Vengeanc� Computin� INC�
10/22/89
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Late breaking announcement:
Thi� confirmatio� cam� t� u� literall� moment� befor� th� earthquak� i� �
Sa� Francisco� whil� workin� o� th� phon� wit� ou� Zilo� re� i� Zilog'� �
Campbel� facility:
Zilo� �wil� no� suppl� th� Z84C0� CP� use� i� th� P�-� a� 1� Mhz� �12.� �
Mh� �an� �1� Mhz� Pricin� informatio� wa� t� com� lat� tha� � da� � b� �
fax� bu� event� o� � greate� magnitud� interfered.
A� �soo� a� pricin� informatio� i� available� Vengeanc� Computin� �wil� �
establis� � pric� � an� � deliver� fo� tw� � spee� �upgrade� �t� �th� �
standar� P�-� a� 12.� an� 1� Mhz� Th� upgrad� ki� wil� consis� o� � ne� �
CP� chip� � replacemen� highe� spee� RA� chip� an� � CP� crysta� o� th� �
appropriat� speed.
Whe� �thes� upgrade� ar� ordere� wit� th� P�-Z� som� discoun� �wil� �b� �
made� bu� unti� informatio� fro� Zilo� arrives� � canno� predic� �wha� �
tha� wil� be.
Now we have 3 base models:
PC-Z -10 10.0 Mhz The PC-Z -10 may be upgraded
PC-Z -12 12.5 Mhz to the -12 or -16 with the
PC-Z -16 16.0 Mhz appropriate upgrade kit.
P�-� -1� UPGRAD� KI� Yo� ma� decid� t� purchas� a
PC-Z -16 UPGRADE KIT rev A PC-Z and later boost
speed with these upgrades.
This news should be very welcome to the speed demons out there!
For orders or catalog information:
Vengeance Computing INC
PO BOX 15023 Industrial Station
Santa Ana Ca. 92705-0023
�
Fo� �thos� o� yo� wh� eithe� haven'� hear� o� i� yet� o� �haven'� �bee� �
keepin� �u� t� dat� o� th� project� le� m� fil� yo� i� an� giv� �yo� �� �
capsul� descriptio� o� th� P�-Z�
Firs� �off� w� hav� change� th� name� Althoug� "Th� Grudge� i� �� �nea� �
name� an� ca� b� sai� t� reflec� som� o� th� emotiona� current� i� �th� �
project� �w� fel� tha� anothe� nam� wa� neede� fo� th� genera� �public� �
wh� migh� no� understand� Henc� th� comin� o� th� nam� P�-Z
Th� �P�-� �i� exactl� th� siz� an� shap� o� � "Bab� AT� �mothe� �board� �
Thi� �mean� tha� i� mount� directl� i� mos� IB� cabinets� �Thi� �allow� �
th� �us� �o� lo� cos� cabinet� instea� o� th� sem�-custo� �cabinet� �a� �
$15�-$30� �o� th� bargai� basemen� specia� an� hal� � poun� �o� �custo� �
spacers� �nut� an� washers� Installatio� int� � P� cabine� take� �abou� �
3� seconds.
Th� �P�-� provide� tw� seria� ports� � paralle� port� flopp� �an� �SCS� �
dis� ports� an� � P�-A� compatibl� bu� slots� Fo� man� application� th� �
buil�-i� �port� �o� th� P�-� wil� b� enough� bu� addin� � �P� �interna� �
mode� �i� �� snap� an� the� ar� substantiall� les� expensiv� �tha� �th� �
sam� �externa� �modem� Als� thi� approac� leave� yo� �wit� �mor� �spar� �
outlet� sinc� yo� don'� nee� al� thos� littl� plu�-i�-adapters!
I� �th� contro� an� robotic� arena� th� P�-� interface� �directl� �wit� �
standar� �P� �industria� interfac� card� allowin� �analo� �an� �digita� �
rea�-worl� �contro� �t� �b� �implemente� �wit� �standar� �of�-th�-shel� �
hardware.
