT SERVICE AT board. Fig. 5. Actual -size artwork for Parallel Peripheral Processor Bus card pc LOW COST* LEASE PROGRAM SITE LICENSE AVAILABLE PROM) and real -time -clock modules available in the near future. :.t !4t;fld are also available. Digital signal pro- Keep in mind that PPCs use open - n`C77f =wrd I mDESIGN cessing, speech synthesizer/recogni- architecture design and, thus, are «COMPUTATION tion, fuzzy -logic and neural -network ready for you to experiment as you 1771 State Highway 34, Farmingdale, NJ 07727 SFMs are on the way and should be wish. Try your hand at developing (908) 681.7700 (908) 681.8733 (FAX) "DC/CAD ... The focal point of future CAD market" ( IR( II Nl). )33 (IN 110 INI (HZ MA11()NCARI) Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft J(ntlrurr 1993 CONII'1 I1 RC IZ FT / 65 www.americanradiohistory.com NEFV1Tonc-Master Touch Tone Decoder SCROLL --I Crr Sri AUDIO RS -232 18003389058 MoTron Electronics Tone -Master TM -16 PLUS one deed.. / MoTron Electronics 310 Garfield St., Suite 4 Eugene OR 97402 O ` O Info: (503) 687-2118 C r Orders: (800) 338-9058 Fax: (503)687-2492 O Decode and display Touch Tones from a telephone, 1' `- R1 -. tape recorder, scanner, or nearly any audio source. 3 AUX2 J 16 digit LCD display, 80 digit scrollable buffer , , AUX1 V Built-in speaker 9V battery V Metal case J TM - / 16 PLUS includes RS -232 output and Software for optional automatic date/time/number logging using your IBM Compatible computer. TM -I6 Standard Model $229 SFM e 1 TM -16 PLUS RS -232 Model with Software $299 U2 PS -12 AC Power Adaptor $10 S/H $5 USA/Canada. $19 Foreign. 30 day money back guarantee! Try at no risk! Vim, MasterCard A American Emma. Aooepted CIRCLE NO. 146 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD C2 /1 JP2 _J 1 T 68HC1 i System lJl j ;3 e5P2 C3 JI J2 J3 J4 JS I6 J7 SP + o _) 1 ° p ., FAST2.45 Mhz Bus Speed. ... RS -232 Host Interface. 32K RAM -32K EPROM. Trimmable Crystal Oscillator. Fig. - Configurable Analog Input Buffers. 6. Wiring guide for Parallel Peripheral Processor Card. ... Buffered and Optically Coupled I/0. Single Supply - Local Power Regulation. Full Reset/Power Supply Management. Battery Backup the RAM or Entire Board Banked Memory Logic allows up to 2Meg. . Four Pre-Oecoded Chip -Selects Available. Buffalo Monitor Supplied on EPROM. SFMs that satisfy specific CYDAT displayed is transferred from the Bus . BASICI and Real -Time I Kernel Available. applications. Processor or other PPC card to the Using the PPCs as building blocks User Interface PPC. Using this type of $159 m2a2si,ReH lets you rapidly restructure your CY- distributed -processing architecture, heatstone (203) 669-0401 MicroSvstems, Inc. DAT into many useful configura- CYDAT can handle many different Suite 41y. 105-14 Him St. Old Savbrork, CT 06475 tions. Note, too, that you can use time -domain -sensitive functions in Call for FREE 68HC16 Info PPCs as input/output modules. For parallel, without interrupting sensitive CIRCLE NO. 154 ON FREE INFORMATION CARI) example, you can use a PPC to oper- timing loops and communication ate the front panel user interface routines. ANNOUNCING THE REDESIGNED URDA'R--, INC. system in the CYDAT. Feel free to experiment with your own front panel designs. Many differ- ent keyboards and LCD displays ex- SDK -51 Front -Panel Interface ist. Take advantage of your new- 8051 BASED Referring to the User Interface dia- found front -panel freedom! gram shown in Fig. 8, note that the 8 BIT MICROCONTROLLER TRAINER The Software AND DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM Optrex display and membrane key- Self Contained Single Board System With On -Board Power board connect to a PPC via a standard To utilize a computer system's full Supply, LCD Display, OWERTY (ASCII) Keyboard, 16K SRAM, BK EPROM Monitor, Serial/Parallel I/O, Etc. 40 -pin ribbon cable. Software in U/ processing power, software develop- Onboard Assembler / Disessembler controls the data displayed at the Op- ment tools are required. CYDAT is Upload / Download Communication Capability with a PC trex alphanumeric LCD display. User well -supported when you use MC- CALL URDA®, INC. input can also be collected by directly 68HC705C8 microcontrollers. Using 1-800-338-0517 or (412) 683-8732 scanning the membrane keypad on your PC as a host, software generation CYDAT's front panel. is straightforward with the Cyber HC5 URDA®, Inc. Has Additional Single Board Products: When information is entered at the development system (see the June 68000 68020 68030 32010 D S P keypad, the data is stored in the PPC 1992 issue of ComputerCraft for de- SDK -51 SDK -85 SDK -86 SDK -3867[1' for further processing or directly rout- tails). This device lets you develop With Cross Assemblers for MS-DOS Computers ed via the SPI to the Bus Processor or code and program the '705C8s used in .3861s a trademark of Intel Corporation. Used by permission other PPC card. Likewise, data to be the bus processor and PPCs. Several CIRCLE NO. 153 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 66 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com o o of w o o¡ 01 oi i z o (3 o 01 oi >0 '9 o o o o o o o ol o¡ Cf) J o o a O o Fig. 7. Wiring guide for Peripheral Processor Card. Fig. 8. Schematic of front -panel user-interface circuitry. excellent C compilers available for the suits you. Individual special -function '705 will work in conjunction with the modules used on the PPCs come with Cyber HC5. their own software drivers, making it Developing your own parallel -proc- easy to interface them with your bus - essor operating system can be fun and processor software. Free membership challenging. By expanding the code in on Motorola's '705 BBS and CYDAT your bus processor a little at a time, BBS can be helpful to you when devel- you can grow a PPOS at whatever rate oping your software. Nick Goss Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 67 www.americanradiohistory.com Making Your Point With Style It's no big surprise to me that presentation Here are five important principles that given a moment's thought to what he'll ac- software has become a very popular force are germane to any presentation, whether tually say once he's in front of his audi- in the marketplace. In my experience, both it's an explanation to your boss of why you ence. We've all come across this type of in business and in the increasing amount deserve a raise or a presentation on an eso- presentation (I've even given a few myself), of public speaking I do, the better the teric subject to a group of 500. and they're usually boring enough to put presentation tool, the easier it becomes to 1. Make sure the time you have is appro- us to sleep. get a point across. priate for the information presented. One If I'm listening to a presentation on, for Today's tools are very good, indeed. Of of the worst mistakes people who are cre- example, where pen-based computing will course, the particular software tool you ating a presentation make is trying to con- be in the next two years, I don't want to select to create a presentation will vary ac- form to a time constraint. Therefore, one hear about the difficulty the presenter had cording to what you need to accomplish, of the first things you learn as you start learning script in third -grade, even though the time and effort you're willing to put in- making presentations is that the length of he may use the anecdote to underscore the to creating visuals, what's available in your the presentation depends on how much in- problems that exist with handwriting arsenal and your budget. Low-cost graph- formation you're trying to impart and how recognition. ics packages, like the Micrografx Windows much explanation of the information is On the other side of the coin are present- DRAW! and Computer Support Corp.'s necessary. ers who have taken the time and effort to Picture Wizard, reviewed a while back in There's really no point in trying to create a truly impressive and extensive lec- this column, are an excellent place to start. stretch 15 minutes of information into an ture and then reading it to their audiences Inexpensive desktop -publishing soft- hour's presentation. Though it can be word-for-word. If this is all I'm going to ware like Microsoft's Publish and Power - done, doing so means you'll either have to get out of a presentation, the speaker can Up Software's Express Publisher are also spend a lot of time telling your audience mail it to me so I can read it myself. rich enough in features for you to create things they already know or going over the Obviously, the ideal is somewhere in be- an impressive presentation, as are high -end same points several times. Either way, tween these two extremes. A well -thought- word processors, like Word for Windows, you'll quickly lose your audience's atten- out presentation uses visuals to explain and that provide a large amount of typographic tion and interest. underscore the points one is trying to control and inclusion of clipart and graph- The same caveat applies to trying to im- make, while the verbal part of the presen- ics. Even a feature -rich typography pack- part huge amounts of information in a very tation fills in the gaps and rough spots. age, like MakeUp from Bitstream (re- short time. Glossing over important data 3.Focus Attention. To accomplish the viewed here in the November 1992 issue) your audience really needs to gain an un- above "ideal" takes a fair amount of fore- can let you create eye-catching slides, derstanding of the rest of your presenta- thought and orchestration. For a presen- handouts and overhead transparencies. tion serves little purpose. You can finish tation to accomplish its goal, you must To create a really impressive presenta- your presentation in the allotted time, but capture and keep your audience's atten- tion, you must have two things. One is an you won't have presented a firm enough tion. Part of this process consists of ma- understanding of some of the basic princi- foundation to support the conclusions you nipulating your audience's focus. You ples involved in making any presentation. want your audience to reach. want it directed at you most of the time Then, regardless of which tools you use, No pat solution exists to either of the and, when you need to make a point, trans- you must have a game plan. You must above situations, though too much time is ferred to your visual. If your audience is know exactly what information you want somewhat easier to deal with than too lit- focused on either for too long, their atten- to impart and how to present it in a way tle. With a presentation that doesn't take tion tends to drift. that facilitates, rather than obscures, its up the allotted time, you can always throw The secret is movement. When you want meaning. A planned approach, coupled the floor open to questions, move on to an- the attention on you, look up and talk to with a clear understanding of the points to other subject or just end early. With too your audience. Make eye contact with as be presented and the proper presentation much information for a given time period, many of your audience as you can. Smile tools, go a long way in helping you make the best thing you can do in many circum- and, if at all possible, move around a lit- points that buttress your conclusions. stances is to reduce the scope of what tle. Don't hide behind a podium, reading you're trying to accomplish. While your from your notes. Instead, try to use notes presentation may not cover as much that touch upon your most -important Enough is Enough ground as you may have wanted it to, the points in the order in which you want to The first thing I'd suggest for anyone con- ground that you do manage to cover will present them. Make a note of the next im- templating doing a lot of public speaking be presented in an effective and persuasive portant point or two, then look up at your is to take one of the many courses given in manner. audience and talk to them. this art at numerous colleges and adult 2. Be Prepared. Having sat through my When you want to focus your audience's education centers. One of these days, if I share of presentations, as well as having attention on a visual, use a transitional can ever find the time, I'd like to do this given them, I've noticed that there are two sentence like: "This next slide shows the myself. In the interim, I'll share a few of extremes of presentation styles, neither of difference between my approach and the the more obvious principals gleaned from which is particularly ideal. On one end is more conservative method of approaching years of trial and error. the ad-lib presenter, who obviously hasn't this problem."Never, ever, use the phrase: 68 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com "As you can see... "! Your audience can 5. Come to an end. One last word of ad- Graphics for Windows, that can help you see, and they don't need you pointing out vice. When you're first putting together make it all happen. what's patently obvious. What they want your presentation, spend a little time think- is for you to tell them the significance of ing about how you'll conclude it. As with Freelance Graphics what they're seeing! almost every kind of expository writing, For 4. Emphasize important points, but do so a presentation has a beginning that lays out Windows sparingly. The great thing about today's the reason for your presentation, a mid- I've spent such a large amount of this col- graphic toolk is that it's easy to create a dle that presents the information and sup- umn talking about the theory and princi- stunning piece of visual art. It's also easy ports your premise and an end. Many pre- ples behind giving an effective presentation to go completely overboard. There's a fine senters spend a tremendous amount of for a good reason. It provides a founda- line between a stunning and effective time on the first two, then just stop. This tion for what a good presentation software graphic and one that's so busy it detracts is extremely jarring to an audience and can package must provide. from the information contained in it. Us- undo all of the