| 1 | History
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| 2 | =======
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| 3 | Thomson company
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| 4 | ---------------
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| 5 | * 1879: Thomson-Houston Electric Company created in the USA (would become part of General Electric).
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| 6 | * 1892: French sub-company (CFTH) created, exploits Thomson-Houston patents on electricity transport and production
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| 7 | * XXth century: the French company becomes independant from GE, and spawns a lot of subcompanies itself:
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| 8 | - Railways and tramways (ALSTOM)
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| 9 | - Batteries and light bulbs (Mazda)
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| 10 | - Refrigerators and washing machines (Brandt)
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| 11 | - Sewing machines, movie projectors, weapons (also Brandt)
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| 12 | - Semiconductors (EFCIS, will become ST Microelectronics after merge with Italian SGS)
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| 13 | * 1981: Thomson-Brandt and Thomson-CSF are nationalized, mostly because the French army needs a reliable supplier of weapons and semiconductors
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| 14 |
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| 15 | Thomson contributed to various research areas, including radars, video discs,
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| 16 | magnetrons, eurovision, and more.
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| 17 |
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| 18 | Computers in France
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| 19 | -------------------
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| 20 | Since WWII and the help from USA for getting out of it, France tries to be independant from the USA as much as possible
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| 21 | * Limits on the number of movies imported from the US, keeping French-made ones
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| 22 | * Avoidance of the English language (it's still forbidden to do courses in English in French universities!)
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| 23 |
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| 24 | And some things more relevant to microcomputers:
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| 25 | * Somewhat high taxes on imported products
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| 26 | * US companies can't easily create a French spin-off
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| 27 | - Nothing like the german Commodore company
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| 28 | * Custom standards: SECAM TV modulation, AZERTY keyboards, SCART connector on TVs
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| 29 |
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| 30 | This makes France a good place to start a computer company.
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| 31 | * Other French manufacturers: Matra, Exelvision, SMT, Logabax, Micronique, and more...
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| 32 |
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| 33 |
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| 34 | The "Plan Informatique Pour Tous"
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| 35 | ---------------------------------
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| 36 | French government decides to install a computer room in every French school
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| 37 | * The requirements are designed to help French manufacturers
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| 38 | - SCART connector, AZERTY keyboard, LSEG language (BASIC clone with French keywords)
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| 39 | - No foreign company wants to bother with this
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| 40 | - Matra, Thomson and Exelvision have a try
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| 41 | - Thomson manages to reuse the MO5 computer with few changes (it needs a network adapter and RAM expansion), and a Logabax or SMT computer as a server.
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| 42 | - The two others came with (more expansive) original designs.
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| 43 | - Almost all schools will get the Thomson solution.
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| 44 |
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| 45 | Machines
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| 46 | ========
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| 47 |
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| 48 | Common information
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| 49 | ------------------
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| 50 | Quite powerful operating system with graphic menu, multi-byte characters support (for French accents).
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| 51 | Later model came with built-in office suite.
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| 52 |
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| 53 | * Custom design, not MSX compatible.
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| 54 | * CPU: 6809E, 1MHz
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| 55 | * 16KB video memory in two bitplanes
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| 56 |
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| 57 | The choice of 6809E is because Thomson-EFCIS was already manufacturing Motorola
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| 58 | compatible chips for the French army. Thomson employees had easy access to those.
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| 59 | Other French companies often went with 68xx-based designs.
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| 60 |
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| 61 | Early prototypes designed by José Henrard (economist and sociologist) in 1979.
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| 62 |
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| 63 | TO7
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| 64 | ---
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| 65 | * Date: 1982
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| 66 | * RAM: 8K x 8bits (system), 8K x 14bits (video)
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| 67 | * ROM: 6K (in 6846 PIA)
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| 68 | * Video modes: 320x200, 8 colors, 8x1 attribute blocks
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| 69 |
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| 70 | Goal: an Apple ][ à la française
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| 71 | * Video circuit built only with standard 74LS logic chips.
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| 72 | * Uses (expensive) static RAM
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| 73 | * Lightpen and graphical boot menu
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| 74 | * The custom tape drive does signal decoding and provides a bit stream to load in memory directly
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| 75 | * Memory expansion up to 32K system RAM
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| 76 | * Capacitive keyboard (no moving parts!)
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| 77 | * Comes with a lightpen.
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| 78 | * BASIC is stored in a cartridge
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| 79 | * The video RAM is split in an 8-bit bank for pixels, and a 6-bit bank for colors.
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| 80 |
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| 81 | TO7/70
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| 82 | ------
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| 83 | * Date: 1984
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| 84 | * 64K RAM, extensible to 128K
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| 85 | * 6K ROM (in 6846 PIA)
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| 86 | * 8-bit color RAM allowing for 16 colors
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| 87 |
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| 88 | Hardware update.
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| 89 | * Now uses a gate array for video generation
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| 90 | * Uses (cheaper) DRAM
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| 91 | * BASIC is stored in a cartridge - a new version is needed to use the extra RAM.
