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The software was a ROM version of Pace's terminal utility, [[Commstar]]. This was a user-friendly program with standard [[XModem]] file transfer functions. However, one foolish design decision was the idea of using a 24x80 screen with a single-line status display - though presenting a good user interface, this forced the use of software rather than hardware scrolling, making the interface unusable for terminal emulation at any speed above 2400 baud.
== 8250 ==
Below is information about the 8250 UART chip. As far as known, the Amstrad Serial Interface does NOT use that chip. No idea why that information is here...?
Like the original interface, the Pace design used an 8250 [[UART]] chip, which was reliable up to 9600 baud and could sometimes function at faster speeds. The possibility has been discussed of replacing this with a pin-compatible 16550 and gaining even faster transfer speeds, but this is not believed to have been tested.
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8250_UART Linkt to Article on Wikipedia about the 8250 UART used in the interface]
== Alternative software ==
Image:Amstrad rs232 2.jpg|The original, flawed Amstrad serial interface
Image:Amstrad rs232 power1.jpg|The original powersupply that came with the interface</gallery>
[[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:Serial_interfaces]]
