All my content and ptohos
Interfaces
These devices were used to connect something to microcomputer - a floppy disk, cartidge, measuring equipment, joystick etc. They were simple pin pass-thru boxes or complex devices with its own controlling circuitry.
| Timex Controller |
|
||||||||
| Manufactured by: Timex Computers |
|
||||||||
| Type: Floppy drive controller | |||||||||
| Conected to: Timex Interface | |||||||||
|
Capabilities: - Connecting 2 floppy drives (usually 3" drives were used) to Timex computer. - Two RS232 serial ports to connect serial devices. |
|||||||||
| This device
was connected to Timex Interface and allowed to use up
to 2 floppy drives with microcomputer. Unfortunately as I don't
have Timex Controller, I can't test it. In fact, Timex Controller was a mini computer with Z80 inside allowing to run CP/M on Timex 2048 computer. Mine has 16K of RAM, but it seems that it was repaired - some strange chip with markings removed is put inside. Timex FDD System consisted of Timex Interface to computer, Timex Controller, Power Supply and two 3" floppy drives. Capacity of one floppy was 320K (160K on each side), but there were high-density versions allowing to store up to 640K on one floppy disk. |
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Joystick interface |
|
||||
| Manufactured by: ?? |
|
||||
| Type: Joystick interface | |||||
| Connected to: ZX Spectrum system bus | |||||
|
Capabilities: - One Kempston Joystick, - Reset switch
|
|||||
|
Strange thing,
made of Polish components. It's a DIY joystick controller which
allows to use joystick in Kempston standard. Its case is made of
copperized PCBs soldered together inside.
Below you can see how it's kept in one piece using only soldered copperized (inside) PCBs. |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|||||
| Joystick interface |
|
||||
| Manufactured by: DK'tronics |
|
||||
| Type: Joystick interface | |||||
| Connected to: ZX Spectrum system bus | |||||
|
Capabilities: - One joystick
|
|||||
| Probably a "lite" version of DK'tronics joystick interface without switch (as in "programmable" version) or second joystick capabilities (as in this photo). What they "saved" is a couple of diodes, 74LS367, resistor ladder and connector. I don't know exactly the pinout nor programming details. | |||||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|||||
| AtariLab interface |
|
||||
| Manufactured by: Atari |
|
||||
| Type:
Measurement devices interface (breakout connection box) |
|||||
| Connected
to: Joystick port (Atari 9-pin female plug) |
|||||
|
Capabilities: - Analog inputs (2) - Digital outputs (2) - Digital inputs (2) - Power (+5V DC) outputs (2)
|
|||||
| A
part of educational package for making measures using Atari's
built-in analog/digital coverters. This interface had cartridge with
control software and "modules" - actual measuring devices.
There are only 2 known modules: Themperature and light meter.
These devices were usually re-made to be compatible with measurement kits. Mine is re-made and has pins labeled. |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|||||
| SV-703 Cartridge switch |
|
||
| Manufactured by: Datalux |
|
||
| Type: Cartridge switch | |||
| Connected to: Cartridge connector | |||
|
Capabilities: - Up to 3 cartridges can be connected and one can be selected to use. - Reset switch
|
|||
| This is a
simple switch which allows to plug 3 cartridges in and select
(by sliding switch) one to use. Not much popular in Poland, but
it was very helpful when working with few cartridges. It switched GAME, EXROM and 5V pins. |
|||
|
|
|||
| In use with Commodore 64 (click for larger view) | |||
|
|
|||