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| 92 | * QDD is available as a storage medium.
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| 93 | * Soft membrane keyboard
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| 94 |
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| 95 | MO5 and MO5E
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| 96 | ------------
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| 97 | * Date: 1984
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| 98 | * ROM: 16K (dedicated chip)
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| 99 | * RAM: 48K
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| 100 |
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| 101 | New design, drops TO compatibility.
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| 102 | Goal: A ZX Spectrum à la Française
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| 103 | * Removes 6846 PIA with built-in timer and ROM
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| 104 | * Simplified memory layout for simpler decoding
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| 105 | * Fixes some design bugs
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| 106 | * No graphical menu, but will autoboot cartridges and floppydisks.
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| 107 | * Built-in BASIC
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| 108 | * Some tricks to keep hardware expansions compatible with the TO range.
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| 109 | * Improved (faster and safer) tape coding format, done in software this time.
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| 110 | * First generation machines can't get a memory expansion, second revision makes it possible to add 64K using the cartridge port.
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| 111 | * About 500 000 machines were made.
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| 112 |
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| 113 | TO9
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| 114 | ---
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| 115 | * Date: 1985
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| 116 | * 128K RAM
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| 117 | * 136K ROM (!)
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| 118 | * Disk drive (3.5" - second drive can be added)
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| 119 | * PC-Like desktop case with detached keyboard (but all plastic)
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| 120 | * Finally a real keyboard! (the MO5 and TO7/70 will be upgraded to get one, too)
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| 121 |
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| 122 | Goal: an Apple Macintosh à la Française (yes, you're startingto get it)
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| 123 | * Still 8-bit, still 1MHz!
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| 124 | * New video modes, similar to Amstrad CPC:
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| 125 | - 640x200 in 2 colors,
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| 126 | - 320x200 in 4 colors,
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| 127 | - 160x200 in 16 colors
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| 128 | * 4096 color palette (with unusual Gamma curve)
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| 129 |
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| 130 | Integrates most expansion available for earlier models:
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| 131 | * 6-bit audio DAC supplements buzzer (available as an expansion for previous models)
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| 132 | * Joystick/mouse ports
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| 133 | * Parallel port
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| 134 | * 3 expansion ports on the back
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| 135 |
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| 136 | The price is too high for an 8-bit machine, and the built-in software has bugs.
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| 137 |
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| 138 | TO8, MO6, MO5NR, TO9+ and TO8D
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| 139 | ------------------------------
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| 140 | * Date: 1986
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| 141 | * RAM: 128K (MO), 256K (TO8) or 512K (TO9+)
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| 142 | * ROM: 80K (TO) / 64K (MO)
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| 143 |
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| 144 | Goal: An Atari ST à la Française (I've already heard that somewhere...)
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| 145 | * Still 8-bit, still 1MHz!
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| 146 | * Unified Gate Array: a single chip is used for all the machines
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| 147 | * More flexibility: RAM banking, 60Hz video modes
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| 148 | * Even more video modes (bitplane-like)
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| 149 | * The TO8 lacks a built-in disk drive. The TO8D will fix this (it's the only difference)
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| 150 | * The MO6 has a built-in tape drive.
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| 151 | * The MO5NR is designed for Nanoréseau operation and has no built-in storage device.
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| 152 | * MO5NR and MO6 can be extended to 192K memory, TO8 ad TO8D to 512K
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| 153 | * The MO family gets a boot menu, after all.
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| 154 |
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| 155 | TO9+ has a built-in modem to act as a Minitel server (French BBS-like system)
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| 156 | * Software moves back to floppies to allow updates (but can be loaded to a RAM disk)
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| 157 |
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| 158 | Later
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| 159 | -----
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| 160 | European standard attempt
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| 161 | * Team with Olivetti and Acorn to build an european answer to the MSX standard (in 16-bit)
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| 162 | * Olivetti sold some machines based on Thomson designs
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| 163 | * Nothing more came out of this
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| 164 |
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| 165 | The Théodore project
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| 166 | * A 16-bit machine based on 68000
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| 167 | * OS/9 system, multitasking
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| 168 | * Never went out of prototype stage
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| 169 |
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| 170 | PC compatibles
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| 171 | * From 87 to 89, Thomson made some PC compatible machines.
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| 172 | * Nothing very interesting there...
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| 173 | * Still could not fight against Amstrad machines.
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| 174 |
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| 175 | Programming
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| 176 | ===========
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| 177 |
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| 178 | CPU
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| 179 | ---
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| 180 | The 6809 is the last member of the Motorola 68xx family.
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| 181 | Somewhat similar to the 6502, but:
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| 182 | * Two accumulator registers useable as a 16-bit one.
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| 183 | * 2 index registers
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| 184 | * 2 stack regusters
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| 185 | * Zero-page (now called Direct-page) can be moved anywhere in RAM using the DP register)
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| 186 | * Hardware 8bit x 8bit multiplication
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| 187 | * Many addressing modes (indirect, predecremented, postincremented)
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| 188 | * LEA instruction (like in the 68000)
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| 189 |
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| 190 | Video
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| 191 | -----
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| 192 | The video is generated from two 8KB pages.