careful preparation and ef- While almost any decent graphics pack- ing a package optimized for presentations, fort that went into the presentation age will let you prepare overheads and like the Freelance Graphics for Windows demonstrated. slides, a presentation package goes beyond software package discussed later is one way A good way to wind up a presentation this with features that make it easier to not to deal with this problem. is to provide a quick summary of the im- only mechanically prepare and give a pre- With software specifically meant to portant points you've made. Don't go sentation, but also follows the principles create a presentation, odds are good that overboard-three or four of the most im- that govern an effective one. the design of the visual has already been portant of these is enough. If your presen- There are lots of presentation graphics done for you. But when you're using a tation is intended to answer a question, packages around, of course. Microsoft's more -general graphics package, keep in your wind-up should re -state the question, PowerPoint, Computer Associates' CA - mind the old cliche that "less is more." I f give the important points you've made and Cricket Presents and Aldus' Persuasion you're not sure whether your graphic over- state the answer you feel your presentation. are just a few of the better-known ones. shadows the data you're trying to present, Finally, there's one slide I always show During the last year, though, I've stan- go for less rather than more graphics. last in every presentation I make, whether dardized on Lotus' terrific Freelance The main point is that the graphics you it's to my management or a large group. Graphics for Windows (FG W). It was my use in your presentation should enhance It has two simple words on it: "Thank first experience with this software that the information you're presenting, not de- You." Never forget to thank your audi- largely sold me on it. tract from it. Sometimes, this means us- ence for sitting through your presentation. On the day I received and installed ing appropriate symbols. For example, a Now that you have an idea of what goes FG W, my boss walked into my office with bargraph depicting cash revenues over a into making a good presentation, let's see the department's sales manager, who had period of time might benefit from using the how you can put all this theory into prac- an important presentation to give early the dollar sign ($) symbol rather than just run- tice. To do this, I'll give you a critical look next day. My boss wanted to know if I of-the-mill color bars. at a software package, Lotus Freelance could do "something" on the computer to You might even be more effective using a ghosted graphic of a pile of coins as background to this particular visual. But stay away from graphics used in a slide or Freelance Graphics - IWORKyTESTPRNT.PREI Ready overhead that are so complex and detailed File Edit View Page Style Text Graph Arrange Tools Window Help that your audience's attention is focused No Selection I Page 1 on deciphering and analyzing the graphic 1f7:;# a:, ;:... ( le B)IIIV, 41iI'}f:Y3®ee instead of the information presented. 1ä? The same principle holds for the number of graphics you use in a presentation. It CI; may be very impressive to have 120 slides abc or overheads in an hour-long presentation. Click here to type But what tends to happen in this situation is that individual slides quickly lose their presentation title impact. A good rule of thumb is to use one graphic for each important point. If time ti permits, and the subject of your presenta- tion supports it, you can sometimes dou- ble this figure. But if a graphic contains a fair amount of information or explana- tion, it could be displayed for five minutes or longer. Using the foregoing rule most Click here to type subtitle of thumb, Click hereto one -hour presentations should consist of add symbol somewhere between 20 and 40 slides. The one thing you want to avoid if at all possi- ble is having such a complex visual presen- tation that you're spending more of your Paye 3 4:457 4, PbeEesed. I j 1+'.. attention keeping up with the mechanics of your visuals than on actually thinking Freelance Graphics' title page offers three areas in which you can click to add text orasymbot about what you're saying. of your choice. Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 69 www.americanradiohistory.com Ted Needleman Cross -Development Tools from $50.00 Cross Assemblers Freelance Graphics - IWORK¡TESTPRNT.PREI Extensive arithmetic and logical operations File Edit View Page Style Text Graph Arrange Tools Window Help Powerful macro substitution capability No Selection IPage 1 Unlimited include file capability Selectable Intel hex or Motorola hex object file format Simulators ^ Q Style Choose SmartMaster Set Ten user -definable screens Smaddaster sets: Unlimited breakpoints and memory mapping abc w:.á , - Osketch_ ma: T [Century...rll Trace file to record simulator session 1992.maz "` ...) 31ine. ma: Disassemblers Cl 4..e.mrela ,_ Automatic substitution of defined label names for all jumps and a branches Browse SmartMaster set Automatic insertion of supplied comments and expressions ` &oad range of processor specific tools - Intel, Motorola. dlog, RCA, Rockwell ...... ,.... NI products require an IBM PC or compatible. MS DOS 2.1 or greater -i1- p*.f4asI .a SP. Same day shipment VISA, MasterCard, American Express. and COO Unlimited technical support Thousands of satisfied customers worldwide Ç 1] PseudoCorp TK Ie 1 -Column Bullets a Cancel 716Thimble Shoals Blvd. 3 Newport News, VA 236116 (804) 873-1947 FAX:(804) 873-2154 Click here to add symbol CIRCLE NO. 156 ON FREE INFORMATION (-.ARI) Subscribe Now and Save J P..e-10157 , P L tl NewPage. lel ;J 1 Year - $18.97 Freelance Graphics' title page with window overlay for choosing a style from a SmartMaster 2 Years - $36.00 Set built into the program. 3 Years - $53.00 turn eight pages of handwritten notes in- wish from the icon bar), there - CABLE-TRONICS, INC. are the more to something a bit more presentable to give familiar Windows-style pull -down menus Are You Tired of Paying to a potential client. It was late in the day, at the top of the screen, a Toolbar along Outrageous Fees? but I said I'd give it a shot. the left side of the screen and a Viewbar All makes and models of cable Curious about the Freelance Graphics on the right side, directly over the vertical equipment shipped within 24 hrs. package, I spent about 10 minutes running scroll bar. Quantity discounts. For free through the tutorial. An hour and ten min- The Toolbar provides a simple but ro- catalog send S.A.S.E. to: utes later, the last of a 20 -page color pre- bust set of drawing tools that include el- Cable-Tronics, Inc., 450 Shag Bark Ct. sentation rolled off the Seiko color ther- lipse, rectangle, line and fill tools, among Algonquin, IL 60102 mal -transfer printer I had connected to my others. The Viewbar allows you to change C.O.D. orders accepted computer. The sales manager was delight- from outliner view to page view with just CALL FOR PRICES TODAY!! ed, and I was sold on Freelance Graphics! a mouse click on the appropriate icon. 1-800-232-5017 Freelance Graphics for Windows pro- Although the manual doesn't discuss the (708) 658-7474 vides two major benefits. Given my first Outliner until Chapter 4, well after it has 'No Illinois orders and every subsequent experiences with it, already covered the basics of using FGW, Hours -8:00 am -5:00 pm central time it's obviously easy to learn to use. Granted, the most -efficient way to use the software after 25 years using computers, I'm obvi- is to start with this feature. Having stated ously no longer a novice, but because of this, I also have to admit that I'm not es- the way the software provides guidance, pecially enamored of outlining software in I'd predict that anyone who spends 10 general. So I rarely use Freelance's Out- minutes with the tutorial will be able to liner, preferring the good old pencil and turn out a credible presentation the first paper approach for my outlines. time through-within an hour! Also, be- Lotus' Outliner is a pretty good one, cause FGW provides all the tools needed though. It uses a yellow -pad emulation and > The Most Complete Line of Descramblers to conform to the principles of good pre- allows you to easily create a complex multi- > Friendly, professional service sentations, your presentations in general level outline, complete with bulleted lists. >FREE Catalog will show an improvement as you become When the outline is finished, you transfer more familiar with the software. it directly into your presentation pages, C1 GO= CO.D As with most Windows -based software, where you can polish it up a bit. Changes FGW uses an icon bar above the working made in the outline are reflected directly space for quickly choosing and perform- in the presentation, and vice-versa. Go to the Source ing the operations most frequently need- The one limitation in using the Outliner ed. In addition to these "SmartIcons," as is that you can't directly print it. It must NUTEI( ELECTRONICS Lotus calls them (you can redefine what first be "dumped" it into a presentation 3250 Hatch RD they mean and add or delete icons as you and then you print the presentation. If you Cedar Park TEXAS 78613 CIRCLE NO. 147 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD 70 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com feel comfortable working from only the When you're finished creating a presen- product is excellent, but most of the time, computer screen, this won't be a problem. tation, there's a "slide sorted" function the on-line help has been sufficient to an- A built-in spelling checker that works in that lets you change page order. You can swer questions I've had. Perhaps, with the both outline and presentation view lets you automate the presentation, if you're going next release of FGW, Lotus will add the minimize embarrassing goofs in your fin- to present it on computer, adding fades great multimedia SmartHelp provided ished presentation. and other special -effects transitions. These with the CD-ROM version of 1-2-3 for Once you've laid out your presentation, are rather limited, compared to some other Windows. either in the Outliner or on paper, creating presentation packages, but they provide a At a list price of $495, which is widely it is quick and easy. Freelance Graphics for nice effect nonetheless. discounted down to as little as $149 with Windows features something that Lotus When you're ready to print, you can one of the many mail-order competitive calls "SmartMasters." These are pre -de- create a file that can be sent to one of the upgrade plans, Freelance Graphics for fined sets of presentation pages that con- many graphics companies that generate Windows isn't only a great way to create tain a border or design and a variety of slides or color overheads, print a full -page a presentation, it's also an excellent educa- page -layout templates. per presentation page on your printer or tion on the elements that make up a good There are 60 different SmartMaster sets, make speaker's notes that have the presen- presentation. I consider it one of the most some optimized for color presentations tation page on the top of the page and lines effective and efficient software tools in my and others for black and white. Each con- to add your own notes on the bottom. You arsenal. tains a page layout for a Title Page, One can also print "Handout," which contains or Two -Column Bulleted Text, Text with two, four or six presentation pages on each one or more graphics, Bullets and Symbol, handout page. Product Mentioned Bullets and Graph and a Basic Layout I haven't discussed many of the features that's pretty much a clean page, except for available in Freelance Graphics for Win- the page design graphic. dows, a goodly number of which I've never Freelance Graphics for Windows, $495 Once you've chosen your SmartMaster used. You have almost infinite control over Lotus Development Corp. set (you can change this even after your the creation of your presentation. Most of 55 Cambridge Pkwy. presentation is completed), creating your the time, though, if you just follow what's Cambridge, MA 02142 presentation is just a matter of going page on -screen, your presentation will turn out Tel.: 617-577-8500 by page selecting the type of page you want terrific! CIRCLE NO. 101 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD and plugging in the elements on it. FGW The manual set that comes with the automatically brings up the Title Page lay- out for the first page, but you can easily change to another page layout by clicking on the Page Layout button at the bottom of the page. Each page layout contains instructions IBM PC CCD Cameras! on what elements you can add to the page. For example, the Title page has three ele- ment boxes that instruct you to "Click here FEATURES: to type presentation title," "Click hereto 8 Bit ISA Bus Interface type subtitle" and "Click here to add sym- bol." Clicking on either of the first two Card is Included opens a text box in which you type in the 256 Gray Level Images appropriate text. As with most Windows applications, 1.6 x 106 pixels/sec typeface and size can be selected from (Camera to RAM) those installed on your system. You can even change text color, though FGW will Standard Camera Sub -Array Scanning automatically use an appropriate color, EDC-1000 192 x 330 pixels depending on the SmartMaster set you've TDI Mode chosen. Provided is a large selection of Cooled Long Cables (up to 100 feet) symbols you can include on every page of EDC-1000TE 192 x 330 pixels your presentation, or you can import your False Color Display own graphic from a wide variety of for- Monochrome/High Resolution mats and even add to the symbol -set library. Real Time Zoom Alternatively, you can create your own EDC-1000HR 753 x 488 pixels Antiblooming graphics with the draw tools. There's a very complete graphing facility built into 24 Bit Color/High Resolution TIFF and PCX Formats Freelance Graphics. Click on the Graph EDC-1000C 751 x 488 pixels icon, and you're brought into a spread- Optional Image Processing sheet screen, where you construct the data C -Mount Lens Options and Compression Software table for your graph. When you've fin- ished entering labels and data, another ELECTRIM Corporation mouse click lets you select the type of graph you want the software to generate. If you ELECTRonic 353 Nassau St. don't like what you see, simply click again IMaging Princeton, NJ 08540 to change the type of graph. (609) 683-5546 Fax: (609) 683-5882 CIRCLE NO. 134 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTER CRAFT / 71 www.americanradiohistory.com Joseph Desposito New Kind of PROM, Software for NEC Microcontrollers, Switchable SCSI Terminator and Comparator with Digital Threshold Control Programmable read-only memory, or DATA PROM, has been a staple of microcom- +5V +5V puter systems since their inception. With BUS this in mind, I lead off this month's col- 19 61 umn with a device that adds a new twist to 500k this old technology. VDD Vcc TH CTRL 10k D7 -DO Processor -Intelligent PROM /VIAXIM 500k Cypress Semiconductor (3901 N. First St., 7 San Jose, CA 95134) has a PROM that in- MAX910 VEE tegrates on -chip user -configurable burst REFOUT counters, registers and latches. The device 10 -5V reduces chip count, lowers cost, improves RA 11 performance and simplifies design when RB interfacing PROM to a wide range of REFIN popular processors used in embedded TH OUT control. 