[[RS232 ]] Interface for the Amstrad CPC by [[Schneider]]. Schneider is the German distributor for Amstrad CPC hardware (however, this interface was Schneider's own invention, not an [[Amstrad]] product).
Not much is known about this specific device or accompanying == Clones == The original [[Schneider RS232 Interface]] was released around 1985. Two years later, in 1987, a software but it looks like -compatible clone was released as DIY schematic in a standard German book ([[Maschinenspracheprogramme und Hardware-Erweiterungen für Schneider CPC's|link]]). Even later, around 1996, a copy of that DIY schematic also circulated in the internet ([[Tim Riemann's RS232 interface|link]]). The DIY portaddress, timings and handshake signals are exactly the same as in the original Schneider version - except that DCD (Data Carrier Detect) isn't implemented in the DIY version. If you have more details please do provide them!
== Pictures ==
<gallery caption="The Schneider RS232 interface">
Image:Schneider rs232.jpg|InterfaceImage:schneider rs232 1.jpg|DescriptionImage:Terje Schneider RS232 PCB top.jpg|PCB topImage:Terje Schneider RS232 PCB bottom.jpg|PCB bottomImage:Schneider RS232 Interface.jpg|InterfaceImage:Schneider-sio-front.jpg|Front PlateImage:Schneider-sio-label.jpg|LabelImage:Schneider-sio-lead.jpg|Expansion Port CableImage:Schneider-sio-psu.jpg|Power Supply</gallery> <gallery caption="Schneider RS232 interface 300dpi scans by Robcfg">Image:Schneider_RS232_Unit.jpg|InterfaceImage:Schneider_RS232_Unit_Bottom.jpg|Front PlateImage:Schneider_RS232_PCB_Top.jpg|PCB TopImage:Schneider_RS232_PCB_Bottom.jpg|PCB Bottom
</gallery>
== I/O Ports ==
F8E0h Z80 STI Indirect Data Register Read Write
F8E1h Z80 STI Gen. Purpose I/O Interrupt Read Write
F8E8h Z80 STI Pointer Vector Register Read Write
F8ECh Z80 STI USART Control Register Read Write
F8EDh Z80 STI Receiver Status Register Read Write
F8EEh Z80 STI Transmitter Status Register Read Write
F8EFh Z80 STI USART Data Register Read Write
Default I/O addresses are F8E0h-F8EFh (though the interface can be jumpered to use different addresses). F8E0h - [[Z80-STI]] Indirect Data Register F8E1h - [[Z80-STI]] General Purpose I/O Data Register F8E2h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt Pending Register B ;\ F8E3h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt Pending Register A ; F8E4h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt in-Service Register B ; not used F8E5h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt in-Service Register A ; F8E6h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt Mask Register B ; F8E7h - [[Z80-STI]] Interrupt Mask Register A ;/ F8E8h - [[Z80-STI]] Indirect Index and Interrupt Vector Register F8E9h - [[Z80-STI]] Timers A and B Control Register ;\ F8EAh - [[Z80-STI]] Timer B Data Register ; not used F8EBh - [[Z80-STI]] Timer A Data Register ;/ F8ECh - [[Z80-STI]] USART Control Register F8EDh - [[Z80-STI]] Receiver Status Register F8EEh - [[Z80-STI]] Transmitter Status Register F8EFh - [[Z80-STI]] USART Data Register Aside from the above 16 directly addressable registers, there are 8 indirectly addressable ones. For details on the direct & indirect registers, see [[Z80-STI]]. == Notes Software == * Supported by "Starwriter". * BASIC example (for the official version) is found in the Schneider RS232 manual (see below scans)* ASM example (for the DIY version) is included with [[Tim Riemann's RS232 interface]] == Manual (German) == <gallery>File:SchneiderSioManualPage1.jpg|Page 1 (cable / jumpers)File:SchneiderSioManualPage2.jpg|Page 2 (schematic)File:SchneiderSioManualPage3.jpg|Page 3 (z80-sti registers)File:SchneiderSioManualPage4.jpg|Page 4 (blank / footer)</gallery> == Note == The uncommon shape of the housing dates back to a Schneider BTX modul (which was being intended to be plugged into Schneider Television Sets). Apparently Schneider produced too many housings, and re-used them for the RS232 interface. Actually, a RS232 interface is very much the same as a BTX interface (the actual BTX modem must be rented separately from Deutsche Bundespost), so even the PCB may be (almost/exactly?) the same for both devices. == Reviews == A review appeared in German magazine [[CPC Schneider International]] (issue 12-1985, pages [[Media:Schneider International 8512-p038 - Schneider RS232.jpg|38]], [[Media:Schneider International 8512-p039 - Schneider RS232.jpg|39]]). == Datasheet == * A [[Media:Mostek_3801_Data.pdf|"Z80 STI" ]] is a 40pin [[Media:Mostek_3801_Data.pdf|MK3801 ]] chip from Mostek?. Details on that chip are reportedly found in from the "MOSTEK 1982/1983Microelectronic Data Book" (but there are no data sheets in the internetyet). The MK68901 seems to be a newer/similar chip (but neither portaddresses nor pinouts are backwards compatible).Schneider is the german distributor for Amstrad hardware (however, thisinterface seems to be Schneider's own invention, not an Amstrad productkindly made available by John Robertson).
[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]]