Th� �P�-� �i� structure� lik� an� othe� compute� wit� � �powe� �supply� �
CPU� �memor� an� I/O� Sinc� it'� I/� interfac� i� wel� structured� �yo� �
don'� �en� �u� runnin� al� ove� th� boar� t� ge� statu� signal� �a� �i� �
som� othe� design� whic� cu� cost� b� removin� functionality.
POWER:
Th� P�-� powe� suppl� i� divide� int� � sections� wit� th� firs� �bein� �
� singl� inpu� requirin� 12� unregulate� powe� a� 40� m� i� th� IB� bu� �
i� �no� i� use� Thi� flexibilit� i� inpu� powe� mean� tha� �th� �syste� �
ca� �b� operate� fro� � 12� vehicl� battery� Gel� cell� sola� �cel� �o� �
whatever� �Th� �actua� minimu� fo� powerin� th� P�-� i� �� �volts� �bu� �
highe� voltage� ar� preferre� wher� possible.
I� �us� �o� �th� IB� bu� i� required� the� th� 12� inpu� �need� �t� �b� �
connecte� �t� �� �12� �regulate� powe� �suppl� �capabl� �o� �deliverin� �
whateve� �powe� �i� �require� b� th� P� car� load� plu� �40� �ma� �wit� �
additiona� �supplie� �o� -12� an� +5V� (mos� clon� powe� �supplie� �ar� �
significan� overkil� fo� this!)
�Th� �+12� powe� inpu� i� sense� b� th� MAX69� chi� whic� manage� �rese� �
an� �NM� �generatio� �o� �powe� failure� �a� �wel� �a� �watchdo� �time� �
function� an� RA� acces� control� I� th� syste� powe� shoul� fal� belo� �
10.� �volts� �(adjustable� the� NM� i� issue� t� th� CPU� an� �th� �CP� �
execute� �it'� �powe� fai� routines� A� powe� continue� �t� �fall� �th� �
MAX69� the� shut� of� th� CPU'� acces� t� RAM� an� finall� issue� rese� �
t� th� CP� jus� befor� powe� die� completely.
O� �th� powe�-u� side� th� MAX69� wil� no� allo� th� CP� t� �ru� �unti� �
th� powe� inpu� i� stable� an� � prope� rese� puls� ha� bee� applie� t� �
th� CPU.
Afte� �powe� �i� �restored� I/� i� r�-initialize� t� �it'� �las� �know� �
setting� an� th� user'� tas� i� r�-starte� wher� i� wa� interrupted.
Shoul� �th� watchdo� time� b� i� use� th� MAX69� wil� issu� �eithe� �a� �
NM� �o� �� RESE� puls� t� th� CP� wheneve� th� watchdo� �time� �i� �no� �
service� properly� Thi� featur� i� grea� fo� BB� system� whic� ma� han� �
fro� tim� t� tim� du� t� calle� mi�-us� o� abuse� Watchdo� servic� �ca� �
com� �eithe� �fro� th� norma� BIO� interrup� handling� o� �fro� �custo� �
use� software.
CPU:
Th� �P�-� CP� i� � Zilo� Z84C0� CMO� �-8� CP� i� � 4� pi� PLC� �packag� �
clockin� a� 1� mhz� Thi� result� i� � �-Stat� bein� 100n� long� wit� �� �
minimu� instructio� cycl� tim� o� 400ns.
Th� CP� i� configure� fo� bu� arbitratio� wit� ou� futur� �-28� produc� �
whic� �wil� transfe� informatio� t� th� P�-� b� accessin� th� �bu� �an� �
bloc�-transferrin� �whateve� �dat� i� wishe� directl� int� �th� �P�-Z'� �
memory.
Ther� i� on� specia� slo� o� th� mothe� boar� whic� i� intende� o� �us� �
wit� �th� �-28� CP� card� bu� ma� als� b� use� fo� standar� �I/� �card� �
unti� th� �-28� i� available.
