Briel Computers SUPERBOARD User manual

SUPERBOARD ///
Setup and Users Manual
JUNE 2014 PRELIMINARY EDITION
Briel Computers

All materials, schematics, and hardware designs provided without any warranties. Although this material has been carefully examined,
Briel Computers takes no responsibility for any errors in printing.
Vers on 3.0
Published by Briel Computers
U A
Copyright 2014 Briel Computers. All rights reserved. Printed in the United tates of America. Except as permitted under the
Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a
database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher, with the exception that the program listings may be
entered, stored, and executed in a computer system, but they may not be reproduced for publication.
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Forward
How the Superboard /// came to be
Thank you for purchasing the uperboard ///. This replica was a goal of mine for nearly 8 years. I grew up in the
70's and 80's and was proud to be a part of the computer revolution if only as a bystander. I read every magazine
I could get my hands on about computers. I read every ad for every computer. My parents didn't see the point of
having a computer in the house. What could it do? The uperboard II by Ohio cientific was one of those
machines I just had to have. At 14 I was already into electronics and was studying schematics and anything I
could read. eeing the ad in magazines for the uperboard II was just amazing! For the low price of only $299
you could have a complete system! It came with a video port (custom connection not included), a cassette port
that could be converted into a real serial port, and a built in keyboard. eeing that keyboard included on a
system board just made it look so high tech. till, I didn't have a job and with no way to purchase one, I was
unable to acquire this fascinating board.
After years of collecting vintage computers, I attended a Vintage Computer Festival in New Jersey where I
made some friends and an offer came to barter a couple of my kits for a functional Ohio cientific uperboard
II. I quickly jumped at the opportunity and found myself the owner of a uperboard II after 24 years of waiting.
When I got home, I quickly connected the machine to a 5V power supply and made my own video connector. I
had my machine up and running in minutes. It was a real blast seeing that bold 25X25 text display and typing in
a program when...I accidentally hit the BREAK key and lost my program. oon to find out, this was a real issue
with the board and unless I modified the board, I'd just have to be careful.
Now that I owned my own uperboard I decided that I wanted to create a replica, so that those who never had
the opportunity I had to acquire one, could build their own. One problem I have is that the HIFT LOCK key is
a locking switch that Cherry does not make any longer. I have a few, but when they are gone, a slide switch will
be included to perform a caps lock function. HIFT LOCK must be on in order to load BA IC. Hopefully I will
find a new source for these switches. Each of my projects I do is something different than the others. The
replica 1 is a demonstration of the simplicity of the 6502 and how easy it is to make a computer. The Micro-
KIM shows how to make a stand alone computer for around $100. The Altair micro was my biggest challenge
to make a complete computer with all those switches and LED's in a case for around $200 that could replicate
the Altair 8800. My latest project, the uperboard /// uses a built in keyboard. People said that there is no way to
make a computer with a custom built-in keyboard for under $200. Well, the impossible is here. This project
took years to complete and to put everything together. The layout work took nearly 4 months to get right. This
is my largest board I've ever made and the blue layout was chosen because the O I computer cases were blue.
I hope you enjoy the uperboard /// and I will continue to produce these kits as long as there are out there
people who want one.
Vince Briel
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Setup and Users Manual
Index
Chapter 1: A Br ef H story of OSI and the Superboard II
Chapter 2: Introduc ng the Superboard ///
Chapter 3: Unpack ng and Sett ng Up
Chapter 4: Assembl ng the K t Vers on
Chapter 5: Programm ng the Superboard ///
Chapter 6: Us ng The USB to Ser al Interface
Chapter 7: Chang ng v deo modes
Chapter 8: Troubleshoot ng your Superboard ///
Append x A: Matr x Keyboard Connector P n Out
Append x B: 25 X 25 v deo sheet
Append x C: Expans on Interface connector
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Chapter 1: A Br ef H story of OSI and the Superboard II
Ohio cientific (O I) was a computer company that was in business from 1975 until 1981. While the company
had a short life span, it made an impact on computers and computing history. One of the first computers made
by O I was the O I 500. It was a simple computer with no video display and required a serial port and power
supply for operation. Later, they released the uperboard which had a 6502 or 6800 processor, 1K RAM, 512
bytes ROM, I/O chip slot, 2 serial ports and the O I 48 pin connector for turning it into a full system. Video
cards and other boards were made available for this bus system.
