How do I make a card that uses RS232 serial interface for CPC and PCW? I am well-versed in software, but not in CPC and PCW hardware. my request is just to add RS232 port to CPC/PCW. also i need to know send and receive command on CPC and PCW. I should only have send data function from this card and receive data function. Amstrad NC already has a serial port on it, so it's fine. What I want to do is hardware and software that will run on RS232 on all Amstrad CPC/PCW/NC computers. This is available on Amstrad NC. What I want is a simple RS232 card for the hardware I'm going to make to work on all computers. I couldn't find a card that does just this job in old projects. Of course, this card must be MX compatible. I would like to get your ideas. If I pass this stage, I will be able to start my project. If I do not pass this stage, I will not be able to start my project. The most important problem is, of course, finding time...
Well, I don't know for the PcW, but for the CPC we got different options:
As long as you're fine with 5 Volts, I would suggest the USIfAC I or II. Also the LambdaSpeak series of speech cards has such a port. They are available right now.
For a +/- 12 Volt solution it's probably the best to clone one of the commercial cards of back the day or to use the CPC-Booster+. Used units may be available, but only very seldomly.
Today a 5 Volt solution may be of greater use. What do our hardware specialists think?
my hardware that does the actual work will do RS232 communication. A simple circuit that I only know about the send and receive function will do. in other cases things get complicated for me. At the same time, I want it to work on hardware NC, CPC and PCW. The right choice for this is RS232.
Chip: MAX3232,
Port: TX RX VCC GND,
Operating voltage: 3.3V - 5.5V,
does anyone have any ideas? I'm not an expert in hardware. but I want to make RS232 board for Amstrad CPC and PCW. I also need to learn the software code that includes the send and receive function. then i can make my hardware using this data communication. NC is already capable of RS232 communication. For CPC and PCW I need a card that does just that. My goal is for the hardware I will develop to work on both CPC, PCW and NC.
To better understand your requirements, you want to contorl a "Device" via RS232?
What data rate will you use? 300, 1200, 9600 baud?
The Amstrad NC100 already has an RS232 port... You would then just require a RS232 port for the Amstard CPC and a varient for the PCW...
More details on your "Device" would be interseting to better understand what your trying to achieve...
I see you already have a USIFACII - this is apperantly an RS232 port...
How about recreating the Amstard RS232 interface for the CPC - with ROM so you can send commands using the ROM's "built in" RSX commands... but maybe the USIFACII already supports this???
A simple board that will provide RS232 connection for CPC. also the code of send and receive functions on RS232 on CPC side. ie just 2 function codes. same goes for PCW. In NC, there is no need for such a card. It is enough to write functions that will send and receive whenever I want on the NC. My first goal is to make a simple RS232 card on Amstrad NC and Amstrad CPC. having the code of the send and receive functions. I was told that I couldn't get NC to talk to USIFACII. I don't know much about USIFACII. I only use FDD as emulator and hard disk. I'm open to your ideas on this.
I dont know about the PCW, but I did once own an Orignal Amstard CPC RS232 interface:-
https://cpcrulez.fr/hardware-serie-interface_rs232c.htm
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/File:Amstrad_RS232C_PCB_Top.jpg
https://www.cpcwiki.eu/imgs/6/61/RS232C_Serial_Interface_%28Amsoft_UK%29_Manual.pdf
If you read the above manual you can get an idea of the new RSX Basic commands added by the ROM in the Amstrad RS232 interface - these extra RSX Basic commands allow you to send and receive Data over serial RS232...
It would be possible to remanufacture the orignal Amstrad RS232 interface - but first confirm what features the USIFACII already offers..
Again, it be good to understand the device your trying to contorl - what Data rate (speed) you need...
I did some research and I think it solves my problem with the USIFAC1 DB9 connector. madlax39 made the gerber file in an old time. He said he can share if anyone wants. I sent him a private message. It communicates RS232 with the USIFAC1 DB9 connector. this is a card that will do the job for me. I continue to research. Sometimes I can get the wrong result, but from what I've read, the PCB made by USIFAC1 and madlax39 works for me. @madlax39 (https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=4034)