Intertec Data Systems SUPERBRAIN II Jr User manual

NOTICE
All statements, program listings, technical information and recommendations with
respect to the product described in this manual, the accuracy or completeness thereof
is neither guaranteed nor warranted by Intertec Data Systems Corporation.
Intertec Data Systems Corporation reserves the right to make improvements in the
product described
in this manual at any time without notice.
CONFIDENTIAL
AND
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
Information presented in this manual is furnished for customer reference only and is
subject to change.
This document
is the property of Intertec Data Systems Corporation, Columbia, South
Carolina, and contains confidential and trade secret information. This information may
not
be transferred from the custody or control of Intertec except as authorized by
Intertec and then only by way of loan for limited purposes. It must not be reproduced in
whole or in part and must be returned to Intertec upon request and in all events upon
completion of the purpose of the loan.
Neither this document nor the information it contains may be used or disclosed to
persons not having a need for such use or disclosure consistent with the purpose of
the loan without
the prior express written consent of Intertec.
COPYRIGHT 1982

USERS MANUAL FOR
INTERTEC'S
SUPE~BRI\INTM II
VIDEO COMPUTER SYSTEM
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This version of the SuperBrain Users Manual is intended for use with the SuperBrain II
Jr, SuperBrain II QD, or SuperBrain II SD Video Computer Systems.
Document No. 6831010
June, 1982
This equipment complies with the requirements in Part 15 of FCC Rules for a Class A
computing device. Operation of this equipment
in a residential area may cause unac-
ceptable interference to radio and TV reception requiring the operator to take
whatever steps are necessary to correct the interference.

SUPERBRAIN II
USERS
MANUAL REVISION
RECORD
REV
DATE
APPROVAL SHEETS/SECTIONS EFFECTED
6831010
II

Section
1
Section
2
Section
3
Section
, 4
6831010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Proprietary Notice
Title Page, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , I
Manual Revision Record Sheet, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
II
Introduction, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1-1
System Specifications, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1-3
Internal Construction, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1-6
Theory of Operation, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,1-11
Installation and Operating Instructions, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2-1
Unpacking, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2-1
Set Up , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2-1
System Diskette, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,2-1
Reviewing the System
Diskette, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2-2
Duplicating the Operating Diskette, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2-3
Optional Software, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2-5
SUPERBRAIN II Software Summary
CP/M Summary, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-1
Intertec Utility Summary, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-2
CONFIGUR,COM, , ' , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,3-2
Vertical Scan Frequency, , . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-3
Disk Write Verification, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-3
Time Display EnablelDisable , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,3-3
Key Click EnablelDisable , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-3
Main and Aux Port Operation, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . , , , , , , , , , 3-3
Operating Mode, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-3
Baud Rate , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . , , , , , , , , , . , , , , , 3-3
N\Jmber of Sync Characters, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . , , , , , , ,3-4
Number of Stop
Bits, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,3-4
Character Length, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . , , , , , , 3-4
Parity, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-4
Handshaking, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-4
Sync, Character Value, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-4
Keypad Reprogramming, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-4
FORMAT.COM , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-5
HEXDUMP,COM , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-5
64KTEST.COM, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,3-6
TX,COM , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-6
RX,COM, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,3-8
TIME, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,3-8
DATE, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-8
Secondary CharacterSet
Option, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-9
CSEDIT,COM, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3-9
CSDUMP.COM, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,3-11
Miscellaneous Operational Information
Using the INP: and OUT: Features of PIP, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,4-1
Synchronous Communication, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 4-2
8251A USART Data Sheets, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
,4-5-4-20
Master Reset Feature, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 4-21
Cursor Control Keys, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,4-21
Accessing Time/Date
Data, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 4-21
III

IV
Appendix
A
Appendix
B
Appendix
C
Appendix
o
Appendix
E
Appendix
F
Appendix
G
Appendix
H
Appendix
J
Interfacing Information ............................................ 4-22
RS232C Serial Interface
.......................................... 4-22
BusAdaptor Interface
........................................... 4-22
Pin Connections for External Bus ................................. 4-22
Table of I/O Ports ............................................. 4-24
Autoload Feature ............................................... 4-25
Key Click
..................................................... 4-27
Key Repeat
.................................................... 4-27
Type-Ahead
................................................... 4-27
Controlling theVideo Display ...................................... 4-27
Escape Sequences
........................................... 4-28
Control Codes ............................................... 4-29
Video Attributes .............................................. 4-30
Cursor Positioning forDisplayControl
............................. 4-31
Memory Map/Screen Initialization ................................ 4-31
Interpreting the ASCII Code Chart ................................ 4-34
Control Code Chart ............................................ 4-34
WORDSTAR Considerations
.................................... 4-35
Introduction to CP/M Features & Facilities ............................ Appendix A
Operation of the CP/M Context Editor
................................ Appendix B
CP/M 2.0 Users Guide forCP/M 1.4Owners ........................... Appendix C
Operation of the CP/M Debugger ................................... Appendix D
Operation of the CP/M Assembler
................................... Appendix E
The CP/M 2.0 InterfaceGuide
...................................... Appendix F
The CP/M 2.0 System Alteration Guide
............................... Appendix G
Addendums
................................................... Appendix H
Hardware Addendums
...................................... Appendix H-1
SoftwareAddendums ...................................... Appendix H-2
Customer Information ............................................ Appendix J
Servicing Procedures
....................................... Appendix J-1
General Information forSuperBrain II Users ..................... Appendix J-2
6831010

