TI99/4A Computer Book

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CHAPTER NINE

PERIPHERALS

SYSTEMS:
The original expansion system comprised separate peripherals, each with their own power supply, which plugged into the right hand side of the computer and each other.
As the number of peripherals increased, this resulted in a number of electric supply cables, and the need for a very long desk.

Hence TI produced the PERIPHERAL EXPANSION BOX, which plugs into the right hand side of the console by means of a cable. It has its own power supply, but this is used for all the peripherals placed in it.
The TI BOX (as we shall call it) is supplied with a single interface 'card' which merely allows it to be connected to the 99/4a.
The 'cards' used in the Box are far more than the usual printed circuit board usually associated with expansion systems: each card is inside a strong metal sub chassis. The box itself is also very strong (and heavy) metal.

The box has space for a single disk drive, although it may be possible to use two low power 'half size' drives mounted side by side. TI do not provide half size drives and you will need to have a well informed and helpful dealer if you wish to fit them.

The standard TI Disk Drive is a single sided single density drive which uses soft sectored disks with 40 tracks. Each disk can store about 90k of information, and each disk can contain up to 127 named files.
To operate the disk drive you need the DISK CONTROLLER card, which is supplied with a DISK MANAGER module. The controller card can operate up to three disk drives: the second and third must have their own power supply and case, and are used outside the Box.
The Disk Manager allows you to test your disks, initialise them, change file and disk names, and provide a catalogue of disk contents.
You can use double density disks, but the computer will only use them as single density.
It is possible to modify the controller so that a double sided disk drive can be used, with the second side treated as DISK 2.
A Disk Manager 2 module and double sided drive have also been announced from TI, but are not available at the time of writing.

A disk system allows you to load and save programs or data much faster than from cassette. Also, because a disk does not have to be read in the same order it was saved, random access files are possible, for faster and more powerful data handling.

A program may be LISTed to disk as well as SAVEd to disk. A LISTed program is placed on disk in DISPLAY VARIABLE 80 format, and may be used with the TI WRITER module.

Extended Basic permits a program to be saved in MERGE format, to allow programs to be merged into each other, and also allows yu to manipulate the program : you may create utilities which remove REM lines, or shorten variable names for instance.

Also with Extended Basic, a disk system will allow you to load a program which exceeds the 12k allowed under the cassette loading system.

MEMORY EXPANSION
TI Emulator includes emulation of the 32k ram
The 32k MEMORY EXPANSION CARD adds 32k of CPU RAM to your system. It is NOT usable unless a suitable module is used.
Extended Basic programs may be up to 24k when the 32k expansion is fitted, but the tape loader can only load programs up to 12k.
However, with Extended Basic, when the 32k is fitted, in addition to the 24k for your program, you have about 13k for storing variables. Thus you may load a 12k tape program and not have to worry about the memory used for variables (for example, large arrays of data).
Also with Extended Basic, 8k is available to load machine code into, such as some of the TI module games (loaded from disk) or the utility programs which are becoming available.

The memory expansion is available to the Editor Assembler and the Mini Memory modules for loading longer machine code programs from disk.
The Mini Memory can use the memory expansion as a data file.

Some TI Modules (such as Editor Assembler) require that the 32k be connected.

NB: The Personal Record Keeping module CANNOT use the 32k memory.
In extended basic a very small increase in speed is produced by using the 32k memory.

PRINTERS
The RS232 card is required to connect the computer to a printer.
TI Emulator directs output to PIO to PC Port LPT1
A number of independent suppliers are producing programs and hardware to permit printers to be connected without the box and RS232 card, but you should look closely at what their products can do, and try to see them working with your printer.

The TI RS232 card provides a potential three interfaces, two serial and one parallel.
A SERIAL connection is one in which the signal is sent one bit at a time. As a single letter is defined in one BYTE (8 bits) a serial interface has to break that down and send the bits one at a time.
The standard serial interface is known as RS232, and implies a standard connector and standard pin connections in that connector. However, there are variations in usage.
The TI RS232 interface permits you to set certain options in your Basic program, allowing a range of printers to be used.
However, some printers have serial interfaces which operate at different signal levels, and you should always try to see a printer working with the 99/4A before you buy.
There are a number of options available with the TI RS232 card, and you may need to check with your dealer the correct options to use with your printer.
The following are the options available with the RS232 interface:

           BAUD RATE (eg speed): 110,300,600,1200,2400,4800, or 9600
           DATA BITS: 7 or 8
           PARITY: Odd, Even or None
           TWO STOP BITS: used or not
           NULLS: used or not
           CHECK PARITY: performed or not
           ECHO: on or off
           CRLF: on or off
           LF:   on or off.

