Nova

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Non-volatile RAM and Real Time Clock (RTC) for Amstrad CPC.

Pulkotronics Nova.jpg

The NVRAM is primarily intended as a debugging tool for developers.

The real-time clock can be used by filesystem/mass storage to set the correct file creation or modification dates.

All Nova cards come with the 32KB chip. Source

It is supported by UniDOS, SymbOS and FutureOS.

Ports

The interface uses only one port (&FE82) to map the NVRAM in and out. It is possible to map it at any address multiple of &2000.

The NVRAM, when it is enabled, masks 8K of RAM or ROM and replaces it with its own contents. Four NVRAM pages of 8K are available.

In the fourth page, the last 8 bytes are not normal RAM, but can be used to read and write the time from the realtime clock.

Software

The Nova RTC is supported by FutureOS, SymbOS, UniDOS, HDCPM, etc..

Links

Official website

Schematics

Datasheet of the M48T35 TIMEKEEPER SRAM chip