MEMORY:
PC-� MEMOR� MAP
/---------------------------------------\
| |
| |
| Upper 32K normal RAM |
| |
/-----------------------\ |
| 32K Shadowram | |
| | |
� /---------------\ |---------------<
| | | |
| | | |
| 32K EPROM | | Lower 32K |
| |-------/ normal RAM |
| | |
| | |
\_______________/_______________________/
Th� P�-� memor� syste� i� somewha� unique� I� implement� th� boo� EPRO� �
configuratio� �w� �ar� �familia� wit� fro� �th� �Ampr� �system� �(amon� �
others� a� wel� a� banke� memor� fo� syste� data.
Al� �i� �all� th� syste� ha� acces� t� 128� o� memory� divide� �a� �32� �
EPROM� 32� banke� Shadowram� an� 64� mai� ram� Th� RA� chip� ar� �6225� �
32� b� � stati� ra� a� 85n� access.
Th� EPRO� i� � 2725� devic� fillin� th� lowe� hal� o� th� addres� spac� �
a� �powe�-up� Som� cod� i� the� relocate� int� hig� ram� an� th� �EPRO� �
i� �switche� �off� �allowin� th� norma� 32� ra� bac� �int� �thi� �spac� �
(000�-7FFF)
Th� EPRO� contain� boo�-tim� code� th� syste� BIOS� an� �-System� �Thi� �
allow� �th� syste� t� perfor� � complet� boo� fro� EPRO� wit� �n� �nee� �
fo� �dis� access� Boo� tim� i� FAST!� an� th� syste� ha� n� nee� fo� �� �
"boo� disk".
Di� yo� eve� hav� th� experienc� o� powerin� u� � ne� computer� loadin� �
th� �disk� �an� watchin� i� si� ther� (late� foun� t� b� � �ba� �cable� �
whil� wonderin� i� i� wa� quietl� lunchin� you� onl� boo� disk?
� formatte� � boo� dis� once� an� I'l� neve� d� i� again!
Shoul� �yo� desir� t� ru� � differen� DOS� o� CCP� n� problem� Yo� �ca� �
loa� �an� ZCP� 3.� compatibl� syste� segment� yo� like� o� �� �complet� �
boo� �imag� �wit� you� favorit� �-8� o� 808� DO� wit� th� �boo� �loade� �
utilit� whic� place� you� ne� syste� imag� int� Shadowram� No� yo� boo� �
straigh� �fro� YOU� favorit� system� I� yo� shoul� manag� t� munc� �th� �
imag� �i� �ra� �somehow� �yo� ca� stil� boo� �th� �EPRO� ��-Syste� �an� �
recover.
Shoul� th� syste� acces� an� o� th� no� tim�-critica� cod� containe� i� �
th� �EPROM� �th� BIO� merel� swap� th� EPRO� bac� in� an� �allow� �tha� �
cod� �t� �b� executed� swappin� th� EPRO� bac� ou� whe� th� �syste� �n� �
longe� need� it.
Th� �banke� �ra� (Shadowram� i� handle� i� � simila� �manne� �a� �400�-�
BFFFH� �Th� �shadowra� contain� som� syste� dat� �includin� �periphera� �
setu� �information� �an� � syste� boo� image� a� wel� a� �16� �o� �dis� �
cachin� are� whic� allow� th� equivalen� o� tw� har� dis� track� t� �b� ��cached.
Al� RA� i� batter� backe� an� protected� thank� t� th� MAX69� chi� �an� �
� �nica� o� alkalin� cells� Althoug� Vengeanc� recommend� �A� �alkalin� �
cells� �yo� ma� us� whateve� i� handy� a� lon� a� th� voltag� doe� �no� �
excee� �4.5V� Tw� alkalin� A� cell� wil� kee� th� memor� an� RT� �aliv� �
fo� �th� �shel�-lif� �o� �th� batteries� �� �selectabl� �jumpe� �allow� �
chargin� t� b� enable� i� nica� batterie� ar� t� b� used�
I/O:
PC-� I/� MA�
/----------------------------\
� 0�� � 7F� OPE� | Not� tha� I/� acces�
����������������������������-� ���spee� i� hel� constant
� 80� � 8F� RT� � regardles� o� CP� speed.
