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Computers
In The Beginning
Acorn BBC Master 128
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Acorn BBC Master 128 [Acorn User] [The Micro User]. CPU: The chip at the heart of things is the 65C12, a CMOS version of the 6502 clocked at 2 MHz. RAM: 64K main memory plus 64K sideways RAM in four 16K pages. 50 bytes of this is battery backed with 10 bytes available to the user. Available RAM isn't affected by the filing system. ROM: A huge 128K chip contains the Operating System and bundled software. The OS has extended graphics commands allowing colour mixing and also includes terminal software.
The bundled software comprises: BBC Basic v 4.0 (enhanced Basic), Edit utility, View v 3.0, Viewsheet, ADFS (double density), 1770 DFS (B+ compatible). There are also three internal sockets, each of which can take ROMs up to 256K. Input/Output: All the standard BBC ports are available, although re-arranged. The fully-buffered tube is divided into an external tube and an internal tube (to service the upgrade boards). There is also a phono socket. In addition the cartridge sockets provide a 2MHz bus, Video Genlock and sound input and output capability. Keyboard: Normal BBC keyobard layout but with the positioning of the Break and cursor keys improved. The Break key can be locked mechanically and the whole keyboard is even more robust than previous models. There is also a 20 key numeric pad. The character set can be redefined without loss of user RAM. Display: All eight standard modes are available plus eight shadow modes. The UHF output has been improved to allow 80 column screens to appear clearly on a domestic television. Real time clock: Battery backed, this gives time, day, date and year data to Basic and the OS. Econet: Optional network interface plus 16K Advanced Network Filing System ROM.
Acorn BBC Master 128
06-04-2004