Acorn IEEE488 interface

Tony Duell wrote: Tony et al, FYI - the following was posted to comp.sys.acorn.hardware earlier on from Andrew Ray of Intelligent Interfaces in response to Eelco's post there: <<< In the early 1980s Intelligent Interfaces designed, developed, manufactured and supported the Acorn IEEE488 Interface for the BBC Microcomputer. It was based on the Texas TMS9914 IC to provide the talker, listener and controller functions. All interfaces supplied by Acorn were housed in a modified (by Intelligent Interfaces) version of the plastic case originally used for the Teletext Adapter. There was never an Acorn-designed IEEE488 Interface for the BBC Microcomputer. Intelligent Interfaces never supplied the interface in a different case before supplying it to Acorn. However, after a number of years, when Acorn discontinued it as a product, Intelligent Interfaces supplied the interface direct to customers in a customized standard metal case. I do not think that the software for any of the third party, Watford, Procyon, etc IEEE488 Interfaces for the BBC Microcomputer was compatible with the Acorn interface because they used different contoller ICs. I remember that Acorn advertised an IEEE488 Interface for the Series I, II, III and IV systems based on the Motorola MC684448P which only provided the talker and listener functions. However, while designing and developing the Acorn IEEE488 Interface I was never shown one. The interface was supplied with an IEEE filing system (IEEEFS), in ROM. Subsequently, the new firmware (NIEEE), provided in a sideways ROM, was written to enable the interface to be used with the National Semiconductors 32000 series processor based Cambridge Coprocessor and Workstation but could also be used with other coprocessors and standalone BBC Microcomputers. It gave much higher data transfer rates, making it ideal for use with digital storage oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers etc. copied here for the benefit of any interested people who don't read c.s.a.h. cheers Jules