These options should allow you to interface to almost any serial printer. The RS232 interface is bidirectional and can be used (if you have a P.O. approved modem) to link consoles by telephone for the exchange of programs or data. It is possible for data to be passed in both directions simultaneously using the RS232 interface.

For many printers, an RS232 interface is an option available at extra cost : the standard interface is PARALLEL. A parallel interface sends one byte at a time, and operates only in one direction. The TI RS232 card can send data at about 28000 Baud when using the parallel signal output, but the limitation will be the receiving device.
There are fewer options needed on the parallel interface, as a new signal is only sent when the printer tells the computer it is ready for it by means of a 'handshaking' signal. It is possible to turn on or off the echo, automatic carriage return and automatic line feed features. Your choice will depend on the needs of your printer.
A few printers have a buffer memory, or one may be added: this allows the computer to send its data to the buffer and then carry on with your program, and your program continues while the printer takes data from the buffer and prints out your text.

NB: Although Centronics compatible, the TI parallel output uses a slightly different pin out, and your dealer will have to make a special cable for you. Ensure the printer you buy will work with your computer, before buying.

You DO NOT have to purchase the TI Printer. Most printers will work with the RS232 card.

SPEECH SYNTHESISER
TI Emulator emulates the speech of Extended Basic via Soundblaster
The speech synthesiser has already been touched on in the discussions of Extended Basic and the Terminal Emulator Two modules.
The Speech Synthesiser requires a module to function. Some of the newer games modules (such as Parsec and Alpiner) use it, and you may use it in your own programs:
In TI BASIC: with Terminal Emulator 2 or Speech Editor
In Extended Basic: with the Extended Basic module.

Both Extended Basic and Speech Editor have limited vocabularies, but it is possible to extend them slightly by adding words together or curtailing them.

Terminal Emulator 2 gives the fastest and most realistic speech and permits pitch and emphasis to be changed.

A number of small companies are showing an interest in producing peripherals for the TI99/4A. These may be cheaper than the TI equivalent, but you must ensure that they satisfy your requirements before you buy, as they may not have all of the TI features.
You should always try to see any third party peripheral working with the computer before you buy.

Many printers now permit you to "download" a screen display, using '8 pin bit image mode'. Most of the EPSON range of printers permit this for instance.
Programs to USE these facilities are rare however, and one is therefore given below.
This is in TI BASIC, but requires the MINI MEMORY MODULE to function. The program will also run in EXTENDED BASIC.

Because the printer defines its characters vertically, but the computer defines its characters horizontally, this program will produce a picture of the screen on its edge : it is easier to do this than to rotate the image.

If the screen contains only text there is no advantage to using this program: Use GCHAR to obtain the characters and PRINT them one row at a time.

This program will print the characters as they appear on screen: i.IN BLACK ONLY. ON pixels are printed,off pixels are not. ii.Sprites are not copied.

If your printer prints a pound sign below, it is really a CHR35, which in TI Emulator is shift 3.

Using square brackets in a variable name is legal!