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PURCHASE OF INTERTEC'S SUPERBRAIN II
VIDEO COMPUTER SYSTEM
Your new SuperBrain II Video Computer was manufactured at Intertec's new 120,000 square foot
plant in Columbia, South Carolina, under stringent quality control procedures to insure trouble-
free operation for many years. If you should encounter difficulties with the use or operation of
your terminal, contact the dealer from whom the unit was purchased for instructions regarding
the proper servicing techniques. If service cannot
be made available through your dealer,
contact Intertec's Customer Services Department at [phone].
As with all Intertec products, we would appreciate any comments you may have regarding your
evaluation and application of this equipment. For your convenience, we have enclosed a
customer comment card at the end of this manual. Please address your comments
to:
Product Services Manager
Intertec Data Systems Corporation
2300 Broad River Road
Columbia, South Carolina 29210
The SuperBrain II is distributed worldwide through a network of dealer/OEM vendors and through
Intertec's own marketing facilities. Contact us at [phone] (TWX -810-666-2115)
regarding your requirement for this and other Intertec products.
Intertec's new one hundred and twenty thousand square foot corporate and manufacturing facility in Columbia, South Carolina
6831010 V

THE SUPERBRAIN II VIDEO COMPUTER SYSTEM
VI
6831010

WILL THE MICROCOMPUTER YOU BUY TODAY
STILL
BE THE BEST MICROCOMPUTER BUY TOMORROW?
Probably the best test in determining how to spend your microcomputer dollar wisely is to
consider the overall versatility of your terminal purchase over the next three to five years. In the
fast-paced, ever-changing world of data communications, new features to increase operator and
machine efficiency are introduced into the marketplace daily. We at Intertec are acutely aware of
this rapid infusion of new ideas into the small systems business. As a result, we have designed
the SuperBrain II in such a manner as to virtually eliminate the possibility of obsolescence.
Many competitive alternatives to the SuperBrain II available today provide only limited capability
for high level programming and system expansion. Indeed, most low-cost microcomputer
systems presently available quickly become outdated because of the inability to expand the
system. Intertec, however, realizes that increased demands for more efficient utilization of
programming makes system expansion capability mandatory. That means a lot. Because the
more you use your SuperBrain II, the more you'll discover its adaptability to virtually any small
system requirement. Extensive use of "software-oriented" design concepts instead of
conventional "hardware" designs assure you of compatibility with almost any application for
which you intend to use the SuperBrain II.
Once you read our operator's manual and try out some of the features described herein, we are
confident that you too will agree with our "top performance- bottom dollar" approach to
manufacturing. The SuperBrain II offers you many more extremely flexible features at a lower
cost than any other microcomputer we know of on the market today. The use of newly developed
technologies, efficient manufacturing processes and consumer-oriented marketing programs
enables us to be the firstand only major manufacturer to offer such an incredible breakthrough in
the microcomputer marketplace.
Browse through our operator's manual and sit down in front of a SuperBrain II for a few hours.
Then, let us know what you think about our new system. There is a customer comment card
enclosed in this manual for your convenience.
Thank you for selecting the SuperBrain II as your choice for a microcomputer system. We hope
you will be selecting it many more times in the future.
6831010
VII

VIII
*** IMPORTANT***
Do not attempt to write or save programs on your system diskette. It has been 'write
protected' by placing a small adhesive aluminum strip over the notch on the right hand
side of the diskette. Such attempts will result in a 'WRITE' or 'BAD SECTOR' error.
Before using your SuperBrain II, please copy the System Diskette onto a new blank
diskette. If you do not have such a diskette, contact your local dealer. He should be·
able to supply you with one. If you have any questions concerning this procedure,
please contact your dealer before proceeding. Failure to do so may result in perma-
nent damage to your System Diskette.
BEFORE APPLYING POWER TO THE MACHINE INSURE THAT NO DISKETIES ARE
INSERTED INTO THE MACHINE. NEVER TURN THE MACHINE ON OR OFF WITH
DISKETIES INSERTED IN IT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS PRECAUTION WILL MOST
DEFINITELY RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE DISKETIES.
6831010

