It has an option to Get or Send a disk to serial, you need the Python programs transdisk.py (and transfile for xmodem trasnfer) on the PC side for that.
The CP/M examples are not that difficult to install.įor the AltairDOS version it is wise to study the emu menu. The FABGL library offers two CP/M emulators, an Altair emulator and a CP/M 3 The ESP32 is a powerful system, and running a CP/M emulator is withingn its capabilities.
I use the serial terminal on my MBC-2 and MBC-V20, it is a “plug on” solution and functions fine with a real PS/2 keyboard. While the library may look very sparsely documented, there is a large collection of youtube tutorials and examples available made by the author:
German, Italian, UK and US keyboard layouts. Supports following terminal types: ANSI, VTxxx, ADM 3A, ADM 31, Hazelttine 1500, Osborne, Kaypro ant VT52.This is a serial terminal based on FabGL library. Having the SD card connector makes extra things possible, like the Altair8800 and otrh CP/M emulator, see below. Includes PCB, ESP32-WROOM-32 and all required components and connectors already assembled.PS/2 port pullups connected to 3.3v instead of 5V to reduce ADC noise.additional four pins header with RX (5V), TX (5V), GND and VCC (5V).TX must be disconnected when programming the board. This is configurable (and be disabled) using jumpers (see UART PATH) allowing TX on GPIO2 or GPIO12 and RX on GPIO34. 5V logic level converter to have 5V compatible serial port.three jumpers to select colors count (8 or 64).This is the reference board to develop and make new experiments with theE FabGL graphic library, which includes VGA output, Audio output, PS/2 Mouse and Keyboard input, Micro SD socket and Arduino style stackable headers. CPU just mixes audio channels and prepares waveforms.įabGL development board from fabgl on Tindie Each channel can generate sine waveforms, square, etc… or custom sampled data.Īudio output, like VGA output, is generated using DMA. There is a graphical user interface (GUI) with overlapping windows and mouse handling and a lot of widgets (buttons, editboxes, checkboxes, comboboxes, listboxes, etc.).įinally, there is a sound engine, with multiple channels mixed to a mono output. If the queue of primitives to draw is not processed before the vertical retracing ends, then it is interrupted and continued at next retracing. Except for double buffering or when explicitly disabled, all drawings are performed on vertical retracing (using VGA driver), so no flickering is visible. In this case primitives are always drawn on the back buffer. When there is enough memory (on low resolutions like 320×200), it is possible to allocate two screen buffers, so to implement double buffering. However big sprites and a large amount of them reduces the frame rate and could generate flickering. There are several fixed and variable width fonts embedded. Unlimited number of sprites are supported. VGA output requires a digital to analog converter (DAC): it can be done by three 270 Ohm resistors to have 8 colors, or by 6 resistors to have 64 colors. FabGL also implements: an Audio Engine, a Graphical User Interface (GUI), a Game Engine and an ANSI/VT Terminal.
ULP core handles PS/2 ports communications, leaving main CPU cores free to perform other tasks. FabGL can also get input from a PS/2 Keyboard and a Mouse.
It implements several display drivers (for direct VGA output and for I2C and SPI LCD drivers).
To use the SBC standalone a video terminal is a good solution, cheap, with mostly a monitor with VGA and a PC keyboard, often PS/2.Įxamples are the ASCII Video Terminal or the Raspberry PI (any, Zero is low cost) with PIGFX or ESP32 absed, the subject of this page: FABGL software and hardware.įabGL is mainly a Graphics Library for ESP32. Teraterm or Minicom are fine examples on Wondows and Linux, with the possibility to transfer data into the SBC’s. Most SBC’s have a serial interface to work with the computer, using either a RS-232-C compatible interface with a DB-9 connector or more often the TTL interface with pin connector.Ī VT100 ANSI termainal emulation is ideal for these machines, whether from a PC or standalone.