100 OPEN #1:"PIO.CRLF"
110 REM  OR EQUIVALENT RS232 FILE NAME
120 PRINT #1:CHR$(27);"A";CHR$(8)
130 FOR [A=1 TO 32
140 PRINT #1:CHR$(27);"K";CHR$(192);CHR$(0)
150 FOR [B=24 TO 1 STEP -1
160 CALL GCHAR([B,[A,[CHAR)
170 IF [CHAR<33 THEN 300
180 CALL CHARPAT([CHAR,DEF$)
190 IF DEF$="0000000000000000" THEN 300
200 FOR [SEG=16 TO 2 STEP -2
210 [HEX=ASC(SEG$(DEF$,[SEG,1))
220 GOSUB 430
230 [PRINTDEF=[HEX
240 [HEX=ASC(SEG$(DEF$,[SEG-1,1))
250 GOSUB 430
260 [PRINTDEF=[PRINTDEF+[HEX*16
270 PRINT #1:CHR$([PRINTDEF);
280 NEXT [SEG
290 GOTO 340
300 FOR []=1 TO 7
310 PRINT #1:CHR$(0);
320 NEXT []
330 PRINT #1:CHR$(0)
340 NEXT [B
350 PRINT #1:CHR$(13);CHR$(10)
360 NEXT [A
370 PRINT #1:CHR$(27);"@"
380 PRINT #1:CHR$(7)
390 CLOSE #1
400 REM  NOW GO WHERE YOU WISH
410 REM  USING RETURN OR GO TO AS APPROPRIATE
420 STOP
430 [HEX=[HEX-48+([HEX>64)*7
440 RETURN
450 END

To permit the routine to be added to any program, the square bracket has been used in front of each variable: [. The [ is accepted as a valid character in variable names.

ESC K {CHR$(27);"K"} is used in the Epson printer, and some others, to select: 'Normal density 8 pin bit image mode'


 
 
             GLOSSARY
 
          ARRAY.         A collection of variables referenced by a
                         subscripted number.
          ASCII.        'American Standard Code for Information
                         Interchange' - standard code numbers for the
                         characters used by the computer.
          BASIC.         'Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction
                         Code'. An easy to use and widely used type of
                         programming language.
          BAUD.          'Bits per second'- refers to the speed at which
                         data is transferred to and from the computer.
          BINARY.        Our normal numbering system is DIGITAL, and uses
                         numbers 0 to 9. A BINARY system uses only
                         numbers 0 and 1 ,or OFF and ON. The computer
                         works internally with signals which are OFF or
                         ON.
          BUG            An error in a program, which causes incorrect or
                         unwanted operation.
          BYTE.          A group of 8 binary numbers (called BITS) used
                         in computing to represent a character or
                         command. Also used as a means of measuring a
                         computers memory capacity.
          CONSTANT       Used to describe a number or STIRNG, and
                         distinct from a VARIABLE.
          CURSOR         A flashing character used by the computer to
                         indicate that it is waiting for an input.
          DISK           A mass storage device used to store programs and
                         data files.
          FILE           A collection of data records.
          HEXADECIMAL    A numbering system with base 16. Instead of
                         using number 0 to 9, it uses numbers 0 to 15,
                         but letters A to F are used instead of 10 to 15.
          LOOP           A program line, or lines, which are performed a
                         specified number of times.
          PROGRAM        A series of commands which tell the computer
                         what to do.
          RAM            'Random Access Memory'.Tempory storage in the
                         computer, used for your programs. The contents
                         are not retained when the console is switched
                         off.
          RECORD         A collection of data elements. A group of
                         records form a FILE.
          RESERVED WORD  A word used by the computer as a command or
                         function. Such words cannot be used as variable
                         names.
          ROM            Read Only Memory. Permanent memory which retains
                         its contents when the console is switched off.
                         Contains the operating system of the computer.
          RUN            An instruction to the computer to execute a
                         program in its memory.
          SCROLL         Movement of the screen display by one line
                         upwards.
          SOFTWARE       A name given to computer PROGRAMS.
          STRING         A series of letters, numbers or symbols, treated
                         as a single unit. A single number may be treated
                         as a number OR as a string but cannot be both at
                         once. 2 is a number. "2" is a string.
          VARIABLE       A name or label which has a value which may be
                         altered during a program.

APPENDICES

KEY CODES

It is sometimes useful to enter ASCII codes from the keyboard outside the usual range - for instance when PRINTing a line of defined characters.

By switching the computer to PASCAL mode, using CALL KEY(4,A,B), the range of codes available is increased.

Although the usual function codes (eg cursor control) are deactivated in Pascal mode, upper and lower case characters are not affected.

The following table gives the codes available in PASCAL mode. The keys to be pressed are indicated thus:

           A = Key A only
          FA = FCTN and A together.
          CA = CTRL and A together.
          SA = SHIFT and A together.
 
