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RS232 Interface for the CPC by [[Schneider]]. Schneider is the german distributor for Amstrad CPC hardware (however, this
[[RS232]] Interface for the CPC by [[Schneider]]. Schneider is the German distributor for Amstrad CPC hardware (however, this interface was Schneider's own invention, not an [[Amstrad]] product).
interface seems to be Schneider's own invention, not an Amstrad product).
 
== Clones ==
 
The original [[Schneider RS232 Interface]] was released around 1985. Two years later, in 1987, a software-compatible clone was released as DIY schematic in a German book ([[Maschinenspracheprogramme und Hardware-Erweiterungen für Schneider 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 port address, 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.


== Pictures ==
== Pictures ==


<gallery caption="The Schneider RS232 interface">
<gallery caption="The Schneider RS232 interface">
Image:Schneider rs232.jpg|
Image:Schneider rs232.jpg|Interface
Image:schneider rs232 1.jpg|
Image:schneider rs232 1.jpg|Description
File:NoPicture.gif|Circuit Board
Image:Terje Schneider RS232 PCB top.jpg|PCB top
Image:Terje Schneider RS232 PCB bottom.jpg|PCB bottom
Image:Schneider RS232 Interface.jpg|Interface
Image:Schneider-sio-front.jpg|Front Plate
Image:Schneider-sio-label.jpg|Label
Image:Schneider-sio-lead.jpg|Expansion Port Cable
Image:Schneider-sio-psu.jpg|Power Supply
</gallery>
 
<gallery caption="Schneider RS232 interface 300dpi scans by Robcfg">
Image:Schneider_RS232_Unit.jpg|Interface
Image:Schneider_RS232_Unit_Bottom.jpg|Front Plate
Image:Schneider_RS232_PCB_Top.jpg|PCB Top
Image:Schneider_RS232_PCB_Bottom.jpg|PCB Bottom
</gallery>
</gallery>


== I/O Ports ==
== I/O Ports ==
  F8E0h Z80 STI Indirect Data Register       Read Write
 
  F8E1h Z80 STI Gen. Purpose I/O Interrupt  Read Write
Default I/O addresses are F8E0h-F8EFh (though the interface can be jumpered to use different addresses).
   F8E8h Z80 STI Pointer Vector Register     Read Write
 
   F8ECh Z80 STI USART Control Register       Read Write
F8E0h - [[Z80-STI]] Indirect Data Register
  F8EDh Z80 STI Receiver Status Register     Read Write
F8E1h - Z80-STI General Purpose I/O Data Register
  F8EEh Z80 STI Transmitter Status Register  Read Write
F8E2h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt Pending Register B</s>      ;\
  F8EFh Z80 STI USART Data Register         Read Write
F8E3h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt Pending Register A</s>      ;
F8E4h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt in-Service Register B</s>   ; not used
F8E5h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt in-Service Register A</s>   ;
F8E6h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt Mask Register B</s>        ;
F8E7h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt Mask Register A</s>        ;/
F8E8h - Z80-STI Indirect Index and Interrupt Vector Register
F8E9h - <s>Z80-STI Timers A and B Control Register</s>   ;\
F8EAh - <s>Z80-STI Timer B Data Register</s>            ; not used
F8EBh - <s>Z80-STI Timer A Data Register</s>            ;/
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]].


== Software ==
== Software ==
Supported by "Starwriter".


== Datasheet (Missing) ==
* 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 "Z80 STI" is a 40pin MK3801 chip from Mostek. Details on that chip are reportedly found in the "MOSTEK 1982/1983 Microelectronic Data Book" (there is no datasheet in the internet yet).
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]]).


* The MK68901 seems to be a newer/similar chip (but neither port addresses nor pinouts are backwards compatible).
== Datasheet ==


== Info Fragment from a german forum (german) ==
* 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 from the "MOSTEK 1982/1983 Microelectronic Data Book" (kindly made available by John Robertson).
* Servus, das ist definitiv eine Schneider Rs2332. Die ist nicht Amstrad kompatibel. Die komischen Gehäuse hat Schneider, so richtig Amstrad typisch, wg. kosten genommen. Es gab in der Vergangeheit für den Schneider Fernseher ein BTX Modul, was direkt in den "HighEnd" Fernseher gesteckt werden konnte. Vorne kam dann die Tastatur dran. So konnte man mit dem Fernseher komplett BTX machen. Hat sich aber wohl nicht verkauft, oder die Produktion hat zu viele Gehäuse für das BTX-Steckmodul gemacht. So hat man die für die RS232 genommen. Genauso schauts mit der Basisplatine des BTX Modules aus, die eben diese Form mit diesem Stecker hatte. Dabei war eben noch ein Kuzes Kabel, das dann einen Platinenstecker auf beiden Seiten oder eben Platinenstecker und Centronics hatte. Das kabel ist nicht 1zu1 gekrimpt, sondern es sind da soweit ich mich erinnern kann einige Pins frei und ich glaub das auch gedrehte Kabel dabei waren. Hope that helps, Tolkin


[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]]
[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]]

Latest revision as of 14:51, 2 March 2026

RS232 Interface for the CPC by Schneider. Schneider is the German distributor for Amstrad CPC hardware (however, this interface was Schneider's own invention, not an Amstrad product).

Clones

The original Schneider RS232 Interface was released around 1985. Two years later, in 1987, a software-compatible clone was released as DIY schematic in a German book (link). Even later, around 1996, a copy of that DIY schematic also circulated in the internet (link). The DIY port address, 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.

Pictures

I/O Ports

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.

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)

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 38, 39).

Datasheet

  • A "Z80 STI" is a 40pin MK3801 chip from Mostek. Details on that chip are from the "MOSTEK 1982/1983 Microelectronic Data Book" (kindly made available by John Robertson).
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