|----------------------------|
� 90� � 9F� P� BU� I/� � Thi� allow� fiel� upgrades
|----------------------------� withou� softwar� adjustment
� A0� � AF� P� IN�s � fo� th� increase� speed.
|----------------------------|
� B0� � BF� P� BU� ADR� � Al� BIO� timin� use� CTC
|----------------------------� drive� tim� constant�
� C0� � CF� BOAR� CTL � Ther� i� n� nee� t� "tweak"
|----------------------------� syste� softwar� afte� a
� D0� � DF� SCS� CTR� � CP� spee� upgrade!
|----------------------------|
� E0� � EF� FLOPP� DISK |
|----------------------------|
� F0� � FF� KI� �
\----------------------------/
Th� �P�-� �i� �runnin� �ove� �wit� �wel�-structure� �an� �powerfu� �I/� �
functions.
Quickl� �coverin� �them� �w� hav� th� KI� �chip� �providin� �th� �exac� �
equivalen� o� a� SI�-0� � CTC� an� � PI� i� on� 8� pi� PLC� package�
Th� �tw� �SI� �port� ar� configure� a� ful�-feature� �seria� �port� �a� �
almos� an� bau� rat� fro� 7� bau� t� 2Mbaud� � don'� kno� wha� yo� wil� �
tal� t� a� � megabaud� bu� that'� no� M� problem!� (joke)
AL� �th� �handshak� �signal� �ar� brough� ou� t� �tw� �1� �pi� �header� �
allowin� simpl� crim� typ� cable� int� � pi� � connector� resultin� �i� �
� �pinou� whic� i� th� sam� a� th� IB� AT� Bau� rate� are� �o� �course� �
individuall� adjustabl� anywher� i� thi� range.
� � helpfu� hint� Breakou� boxe� ar� USELES� a� � Megabaud!
Tw� �o� �th� CT� channel� (0,1� provid� bau� rat� �informatio� �t� �th� �
SIOs� an� th� remainin� tw� channel� provid� timin� informatio� t� �th� �
syste� an� th� user�
Channe� �� �count� �th� 4.� Mh� inpu� an� �provide� �fractiona� �secon� �
interval� ��t� �th� �BIO� �fo� �it'� �timin� �functions� �makin� ��the� �
independen� o� CP� clock�
Channe� � count� "ticks� fro� th� RTC� whic� ma� b� se� t� � pe� secon� �
o� �on� �pe� �minut� rates� allowin� precis� �contro� �o� �tim�-relate� �
function� withou� th� bizarr� mat� whic� wa� formerl� neede� t� accoun� �
fo� �cloc� �rol�-over� �Settin� � time� t� expir� i� 6� �minute� �i� �� �
simpl� matte� o� settin� th� CT� t� coun� dow� th� RT� ticks.
Th� �PI� �sectio� o� th� KI� support� som� boar� contro� �function� �o� �
por� �B� an� � b�-directiona� Centronic� paralle� interfac� o� por� �A� �
Th� �paralle� �por� �i� configure� int� � 2� pi� �heade� �whic� �allow� �
simpl� crim�-cabl� connectio� t� standar� IB� typ� printe� cables.
Sinc� I'v� mentione� i� s� ofte� already� th� RT� i� a� OK� 6242� �chi� �
keepin� standar� tim� an� dat� information� Th� RT� share� it'� batter� �
backu� wit� th� syste� RAM� Th� accurac� o� th� cloc� a� shippe� i� no� �
guaranteed� �bu� �ma� b� easil� adjuste� wit� � �smal� �screwdrive� �a� �
closel� a� desired.
DIS� I/O:
Th� P�-� support� bot� th� standar� � 1/� inc� driv� interfac� an� �th� �
SCS� �bu� interface� Th� � 1/� inc� interfac� i� manage� b� �� �Wester� �
Digita� �177� �controlle� �an� �allow� � maximu� �o� �� �drive� �t� �b� �
connected.