 
        CODE:     KEYS:         CODE:     KEYS:           CODE:     KEYS:
        0         C,            48-57     0-9             187       C/
        1         CA            58        S;              188       F0
        2         CB            59        ;               189       F;
        3         CC            60        S,              190       FB
        4         CD            61        =               191       FH
        5         CE            62        S.              192       FJ
        6         CF            63        FI              193       FK
        7         CG            64        S2              194       FL
        8         CH            65-90     A-Z             195       FM
        9         CI            91        FR              196       FN
        10        CJ            92        FZ              197       na
        11        CK            93        FT              198       FY
        12        CL            94        S6              199-      na
        13        CM            95        FU
        14        CN            96        FC
        15        CO            97-122    a-z
        16        CP            123       FF              To use:
        17        CQ            124       FA              ENTER PASCAL
        18        CR            125       FG              MODE WITH
        19        CS            126       FW              CALL KEY(4...
        20        CT            127       FV
        21        CU            128       na              AFTER THAT
        22        CV            129       F7              USE THE KEYS
        23        CW            130       na              INDICATED AND
        24        CX            131       F1              THAT
        25        CY            132       F2              CHARACTER WILL
        26        CZ            133       na              BE PRINTED:
        27        C.            134       F8              IT MAY NOT BE
        28        C;            135       F3              VISIBLE IF YOU
        29        C=            136       FS              HAVE NOT DEFINED
        30        C8            137       FD              IT.
        31        C9            138       FX
        32       SPACE          139       FE
        33        S1            140       F6
        34        FP            141       na
        35        S3            142       F5
        36        S4            143       F9
        37        S5            144-176   na
        38        S7            177       C1
        39        FO            178       C2
        40        S9            179       C3
        41        S0            180       C4
        42        S8            181       C5
        43        S=            182       C6
        44        ,             183       C7
        45        S/            184       F,
        46        .             185       F.
        47        /             186       F/

In the section on advanced programming the use of single byte control codes in explained. The following are the meanings of the various codes. NB:They are not all available in TI Basic or Extended Basic.

          CODE; MEANING:                  CODE: MEANING:
          129   ELSE                      193   +
          130   :: (Ex Bas Separator)     194   -
          131   ! (Ex Bas tail rem)       195   *
          132   IF                        196   /
          133   GO                        197   ^
          134   GOTO                      198   unknown
          135   ??                        199   'string follows'
          136   ??                        200   'number follows'
                                                 ALSO used with CALLs.
          137   DEF                       201   LINE NUMBER FOLLOWS
          138   DIM                       202   EOF
          139   END                       203   ABS
          140   FOR                       204   ATN
          141   LET                       205   COS
          142   BREAK                     206   EXP
          143   UNBREAK                   207   INT
          144   TRACE                     208   LOG
          145   UNTRACE                   209   SGN
          146   INPUT                     210   SIN
          147   DATA                      211   SQR
          148   RESTORE                   212   TAN
          149   RANDOMIZE                 213   LEN
          150   NEXT                      214   CHR$
          151   READ                      215   RND
          152   STOP                      216   SEG$
          153   DELETE                    217   POS
          154   REM                       218   VAL
          155   ON                        219   STR$
          156   PRINT                     220   ASC
          157   CALL                      221   PI
          158   OPTION                    222   REC
          159   OPEN                      223   MAX
          160   CLOSE                     224   MIN
          161   SUB                       225   RPT$
          162   DISPLAY                   226-231 Not known
          163   IMAGE                     232   NUMERIC
          164   IMAGE                     233   DIGIT
          165   ERROR                     234   UALPHA
          166   WARNING                   235   SIZE
          167   SUBEXIT                   236   ALL
          168   SUBEND                    237   USING
          169   RUN                       238   BEEP
          170   LINPUT                    239   ERASE
          171-175 Not known               240   AT
          176   THEN                      241   BASE
          177   TO                        242   Not known
          178   STEP                      243   VARIABLE
          179   ,                         244   RELATIVE
          180   ;                         245   INTERNAL
          181   :                         246   SEQUENTIAL
          182   )                         247   OUTPUT
          183   (                         248   UPDATE
          184   &                         249   APPEND
          185   Not known                 250   FIXED
          186   OR                        251   PERMANENT
          187   AND                       252   TAB
          188   XOR                       253   # (for files)
          189   NOT                       254   VALIDATE
          190   =
          191   <
          192   >

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