13 CMP IN+ CMP By incorporating this logic on -chip with OUT 17 the PROM array, the Cypress CY7C270 14 CMP IN- Processor -Intelligent PROM permits system designers to interface PROM CMP directly with processors, including: GND GND GND THRESHOLD OUTPUT 18 20 15 RANGE = -2.54V TO +2.56V; SPARC 68030 R3000 1 LSB = 20mV 486 80960KB R2000 386 80960CA 88000 68040 29000 Featuring a high amount of programmable Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of a programmable level detector built around Maxim's MAX910. on -chip logic, the CY7C270 saves the design complexity and performance pen- alties of going off -chip to discrete logic devices. Designers can eliminate one or a chip selects eliminate the need for off-chip C and assembly -language source code with pair of 22V lOs generally used to implement decoding logic. NEC K2 in -circuit emulators. burst counters, latches (for CISC proces- To accommodate various processor Avocet Systems, one of the leading U.S. sors) and registers (for RISC processors). burst sequences, the CY7C270 can be con- microcontroller design software vendors, Access times of 14 ns for burst reads and figured by the user to provide a two-, four - has created a robust set of software tools 28 ns for single reads let the 16K x 16 or eight -bit linear burst counter; a two-bit that fully utilizes the features of NEC's K2 CY7C270 deliver zero -wait -state memory non-linear burst counter (for the 486 microcontrollers. accesses for 33 -MHz CISC processors and CPU); or no burst counter (for use with K2 is an eight -bit family of CMOS mi- 25 -MHz RISC processors. The CY7C270's RISC processors). crocontrollers designed for real-time high degree of integration also lets it run The CY7C270 is re -programmable for embedded control applications. These de- with better in -system performance than a low-cost prototyping. It's priced at $56.05 vices are particularly rich in on -board solution that employs faster PROM and each in 100 -piece quantity in PLCC peripherals. Most chips include synchro- external logic for the memory interface. packages. nous and asynchronous serial I/O; multi- This is because solutions using the ple counter/timers with compare and cap- CY7C270 do not suffer from delays asso- Software for NEC K Series ture registers that support high -resolution ciated with implementing the memory in- Avocet Systems, Inc. and NEC Electronics timing; pulse -width -modulated (PWM) terface using external logic. Inc. (401 Ellis St., P.O. Box 7241, Moun- outputs; real-time output ports; and The CY7C270's x 16 architecture tain View, CA 94039) have the first in a multichannel A/D converters and D/A means designers need only two chips to series of Avocet software support solutions converters. support the 32 -bit buses of many proces- for the NEC K -Series family of microcon- A macro service data -transfer facility, sors, further reducing chip count. Trim- trollers. Two new design tool packages, unique to the K -Series, is also included with ming the need for still more external de- Avocet C 78K2 and AVICE, allow for op- all K2 devices. Macro service greatly vices, the CY7C270's three programmable timizing and high-level debugging of both reduces the interrupt load on the CPU by 72 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com handling many repetitive service requests level debugger at $300, and the AVMAC comparators are the first to include a high- normally addressed by the CPU. macro assembler at $495. speed eight -bit DAC and voltage reference In addition, the K2 CPU features high- to rapidly set the input threshold voltage speed data execution, permitting the Switchable SCSI Bus Terminator of the comparator (Fig. 1). The MAX910 devices, 12 operating at MHz, to support Motorola (2200 W. Broadway, Mesa, AZ is TTL-compatible with an 8-ns propaga- a minimum instruction 333 cycle of ns. 85202) has a new family of switchable tion delay, while the MAX911 is ECL- NEC's K2 family also offers large memory precision SCSI bus -terminator solutions compatible with a 4-ns propagation delay. capacity, including products with up to that eliminate the need to physically The comparator's threshold level, set by 32K of ROM and 1K of RAM. On -chip remove termination. These SCSI Bus Ter- the DAC, has a 10 -mV resolution and is data memory includes 512 bytes each of minators are available in reliable, easy -to - digitally updated through its full-scale RAM and EEPROM. K2 microcontrollers implement surface -mount packages that range in only 50 ns. By combining a com- can address 64K of program memory and reduce board -area requirements. parator, voltage reference and an eight -bit 1M of external data memory. These devices improve manufacturing DAC in a single IC, the MAX910 and The Avocet C 78K2 package contains an flow and reliability and are easy to expand MAX911 reduce board space requirements ANSI C compiler with complete K2 fami- to 27 -bit -wide SCSI bus applications. One by a factor of 10 and power consumption ly feature support and the AVMAC 78K2 SCSI terminator replaces all termination by a factor of five. macro assembler. The C compiler uses a resistor packs and sockets, which simpli- For high-speed comparator applications compiled stack technique that produces fies printed -circuit board layout and reduc- in which the threshold voltage must be up- optimized K2 code. It additionally sup- ing inventory and carrying costs. dated rapidly, such as automatic test ports interrupt service routines written in The new circuitry gives designers a sim- equipment (ATE) or process -control ap- C, generates ROM -able code and copies in- ple way to enable or disable termination plications, the MAX910 and MAX911 itialized variables from ROM to RAM at with either software or hardware. When provide a complete single -IC solution that run time. enabled, these circuits provide passive or reduces stray capacitance, design time and The AVMAC 78K2 assembler includes active -style SCSI termination. When their cost over multi -chip discrete solutions. a macro pre-processor, linker/locator, ob- switches are disabled according to their The MAX910 and MAX911 come in 24 - ject librarian, cross-reference utility, HEX truth tables, these devices are in a high - pin DIP and SO packages. The price for file utility and cross-reference report impedance state on nine or all 18 bits. the MAX910CNG or MAX911 CNG is generator. Created to write assembly lan- Motorola's family of SCSI Bus Termi- $5.20 in 1,000 piece quantity. guage, it contains assembly and structured nator solutions currently include five programming directives. devices. The MCCS142233 is a nine -bit AVICE 78K2 is a new high-level debug- passive terminator. The MCCS 142234 and ger front-end that supports all of the MCCS142235 are nine- and 18 -bit active features of the NEC K2 IE-78230-R and terminators that can be used with Motoro- IE-78240-R in -circuit emulators. The la's MC34268 voltage regulator. The PROGRAMMER for package contains a window -style user in- MCCS142236 and MCCS142237 are nine - E(E)PROM & Microcontroller terface that supports high-level debugging and 18 -bit active terminators with in- 1 Gang $159 of C and assembly -language source code. tegrated 2.85 -volt regulators. NEW A 4 Gang $219 watch window allows the debugger to in- All these SCSI terminators contain a spect variables within their execution scope Local Vcc (LVcc) low voltage sense circuit and proper format. Based on a sophisti- to latch the enable state, which provides cated command language, a user can create the ability to latch the current output state new commands, configure windows, bind when power is removed from the LVcc key strokes to commands, and attach them pin. As long as the terminator power or includes Programming Module, Cable (3), to breakpoints. voltage regulator remains, no interruption Additional AVICE 78K2 features in- software, manual, 1 year warranty, and Free to the SCSI bus occurs when powering life time software update! clude real-time trace; multiple source and down are SCSI peripheral. memory dump windows; hardware and Made in U.S.A. Motorola's family of SCSI Terminators 32 -pin wide ZIF socket (300 - 600 mil) software breakpoints; single and multiple can be used in computer equipment ap- File Load/Save, Blank -check, Program, Verify, Read, Checksum, stepping; and on-line help. plications that include all SCSI, SCSI -2 To run Full -screen Buffer Edit, MACRO function the Avocet C 78K2 and AVICE and SCSI -3 computer platforms (PCs, Supports most of file formats 78K2 packages, an IBM PC/AT or com- workstations, mini -computers) and their 8, 16, 32 bit data split patible computer with a 640K NMOS/CMOS EPROMs (2716...27C040) minimum of associated peripherals that utilize single - RAM, and MS-DOS 3.1 or later are re- EEPROMs(2804...28256) ended SCSI buses. Examples include rigid - Page EPROMs (27C513, 27C011) quired. A 386 or 486 machine is recom- disk drives, printers, barcode readers, CD Flash EPROMs(28F256...28F020) mended for running this software. ROMs, tape drives, plotters, image scan- Optional Adapters: NEC's IE-78230-R and IE-78240 in -cir- ners and laser -disk drives. RM -4G 4 Socket Module $95 cuit emulators with one probe are available RM-16BIT for 16 Bit upto 40 pin $758 Pricing for the SCSI Terminators in RM-875X for 87>0(& 87C)0( for $9,490. The IE-78240-R supports 10,000 -piece quantity ranges from 99 cents RM-PIC16C5X for PIC 16C5X $85 NEC's PD2821XA line of microcontrol- for the MCCS 142234 nine -bit active to $2 NS COPXXX Micro adapters available. lers, while the IE-78230-R supports the UNIVERSAL PROGRAMMER: for the MCCS 142235 18 -bit active device. Call us for more information! µPD7823X products. UV Eraser w/timer $85 A complete package containing both Erases up to 9 EPROMs Digital Threshold Comparator Avocet C 78K2 and AVICE 78K2 sells for Order now! (408)7x34 -8ä1s84 $1,496. The packages are also sold sep- Maxim Integrated Products' (120 San arately, with the Avocet C 78K2 package Gabriel Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94086) new (Risk-Free 30 days money ecic)1se priced at $1,195, the AVICE 78K2 high- MAX910 and MAX911 ultra -high-speed Electronic Engineering Tools 528 Weddell Dr. #4, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 CIRCLE NO. 135 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 73 www.americanradiohistory.com On -Line Population; Getting the Fax; Closing the GUI Gap; Pre -Loaded CompuServe; Beware The Tax on Modems!; Setting Up Your Own BBS We have no idea how many people are on- couldn't do with a received fax was receive closer to each other in functionality, the line these days. No census is taken of the the fax message with a fax modem board, time of the graphics network has arrived. population of cyberspace, nor do the ma- save it into your word processor and modi- Prodigy is part of the proof, but it's Ameri- jor public networks like CompuServe fy it. Another problem was that the re- ca On Line that's blazing the trail. It keeps release numbers we can rely upon. Thus, ceived fax took a lot of memory to store growing and looking better and better, we have no concept of the number of peo- it. Now there are several programs from with more graphics features and new inno- ple on the internet. When you add the character -recognition software publishers vative services. number of people who are on private cor- that eliminate these limitations. AOL is the model for the future. The porate nets and others who sign onto only FaxMaster from Caere Corp. allows you former specifications for graphic -based local BBS services, you have a population to launch a fax from within a Windows ap- networks, such as those used by Prestel in numbering in the millions. plication. You can even select a time for England, didn't offer clear-cut advantage However many people may be on-line, the fax to be transmitted. When a fax is re- and, therefore, were a failure in this coun- though, the fact that on-line services exist ceived, the software converts it back to try. But the current crop of graphic net- has already affected the way we live and ASCII within the Windows application so works based on Windows or Motif are communicate with each other. I recently that you can export it into a word processor something else again. read a report that 1.5 -million people were or DTP program. You can even click on The whole concept of personal com- on-line in Japan, this in a country where a Windows box and look at the cover sheets puters on-line and connected in LANs is there are nowhere near as many personal of up to six faxes. expected to take another leap forward computers as there are in the U.S. So far so good. However, this