Difference between revisions of "Maplin ROM Box"

From CPCWiki - THE Amstrad CPC encyclopedia!
Jump to: navigation, search
m (typo)
 
(16 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
'''Amstrad Expansion System''' aka '''Maplin ROM Card'''
+
[[Image:Amstrad Expansion System.jpg|thumb|150px|Amstrad Expansion System]]
  
−
[[Image:Amstrad Expansion System.jpg|thumb|Amstrad Expansion System]]
+
== Description ==
  
−
The '''Amstrad Expansion System''' is a DIY project by [[Dave Goodman]] and [[John Attfield]].
+
The '''Amstrad Expansion System''' aka '''Maplin ROM Card''' from [[Maplin]] is a DIY project by [[Dave Goodman]] and [[John Attfield]].
  
−
The Amstrad Expansion System was primarily a rom box for the CPC series, but had additional features:  
+
The '''Amstrad Expansion System (Part 1)''' is primarily a '''rom box''' for the CPC series, but had additional features:  
  
−
* 128 - 8bit I/O port.
+
* Special non-standard Buffered Expansion Port (with pre-decoded IOSEL line, on access to "free" I/O address)
−
* Motherboard extension plug for EURO-card modules.
+
* Lightpen socket (3.5mm stereo socket - just a connector with LPEN,5V,GND - without any additional electronics)
  
−
The DIY project consisted of a 16 page instruction leaflet.
+
The '''Amstrad Expansion System (Part 2)''' adds some more features:
  
−
== Maplin's Amstrad Projects ==
+
* 6x8bit I/O port (using two [[8255 PPI chip]]s)
 +
* Additional power-supply module (PSU)
  
−
Maplin released various projects. The Amstrad CPC related ones are:
+
== Technical ==
  
−
* MAPLIN PROJECTS BOOK 18 - Amstrad Expansion System Part 1: an external ROM card system for the Amstrad
+
ROM is selected using an I/O port decoded with A15=1, A13=0. The ROM number is decoded using D3-D0 only, meaning a maximum of 16 ROMs can be used, but the PCB only has 8 sockets available.
−
* MAPLIN PROJECTS BOOK 19 - Amstrad Expansion System Part 2: describes the 6 x 8-bit parallel I/O Port and PSU Card
+
In addition more then one value can select the same ROM.
−
* MAPLIN PROJECTS BOOK 20 - Amstrad 8 Bit Input Port
+
  
 
== Pictures ==
 
== Pictures ==
Line 27: Line 27:
 
Image:ROMBOX_04_MANUAL.JPG|ROM Box and photocopy of how-to build manual
 
Image:ROMBOX_04_MANUAL.JPG|ROM Box and photocopy of how-to build manual
 
Image:ROMBOX_05_SCREEN.JPG|Connected showing ROMs
 
Image:ROMBOX_05_SCREEN.JPG|Connected showing ROMs
 +
Image:Maplin_ROMBoard_PCB_Top_(1).jpg|PCB Top (1)
 +
Image:Maplin_ROMBoard_PCB_Bottom_(1).jpg|PCB Bottom (1)
 +
Image:Maplin_ROMBoard_PCB_Top_(2).jpg|PCB Top (2)
 +
Image:Maplin_ROMBoard_PCB_Bottom_(2).jpg|PCB Bottom (2)
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
== Manual ==
 
== Manual ==
  
−
* [[Media:Maplin ROM-Box Manual.pdf|Maplin ROM-Box Manual]] (pdf)
+
* [[Media:Maplin ROM-Box Manual.pdf|Amstrad Expansion System Part 1: Maplin ROM-Box Manual]] (pdf)
 +
* [[Media:Maplins Amstrad Expansion System Part 2 (Project Book19).pdf|Amstrad Expansion System Part 2: 6x8bit I/O Port]] (pdf)
  
−
Unclear if above manual covers both Part 1 and Part 2 of the Amstrad Expansion System project (?)
+
== Additional ==
 +
 
 +
* [[Media:Maplin Video Digitiser.pdf| Maplin Video Digitiser DIY Kit Article]] (pdf)
 +
"Electronics - The Maplin Magazine" Dec 1985-Nov 1986. Published by Maplin Electronic Supplies Ltd.  Page 12 - 18; Video Digitiser. This DIY Kit could be assembled for use in the Buffered Eurocard Extension board of the Maplin ROM Box for use with Amstrad CPC and Z80 Computers. Gives full instructions on how to build it with board layout and list of components.
  
 
== Weblinks ==
 
== Weblinks ==
  
−
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocard Info on EURO-card standard]
+
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurocard Info on EURO-card standard]
 +
* http://www.maplin.co.uk
  
−
[[Category:Memory expansions]] [[Category:Hardware]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:manual]]
+
[[Category:Expansion ROM]] [[Category:Peripherals]] [[Category:manual]]

Latest revision as of 22:32, 23 July 2016

Amstrad Expansion System

Description

The Amstrad Expansion System aka Maplin ROM Card from Maplin is a DIY project by Dave Goodman and John Attfield.

The Amstrad Expansion System (Part 1) is primarily a rom box for the CPC series, but had additional features:

  • Special non-standard Buffered Expansion Port (with pre-decoded IOSEL line, on access to "free" I/O address)
  • Lightpen socket (3.5mm stereo socket - just a connector with LPEN,5V,GND - without any additional electronics)

The Amstrad Expansion System (Part 2) adds some more features:

  • 6x8bit I/O port (using two 8255 PPI chips)
  • Additional power-supply module (PSU)

Technical

ROM is selected using an I/O port decoded with A15=1, A13=0. The ROM number is decoded using D3-D0 only, meaning a maximum of 16 ROMs can be used, but the PCB only has 8 sockets available. In addition more then one value can select the same ROM.

Pictures

  • ROM Box with ROMs

  • ROM Box

  • ROM Box and photocopy of how-to build manual

  • Connected showing ROMs

  • PCB Top (1)

  • PCB Bottom (1)

  • PCB Top (2)

  • PCB Bottom (2)

Manual

Additional

"Electronics - The Maplin Magazine" Dec 1985-Nov 1986. Published by Maplin Electronic Supplies Ltd. Page 12 - 18; Video Digitiser. This DIY Kit could be assembled for use in the Buffered Eurocard Extension board of the Maplin ROM Box for use with Amstrad CPC and Z80 Computers. Gives full instructions on how to build it with board layout and list of components.

Weblinks

Retrieved from "https://gryzor.info/index.php?title=Maplin_ROM_Box&oldid=96018"