Th� SCS� bu� interfac� connect� directl� t� suc� embedde� drive� a� th� �
Seagat� 225� an� 277N� an� th� Quantu� an� Conno� Peripheral� line� �I� �
ma� �als� �b� �use� wit� MacIntos� drive� o� �mos� �ST50� �drive� �wit� �
applicabl� controller� lik� Adaptec� Xebe� an� s� forth�
Embedde� drive� offe� th� controlle� alread� mate� t� th� driv� an� �a� �
EXTREMEL� simpl� installatio� process� fo� typicall� $2� mor� tha� �th� �
sam� driv� wit� S�-50� interface� Th� Shugar� product� ar� particularl� �
goo� buys� sinc� the� us� RL� encodin� o� thei� SCS� products� givin� � �
faste� �throughpu� �a� �75� Kby/se� tha� th� �ST50� �interfac� �a� �50� �
Kby/sec.
Th� SCS� bu� i� full� arbitrating� an� support� multipl� CP� � multipl� �
driv� configuration� wit� n� additiona� softwar� o� hardwar� othe� tha� ��th� requisit� cables�
Th� �SCS� �interfac� i� handle� b� � Zilo� CMO� 538� �controlle� �whic� �
implement� th� ful� SCS� protocol� an� ha� optimize� bu� timing� �whic� �
hel� increas� th� transfe� spee� t� th� SCS� peripheral.
P�-BUS:
No� �fo� �th� �board'� mos� interestin� �feature� �th� �P�-A� �bu� �
interface.
Mos� �o� yo� woul� prefe� � differen� bus� � know� lik� STD� o� ��-100� �
o� mayb� Multibus� BUT� Whe� wa� th� las� tim� yo� sa� � 240� bau� �MN� �
compatibl� �mode� fo� �-10� bu� a� $12� o� � Multibu� cabine� �a� �les� �
tha� $900..�
Vengeanc� �Computin� realize� tha� i� ther� i� on� thin� whic� IB� �ca� �
b� honestl� thanke� for� i� i� th� adven� o� standardize� an� CHEA� I/� �
card� an� cabinets� Thi� playe� � majo� par� i� th� desig� o� th� P�-Z.
IB� I/� card� ar� mappe� int� th� �-80'� I/� addres� spac� i� � 1� por� �
"window"� �Thi� �"window� point� t� an� poin� i� th� PC'� �I/� �addres� �
spac� �fro� �00� t� FFF� b� th� us� o� th� "Fak� Addres� �Latch� �whic� �
latche� �th� uppe� tw� nybble� o� th� address� wit� th� �botto� �nybbl� �
bein� supplie� b� th� �-80.
Example� T� addres� � P� mode� a� COM1:
P� CO� assignment� ar� mappe� a� follows:
COM� � 3F8� COM� � 2F8� COM� � 3E8� an� COM� � 2E8h
Ther� ar� additiona� port� CO� �-� bu� the� ar� no� standardized.
So� t� acces� th� P� mode� a� COM� o� 3F8h� w� simpl� writ� 3� int� th� �
Fak� Addres� Latch� an� the� rea� o� writ� a� desire� t� 98� (9� i� th� �
locatio� o� th� P� I/� window).
IB� �interrupt� �an� th� CHC� inpu� ar� handle� throug� a� � �bi� �por� �
whic� �allow� th� fron� pane� keyswitch� IRQ�-� an� CHC� �t� �interrup� �
th� CPU� Th� interrup� routin� simpl� read� th� PCIN� por� t� determin� �
th� interruptin� device.
Thi� structur� result� i� � fairl� simpl� interfac� int� P� I/O� � NOT� �
tha� �memor� �card� �CANNO� b� use� wit� th� P�-Z� Whil� �the� �ma� �b� �
plugge� �int� th� bus� the� ar� no� accessible� Th� �-28� produc� �wil� ��allo� the� t� b� used� bu� fo� no� yo� wil� hav� t� b� conten� wit� th� �
hundred� o� I/� interfac� card� tha� ar� available.