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION
SuperBrain II
Users Manual
Introduction
The Superbrain II Video Computer System represents the latest technological advances in the
microprocessor industry. The universal adaptability of the SuperBrain CP/M* Disk Operating
System satisfies the general purpose requirement for a low cost, high performance
microcomputer system.
From the standpoint of human engineering, the SuperBrain II has been designed to minimize
operator fatigue through the use of a typewriter-oriented keyboard and a remarkably clear
display. The SuperBrain II displays a total of 1,920 characters arranged in 24 lines with 80
characters per line. The video display characters can be varied between a primary and
secondary character set. Blinking, half-intensity, underlining, and reverse video are user
selectable display options. The video display is crisp and sharp due to Intertec's own specially
designed video driver circuitry. And, the high quality, non-glare etched CRT face plate featured on
every SuperBrain II assures ease of viewing and uniformity of brightness throughout the entire
screen.
The SuperBrain II's unique internal design assures users of exceptional performance for just a
fraction of what they would expect to pay for such "big system" capabilities. The SuperBrain II
utilizes a single board "microprocessor" design which combines all processor, RAM, ROM, disk
controller, and communications electronics on the same printed circuitboard. This type of design
engineering enables the SuperBrain II to deliver superior, competitive performance.
Standard features of every SuperBrain II include: two mini-floppy disk drives with up to 1.5
megabytes formatted disk storage, 64K of dynamic RAM memory, recognized CP/M* Disk
Operating System featuring its own text editor, an assembler for assembly language
programming, a program debugger and a disk formatter. Also standard are dual universal RS232
communication ports for serial data transmission between a host computer network via modem
or an auxiliary serial printer. A number of transmission rates up to 9600 baud are available and
selectable under program control.
Other standard features of the SuperBrain II include: special operator convenience keys, dual
"restart" keys to insure simplified user operation, a full numeric keypad complement (whose
values can be user reassigned by software), and a high quality typewriter compatible keyboard.
Additionally, a real time clock is incorporated for time/date display and is user accessible.
For reliability, the SuperBrain II has been designed around five (5) basic modules packaged in an
aesthetically pleasing desk-top unit. These major components are: the Keyboard/CPU module,
the power supply module, the CRT assembly, the transition board, and the disk drivesthemselves.
Failure of any component within the terminal may be corrected by simply replacing only the
defective module. Individual modules are fastened to the chassis in such a manner to facilitate
easy removal and reinstallation.
Terminal down-time can be greatly minimized by simply "swapping-out" one of the modules and
having component level repair performed at one of Intertec's Service Centers. Spare modules
may be purchased from an Intertec marketing office to support those customers who maintain
their own "in-house" repair facilities.
The SuperBrain II cover assembly is exclusively manufactured "in-house" by Intertec. A high-
impactstructural-foam material is covered with a special "felt-like" paint to enhance the overall
appearance. Since the cover assembly is injected-molded, there is virtually no possibility of
cracks and disfigurations in the cover itself. By manufacturing and finishing the cover assembly
in-house, Intertec is able to specify only high quality material on the external and internal cover
components of your SuperBrain II to insure unparalleled durability over the years to come.
'CPM is a registered trademark of Digital Research
6831010
1-1

SuperBrain II
Users Manual
Introduction
A wide variety of programming tools and options are either planned or available for the
SuperBrain II. Software development tools available from Intertec include Basic'(standard) and
Fortran (qptional) programming languages. A wide variety of applications packages (general
ledger, accounts receivable, payroll, inventory, word processing, etc.) are available to operate
under SuperBrain
II CP/M Disk Operating System from leading software vendors in the industry.
Disk storage capability
is expandable by interfacing the SuperBrain II to a rigid disk which
increases on-line storage to 10 megabytes or more.
The high performance ratio of the SuperBrain
II has rarely been equalled in this industry. By
employing innovative design techniques, the SuperBrain II is not only able to offer a competitive
price advantage but boasts many features found only
in systems costing three to five times as
much. The SuperBrain II twin Z80A microprocessors insure extremely fast program execution
E;lven when faced with the most difficult programming tasks. Additionally, each unit must pass a
grueling 48 hour burn-in before it is shipped to the customer. By combining advanced
microprocessor technology with in-house manufacturing capability and stringent quality control
requirements, your SuperBrain II should provide unparalleled reliability in any application into
which it is placed.
1-2 6831010