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In 1978 the uperboard II was born. It was designed as a single-board computer like the 400 but included a
video display interface with 1K video RAM, 8K system RAM and built in keyboard. The added BA IC
interpreter by Microsoft made this a complete system on one board. The board was available in a case and was
badged as the Challenger 1P. The display specs boasted 32x32 display but most TV's only allowed 25x25 to be
visible and the other characters were cut off. The BA IC operating system only showed 25 across so that no
important data was left out such as on power up.
The uperboard II was heavily advertised in computer magazines along with the other systems O I offered.
ome games and programs on cassette were offered and a disk controller board was made available giving the
uperboard II a disk operating system for storage.
Lack of software support and inferior hardware led up to the end of Ohio cientific in 1981. Other computer
companies like Apple, Radio hack, Commodore had taken the large share of the market. While these
companies had superior machines with color graphics and low cost disk controller systems, none offered the
engineering friendly type of board like the uperboard II.
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Chapter 2: Introduc ng the Superboard ///
The uperboard /// was designed to be as close to original O I uperboard II as possible. The system board
includes built in BA IC in ROM, 32K RAM, 1K video RAM and a 53 key keyboard. The design is software
compatible with the original O I uperboard II so you can run programs designed for it on the new
uperboard ///.
The blue color isn't the only thing that makes this kit look different than most vintage style computer kits today.
The onboard 53 key keyboard sets this kit apart from most others. The key switches are the famous Cherry MX
switches and the key caps are custom designed art work and made by WA D keyboards. Without this company,
a keyboard of this quality would not be possible.
Chapter 6: Using the U B to erial Interface
The system uses only 11 chips thanks to the the Parallax Propeller micro controller. This chip handles all the
onboard video and system ROM. The 1MHz signal clock that drives the 65C02 processor also comes from this
chip. Firmware updates can be performed using Parallax's free Propeller Tools software.
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The system processor is the Western Design Center (WDC) 65C02 running at 1MHz to replicate the speed of
the original system. While the CPU can operate at a much higher rate of speed, this would cause programs to
not function as properly and video would be unable to keep up. The system comes with 32K RAM and that is
the same total as if the uperboard had the optional O I 610 board. Additional memory can be added with a
custom board to the expansion interface.
The system board operates at 3.3V so the power usage is much lower. As a result, you can power and operate
the uperboard /// right from the U B port of your PC or Mac. maller phone power supplies may not work as
they are only designed to power small phones. Using a power supply less than 1000mA could damage the
system board or the power supply or both. The U B interface is not just a power source, but a built in serial port
that can transmit and receive data to/from a PC or Mac. Using terminal software such as Hyper-Terminal, Tera
Term, or Zterm, you can send and receive data as if it was going to/from the cassette interface. Instead of 300
BAUD, the serial port is set at 9600 for faster data transmission. Because there is no hand shaking, delays must
be added when sending data to the uperboard ///.
The serial port takes the place of the cassette interface. The original cassette interface used the serial port at 300
BAUD and connected to an external cassette recorder. The process is slow, unreliable, and very tedious. till,
there are some who choose this method. The uperboard /// has a header onboard for accepting a cassette board.
The interface would be fairly simple requiring a voltage comparator, D/A circuit and a clock divider to reduce
the speed of the BAUD rate to 300. For simplicity of the system design, I did not put this onboard but added the
expansion header for a cassette interface.
As of the writing of this manual, there are 75 shift lock switches in possession for uperboard /// kits. These
Cherry MX click lock switches are out of production and very difficult to source. Once these run out, standard
switches will be substituted along with a slide switch for performing hift Lock functions. Why is shift lock so
important? Well, with out the characters shifted on power up, BA IC will not load. BA IC will not accept
commands that are not shifted, so it would be very difficult to hold a shift key for every alpha character.
There are five mounting holes on the board to secure it to a board or install it in a custom case. As of the writing
of this manual, there is no optional case for the uperboard /// but we hope to change that in the near future.