program from the original idea of one person, one does even more. It can compress a bit- computer. Now the buzzword is "work - Getting the Fax mapped fax into ''/ of its received size and groups," the idea being that people in busi- Now fax is rapidly becoming the preferred store it on you hard disk. In addition, a ness aren't isolated or grouped in vertical method of sending written messages, so Viewer function enables you to look at all LANs. They work in groups, and work much so that this past year has seen an ex- the thumbnail -sized faxes you've stored. done is the product of many minds. Micro- plosion in low-cost fax modems. You can The only problem with this wonderful pro- soft recognized this with the new Windows get 2,400/9,600 -baud modem/fax boards gram is its $249 cost. When you add this for Work Groups and included the work - for less than $100 and 1,400 -baud modems to the cost of the modem, the price is about group concept in the forthcoming Win- are going for about $300. So now you can as much as for a stand-alone fax machine. dows NT. use the board as a regular modem at 2,400 You have to add up pros and cons to decide baud and as a fax modem at 9,600 baud the best deal for you. Beware The Tax on Modems! Another fax -conversion program is Cal - (or 1,400 baud). Fax communications soft- They never stop trying, only this time it era's Faxgrabber, also a Windows applica- ware is bundled with these modems at no isn't the states or even Congress that are tion. It receives incoming faxes and extra cost. con- after modem users for more money. It's verts them to ASCII or any of the popular Brands offered by direct -market ven- the IRS, which is making its own rules word -processor formats. by dors and discount retail stores include interpreting laws passed by Congress Both the fax for Twincomm, Cardinal, Practical Peripher- of converters cited are totally different purposes. available from most software retailers. als, The Complete PC, BSR and Ultimate, The Information Technology Associa- to name just a few. Higher -priced boards tion of America Pre -Loaded CompuServe has issued a warning that or external modems, like those from the IRS may be seeking to extend a 3% Hayes, cost about twice as much as the CompuAdd Computer Corp. is now pre - communications tax to users of on-line ser- economy brands. With these boards, you loading the CompuServe Information vices. A similar tax is already being col- can write a message using any of the popu- Manager onto the hard disks of all com- lected on all telephone service and has been lar word-processing programs and trans- puters it sells. Included are a month of free since 1965. After Congress made the tax mit it to any Group 1, 2 and 3 fax machine, use of CompuServe's Basic Services and permanent, the IRS began making rules to or to another computer equipped with a a $15 credit for use of other extended serv- implement it. The IRS may now be seek- fax board. ices that are optional at additional charges. ing to extend it to use of modems. When a fax message is received by a The CIM front-end program makes it The ITAA is calling this a foul because computer, it can be printed on any dot- much easier to sign onto and access specific it would impose an unfair burden on the matrix or laser printer that can print graph- areas of the service. This front end great- growth of a highly competitive and ex- ics. The printer must be able to print graph- ly speeds up use of the service and reduces panding sector of the economy. Users are ics to churn out fax copy that started out the amount of on-line time needed to ac- already paying a tax on their use of the as an ASCII text file because the fax soft- cess specific services. phone service. An additional tax on on-line ware you use in your transmitting comput- services they use would be double taxation. Closing the GUI er converts ASCII text into a bit map that's Gap The greatest fear is that IRS could decide a picture of the printed page. Now with the two dominant GUI's, Mac- to tax services like CompuServe and GEnie Until now, one important thing you intosh and Windows, coming closer and directly. Moreover, the extension of the tax 74 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com to new technologies may come as the result with as many sub-libraries as you want. communication via relay systems, and of an IRS ruling not caused by an action Users can do key -word search or tag a there are board -busters against whom you of the President or Congress and is, there- group of files to be downloaded. Major must protect your system. fore, harder to protest or influence by voters. BBS has propriety Locks and Keys securi- If you're going to run a board as a free It's much harder to get Congress and the ty, which allows you to place locks on hobby, you'll be exempt from most regula- administration to legislate on specific re- features or areas of the board. You can tion and taxes. However, once you start to ductions in bad tax law. However, one give a "Key" to each user you authorize charge fees to use your board, you're con- hope is that it will take about a year for the to use the features of the board. A com- sidered to be running a business. In such IRS to implement such a ruling and that mon group of keys can be combined into a case, there are sales taxes to be paid on there may be a different administration a key ring that can be set up for sharing by the fees you charge. Be aware, too, that and Congress by the time this column ap- many users. there's also a tendency in some states to try pears in print. You can also conduct polls about mem- to tax any software that is downloaded from bers, and each member can have a personal your board. resume on the board that describes his or You can also be held responsible for il- Setting Up a BBS her interests. legal information placed on your board by Have you ever considered running your The Major BBS also has a full account- members. There have been cases where own BBS for your business or club or just ing system with as many types of users as BBS sysops have had their equipment seized for the fun of it? It's not that hard to do. you wish. You can assign time limits per because a user placed credit-card numbers If you have an 80286 or better computer call and exempt any user you wish. The on their boards without their knowledge. you don't use all the time, you can run your pay -for -use system can calculate a user's Being that you'll be held responsible for own board. You need about 2M of RAM, on-line time by the minute and generate ac- what's posted on your board, pay atten- a floppy drive, a hard -disk drive of at least counts for billing purposes. tion to the goings-on. Play safe by controll- 40M capacity, a 2,400 -baud modem and In short, The Major BBS can do just ing access to users you can trust. a telephone line for a minimum installation. about anything the commercial networks For information about The Major BBS, You also need bulletin -board software do in a local mode. call 1-800-328-1128. To sign onto The Ma- and the time to look in on your system once For each modem you use, you must have jor BBS, call 1-305-583-7808. in a while. Most of the time, your BBS can an available COM (COM 1, 2, 3 and 4 are If you're interested in the legalities of be- run unattended. There are many kinds of supported) port and a Hayes -compatible ing a BBS sysop, get a copy of Syslaw- BBS software systems. I'll examine one modem. Speeds can range from 300 to The Legal Guide for On Line Service by here and others over the next few months 3,800 bps. Lance Rose, Esq. and Jonathan Wallace, and explain their operation. The standard package costs $259 and Esq. Now in its second edition, this book One of the most successful BBS systems supports up to two simultaneous users. For spells out to BBS sysops their basic rights is The Major BBS from Glacticomm, now more users, you need only a "User Six and responsibilities. It has been written so released in Version 6. Minimum configura- Pack" to support up to six additional users, that non -lawyers can understand it. Sub- tion is a complete bulletin -board software at $249 per "Pack." Advanced LAN op- jects covered include the First Amend- system for two simultaneous users on a tions and X.25 Packet Switching options ment, copyrights, trademarks, the user single PC. The Major BBS includes five to offer long-distance callers easy access agreement, privacy, criminal law, searches prepared BBS models from which to to your BBS are also available. and seizures, viruses and adult materials. choose: The Major BBS also has all kinds of Syslaw not only explains the law, it gives The Public Model grants anyone who games and other options that can be add- advice that can enable sysops to protect calls full access immediately. ed as the BBS grows. This includes multi- their boards from risk of legal actions. It's The Sign -Up Model allows new users to user applications and on-line order entry. available for $34.95 plus $3 S&H (and any call and sign up. You approve them later. Running a BBS is a hobby in itself and applicable sales tax) from PC Information The Private Model allows you to specify can really hook you. There are networks Group, 1125 E. Broadway, Winona, MN exactly who can sign onto your net. of BBS sysops who provide world-wide 55987; tel.: 800-321-8285 or 507-452-2824. Customer Service Model supports your customers and gets their feedback. For Profit Model has users pay for us- ing your service. Little PLC Tm see The software enables users to send mes- 0N\ DOS IN ROM! Tired of waiting for the sages and write electronic mail with a full - Prompt? Speed up with an MVS ROM Drive. Boot screen editor. They can attach a binary or Instantly) Also used for ASCII file via the file -transfer protocol of Disidess Workstations and Embedded control. Easy their choice, with XMODEM, YMODEM, to Install half-size card. ZMODEM, Y -MODEM -G, KERMIT, Super 64k $751 360k 5 KERMIT and ASCII supported. They can re- 1.44m $300 quest return receipts and send "carbon Program It In C PROM Programmer $95 copies" to other users. Our new Little PLC," measures only 4.33 x 2.85 inches MerrImackValle S emº and can mount on standard DIN rail. This miniature Box 850 Merrlrhaek.NH You can have up to 3,500 public message controller costs only $195, including 8 optically isolated Phone: (508) 792 9507 .MVS forums with keyword searching, file at- inputs and 8 relay driver outputs. Low cost expansion cards allow you to add more inputs and outputs: digital WORLDS SMALLEST PC I taching, message threading, message quot- anc analog. It has dual RS -485 serial I/O, battery robots-alarms-datalog ing, and "quick -scan" capabilities. And backed memory and time/date clock, programmable 3 Easy Steps: timers and a watchdog. Our easy to use and affordable 1. Develop, debug on PC you can assign users read-only, read/write Dynamic CT" integrated development system also costs 2. Download, test in SBC or co -management access to each forum. $195. You can write simple programs in an hour, or you 3. Bum PROM, stand alone can develop major applications with 20,000 lines of C -LCD port -3 ser 2 par Each forum can have its own teleconfer- language. -Keyboard in -PC bus -Battery or 5v -BIOS option ence for real-time discussions. Z -World Engineering -Real Tm CIk -LED display Each forum can also have a file library, 1724 Picasso Ave., Davis, CA 95616 Use Turbo C, BASIC, MASM (916) 757-3737 Fax: (916) 753-5141 24 hr. Automatic Fax: (916) 753-0618 (Call from your fax, request catalog #18) 8088 S B C $95 CIRCLE NO. 155 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 144 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD www.americanradiohistory.com GUI Guts By Yacco XTree for Windows Debuts My favorite file -management program for blance to its method of threading through ance Technologies) or any other network DOS, Xtree, has finally made it to Win- topics, something DOS Help has been do- that supports the SMB (Server Message dows. Despite the fact that I've been eager- ing since well before hypertext became Block) protocol. It also has its own peer - ly anticipating XTreefor Windows, I was fashionable and widespread. to -peer network capabilities. Windowsfor somehow less than satisfied with what I A few years ago, Dan Rollins, DOS Workgroups can even connect to an SMB got. It wasn't the program. XTreefor Win- Help's author and a Flambeaux partner, network and other Windows for Work - dows has even more features than the DOS revealed to me that users wouldn't buy a groups machines over its built-in peer -to - version. It includes a large array of viewers good program if a free alternative was peer network simultaneously. that let you see files from popular word available. He was talking about the on-line Windows for Workgroups should be a processors, databases and spreadsheets references included with later versions of powerful competitor for the small peer -to - with some of their formatting intact. Many DOS and their effect on sales of DOS Help. peer installation. Installation is eased by common graphic -file formats are also Despite DOS Help's excellence, the major- detection of known network cards and supported. ity of DOS users apparently prefer the free automatic configuration of the appropri- The program has several functions for built-in product to paying for an additional ate drivers. However, Microsoft says that handling compressed files and a file -trans- utility. These free references are hollow beta sites are also using the product for net- fer utility. And XTreefor Windows effec- substitutes for DOS Help, of course, but works with hundreds of nodes. tively uses Windows' GUI conventions to Rollins maintained that they still kept The program's network support is based provide easy access to its features, as well down his sales. on the NDIS (Network Device Interface as to display different file groups. There Flambeaux's marketing hasn't always Specification) standard for card -to-trans- are a feature toolbar, buttons to quickly impressed me as the industry's strongest, port layer communications (between the change the