Exploring The TRS-80 Network 3 Controller
Вставка
- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- In a follow-up to my coverage of the TRS-80 Network 3 controller, I dive into the specifics of how the controller works. In the process, I create a simple version of a configuration that Radio Shack promised and never delievered: a TRS-80 Model II-line host paired with TRS-80 Color Computers as student stations. I'll talk about programming the serial port on the Model II/12, discuss the controller's modes of operation, and demonstrate host-controlled selection of student stations using the Model 12, two CoCos, and my oscilloscope.
Notes:
- This video's aspect ratio is a bit strange; this was due to OBS settings I neglected to fix. Oops!
- The Network 3 controller is not currently compatible with trs80gp. You must use real hardware.
Music/SFX (in order):
None. Just me jabbering
Links:
SepTANDY 2023 Education Series: • TEC - Tandy Education ...
trs80gp Emulator - 48k.ca/trs80gp.html
Model II Archive (CP/M Plus is here) - github.com/pski/model2archive
Chapters:
Intro (0:00)
The Planned Config (0:46)
Important Caveats (1:37)
New Nick Nacks For The Room! (3:58)
What IS The Network 3? (6:13)
Scope Probes and Network 3 Modes (8:19)
Z80 CTC & SIO Programming on the Model 12 (13:30)
Station Selection Under Host Control (19:58)
Model 12 and CoCos Talking Through Network 3 (26:18)
Final Points Of Importance (33:15)
What's Next & Outro (35:59)
I do these videos unscripted, so I apologize if the in-the-moment descriptions of things are a bit scattered. If you have any questions/comments about this video, you can find me in any of these fine locations:
The Tandy Discord Server
The CoCo Nation Discord Server
The TRS-80 Color Computer (CoCo) group on Facebook
The CoCo Crew Podcast group on Facebook
On the Vintage Computer Forums (vcfed.org)
The TRS-80 Models I-4/4P Group on Facebook
Tandy / Radio Shack Model II /12 / 16 / 16B / 6000 Owner's Group on Facebook
Twitter (I'm TJBChris there...)
The Level29 BBS (I'm TJBChris there, too.)
Particles BBS (Guess who I am here? Yeah, TJBChris.)
Thanks for watching! - Наука та технологія
Very interesting. Thanks for the video!
I'll have to remember that's how you twiddle the bits hehehehehe
Nice video, I'm slightly younger (*sigh*) and never got any experience with those systems, I saw one once at a kinda bootsale/garage sale kinda shop, might still be there, can't recall if it was silver or beige but it sure caught my eye, afair it was beige with the 3 colours badge. I got sidetracked by a P-III motherboard and a Matrox G450, figured he would probably be asking too much for it anyway, maybe I could have gotten it for not too much money, but I don't have any nostalgia for these machines so I passed, figured maybe someone would find a good home for it. I should go back... Let's just say it's not located in the most tech savvy place around....
Subscribed! Awesome video.
Thanks very much! Exploring things like this is my favorite part of the hobby. Thanks for watching and subscribing!
very cool! :o
Great work!
Thank you! Hopefully there’s more to come on the Network 3 front.
All with retro wood panelling.
Clint Basinger 'LRG' Will love this!
Based on the comments I get, it’s the most-loved thing in my computer room. Or at least the thing people notice the most. 🤣
I wonder if the model 16 can be modded to run Macintosh, ST or Amiga software. They all use the same 68K chip.
My best guess is most likely not - beyond the processor, it's not at all like the Mac, ST, or Amiga from an architectural standpoint. All IO (disk, video, keyboard, serial, etc.) for the 68000 subsystem is done through the Z80-side of the system, and the software running on the 68000 side has to work within that IO setup, requiring splitting of IO and application code between the two subsystems. And these systems lack real graphics capability by default...there's an add-on card available (again accessible via the Z80 IO subsystem). An interesting thought, though! Thanks for watching!