RCA CDP18S711 manual Getting Started, What This Manual Covers

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1. Getting Started

COSMAC VIP (Video Interface Processor) CDP18S711 is a complete computer on a single printed-circuit card. It includes the following:

*RCA CDP1802 Microprocessor (91 instructions) *2048-byte RAM

*Built-in hex keyboard (modern reliable touchpad type)

*Graphic video display interface (standard video output)

*100-byte-per-second audio cassette interface *Regulated power supply (wall-pack type) *Crystal clock

*Sound circuits (for signal tones and games)

*512-byte ROM operating system *Comprehensive documentation

*20 ready-to-use video game programs

*Unique CHIP-8 language (31 easy-to-use in- structions)

*On-card RAM expansion up to 40% bytes *On-card parallel 1/0 port

*Connector for extensive external expansion capability

COSMAC VIP was designed for home hobby use. Just add an inexpensive video display and an audio cassette recorder for program storage. You don't need expensive, hidden extras such as power supply, computer terminal, external keyboard, or additional RAM. COSMAC VIP provides everything needed for years of creative computer fun for the whole family. With COSMAC VIP you're immediately ready to play video games, experiment with computer art or animation, write your own programs with a new language called CHIP-8, or get hands-on experience using machine language.

With COSMAC VIP you can easily create pictures on the display screen and move them around. This feature is invaluable for video games and not usually available with computers costing several times as much. The software you need to use your computer is provided free instead of at added cost or not at all. Simplified operation was a primary design goal so that you don't have to waste a lot of time learning and remembering complex operating procedures. COSMAC VIP uses state-of-the-art devices coupled with an efficient design. Full expansion capability allows you to inexpensively tailor COSMAC VIP to specific applications such as model railroad control, music synthesis, or color graphics. You will soon.dis cover that COSMAC VIP provides a refreshingly new, lower-cost alternative to conventional computers which have been aimed more toward mathematics and business than fun.

What This Manual Covers

T'his manual serves several purposes. It lets you get started playing video games with minimum effort. just set up your system as described in this section and learn how to use the operating system and cassette interface as described in the next section. You can immediately use all the video games in Appendix D without going any further.

If you want to learn to write your own programs, Section III describes an easy language to start with called CHIP-8. Most of the programs in Appendix D were designed using this language. CHIP-8 looks somewhat like machine language but is quicker to learn and easier to use than many of the more common high-level languages. It also requires much less RAM, which save8 you a lot of money.

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Contents Page RCA COSMAC VIP CDP18S711 Instruction Manual VIP-311ACKNOWLEDGMENT Contents Contents Continued 1. Getting Started What This Manual CoversThe Power Supply What You See Turning It On1. Getting Started Using the Operating System 11.COSMAC VIP OperationMemory Write Memory Read Tape WriteTape Read Testing Your Cassette System 11.COSMAC VIP OperationHow to Change and Use the Variables III.CHIP-8Language ProgrammingBranch Instructions Using the Display Instructions 0206 D125 SHOW 5MI@VlV2 0208 1208 GO 020A F090 III. CHIP-8 Language Programming0200 A20A I=020A 0202 6100 V1=00 0204 6200 V2=00 020C F090 020E F000Applying CHIP-8 Some Program Ideas 111. CHIP-8Language Programming25.PROGRAMMED SPOT - Introduce children to programming concepts by letting them preprogram the movements of a spot or object on the screen IV. Machine Language Programming VIP Machine CodingMachine Language Programming Summed Up V. Logic Description How Memory Is AddressedHow the Input/Output Works pressed. A 62 machine instruction causes the least significant 4 bits of memory byte to be latched into U13. These 4 bits are decoded to bring one of the 16 U13 output lines low. If the key that corresponds to this output line is pressed, the CDPI802 EF3 input will go low. The 4-bitcodes latched into U13 correspond to the equivalent key positions. After the program send8 a 4-bitcode to U13, it subsequently examines the EF3 line to see if the key corresponding to this code is pressed or not. In this manner, a program can determine when any specific key is pressed or can sequentially scan all keys while waiting for any one to be pressed. Key debounce delays must be provided in the program when required. A program can also cause a speaker tone to occur when a key is pressed. Only one key at a time should be pressed with this method of interfacing the keyboard Using the Byte Input/Output V1. Expansion Considerations and ConnectionsUsing the Expansion Interface Some Expansion IdeasI RCA COSMAC VIP Instruction Manual Pin Signal V1. Expansion Considerations and ConnectionsTable III - External Option Terminal Connections 2.Composing poetry or pictures with printer output Signal Tracing VIL Troubleshooting HintsOther Problems No SoundLast Resorts Appendix A - Test and Operating Data Byte Pattern for Displaying COSMACBeeper Program Cassette Attachment Diagram Cassette Phase Test SignalsTest Program Cassette Data Test Cassette Recording Guidelines Memory Test ProgramAppendix B - Operating System Operating System ListingOperating System Register Table Operating System SummaryR3 = Machine Language Subroutine Program Counter Appendix C - CHIP-8Interpreter CHIP-8Interpreter ListingCHIP-8Memory Map CDP1802 Register Use for CHIP-8Interpreter Appendix C - CHIP-8Interpreter CHIP-8User Notes RCA COSMAC VIP Instruction ManualPage 1. VIP Kaleidoscope 2. VIP Video Display Drawing Game Fig. E-1Microprocessor and Display Interface Appendix E - Logic DiagramsFig. E-5Power Supply Circuit and Byte CircuitsPage Fig. E-2- ROM Circuits and Expansion Interface Appendix E - Logic DiagramsPage Fig. E-4- RAM Circuits Appendix E - Logic DiagramsRCA COSMAC VIP Instruction Manuel RCA COSMAC VIP Instruction Manual 2.Parts List for RCA COSMAC VIP CDP18S711 Board Layout, Parts List, and Expansion NotesAppendix F 1.Printed Circuit Board LayoutRCA COSMAC VIP Instruction Manual Page 2. Parts List for RCA COSMAC VIP CDP18S711 Page RCA COSMAC VIP Instruction Manual Resistors - Supplied 1 /4 W except as notedPage 3. COSMAC VIP Expansion Notes
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