number of levels displayed in but I suspect Rollins's argument has merit- network and physical layer). Out of the the tree view, a window for the automatic and relevance-for Windows utilities. The box, there are expected to be at least 29 file viewer, and so on. Moves and copies company's experience makes me wonder drivers and support for 112 Arcnet, Token can be accomplished using drag -and -drop, how much room there's going to be for Ring and Ethernet cards. An additional 35 and files can be launched by dropping them third -party ISVs as Windows continues to drivers and 65 cards are on the Windows on any executable or batch file. grow and add functions. Supplemental Driver Library. Nevertheless, XTree for Windows Moreover, Windows for Workgroups didn't give me the same thrill XTree for Windows for Workgroups includes a Microsoft Mail 3.0 work -alike DOS first did. I think the reason is that The next challenge will be to network utili- with capabilities of both the client and sev- Windows is so much more self-sufficient ties, peer -to -peer networks themselves and er. You'll be able to send mail directly from than DOS. DOS originally lacked sophisti- several groupware categories. By the time the File Manager toolbar or by dragging cated file -management tools. XTree was this appears in print, Windows for Work - a file and dropping it on the minimized an order of magnitude or two beyond it. groups 3.1 should be shipping. email icon. Almost everything is in there But although File Manager pales in com- Additions in Windows for Workgroups except the message -transfer agent that al- parison to XTree for Windows, it lets you include special toolbars for both the Print lows you to send mail between Microsoft do the basics. Manager and File Manager. There are also Mail post offices. You can tag groups of files and then several utilities. A Chat Accessory enables Also included in Windows for Work - copy, move or delete them. There's a glo- point-to-point, real-time communication. groups is the Schedule+ application, bal search, and you can select from a num- Net Watcher lets you see who's connected which is an email -enabled calendar and ber of display options. Windows leaves a to your machine. And Win Meter shows group meeting scheduler. Its Network file -management utility with a relatively the percentage of resources going to local DDE feature extends DDE across the net- smaller incremental advantage than DOS and remote applications. work. A Clipbook View Accessory pro- did. This may not be enough to justify ex- The Control Panel in Windows for vides a network -wide clipboard. Worksta- tra expense or extra training. Workgroups includes a slide bar to adjust tions that want to share data simply copy Utility vendors must be careful about performance between local and remote re- it to the Clipbook, and any node with ac- how they enter the Windows marketplace quests. You can also use it to configure cess privileges can paste from it. or they may find too much of their target cards and the network transport layer, per- Microsoft says all of this will break market preferring free functions over ex- form a drag -and -drop Netware installa- down the barriers to networking. It may tra -cost enhancements they offer. For ex- tion, change machine names and work - also break down a few competitors in the ample, take the experience of Flambeaux group names, etc. network and groupware markets and keep Software's DOS Help, which is a nearly Windows for Workgroups users will be many others from entering. perfect utility and one that has held up well able to share printers, access files on serv- The above is just the beginning. The over quite a few years. Nothing beats it for ers and share files on their local machines Mac's remaining advantage over cheap providing help with DOS commands. In with others. The program runs on Lan - commodity computers is already being fact, the help systems in both Windows and Manager, LanServer, Net ware, DEC eroded by Windows. For instance, Super - OS/2 have more than a passing resem- Path Works, PowerLAN(from Perform- Mac has launched a Windows business 76 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com group, and insiders have informed me that route to Minneapolis for a meeting with work when you really need it? It isn't easy the company's Video Spigot will soon be Seagate the following day. He also told me to test the efficacy of either type of pro- available for the PC. about a ground -breaking joint announce- gram, and Disk Technician claims to be the When the Windows -compatible NT op- ment the two companies were planning. It only drive utility that can detect soft errors. erating system rolls out in a few months, was an exciting demonstration-and sur- Fortunately, according to Ivans, Seagate we may finally see the beginning of the prising news. has made the definitive determination us- end-if not of the Macintosh itself, at least But then, Disk Technician has been ing its own Intelligent Disc Tester (IDT). the end of the absolute need for one. It will breaking new ground for years. I've been Ivans says that Seagate became a con- certainly be much more difficult to justify a fan of the program for a long time be- vert when Disk Technician found 100% of getting into Apple's high -cost closed tech- cause of its soft -error tracking. From its the known errors in 120 drives that had nology once a popular 32 -bit operating sys- beginning, Disk Technician has built a da- been tested with its expensive hardware tem is on the PC. tabase of soft errors over time that allows devices. Not only did Disk Technician find Developers are flocking to NT now, and it to move data before hard errors occur. all the errors, it did so 20 to 30 times faster it's just a matter of time before the innova- The last version, released about a year ago, than IDT did. A 40M drive takes roughly tions that have traditionally kept the Mac added another innovation by making re- 3 minutes to test with the software. A out in front for designers and artists are pairs in the background. more -comprehensive hard -disk media cer- developed for both computer platforms at Now, the current revision extends this tification takes Disk Technician about 40 the same time. capability to Windows. Just install the 14K minutes for a slow MFM drive of the same Disk Technician device driver, and it 40M capacity. Disk Technician Gold moves your data away from failing areas As a result of its tests, Seagate is expect- Some utilities still seem like safe bets. of the drive. It does this while you work. ed to recommend Disk Technician Gold Neither Windows nor DOS has yet ap- Another new feature allows Disk Tech- with an endorsement that will include the proached the issue of hard -disk reliabili- nician to protect data from power failures. use of a Seagate medallion on the soft- ty. So, you're definitely going to want to Though there's an overhead penalty, with ware's packaging. The drive vendor will al- consider the new Disk Technician Gold this option enabled, you can pull the plug so use the software to replace some of the (DTG) from Disk Technician Corp. It's in the middle of a disk write operation testing presently done by its IDTs. Disk the first hard -disk maintenance -and - without losing a single bit. If this seems un- Technician will allow VARs and other re - restoration utility to run in the background likely, think about using it with your lap- sellers to test drives without having to send under Windows 3.1. top. You can forget about the habit Ni -Cd them back to the manufacturer. Savings On Columbus Day, Disk Technician batteries have of draining almost without in time and money should be significant. president Norm Ivans touched his Aero- warning and outright battery failures. Disk Technician claims to find soft er- star 601/700P down in Burbank, CA just Disk Technician has also answered a rors not only on MFM drives but on IDE long enough to show me a pre-release ver- thorny question it shares with virus soft- and almost all SCSI drives (except fast - sion of the product before continuing en - ware. How do you know if it's going to wide) as well. This is possible because the REAL-TIME ERROR DETECTION ARCHITECTURE WHAT IS YOUR WHAT IS WHAT IS YOUR PROGRAM DOING? DISK TECHNICIAN GOLD DOING? HARD DISK DOING? Reading or Monitoring hard disk Reading or writing data read/write activity writing data If Soft error detected, If Critical error detected, If No error detected, Writing error location records error location note ED IDLE to databank see in databank Processing data IDLE IDLE in RAM Block diagram of Disk Technician Gold's real-time error -correction architecture. Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 77 www.americanradiohistory.com GUI Guts REAL-TIME CRITICAL ERROR OPERATIONS ARCHITECTURE o Excessive Excessive read attempts Hard error TRIGGERS: read attempts and ECC invoked (unreadable) SYSTEM LAUNCH: Critical en-or detected If excessive If excessive read attempts PATHS: read attempts and ECC invoked If hard error Seek profiling and other special routines used to recover data It recovered as ECC reconstructs If totally data successfully reconstnrctable recovered ECC data Data from area where critical error occurred is recorded in databank Your current program is interrupted Audio message: Visual message: Continuous warbling tone On -screen instructions You acknowledge warning message(s) by pressing the F2 key You save your work, exit the program and reboot your system Flow chart of DTG's real-time critical error operations architecture. 78 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January /993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com Disk Technician Gold ERROR 908 - See Chapters 6,7,13 HARDWARE FAILURE WARMING± BACKUP YOUR DATA MOW! Call Frank Smith in PC Technical Services Dept IMMEDIATELY!! 234-6789, extension 123 Press F2 to acknowledge message When DTG detects a hard -disk problem, it generates an on -screen warning, like the one shown here, that tells you exactly what to do. program doesn't rely on ECC status. In- data from almost all hard errors, given Correction stead, Disk Technician relies on methods enough time. Ivans says testers have yet to Last month, I mentioned a couple of of measuring the time a drive requires to find an error from which the program was humorous calendar programs, and stated complete reads. A long interval can indi- unable to recover the data. that the product from Amaze is "more cate read failures that are requiring retries. Two other functions are included with flexible about how and when you consume Soft errors are recorded in a database the product. A built-in defragmenter oper- its cartoons." What I meant to say was that that's used to find intermittent errors and ates on full drives (save a single sector) and Cartoon -A -Day from Individual Software to detect patterns. An expert system evalu- handles unlimited partition sizes and an is more flexible, but I didn't notice my ates the patterns for incipient hardware unlimited number of files. The method used careless error until after it went to press. failures. For example, a predominance of moves data only once. Every time the Actually, Individual allows you to choose errors on inside tracks may indicate that system boots, a system -integrity test runs when you change its cartoons and to print heads, amplifiers or (rarely) data -separa- to prevent virus infections of user -specified them in a variety of ways (as correctly stat- tor circuits are going bad. Bearing wobble file types. Other tests automatically check ed). The cartoons in the Far Side Calen- is likely to cause more soft errors out at the for bad FATs, lost clusters, cross -linked dar from Amaze are more rigidly pro- edge of the disk, where deflection is greatest. chains, allocation errors and errors in grammed for their consumption to coin- DTA also claims to be able to recover subdirectories. cide with the passage of time. N Organize and Protect 0] C co Your Copies of a) co oi ro N U EA EA EA COMPUTERCRAFT T á r ß a) EA ¿ ,c2a) Now there's an easy way to organize and keep copies of your favorite C L x_ magazine readily available for future reference. Q Q Designed exclusively for CC by Jesse Jones Industries, these custom- made titled cases and binders provide the luxury look that makes them attractive additions to your bookshelf, desk or any location in your home -o or office. co Whether you choose cases or binders, you'll have a storage system jr) that's durable and well organized to help protect your valuable copies from damage. Cases and binders designed to Free personalization foil for indexing hold a year's issues (may vary year. with issue sizes). Cases V -notched for easy access. Constructed of heavy reinforced Binders have special spring mechan- board, covered with durable ism to hold individual rods which green leather -like material. easily snap in. This allows magazines Title hot -stamped in gold. to be fully opened for easy readability Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 79 www.americanradiohistory.com What's New! (from page 15) Blue Multimedia models are upgradable and compatible with other PS/2s. Microcontroller system bus, operating modes, Four new 486 -based "Ultime - OS/2 and/or Windows and Technology: clocked operation and mem- dia" computers running at 25 DOS are available pre -loaded ory technology. MHz to 66 MHz are a part The 68HC11 of on a 212M 12 -ms hard drive. Chapters 8 through 12, the revamped line of IBM's Each unit includes 8M RAM which make By Peter Spasov up Part 4, deal PS/2 computers. Each Ultime - and has at least three open ex- (Regents/Prentice Hall. with subsystems for parallel, dia model offers high-speed pansion slots and one open serial, programmable Hard cover. 