The BREAK key has an added delay of 3 seconds on it. This was added as a feature because it is very very easy
to hit the BREAK key. Think of the BREAK key as a RE ET switch, because that is what it is. When you press
it, the system resets and does a cold boot. Any programs you were working on are lost. Any data, gone. Now,
just hitting the button will not reset the board, you must hold it for 3 seconds. Another feature of the BREAK
key comes on power up. Pressing BREAK key on power up will put the video mode at 32x32 displayable video
page. Although BA IC still only uses lines of 25 characters, you get a 32 wide 32 high display to use. Power off
or RE ET the system board to change the display back.
The uperboard /// has that real vintage feel to it with modern conveniences added on. The kit is fairly easy to
build because the keyboard switches fit snug into the board and don't easily fall out. Relive the vintage
computing days and fire up your uperboard /// today!
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Chapter 3: Unpack ng and Sett ng up system
Before you begin setting up your uperboard /// computer, make sure you have plenty of table space. Do not
power up the unit while touching any part of the circuit board and contact Briel computers if you are unsure
about any part of the setup process.
You will need the following items to get your uperboard up and running:
1. The Superboard /// system board.
2. M n USB connector to PC/Mac or power supply.
3. A TV w th compos te v deo n, or a compos te computer mon tor.
4. A v deo cable to connect the Superboard /// v deo out to a TV or mon tor.
Place or mount the uperboard /// board so that it is secured. Make sure no metal objects can touch the circuit
board or damage could result. Next you need to choose what type of power supply you are going to use. There
are two ways you can power your uperboard ///. The mini U B cable is not only the serial port but also the
power source. If you intend on using the uperboard /// just off your computer, you don't need a power supply.
Try not to use the uperboard /// connected to a U B hub as the power requirements are different than a direct
port.
Once you have the power source connected, you can attach your monitor or TV to the uperboard /// with a
standard composite video cable. Most modern TV’s have a composite input located on the back of the TV. Plug
your RCA style cable into the back of your TV or monitor and locate the video connector as shown and plug
your cable (not supplied) into the uperboard ///.
Now you are ready to test your uperboard ///. Make sure your TV or monitor is turned on and slide the switch
on the uperboard /// to the ON position. The red LED below the switch should light up and a screen of garbage
should appear. If you do not see the random garbage screen, or the LED is not lit, turn the replica 1 off and
recheck your work.
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With the uperboard /// powered on, LED is lit up and garbage is on the screen, you need to RE ET the system
board to begin operation. Make sure the HIFT LOCK key is in the down position and press and hold BREAK
for 3 seconds. After 3 seconds, release the key and the screen will clear and you will get a message at the
bottom of the screen that says:
D/C/W/M ?_
For BA IC you want to choose option C. For a simple memory editor type M. For now, we want to press C. If
shift lock is down you will get the next prompt:
MEMORY SIZE?_
This is the first question asked by Microsoft BA IC. Here you can enter how much memory you want to put
aside for BA IC. The best answer is to just press RETURN. This will scan how much memory the system has
and use as much as possible for BA IC. After pressing RETURN the system will prompt it's next question:
TERMINAL WIDTH? _
This question is a general question that Microsoft BA IC originally asked to determine how wide the print
screen should be. By pressing RETURN you move on and the default is 72 characters wide. When a BA IC
line of code prints 73 wide, it will print it on the next line.
After this response if all goes well, you get the following display:
31999 BYTES FREE
OSI 6502 BASIC VERSION 1
.0 REV 3.2
COPYRIGHT 1977 BY MICROS
OFT CO.
OK
_
Notice that the screen cuts off at 24 characters to ensure all characters showed up on the display. At this point
your uperboard /// is up and running and ready for input. If you want to make a simple program type this in:
10 PRINT “HELLO WORLD “;
20 GOTO 10
RUN
When you type in RUN and press RETURN “HELLO WORLD “ will spit out all over the screen and scroll
continuously. To stop it, simply press CTRL and C to stop the program.
If you make a mistake, RUB OUT does not backspace, you will have to retype the line. Ah, the joys of the old
micro computers. You are now ready to explore the uperboard /// and all its wonders.
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