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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).


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.
== 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 ==
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Image:Terje Schneider RS232 PCB top.jpg|PCB top
Image:Terje Schneider RS232 PCB top.jpg|PCB top
Image:Terje Schneider RS232 PCB bottom.jpg|PCB bottom
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-front.jpg|Front Plate
Image:Schneider-sio-label.jpg|Label
Image:Schneider-sio-label.jpg|Label
Image:Schneider-sio-lead.jpg|Expansion Port Cable
Image:Schneider-sio-lead.jpg|Expansion Port Cable
Image:Schneider-sio-psu.jpg|Power Supply
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>


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Default I/O addresses are F8E0h-F8EFh (though the interface can be jumpered to use different addresses).
Default I/O addresses are F8E0h-F8EFh (though the interface can be jumpered to use different addresses).


  F8E0h - Indirect Data Register
  F8E0h - [[Z80-STI]] Indirect Data Register
  F8E1h - General Purpose I/O Data Register
  F8E1h - Z80-STI General Purpose I/O Data Register
  F8E2h - Interrupt Pending Register B      ;\
  F8E2h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt Pending Register B</s>     ;\
  F8E3h - Interrupt Pending Register A      ;
  F8E3h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt Pending Register A</s>     ;
  F8E4h - Interrupt in-Service Register B  ; not used
  F8E4h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt in-Service Register B</s>   ; not used
  F8E5h - Interrupt in-Service Register A  ;
  F8E5h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt in-Service Register A</s>   ;
  F8E6h - Interrupt Mask Register B        ;
  F8E6h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt Mask Register B</s>         ;
  F8E7h - Interrupt Mask Register A        ;/
  F8E7h - <s>Z80-STI Interrupt Mask Register A</s>         ;/
  F8E8h - Indirect Index and Interrupt Vector Register
  F8E8h - Z80-STI Indirect Index and Interrupt Vector Register
  F8E9h - Timers A and B Control Register  ;\
  F8E9h - <s>Z80-STI Timers A and B Control Register</s>   ;\
  F8EAh - Timer B Data Register            ; not used
  F8EAh - <s>Z80-STI Timer B Data Register</s>             ; not used
  F8EBh - Timer A Data Register            ;/
  F8EBh - <s>Z80-STI Timer A Data Register</s>             ;/
  F8ECh - USART Control Register
  F8ECh - Z80-STI USART Control Register
  F8EDh - Receiver Status Register
  F8EDh - Z80-STI Receiver Status Register
  F8EEh - Transmitter Status Register
  F8EEh - Z80-STI Transmitter Status Register
  F8EFh - USART Data 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]].
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".


== Similar (or identical?) Interface ==
* 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]]


The circuit is very similar (or possibly indentical) to the [[Tim Riemann's RS232 interface]], both circuits are using a Z80 STI, both mapped to the same I/O port addresses. Whether or not the circuits are fully compatible with each other is '''unknown'''. Some small details might differ. For example, the clock source being passed to the Z80 STI chip could be different.
== Manual (German) ==
 
== Manual (german) ==


<gallery>
<gallery>
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File:SchneiderSioManualPage4.jpg|Page 4 (blank / footer)
File:SchneiderSioManualPage4.jpg|Page 4 (blank / footer)
</gallery>
</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 ==
== Datasheet ==
Line 60: Line 76:
* 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).
* 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).


* The MK68901 seems to be a newer/similar chip (but neither port addresses nor pinouts are backwards compatible).
[[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]]
 
[[Category:Hardware]] [[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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