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| 193 | In the standard mode, one page defines 2 color numbers, and the other defines
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| 194 | which to use for each pixel:
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| 195 |
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| 196 | AAAABBBB x 01101110 = ABBABBBA
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| 197 |
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| 198 | The pixels are stored in-order.
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| 199 |
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| 200 | Extra video modes introduced in the TO9:
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| 201 | * Bits for each pixel are split on the two pages
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| 202 | * a 320x200, 2-color mode with a single 8KB page
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| 203 | * "overprint" (one page masks or shows the other), with less colors
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| 204 |
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| 205 | Hardware tricks
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| 206 | ---------------
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| 207 |
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| 208 | 127 video modes
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| 209 | * The video generator has 7 configuration bits
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| 210 | * Not all mode are interesting... what can you do with them?
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| 211 | * It's possible to mix video modes on screen and change the palette to show more colors.
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| 212 | * On 1986 machines, several memory banks can be used for video display, allowing for page flip effects
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| 213 |
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| 214 | 60Hz and maybe overscan
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| 215 | * The 1986 machines introduce a 60Hz mode
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| 216 | * By switching between 50 and 60Hz modes, it may be possible to kill the border around the screen?
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| 217 |
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| 218 | Disk access
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| 219 | * Various different controllers used over time (WD17xx family)
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| 220 | * The 1986 machines use the THMFC1, a custom Thomson chip
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| 221 | * The provided DOS is slow. Can you do better?
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| 222 |
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| 223 | Direct-from-tape audio
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| 224 | * The tape drive is stereo. One track is used for data, and the other is sent to the audio output
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| 225 | * Music (or ads!) was played while games loaded.
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| 226 | * May be a good solution for running a demo with better music, without wasting CPU time for it.
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| 227 |
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| 228 | Where's the trap?
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| 229 | -----------------
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| 230 | So far, this all looks amazing! (doesn't it?)
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| 231 | How comes the machine isn't loved more?
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| 232 |
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| 233 | Problem with interrupts
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| 234 | * they jump to the ROM directly and can't be intercepted. Waste of time!
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| 235 | * One solution is to replace the ROM with a better one, for example the OS/9 system. This makes interrupts jump in RAM.
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| 236 |
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| 237 | Lack of soundchip
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| 238 | * the 6-bit DAC and big memory is good for sampled music, but this has to be fed by the CPU. Needs synchronized code...
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| 239 | * One option is using the tape drive audio track instead, for zero-CPU music playing.
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| 240 |
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| 241 | Sub-optimal software offer
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| 242 | * Bad commercial software: The IPT plan made the Thomson an edutainment computer. And these "games" are crap.
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| 243 | * A lot of games ported from Spectrum or Amstrad CPC, with more or less success.
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| 244 | * Lack of documentation: the existing ones are in French (oops!). Even use of the BASIC can be a challenge!
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| 245 | * Most games ran on both MO6 and TO8, not using the TO8 features (timer, more memory, ...)
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| 246 | * The platform was quickly abandonned by major publishers (where's Rich Dangerous? Where's Prince of Persia?), and left with only French-made games.
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| 247 |
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| 248 | Hardware and software compatibility
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| 249 | * Many different machines, and also "minor" revisions (MO5 has two different Gate Arrays, and various motherboards and ROMs revisions)
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| 250 | * Slightly different memory mapping
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| 251 | * Very different hardware (floppy controllers, color palettes, memory size, ...)
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| 252 | >> Pick one machine and stick to it! (TO8 is the most common choices)
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| 253 |
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| 254 | Demoscene history
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| 255 | =================
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| 256 | * In the 80s: nothing!
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| 257 | * In the 90s: some early experiments, mainly from the HCL group: HCL Megademo, Anima 3D
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| 258 | * In the 2000s: creation of the PULS group. Cross-development tools make it easier to work with Thomson machines: Chinese Stack, Space Project.
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| 259 | * In the 2010s: first Thomson prods entered in a demoparty compo (finally!) - at the Forever party!
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| 260 |
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| 261 | Sceners on Thomson: about 10 people.
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| 262 | Active today: 3 to 5. We need your help! :)
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| 263 |
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| 264 | Want to join the fun?
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| 265 | =====================
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| 266 | Emulators
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| 267 | ---------
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| 268 | MESS: the most accurate
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| 269 | TEO: maybe easier to use (built-in debuger,...)
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| 270 | dcmoto: not very accurate.
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| 271 |
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| 272 | Careful: emulators are only tested with existing software. If you start poking around the hardware, don't expect them to behave 100% like the real machines.
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| 273 |
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| 274 | Documentations
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| 275 | --------------
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| 276 | * dcmoto website (some documents, but not all, have an english translation)
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| 277 | * http://shinra.cpcscene.com - Most complete reference on the MO5 - other machines coming soon!
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| 278 |
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