622 pages) timer XGA graphics, 600M CD- drive bay. Options include and analog interfacing. This ROM II drive with extended 8516 Touch Display and This is an engineering text section covers basic software architecture capability and TouchSelect panels, PS/2 TV book suitable for theory arid techniques to use these sys- 330 -ms seek time, system CDs for video monitoring and an some hands-on experience tems and introduces some loaded with programs, tools ActionMedia II DVI card for with a production microcon- common hardware designs and samplers, 16 -bit sound, digital video. $4,225 to $5,675. troller. It consists of 15 chap- used to connect the micro - headphone jack, microphone IBM, 1133 Westchester Ave., ters organized and divided in- controller to sensors and and volume control. These White Plains, NY 10604. to five parts. Part 1, consist- actuators. CIRCLE NO. 14 ON FREE CARD ing only of Chapter 1, pro- In the concluding Part 5, vides an introduction to com- three chapters cover control Super Super -VGA The Win.VGA Super VGA puters, covering such topics methods, the microcontroller Video Seven's 1024i PLUS card, also from Video Seven, is as the technology, terminol- industry, a survey of typical graphics card is configured optimized for fast Windows ogy, and essential memory applications, choices in se- with 512K DRAM and is cap- graphics performance. It offers concepts. lecting microcontrollers and able of producing 16 colors at built- in hardware -assisted icon Programming concepts are characteristics of other mi- 1,024 x 768 resolution, or 256 (BitBlt) transfers and line covered in Part 2, which is crocontrollers. colors at 800 x 600 resolution draws for dramatic improve- made up of Chapters 2, 3 and The book ends with four in either interlaced or noninter- ment over standard VGA. The 4. This section also includes appendices that cover the laced modes. It supports high - card supports Windows 3.1 information on the language 68HC11 instruction set, a resolution text and graphics and is packaged with drivers used to instruct the microcon- quick -reference section, a on both fixed- and variable - for most major software pack- troller, how to use the regis- glossary of terms and sources frequency monitors. The card ages. $199. Video Seven, 46221 ters and memory and how to of further information. offers high -resolution drivers Landing Pkwy., Fremont, CA produce, use and document This book isn't a "light" for most major software pro- 94538; tel.: 510-623-7857; fax: programs. read. It will be most grams $129. 510-656-0397. of inter- Part 3 (Chapters 5, 6 and 7) est to someone who needs to CIRCLE NO. 15 ON FREE CARD CIRCLE NO. 16 ON FREE CARD is devoted to operation of the learn the ins and outs of de- New Windows try, formatting, graphing and chip itself. Topics include the signing with the 68HC11. others. SpeedFill determines Spreadsheet what information should be cursor and icon movement. Borland's Quattro Pro For placed into a range of cells, Windows At the heart of the card is the Windows is a powerful new based on information the user Accelerator Card S3 chip set that provides such spreadsheet designed for the provides (adding the remaining Add -On America's Renoir NT on -board graphic Windows environment from month labels primitives as to a row once Windows Accelerator provides circles, squares and rectangles, ground up. Two unique tech- "JAN" is entered, for exam- graphics -intensive environ- freeing the CPU of the necessi- nologies that provide a signifi- ple). Drag And Drop lets a user ments, like Windows and X - ty of generating them each time cant departure from traditional select a block of cells, drag it, Windows, with increased video they're used on -screen. Renoir spreadsheet models are an in- and drop it to move or copy to speed and high -resolution dis- NT has I M RAM. Bundled tegral part of the product's de- another location. Speed But- play support. It supports up to software drivers are included sign. Object Inspector menus tons are user -created push but- 1,280 x 1,024 for both inter- for Windows, WordPerfect, let a user "right -click" on an tons that run macros. laced and noninterlaced mon- Lotus, Ventura Publisher, object to display a list of all op- Several other significant itors with eight -bit mode for AutoCAD and most other tions that can be changed for areas of functionality include 256 colors and 15 -bit direct CAD programs. $300. Add -On that object. All changes can be point -and -click feature acces- mode for a maximum of 32,000 America, 433 N. MathildAve., made at once, saving the time sibility, comprehensive presen- colors. The card also supplies Sunnyvale, CA 94086; tel.: of wading through several dif- tation graphics, easy access to a hardware -supported cursor 800-292-7771. ferent menus. Spreadsheet external dBASE and Paradox that provides perfect, smooth CIRCLE NO. 18 ON FREE CARD Notebooks, based on the fa- database files, and visual appli- miliar tabbed paper notebook, cations building tools. Quattro Print Utility files. Because not all programs organize spreadsheet data and Pro For Windows is compati- have the ability to print Laser - dramatically improve the way ble with Lotus 1-2-3 and Excel Version 3.1 of TreeSaver from Jet -formatted output to a file a user builds and manages at the file level and even at the Discoversoft adds the ability to (a PCL file), Version 3.1 has a spreadsheets. macro level, simplifying up- make saddle -bound pamphlets utility that enables the user to SpeedBar controls are col- grading existing applications. and manuals to its utilities for capture LaserJet output into a lections of conveniently placed Upgrades and DOS/ Windows laser printing "tiled" pages on- file from any DOS application. buttons that provide point - bundles available. $495. Bor- to a single sheet. Treesaver is a $90. Discoversoft Inc., 1516 and -click access to the most - land, PO Box 660001, Scotts PCL interpreter. As such, it Oak St., Alameda, CA 94501; frequently -used features, such Valley, CA 95067-0001; tel.: can handle graphics, soft fonts tel.: 510-769-2902; fax: 510- as cut, copy, paste, instant 800-331-0877. and even LaserJet macros. It 769-0149. summing, automatic data en- CIRCLE NO. 17 ON FREE CARD also handles ASCII and PCL CIRCLE NO. 19 ON FREE CARD 80 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com Soldering Stations Solid-state circuitry regu- Rewritable transfer rate. Sony's RMOS Hexacon's HIT series solder- lates temperature with ± 10 °F Optical Drive driver supports full removabili- ing stations feature heating ele- from 550 °to 850 °F. A positive ty by enabling users to import ments located inside the tip for grounded tip, together with Sony's RMO-S350 is a rewrit- files from several rewritable rapid recovery and an innova- static dissipative handle and able optical system for IBM/ optical disks without exiting tive sponge holder design with case, ensures that the unit is compatible and Apple Macin- the program and booting the removable dross tray that elim- ESD safe. The station has tosh computers. It stores up to computer every time the disk is inates operator contact and spike -free performance and ex- 128M of fully rewritable infor- changed. $2,295. Sony Com- collects potentially hazardous ceeds requirements of all mili- mation on a 3 % " magneto op- puter Peripheral Products Co., solder dross. The sponge hold- tary soldering specifications. tical disk. Using a SCSI -2 inter- Optical Products Div., 655 er makes tip cleaning more ef- Hexacon Electric Co., PO Box face for high throughput, it has River Oaks Pkwy., San Jose, fective by using a double - 36, Roselle Park, NJ 07204- an average seek time of less CA 95134; tel.: 800-352-7669; sponge concept with four wip- 1946; tel.: 908-245-6200; fax: than 40 ms with a 4M/s burst fax: 408-432-0253. ing surfaces that total 32 sq. in. 908-245- 6176. CIRCLE NO.20 ON FREE CARD CIRCLE NO. 21 ON FREE CARD They're fun! They're informative! They're the "Video Elmer" who's always there to help! Introducing an ALL NEW series of Videos about Amateur Radio. Three -time Emmy Award winning Producer Richard Moseson, NW2L, has pulled out all the stops to create the most exciting and entertain- ing video series ever about Amateur Radio. Four "Getting Started" videos cover individual subjects for the newcomer to Amateur Radio, as well as the oldtimer who's branching out into something new. Getting Started In Ham Radio Getting Started in Amateur Satellites Getting Started In Packet Radio Getting Started In DXing Available at your favorite Amateur Radio dealer. $19.95 each All videos are available only in VHS NTSC format. For mail orders add $3.50 shipping and handling per video (First Class Mail in USA and possessions); $7.00 for overseas shipment. Look for announcements of more videos from CQ. CQ Productions ... A division of CQ Communications, Inc. 76 North Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801. Telephone 516 681.2922; FAX 516 681.2926. Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 83 www.americanradiohistory.com What's New! Board & Design Kit Windows Printing kit includes a multitasking ex- and display interfaces, digital Mosaic Industries' QED board ecutive, memory manager, I/O I/O, 16 eight- and 12 -bit A/D Booster is a 3.2" x 4" embedded con- device drivers and comprehen- inputs, eight D/A outputs, WINSPRINT from Myriad is troller that hosts a high-level sive floating point and matrix eight timer -controlled signals a low-cost printer controller programming environment in math libraries. and dual RS -232/485 serial in- that accelerates Windows 3.x on -board ROM. A FORTH in- Up to 384K of on -board terface ports. $495. printing on LaserJet II and III teractive compiler and 68HC I1 memory includes battery - Also from Mosaic is the printers. It consists of a small assemble facilitate program- backed write -protect -able QED Product Design Kit that interface board that fits into ming via any PC or terminal, RAM that eliminates the need consists of integrated hardware the optional input/output slot and symbolic debugging tools for PROM burning. Battery and software created as a turn- at the back of the LaserJet, a support break-point insertion, operable, the surface -mount key tool for instrument proto - 16 -bit ISA interface board that tracing and single -stepping. board provides with up to 60 typing. It includes a QED installs in the computer, a cable The built-in programming tool I/O lines, including keypad board outfitted with 160K bat- that connects the two interface tery -backed RAM, 64K devel- boards and a printer driver. opment ROM, power supply, The controller requires an serial cables, 5 x 4 keypad, 4 80386 or 80486 computer with x 20 LCD screen, prototyping one open 16-bit slot and at least board with cables, comprehen- 4M of system memory and uses sive documentation and enclo- 2M of available memory. It sure with mounting hardware. supports 64 shades of gray and Flip -of-the -switch write -pro- device -independent bitmaps tection and battery -backed and such advanced desktop" - RAM facilitate "PROM -less" publishing features as negative development. Programming is justification, inter -character done via an RS -232 link using spacing, full kerning pairs and any PC or terminal. $875. Mo- extended text metric informa- saic Industries, Inc., 5437 Cen- tion. $399. Myriad Enterprises, tral Ave. Ste. 1, Newark, CA Inc., 3149 Bonn Dr., Laguna 94560; tel.: 510-790-1255; fax: Beach, CA 92651; tel.: 714- 510-790-0925. 494-8165; fax: 714-497-9398. CIRCLE NO. 22 ON FREE CARD CIRCLE NO. 23 ON FREE CARD Dvorak's Inside straightforward writing style protection and recovery, tremely clear presentation on employed by the authors. A back-up software, Track to DOS & PC back-up DEBUG. Batch files and ma- few evenings spent with the hardware, security and vi- cros are the main topics in Performance book and the 70 or so utilities ruses are covered in Chapters Chapter 26, while device driv- By John C. Dvorak & included on the 720K floppy 8 through 11. Then operating ers are covered in Chapter 27. Nick Anis could move the casual DOS environments-such as Win- Major utilities (commer- (Osborne McGraw-Hill. Soft user up to the "power -user" dows, OS/2, Unix, Desq- cial, shareware and freeware) cover. 879 pages. $39.95) category. view, VMS, DR -DOS and are described and evaluated DOS basics and common- networks-are covered in in each chapter to provide the At best, DOS is often confus- ly used commands are cov- Chapters 12 through 18. newcomer with a basis for ing to even people who have ered in the first three chap- Chapters 19 through 23 dis- judging the suitability of a used it for years. To the new- ters. Chapter 4 is devoted to cuss diagnostic utilities, particular program. The util- comer, DOS can be over- menu programs and DOS benchmarks, disk caching, ities range from freeware to whelming. This book ad- shells. AUTOEXEC.BAT disk defragmenters and other shareware to portions of dresses the needs of both the and CONFIG.SYS are cov- performance -enhancing soft- commercial programs. This long-time user and the new- ered in Chapter 5. Chapters ware. Edit and other line ed- volume would be a solid ad- comer, and it succeeds in be- 6 and 7 are devoted to multi- itors are addressed in Chapter dition to almost any PC us- ing useful to both groups tasking, task switching, back- 24. The most important sec- er's library. To quote John C. amazingly well. In large part, ground processing and PC tion in this book may be Dvorak, "Highly recom- this is due to the clear, memory management. Data Chapter 25, which is an ex- mended." C -Size Inkjet Plotter Pacific Data Products' new ings in less than 5 minutes. By dard 360 dpi. Tracer also accepts cut -sheet ProTracer personal CAD adding HP -GL and/or Post- The plotter handles all types paper up to 17 " wide and printer produces both large Script emulation cards, you of commonly used media, in- continuous -feed fan -fold pa- drawings (C -size, 17" x 22") can customize the printer to cluding plain paper, plotter per through its manual feed and standard text documents. match your software applica- paper and vellum. Two option- tray. $1,499. Pacific Data It combines an Intel i960 RISC - tions. For check plots, Pro - al sheet feeders make it possi- Products, 9125 Rehco Rd., San based controller and high- Tracer also supports a high- ble to feed A- and B -size cut - Diego, CA 92121; tel.: 619- performance Canon engine to er -speed mode that prints sheet paper or business -size en- 552-0880; fax: 619-552-0889. provide quality C -size draw- at 180 dpi instead of the stan- velopes automatically. Pro - CIRCLE NO.24 ON FREE CARD 84 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com SuperMart This new advertising section highlights products in an easy-to -locate format for reader convenience. Call Margaret Milanese today for deadlines and additional details. 