Whe� th� syste� i� shipped� i� wil� com� wit� overlay� an� insert� �fo� �
MEX� �IMP� �BY� an� YABBA� whic� i� � �Fid�-compatibl� �netmai� �syste� �
authore� b� Jac� Winslade� Yo� wil� b� abl� t� se� u� you� ow� �netmai� �
nod� �withi� � coupl� o� hour� o� openin� th� box� Aren'� yo� tire� �o� �
havin� t� cal� 1� differen� board� aroun� th� countr� t� sta� i� touch� �
� sur� am!
� �fina� not� wit� regard� t� software� W� a� Vengeanc� believ� i� �th� �
Hacke� Ethic�
Althoug� �w� ar� NO� licensin� yo� t� us� ou� softwar� t� compet� �wit� �
u� �i� �manufacturin� an� sellin� computers� w� wil� �mak� �ou� �syste� �
sourc� cod� availabl� t� ANYONE� regardles� o� whethe� the� ow� � �P�
-� �
o� not�
Yo� �ar� �fre� �t� us� thi� sourc� cod� �t� �develo� �application� �an� �
system� �fo� �th� P�-Z� an� t� sel� thos� application� an� �system� �t� �
you� �customer� withou� royalt� t� Vengeanc� Computing� a� lon� a� �th� �
hardwar� platfor� i� th� P�-Z.
A� i� become� available� yo� wil� fin� sourc� cod� fo� th� syste� �BIO� �
an� �utilities� �BOO� EPROM� an� an� overlay� o� insert� tha� �w� �hav� �
writte� �o� th� Vengeanc� Computin� BB� a� (714� 54�-5407� an� �o� �th� �
syste� disk� shippe� wit� you� ne� P�-� computer.
Use�-contribute� ��interface� �an� �application� �wil� �als� �b� ��mad� �
availabl� th� sam� way.
W� WAN� yo� t� ge� i� i� unde� th� hood!
� �thin� �we'v� covere� th� whol� machin� a� thi� �point� �Softwar� �i� �
anothe� matter� an� du� t� tim� requirements� w� wil� hav� t� mak� tha� �
anothe� article� (Actually� w� ar� stil� workin� o� it� an� rathe� tha� �
hav� �yo� ge� m� hal�-bake� ideas� I'� rathe� unti� wai� m� �idea� �ar� �
close� t� wel�-done!)
It'� ver� difficul� t� conve� th� magi� o� thi� machin� i� � tex� file� �
Th� �P�-� �i� � fast� clea� machine� wit� � ful� complemen� �o� �syste� �
suppor� �feature� �wel� �integrate� a� bot� �th� �syste� �hardwar� �an� �
softwar� levels� Th� whol� machin� i� regula� an� wel� structured� �an� �
ver� eas� t� cod� for�
Othe� �computer� ma� hav� simila� feature� available� bu� non� o� �the� �
provide� �al� �thes� �feature� �o� th� �motherboar� �i� �a� �integrate� �
package� Conside� tha� i� th� standar� PC� thes� feature� woul� �occup� ��a� �man� �a� � o� th� expansio� slots� Eve� a� that� �th� �P�-� �offer� �
feature� �lik� it'� powe� toleranc� circuitr� an� softwar� �tha� �isn'� �
availabl� o� � P� a� an� price!
Wha� mor� ca� � say� � firml� believ� tha� th� P�-� represent� th� bes� �
engin� i� it'� clas� an� tha� i� i� implemente� wit� th� bes� �softwar� �
suppor� possible.
Th� P�-� i� availabl� fro� Vengeanc� Computin� a�
Vengeance Computing INC
PO BOX 15023 Industrial Station
Santa Ana Ca. 92705-0023
(714� 991-244� Voice� (714� 546-540� BBS
Pric� i� $55� (PC-� -1� wit� Z-System softwar� an� manuals.)