FEATURE
CPU
Microprocessors
Word Size
Execution Time
Machine Instructions
Interrupt Mode
FLOPPY DISK
Storage Capacity
(Formatted)
Data Transfer Rate
Average Access Time
Media
Disk Rotation
INTERNAL MEMORY
Dynamic
RAM
Static RAM
FIRMWARE
DAYIDATE CLOCK
CRT
Display Size
Display Format
6831010
SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS
DESCRIPTION
SuperBrain II
Users Manual
Introduction
Twin l80A's with 4MHl Clock Frequency. One l80A (the
host processor) performs all processor and screen related
functions. The second l80A is "down-loaded" by the host
to execute disk I/O.
8 bits
1.0 microsecond register to register
158
All interrupts are vectored
SuperBrain
II Jr -328 KB
SuperBrain II QD -680 KB
SuperBrain II SD -1.5 MB
250K bits/second
250 milliseconds. 6 milliseconds track-to-track.
51/.!-inch mirii-disk
300 RPM
64K bytes dynamic RAM
2048 bytes of static RAM is provided in addition to the main
processor
RAM. 1K x 8 of this RAM storage is used as a
disk buffer. The remaining
RAM is used for attribute
storage.
2K x 8 bytes standard. Allows "bootstrapping" of system at
power-on.
Provides continuous time display. Maintains time and date
information during power-off and compensates for
variances
in month/year lengths.
12 inch, specially focused, P4 phosphor, non-glare screen.
24 lines x 80 characters per line
1-3

SuperBrain II
Users Manual
Introduction
FEATURE
Character Font
Display Presentation
Bandwidth
Cursor
COMMUNICATIONS
Screen Data Transfer
Auxiliary Interface
Main Interface
Transparent Mode
Parity
Transmission Mode
Addressable Cursor
SYSTEM UTILITIES
Disk Operating System
DOS Software
BASIC
OPTIONAL SOFTWARE
Languages
1-4
SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS (continued)
DESCRIPTION
5 x 7 character matrix (with descenders) on a 7 x 10
character field. All displayed characters are derived from
character sets stored
on interchangeable EPROMS.
Light characters on a dark background. Blinking, half-
intensity, underlining, reverse video attributes standard;
optional on-line secondary Character/Graphic set.
20 MHZ
Reversed image (block cursor)
Memory-mapped at 38 kilobaud.
Simplified RS-232 asynchronous. Parallel interface
available. Baud rates are software selectable from 50 to
9600 baud.
Universal RS-232 asynchronous. Synchronous interface
switch selectable. Baud rates are software selectable from
50 to 9600 baud.
Enables display of all incoming and outgoing control codes.
Choice of even, odd, none
Half or Full Duplex. One, one and one-half, or two stop bits.
Direct positioning by either discrete or absolute
addressing.
CP/M 2.2
An 8080 disk assembler, debugger, text editor and file
handling utilities.
Sequential and random disk access. Full string
manipulation, interpreter.
FORTRAN; ANSI standard with relocatable, random and
sequential disk access. Additionally, any user furnished
CP/M compatible software package that can reside in 52K
of memory.
6831010

SuperBrain II
Users Manual
Introduction
SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS (continued)
FEATURE
Application Packages
KEYBOARD
Alphanumeric Character Set
Special Features
Numeric
Pad
Cursor Control
INTERNAL CONSTRUCTION
Cabinetry
Component Layout
ENVIRONMENT
Weight
Physical Dimensions
Environment
Power Requirements
6831010
DESCRIPTION
Extensive software development tools are a\(ailable
including software for the following applications: Payroll,
Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Inventory
Control, General Ledger and Word Processing. Contact
an
Intertec Sales Office for complete details.
Generates all 128 upper and lower case
ASCII characters.
N-key Rollover, type ahead, and key repeat
0-9, decimal point, comma, minus and four cursor control
keys. Reprogrammable to other values for individual
applications.
Up, down, forward, backward
Structural foam
Five board modular design. All processor related functions,
RAM, controllers and keyboard are on a single printed
circuit board. All video, chaining, and power related circuits
on separate boards.
Approximately 45 pounds
14-5/8"
(H) x 21-3/8" (W) x 23-1/8" (D)
Operating 0° to 50° Storage: 0° to 85° C; 10 to 95%
relative humidity - non condensing.
115
VAC, 60 HZ, 1 AMP (optional 230 VAC/50HZ model
available)
1-5

SuperBrain II
Users Manual
Introduction
INTERNAL CONSTRUCTION
Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the SuperBrain II is its modular construction using only
five major subassemblies which are clearly defined in their respective functions so as to facilitate
ease of construction and repair. These five subassemblies are shown and described below.
1-6
6831010