| Vector-06C | |
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| Type | Home computer |
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| Released | 1987 |
| Processor | KR580VM80A @3 MHz |
| Memory | 64 KiB |
| Operating system | Tape loader or CP/M |
Vector-06C (Russian: Вектор-06Ц) is a home computer that was designed and mass produced in USSR in the late 1980s.
Contents |
History
Vector-06C was created by Soviet engineers Donat Temirazov and Alexander Sokolov from Kishinev (presently Chişinău). On 33rd National Radio Exhibition the design was honoured with the grand prize. [1] Shortly after that several factories started production of Vector-06C. In 1988 Vector was honoured a prize on Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy.
There were modifications adopting Zilog Z80 CPU, one of them called Vector Turbo+. This model also had clock frequency increased to 6 or 12 MHz, RAM sized up to 2 MiB and offered a variety of other improvements. However, according to InVector e-zine, the prototype of this system never left the work bench due to economical reasons.[2] [3] Vector has gradually become less popular with increasing flow of IBM PC-compatible computers on Soviet and then Russian market. Presently Vector-06C enjoys loyal following of few remaining fans.
Hardware
CPU: KR580VM80A (8080 clone), factory overclocked to 3 MHz (standard frequency was 2.5MHz); Busses:8-bit data bus, 16-bit address bus; Memory: 64 KiB RAM, up to 32 KiB can be used as video memory; 2048 bytes of ROM (512 bytes in earlier models);
Video
Video system supports following modes:[4]
- 256×256 pixels, 16 simultaneously displayed colours out of 256-colour palette
- 512×256 pixels, 4 simultaneously displayed colours out of 256-colour palette
- 256×256 or 512×256 monochrome (memory saving mode)
The frame buffer of Vector-06C is unusual. The memory is organized as 4 bit planes, palette index of each individual pixel is formed from individual bits in 4 planes. Thus the highest colour mode has 24=16 simultaneously displayed colours. The bit planes are defined as follows: a byte represents a horizontal span of 8 pixels. Next byte in video memory represents a span of 8 pixels above it and so on. Thus a bit plane in 256×256 mode can be viewed as 8-pixel wide columns, growing bottom-to-top, lef-to-right; whole screen is thus covered by 32 columns.
Sound
3-channel sound system based around KR580VI53, Soviet clone of 8253 timer. Third party modifications allowed use of General Instruments AY-3-8910 or YM-2149.
Storage
A generic household tape recorder was used for persistent data storage. There were 2 modulation methods used, FSK and PSK. Standard 60-minute cassette could hold:[4]
- at least 512 KiB using PSK (1500-2400 bit/s data rate)
- at least 360 KiB using FSK (1200 bit/s data rate)
FSK was primarily used in compatibility modes, which allowed reading data written on Microsha, Radio-86RK and ZX Spectrum. Native tape format used by original software is PSK.
Software
Vector-06C had no built-in software. The ROM contained neither a monitor nor operating system, but a small boot loader. The computer could thus only be used with external storage. Vector-06C was sold with a tape containing system utility and game programs. Third party applications could be obtained through various companies. Original software titles were games, programming languages (BASIC, Pascal, a monitor/debugger, Assembler, text and graphics editors, etc. With optional floppy disk extension, CP/M version 2.2 was adopted. This allowed a broad range of CP/M software to be used on Vector. It was also possible to run some Radio-86RK, Microsha, Specialist software items. Also, a method of low-level adaptation of ZX Spectrum and MSX titles was developed and some software items were ported. In particular, Vector User magazine mentions a software package consisting of a disassembler, a processor that substitutes Z80-specific instructions that 8080 was lacking with macros and a set of macros. The package was used to port several ZX Spectrum titles, namely Chess Master, West Bank, Jumping Jack [5].
User Community
Although Vector-06C was foreshadowed by more mainstream home computers such as BK-0010, ZX Spectrum and its clones, it enjoyed a considerable loyal following of fans. Enthusiasts developed and produced software and hardware extensions for Vector. Among hardware extensions there are RAM-disk, floppy and HDD controllers, sound synthesizers, realtime clocks and others. Both commercial and public developments existed. There were electronic and hardcopy publications, most notably Invector, Vector User, Coman Info[6]. Several software contests were held among Vector users, notably DemosFan that used to take place in St.Petersburg, Russia.[7]
References
- ^ Front cover page. Радио 10/1987. ISSN 0033-765X.
- ^ NPP "Intech". "Вектор-Турбо Плюс" (in Russian). Vector User 15.
- ^ V.P. Bykov (1997). "News" (in Russian). InVector 4.
- ^ a b Техническая информация по ПК "Вектор" (Russian). Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
- ^ Makrinsky, Yuri. "Универсальный дизассемблер комманд Z80 и 8080" (in Russian). Vector User 20,21.
- ^ Вектор-06Ц: Электронные издания (Russian). Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
- ^ Вектор-06Ц: О главном (Russian). Retrieved on 2007-06-17.
External links
- The most comprehensive resource about Vector-06C: software, documentation, publications archive
- Technical Description of Vector-06C by Alexander Timoshenko
- FORTH Programming Language for Vector-06C
- Archive of Vector User and Coman Info publications
- Emulator 3000 emulates many Soviet computers, including Vector-06C
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| A • Agat • Aragats • Argon • ATM Turbo • BESM • Besta • Dnepr • Dubna 48K • Elbrus • Elektronika (DVK • Elektronika BK-0010 • UKNC • Elektronika 60 • Electronika 85 • Electronika SS BIS) • ES EVM • ES PEVM • Hobbit • Iskra • Irisha • Kiev • KVM-1 • Korvet • M-1 • M • MESM • Micro-80 • Microsha • Minsk • Mir • Nairi • Orion-128 • Pentagon • Poisk • Promin • PS-2000, PS-3000 • Razdan • Radon • Radio-86RK • Scorpion • Setun • SM EVM • Sneg • Specialist • Strela • SVS • TsUM-1 • UM • Ural • Vector-06C • Vesna |