516-681-2922. EPROM Emulator 80052 -BASIC MICROCONTROLLER Printed Circuit Boards BASIC INTERPRETER 32K RAM; 85/16K EPROM EPROM PROGRAMMER Print & Etch Special RS232 TERMINAL 8 $0.24/sq. inch SS PRINTER INTERFACE AUDIO OUTPUT $0.32/sq. inch DS EXPANSION CONNECTOR Solder Plated to Mil -P -81728b OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE: High quality double side pc board with silk screen and solder mask. MICRO/EMMY-64K Ver. 4 MCC Programs written in BASIC can be saved to EPROM. Auto start on CNC Drill and Route power up optional. Easy expansion via 40 pin connector. Reduce Time. MICRO Development STOP Mcrocortro4er board can 'piggy back' pert board with circuits. 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FAX 516-681-2926 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 85 www.americanradiohistory.com Computer Games (from page 90) U.S. Department of Defense cut a deal Madden retired from coaching profes- World Atlas with the government of Japan for Mit- sional football and release of the initial ver- subishi Heavy Industries and General sion of the football game that bears his Most computer users have probably seen Dynamics to join mind and machine to name. Madden's football game was well - a computerized atlas of one kind or make a new fighter jet. If the dual project received in the computer -game market, at another. One of the original proponents isn't blown apart by politics and cost over- least well enough for Electronic Arts to of this kind of software is The Software runs, the Japanese F-16 FSX may see its have a second version ready for the Toolworks. Honoring its own efforts, The first test flight in 1996. The FSX will in- 1992/93 NFL season. Software Toolworks has released Version corporate larger and stronger wings, a Both versions of the John Madden Foot- 3.0 of World Atlas. more -powerful engine and a longer fuse- ball game reflect Madden's concepts of in- The geopolitical world saw rapid lage and larger fuel tanks. dividual player match -ups, coupled with changes in the last few years. World Atlas Whatever the eventual fate of the FSX, the kind of rough-and-tumble play that reflects some of these changes by including fighter jocks who can handle a "hot" characterized his coaching tenure and cur- maps of the Republics, formerly known as joystick are able to lift off from a rent sports announcing. Madden Football the Soviet Union. An advantage of any computer -generated tarmac and fly mis- lets computer coaches take full control, map is that it lets you oversee a large sec- sions in Operation: Fighting Tiger, which selecting plays, substituting players and tion of geography at a glance but still is more than a new addition to Falcon 3.0. looking for the most advantageous one- dispense supportive and informative de- It's another significant upgrade (3.0 to on-one match -up. tails. If the map package is large, it might 3.01), with game improvements and new Perhaps the game's most useful feature have several smaller maps or fold -out sec- theaters of conflict. is its Chalkboard, where you can diagram, tions that contain other kinds of factual As with Falcon 3.0, players of Fighting edit and examine formations and plays in data. Map -browsing in this manner can Tiger get to fly with a squadron and even great detail. Computer coaches can even easily demand the entire area of a large plan an entire engagement. New digitized design original plays and execute them in tabletop. messages are used, with radio chatter, new slow motion to see what occurs. Further- Another way to enjoy maps and their wingman commands, more weather con- more, one can isolate a particular player characteristic information is to use a soft- ditions and better landing aids. Although position to look for ways to make minute ware map like World Atlas. Not only does three new theaters beckon for action- adjustments. this reduce the physical work space, but Korea, Kashmir and the Kurile Islands- Player positions can be assigned to run voluminous amounts of data can go right only the Kurile Islands campaign flies the block, pass block or trap in either direc- along with it. World Atlas provides more FSX. Another change to game play is that tion. Potential pass receivers can be told than 240 maps of varying kinds, including more emphasis is placed on mission plan- to block and go, execute a comeback or run index, topographical and statistical maps ning and execution, as opposed to the use a curl pattern. The Chalkboard can help and even maps of the ocean floor. All maps of brute force. novice coaches learn the basics of football are detailed and colorful, which makes Like Falcon 3.0, Fighting Tiger is com- and serves as a refinement aid for armchair them easy on the eyes. plex and requires a large investment of veterans. No map is much good without support- time. The game manual is comprehensive John Madden Football His undoubted- ing information like coordinate markings and tedious. Graphics are excellent. Air - ly the football game that offers the most and indications of land elevations. This in- combat enthusiasts who like the play of tools and the most control over game play. formation and lots more is waiting for Falcon 3.0 will undoubtedly like Fighting From a coach's view, it lacks nearly noth- owners of World Atlas. A keyboard com- Tiger even more. ing. However, computer football fans who bination or click of a mouse button pro- And now ...Falcon: The Book. As like a lot of graphics will be disappointed duces detailed intelligence about detailed as the Falcon 3.0 manual (and the with this game in this area. Madden Foot- geography, people, education, health, Fighting Tiger manual) is, its complexity ball comes up short of a first down. Players government, crime, economy, agriculture, welcomes additional instruction. One such appear on a low -resolution football field communications or travel. aid to increased Falcon understanding is that lacks visual detail. Players themselves World Atlas handles its own virtual river the book Falcon 3.0 Air Combat by F-16 are little more than blocky figures that of data by displaying it in logical group- pilot Pet Bonnani and writer Bernard Yee. lumber across the computer screen. ings. Thus, you can witness a listing of This in-depth treatise launches itself with The visuals of Madden Football suffer agricultural exports by country and have a historical perspective of air combat and from poor depth of field, making it dif- it sorted in alphabetical order. In case sim- F-16 development. ficult to gain precise control of key players ple textual lists aren't enough, World Atlas The meat of fighter pilot tutelage like pass receiver or running back. Even the can make a graph of the same data. doesn't get going until Chapter 3. Still, menus can become fatiguing to the eyes World Atlas needs about 6M of hard - plenty of room is left in the more - after a few minutes of play. The game drive space, which is a significant invest- than -300 -page book to over all aspects of design team might want to work on im- ment for many computer users. But the Falcon 3.0, this from the perspective of an proving the graphics for any future version disk space is well used by this program, experienced pilot. of John Madden Football or eliminate the considering the wealth of material and The advantage of owning this book is 3D look and go completely to Xs and Os, generous number of maps. that it can help you through the rough parts with everything text -based. At one's whim, information displays of Falcon 3.0, like landing, ground - The weight of John Madden Football abound. Some displays concern climate, bombing and SAM avoidance. Merciful- clearly rests in its coaching aspect, which religion, language, health care, legal ly, the book includes a keyboard template, is what one might expect from an ex -coach systems, crime, energy, inflation, trans- a useful tool that has become all but extinct of professional football. It's a fun game, portation .... You get the idea. World in this age of multifarious simulations. once you understand how it works. The Atlas is the kind of tool one wishes had game is easy to control via computer been available years ago, during certain John Madden Football mouse, and it offers an interesting view of testy classes in junior high school. What a Some years elapsed between the time John football. world of difference it might have made. 86 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com LCR - Hz - dBm - TrueRM Looking Ahead OC ai MAX ove LucasArts Bird's Eye View Games, maker of fine simula- 1_I 1_I tions and graphic adventures, plans the _g I John Madden release of what may be an exciting new Football II, $49.95 1 1kM0 Electronic Arts Sports simulation. It is called X-Wing, based on Network 1450 Fashion Island Blvd. the famed Star Wars series by George tl uld11lllllll118111) San Lucas. Rebel Alliance fighters will execute Mateo, CA 94404 Tel.: 415-571-7171 a continuing battle with the Empire. X - *IL4P4 WNW MIArWG RELATIVE E.'AC Wing, Y -Wing and A -Wing fighters will escort transports, dogfight against TIE 400a orf Ni Requirements 4 "Le fighters and attack the Death Star. 40 i Kee,, 400 tn4tm !2 If you're wondering what took Memory 640K { 4A long 10 LucasArts so to do the foregoing, Graphics VGA, EGA 48A designer Lawrence Holland remarks that Sound Tandy, Sound 400A the technology to accomplish LucasArts Blaster, Roland, 4M goals wasn't available until recently. X- Covox 40M \4oEM Wing will for the first time integrate Controllers Joystick, Mouse 4ef polygon and bit -mapped graphics, com- 4oer IA 40m" 4oaNi40,.F 4µf Cx plete with shading and lighting effects. Evaluation auto Keep a watch out for this one. power off L LCR-Hz-dBm Documentation Good A ,«A -mA -Lx CON V-4-11z-Cx Graphics Poor Learning Curve Medium 1[LLLo00V- i Bird's Eye View Complexity Medium oNFOSE G VOA MAX MyA- Playability Fair KELVIN TRUE RMS °`°` 94 Operation: Fighting Tiger, $39.95 In Brief: This software incorporates Spectrum Holobyte, Inc. John Madden's own coaching philoso- 2490 phy into a computer game. Recommend Mariner Square Loop Model 94 Alameda, CA 94501 hardware include '386 and mouse for Tel.: 800 -695 -GAME best results. .1% ACCURACVonDCVoltages CIRCLE NO. 115 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Requirements TRUE RMS PLUS MAX/MIN/AVERAGE MEMORY Memory 1M, DOS RECORD 5.0 RELATIVE MODE Graphics Bird's Eye / DATA HOLD VGA only View DC/AC VOLTMETERS Sound All sound cards DC Range: 400mV, 4V, 40V, 400V, 1000V Controllers Joystick, Mouse, World Atlas, $69.95 AC Rangs: 400mV, 4V, 40V, 400V, 750V DC/AC AMP METERS NEW! Thrustmaster The Software Toolworks, Inc. DC/AC Rangea: 400uA, 4mA, 40mA, 400mA, 10A 60 Leveroni Ct. OHM METER Evaluation Novato, CA 94949 Range: 400, 4K 40K, 400K, 4M, 40M, 4000M Ohms o FREQUENCY Tel.: 800-234-3088 COUNTER -AUTORANGING 4KHz, 40KHz, 400KHz, 4MHz (Trigger Low). Documentation Good 20M Hz (Trigger High) Graphics Excellent LOGIC PROBE Learning Requirements AUDIBLE CONTINUITY TESTER Curve CAPACITANCE Long Memory 640K, Hard Drive TESTER Complexity Difficult Range: 40F, 40nF, 400nF, 4uF, 40uF Graphics VGA DIODE TESTER Play ability Good INTRODUCTORY Sound AdLib, Sound dBm TESTER OFFER! In Brief: Range: -25.7 This is the best F-16 simulator Blaster, Pro Audio dBm m 58.7 darn yet. Recommend '386 computer, INDUCTANCE TESTER Spectrum Range: 40mH, joystick, 400mH, 4H, 40H expanded memory and sound Controllers Joystick, Mouse 10 MEGA OHM IMPEDANCE card for best results. 10A HIGH-ENERGY FUSE PROTECTION CIRCLE NO. 113 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Evaluation AUTO SLEEP & AUTO POWER OFF WATER & DUST RESISTANT Documentation Good MODEL 94 COMES COMPLETE WITH o Bird's Eye View Graphics Excellent TEST LEADS, YELLOW HOLSTER, Learning TILT STAND, BATTERY & FUSE Falcon 3.0 Air Combat, $19.95 Curve Short Osborne McGraw-Hill Complexity Easy Stock No. 2600 Tenth St. Playability N.A. 990111 ON $199 95 Berkeley, CA 94710 In Brief: This package provides detailed 2 YEAR WARRANTY Tel.: 510-549-6600 software map and collection of data and In Brief: This book is an in-depth tutorial facts about the world. Recommend hard- of air combat and F-16 technique as it ap- ware include a mouse and extended KELVIN plies to Falcon 3.0. memory for best results. EL EC TR ON IC S 10 CIRCLE NO. 114 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD CIRCLE NO. 116 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD HUB DRIVE, MELVILLE, NY 11747 (800) 645-9212 (516) 756-1750 (516) 756-1763:FAx CIRCLE NO. 141 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 87 www.americanradiohistory.com ComputerCraft Mart UNIVERSAL MICROPROCESSOR SIMU- Classified Commercial Rates: $1 per word, 15 -word minimum ($15.00) prepaid. (Word LATOR/DEBUGGER V2.0 each CPU $90. count includes name and address; ZIP code and abbreviation each count as one word; Simulates Z8, Z80, 8048, 8051, 8085, 6800, P.O. Box number and telephone number count as two words each.) Indicate free cate- 6801, 6805, 6809, 6811, 6303, 6502, and 65CO2. gory heading (Computers, Software, Electronics, Video or Miscellaneous). A special Features cross assembler, disassembler, win- heading is available for a $6 surcharge. First word only is set boldface caps at no charge. dowed source -level debugger. ROMY-8 EPROM Emulator $155. Emulates EPROM Add 25C for each additional boldface word. 2716-27256. J & M Inc. 83 Seaman Road, West Non -Commercial Rates: FREE to subscribers, as space permits; maximum 15 words. A Orange, NJ 07052, TEL: 201-325-1892, FAX: recent COMPUTERCRAFT mailing label must accompany ad. 201-736-4567. with (All advertisers P.O. Box addresses must supply permanent address and telephone CELLULAR HACKERS BIBLE. Theory- number. Copy is subject to publisher approval.) Hacks-Modifications-$53.95. Cellular Pro- Mailing Information: Copy must be received by the publisher by the 25th of the third grammers Bible-$84.45. TELECODE P.O. month preceding the cover date. Send Advertising material with check or money order or Box 6426 -CC, YUMA, AZ 85366-6426. credit card information (Visa or MasterCard only) with number and expiration date to: COMPUTERCRAFT, Classified Department, 76 N. Broadway, Hicksville, NY 11801. SURVEILLANCE / VideoCipher / Satellite / Scanner / Cable / Amateur / Cellular / Repair Manuals, Modification Books & Software. Cat- alog --$3.00. TELECODE P.O. Box 6426 -CC, YUMA, AZ 85366-6426. DIGITAL CLOCK using MC68HC705K1. INVENTORS save money with patent appli- Send SASE for info. BCD Inc., 3133 South Il- COMPUTERS cation software. Any IBM or compatible. linois, Belleville, IL 62220. Only $69.95. World Permission Software, 996 Redondo Ave. Dept. 80052 -BASIC microcontroller board. BASIC #418 A2, Long Beach, CA 90804. interpreter, 32K RAM, 16K EPROM, EPROM programmer, RS232, expansion con- QUALITY SOFTWARE - PC COMPATI- nector. Bare board with manual, schematics BLE USER SUPPORTED SOFTWARE VIDEO $19.95 +$3 P&H. 80052 -BASIC micropro- $1.00 PER DISK. WHY PAY MORE? NOW cessor chip $24.95 + $1 P&H. Assembled and YOU CAN FIGHT BACK AGAINST OVER- VHS -VCR Repair Solutions Sets I, II, III, IV, tested $119.95 + $5 P&H. MD residents in- PRICED SOFTWARE. FOR FREE CATA- V, VI, VII. Each contains 150 symptoms and clude sales tax. SASE for info. Prologic De- LOG WRITE RC2T INC., DEPT C., P.O. cures, updated cross reference chart, free signs, P.O. Box 19026, Baltimore, MD 21204. BOX 366, FRANKLIN, NJ 07416. assistance, $11.95 each all seven $69.95. Sche- Microcontroller applications plans/software Incredible time saving software! Our select matics available. VISA/MC. Eagle Electron- catalog. Temperature datalogger plans, $9.95 group of software includes catalogs of work ics Box A, 52053 Locks Lane, Granger, IN US. TENSOR, 342 Roberta St., Thunder Bay, blasting audio and video training programs, a 46530. Ontario, Canada P7A 1A3. whopping amount of shareware containing TV NOTCH FILTERS PHONE RECORD- BARCODES BARCODES BARCODES over 2,000 of the newest and best computer ING EQUIPMENT, BROCHURE $1.00. MI- programs! Listings of super -powerful and they're everywhere you look! Now you can get CRO THinc. BOX 63/6025, MARGATE, FL most asked for rentals, industry trouncing in on an industry that is growing by 20% each 33063.1-305-752-9202. printing bargains and toner cartridge refilling year with THE BARCODE COURSE. This services ans supplies on one 360K disk with course comes complete with a detailed bar- adult listings when you send (refund- code textbook, portable barcode reader, $3.00 able) for shipping or (refundable) for MISCELLANEOUS RS232 interface and barcode printing soft- $3.50 720K disks. BEACH RADIO P.O. Box 548, ware for only $149.95 + $7.00 S&H. OBR Dept. CC, Boston, MA 02112-0548. Inc., RR3 Box 47-7 Carbondale, IL 62901. MORSE Code? No Problem. You can in- no how many times (618) 549-7100. Free IBM PD and Shareware disk catalog. crease your speed, matter you've failed before. Results guaranteed when COMPUTERS AND ACCESSORIES! Low prices since 1988! ASP Approved Ven- dor. VISA/MC accepted. Finto Software, you follow the instructions. 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The CW Mental -Block Buster audio cassette and practice booklet are only $24.95 ppd. in the US (NY residents add $2.00 sales tax). In- ELECTRONICS fo: 516-584-8164. PASS Publishing, P.O. Box SOFTWARE 570, Stony Brook, NY 11780. PCB LAYOUT, electronics, & THOUSANDS FREE PRINTED 122 PAGE CATALOG OF IBM SHAREWARE PROGRAMS. $3.00 ASIAN LADIES want correspondence for 3400+ IBM Prgms. ASP Vendor Sunshine S&H for 2 disks full plus diskalog. American friendship, marriage. SUNSHINE INTER- Software, 6492 South St., Suite 470, Lake- Software, P.O. Box 509, Suite M8, Roseville, NATIONAL -Dept. TW, Box 5500, Kailua- wood, CA 90713. MI 48066-0509. Kona, Hawaii 96745. (808) 325-7707. 88 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com Advertisers' Index ATTRACTIVE ORIENTAL LADIES seek- RS # Page # BOOKS ing correspondence, marriage. Professional 123 AMC Sales 65 introductions since 1984. Asian Experience, BUYING COMPUTER BOOKS HAS JUST Box 1214TZ, Novato, CA 94948. (415) 897- BECOME A WHOLE LOT EASIER AND 124 Ace Communications 15 2742. CONSIDERABLY LESS EXPENSIVE! The 125 Advanced Micro. Sys. 14 Computer Book Connection Winter 1992- THAILAND -Marriageable women waiting! 1993 catalog offers over 600 outstanding titles 126 Advanced Systems Design 31 Photograph brochure $3. Video $20. Tours. from seven major publishers, covering all skill "Thai", Box 398176, Miami, FL 33139. 127 B.G. Micro Cov.IV levels in 21 categories with discounts up to 30%. For free catalog write The Computer 128 Beige Bag Software 56 180 W. Road, Book Connection, Streetsboro - Binary Technology, Inc. 44 IDEAS WANTED Suite 118 -CC, Hudson, OH 44236. The first 150 people responding to this ad will receive a - CQ Magazine 45 PROTECT AND MARKET YOUR PROD- coupon for free shipping on all orders for 1 - CQ Productions 81 UCT IDEAS! Call the IDEA EXCHANGE - year. Fast, Professional, Confidential: 1-800- CIE Cov.III 272-6875. PERSONAL CODE EXPLORER 129 C & S Sales NEW! EXCITING! Easy -to -use Personal 55 CABLE TV Code Explorer copies digital radio signals- - Cable-Tronics, Inc. 70 FAX, Morse, RTTY, ASCII, SITOR, Packet 130 Channel Island Circuits 85 CABLE TEST CHIPS. Jerrold, Tocom, and more on your IBM/PC screen. Free bro- S.A., Zenith. Puts cable boxes into full service chure. Call, write. MC/VISA. $129 plus $4 131 ChriMar Systems 52 mode! $29.95 to $59.95. 1-800-452-7090, (310) shipping. Microcraft, Box 513CC, Thiens- 132 Covox, Inc. 14 867-0081. ville, WI 53092. (414) 241-8144. 133 Design Computations 65 134 Electrim 71 135 Elec. Engineering Tools 73 - Grantham 56 USE YOUR FREE 136 Hampshire 57 INFORMATION CARD 137 Home Ctrl. Concepts.....Cov.II 138 Intronics, Inc 52 139 Interactive Image Tech. 7 - Jesse Jones Industries 79 - KGP Productions 43 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING ORDER FORM 141 Kelvin Electronics 87 Mail this form with payment to COMPUTERCRAFT, Classified Dept., 76 N. Broadway, Hicks- 142 MCM Electronics 9 ville, NY 11801. 143 Mental Automation 43 Name' 144 Merrimack Valley Systems 75 Street Address' 145 Micro Computer Controls 85 146 City' State: Zip. Motron Electronics 66 - NRI Schools 13 PRINT EACH WORD SEPARATELY. $1.00 per word, 15 word minimum. Note that P.O. Box 147 Nu -Tek Electronics 70 numbers' and telephone numbers must be counted as two words each. Circle additional words you 148 wish boldfaced at 20% more each (initial boldface word is free). Prairie Digital 53 149 Prologic Designs 85 156 Free Boldface 2 3 4 PseudoCorp. 70 150 Radio Shack 5 5 6 7 8 157 SESCOM 85 - Scrambling News 44 9 10 11 12 - Software Science 85 152 TECI 31 13 14 15 ($15) 16 ($16) 153 URDA 66 166 U.S. Cyberlabs 21 TOTAL PAYMENT ENCLOSED (Check or Money Order) $ 140 Unicorn Electronics 3 Payment may also be made by MasterCard or Visa. For this, please fill in information below. - Vanguard Electronics 85 154 Wheatstone MicroSystems 66 155 Credit Card Number Expire Date Z -World Engineering 75 We'd like to see your company listed here Print Full Name Signature too. Contact Margaret Milanese at 516- 681-2922 to work out an advertising pro- lf a box number is used, please supply your permanent address and telephone number for our records. gram tailored to suit your needs. Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft January 1993 / COMPUTERCRAFT / 89 www.americanradiohistory.com Computer Games By SF Sparrow Game Potpourri to outrage. One definition for potpourri, taken from 3.0. After a long absence from the airspace ranged from disappointment Holobyte Webster's Third New International Dic- of military flight simulation, Spectrum With no time to waste, Spectrum launched software upgrades like radar - tionary, is "a general mixture of often Holobyte yanked open the doors of its It took at least three pin- disparate or unrelated materials or subject marketing hangar and rolled out a com- guided missiles. point but the bugs were shaken. matter." As you'll soon see, this definition pletely restructured version of its combat "kills," in after- readily describes the contents of this simulator of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. As Falcon subsequently kicked month's column. reported in this column in May 1992, burners and went ballistic. Falcon 3.0 was newer and brighter than its Now there's a new bird in the air-or Operation: Fighting Tiger predecessors. It was complex, thrilling soon will be. Its appearance is like that of F-16, but the newer model The date is May 1992; the magazine is and, unfortunately, "buggy." the esteemed will fly with improvements. The ComputerCraft; and the subject is Falcon Initial consumer reaction to Falcon 3.0 marked (Continued on page 86) Falcon's title screen. Planning the FSX mission in Falcon. s ..41111111s:Y°4Mr '. -. ,+.., ! 1- d SOLI OH 22 QTR 1 i re7r7.77:r- 3 1 DOWN 10 14:461 from World Atlas. Screen shot of an All Madden Team line-up. The world at a glance 90 / COMPUTERCRAFT / January 1993 Say You Saw It In ComputerCraft www.americanradiohistory.com New Career r Learn to Use Your Course from Computer's Full Potential. CIE! 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Typically only 28K Is needed, but will STATIC RAM 100/$75.00 very with various setup. 1.19 Ea., 8/$6.95, Works with moat software, Including DBASE 2016-2KX8 200 n.s. 1.00 We bought a large quantity of III, Microsoft 2101-1 - 256X4 500 n.s. ... .75 2708s, 2716s, 2532s, 2732s, WORD. LOTUS 123, Windows 3, AUTOCAD, Word Perfect, all complier., 21L02-1 350 n.s. .65 2764s, 27128s, 27256s and and In fact, most anything! LSOO .14 LS114.25 LS241 .60 GWBASIC, 2102AL-4 L.P. 450 n.s. . . .49 27512sfrom a computer manu- Work. with DOS 2.0 to DOS 5.0 end DR - . . . redesigned their LSO1 .14 LS122.35 LS242.65 DOS 2111-1 256X4 500 n.s. 1.00 facturer who LSO2 .14 LS123.45 LS243.50 DOS 3.1 or greater I. preferred 2112A-2 2.50 boards. We removed them from .55 Open network, programmer API provided LSO3 .14 LS1241.35 LS244 1 . .. .45 sockets, erased and verified Example tor low-level link module. - 2114L-3 K X4 300 n.s. .14 LS245.55 and now we offer the sav- LSO4 LS125.30 you can support .peclal hardware 2125A-2 1KX1 70 n.s. . . . 1.70 them, packet level LSO5 .14 LS126.35 LS251.45 Full specs provlded on 2147 4KX1 1.95 ings to you. Complete satisfac- LSO8 .14 LS132.35 LS253.40 protocols tion guaranteed CABLES S ARCNET CARDS 6116P-4 1.00 .14 LS257.35 Your Choice LSO9 LS133.25 AVAILABLE - PLEASE CALL 6117 1.20 .14 LS136.28 LS258.45 1.20 10/8.00 LS10 6264-15 1.40 2708 LS11 .14 LS138.35 LS2591.00 2716 1.75 10/15.00 SOCKETS 62256 32KX8 5.75 LS12 .20 LS139.35 LS260.40 2532 2.00 10/17.50 Low Profile SOLDER TAIL LS13 .25 LS145.75 LS266.30 2732 2.00 10/17.50 6 Pin 14/1.00 DYNAMIC RAM LS14 .30 LS148.35 LS273.75 2764 2.00 10/17.50 8 Pin 13/1.00 LS15 .20 LS151 .35 LS279.30 2108-4 8KX1 1.50 27128 3.00 10/25.00 14 Pin 13/1.00 LS20 .14 LS153.35 LS280.80 2118-4 16KX1-5Voit .70 27256 3.50 10/30.00 16 13/1.00 LS21 .16 LS154 .85 LS283 .35 Pin 4027-4KX1-250 n.s. .80 27512 4.75 10/40.00 18 13/1.00 LS22 .16 LS155.50 LS290.70 Pin 4116-16KX1-250 n.s. 40 13/1.00 LS26 .14 LS156.42 LS293.50 20 Pin 4116-16KX1-200 n.s. 75 8000/80000 13/1.00 LS27 .20 LS157.30 LS298.65 22 Pin 4116 16KX1-150 n.s. 90 LS28 .15 LS158 .25 LS2991.00 24 Pin 8/1.00 8031 2.95 8251 1.10 4164 150 n.s. . . . .49 or 9/3.50 .14 .25 LS3221.30 Pin 7/1.00 80C32 12 3.95 8253-5 1.75 LS30 LS160 28 4164 120 n.s. 1.10 LS32 .16 LS161 .35 LS3232.25 7/1.00 8035 1.00 8254 1.80 40 Pin 4164-100 n.s 1.40 LS33 .25 LS162.45 LS348.75 BUY $10 8039 1.00 8255 1.50 n.s. 2.75 1.75 LS37 .24 LS163 .36 LS3531.00 GET $1.00 - FREE CHOICE TMS4416-16KX4-150 8085 1.55 8255-5 n.s 1 40 1.50 LS38 .24 LS164.45 LS357.80 68 Pin PLCC .79 4464-150 8086 1.55 8257 1 45 1.85 LS42 .35 LS165.60 LS363.75 Pin .89 4464-120 n.s 8087 87.50 8259A 84 PLCC 1.45 LS51 .15 LS166.75 LS364.75 4464-100 n.s 8087-1 167.50 8259C-5 2.10 LS54 .20 LS169.90 LS365.30 6500/6800 4464-80 n.s, 1.45 8087-2 127.50 8275 10.95 8279 2.25 LS55 .20 LS170.45 LS366.28 41256 150 n.s. . 1.25 or 9/9.95 8088 2.20 6821 1.00 1.49 LS73 .33 LS173.60 LS367.35 6502 2.00 41256 120 n.s. 1.30 or 9/10.99 8088-2 3.25 8284 2.20 LS74 .22 LS174.35 LS368.30 6520 1.25 6845P 41256 100 n.s. 1.30 or 9/10.99 8155 2.25 8286 3.50 6522 2.70 6845S 2.20 8156 2.25 8287 2.49 LS75 .25 LS175.35 LS373.50 41256-80 n.s. . 1.30 or 9/10.99 3.50 LS83 .30 LS181 1.25 LS374 .45 6530 3.00 6850 1.75 41256-60 n.s 1.85 8202A 8.00 8288 6532 4.25 6852 3.50 8212 1.25 8530 3.00 LS85 .45 LS191 .45 LS375.35 1 Meg - 100 n.s. 4.40 6545 2.10 6860 3.95 8214 2.00 8741 7.00 LS86 .20 LS192.65 LS377.75 1 Meg - 80 n.s. 4.40 .80 68681 3.00 8216 1.25 8742 7.00 LS90 .35 LS193.65 LS378 6551 2.40 . 4.60 414256-80 n.s. 256 x 4 7.00 LS92 .30 LS194.40 LS390.80 6800 1.40 68A09EP 1.29 8224 1.25 8748 SIPPS & SIMMS AVAILABLE 8749 7.00 LS93 .25 LS195.52 LS393.75 6802 2.50 68A40 4.00 8228 1.75 8755 7.00 LS95 .30 LS196 .55 LS3991.00 6803 3.00 68A54 3.00 THREE CHIP SET 8237-5 2.80 1.75 80286-8 PLCC 8.5( LS96 .33 LS197 .75 LS541 1.20 6805 2.95 68B09 4.00 8243 8250 2.95 80287-8 125.0( LS107 .28 LS221 .50 LS645 .75 6809EP 2.75 68B10 2.00 B.G. SPECIAL (16450) 6.50 80287-10 135.0( LS109 .20 LS240 .50 LS646 .75 6809P 2.50 68B45 4.95 16450, 1488, 1489 $6.95 - (16550) 13.00 V-20-10MHZ 6.51 LS112.25 LS670.80 6810 1.25 68854 4.00 16550, 1488, 1489 $13.50 1S113 -25 25LS2569 1-50 - for insurance. No C.O.D. Texas Res. Odd TERMS: (Unless specified elsewhere) Add $3.25 postage, we pay balance. Orders over $50.00 add 85C to change without notice. Foreign order - US funds 8'4a/o Tax. 90 Day Money Back Guarantee on all items. All items subject to prior sale. Prices subject only. We cannot ship to Mexico or Puerto Rico. Countries other than Canada, add $9.00 shipping and handing. 7/31/92 CIRCLE NO. 127 ON FREE INFORMATION CARD www.americanradiohistory.com