Acorn Electron Service Manual
Acorn Electron Service Manual
Acorn Electron Service Manual
Copyright Acorn Computers Limited 1984 Neither the whole or any part of the information contained in, or the product described in, this manual may be adapted or reproduced in any material form except with the prior written approval of Acorn Computers Limited (Acorn Computers). The product described in this manual and products for use with it are subject to continuous development and improvement. All information of a technical nature and particulars of the product and its use (including the information and particulars in this manual) are given by Acorn Computers in good faith. However, it is acknowledged that there may be errors or omissions in this manual. A list of details of any amendments or revisions to this manual can be obtained upon request from Acorn Computers Technical Enquiries. Acorn Computers welcome comments and suggestions relating to the product and this manual. All correspondence should be addressed to: Technical Enquiries Acorn Computers Limited Fulbourn Road Cherry Hinton Cambridge CB1 4JN All maintenance and service on the product must be carried out by Acorn Computers' authorised dealers. Acorn Computers can accept no liability whatsoever for any loss or damage caused by service or maintenance by unauthorised personnel. This manual is intended only to assist the reader in the use of the product, and therefore Acorn Computers shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from the use of any information or particulars in, or any error or omission in, this manual, or any incorrect use of the product. This manual is for the sole use of Acorn Computers' authorised dealers and must only be used by them in connection with the product described within. This manual remains the property of Acorn Computers at all times and must be returned to them immediately upon the termination of the dealer's appointment. First published 1984 Published by Acorn Computers Limited Typeset by Bateman Typesetters, Cambridge
Contents
1 Introduction 2 Packaging and installation 3 Specification
3.1 Acorn Electron microcomputer 3.2 Machine operating system 3.3 BASIC 3.4 Power supply 3.5 Cassette interface 3.6 Video outputs
1 2 3
3 3 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5
6 7
7 7
6 The uncommitted logic array (ULA) 7 Electron test equipment 8 Fault finding inside a dead Electron
8.1 Power supply 8.2 Oscillator 8.3 ULA 8.4 CPU 8.5 ROM 8.6 DRAMs 8.7 Video 8.8 Cassette interface 8.9 Keyboard 8.10 Sound
8
9 10
10 10 10 11 11 11 11 13 14 14
Appendix
Diagnostic flowcharts Final assembly Electron block diagram Functional block diagram of the Electron ULA Main PCB circuit diagram Main PCB layout Main PCB silk-screen Electron power supply board circuit diagram Keyboard matrix Electron parts lists 15 25 27 29 31 33 35 37 39 41
1 Introduction
This manual is intended to provide the information required to diagnose and repair faults on the Electron microcomputer which was designed by Acorn Computers Limited of Cambridge, England. The information contained in this manual is aimed at service engineers and Acorn dealers who will be servicing the Electron microcomputer on behalf of Acorn Computers Limited.
3 Specification
3.1 Acorn Electron microcomputer
A fast, powerful, self-contained computer system generating high resolution colour graphics and capable of synthesising music or noise. The computer is contained in a rigid injection moulded thermoplastic case. The computer provides the following facilities. A 56-key full travel QWERTY keyboard with ten user definable function keys, two-key rollover, and autorepeat. The internal loudspeaker is driven from a music synthesis circuit with envelope control. A modulated 625-line PAL A UHF colour television signal (channel E36) for connection to a normal domestic television aerial socket is available through a phono connector. A 6-pin DIN RGB connector supplies output for use with a colour monitor. A phono connector supplies a video output to drive a black and white monitor. A standard audio cassette recorder can be used to record computer programs and data files at 1200 baud using the CUTS standard tones. The cassette recorder is under automatic motor control and is connected to the computer via a 7-pin DIN connector. An interrupt driven elapsed time clock enables real time control and timing of user responses. The unit uses a 2MHz 6502 and includes 32K of read/write Random Access Memory. A 32K Read Only Memory (ROM) integrated circuit contains an extensive and powerful machine operating system, and an extremely powerful and fast BASIC interpreter. The interpreter includes a 6502 assembler which enables BASIC statements to be freely mixed with 6502 assembly language. The standard television output is 625-line 50Hz, interlaced, fully encoded PAL, modulated on UHF channel 36. The display modes provide user definable characters in addition to the standard upper and lower case alphanumeric font. Graphics may be freely mixed with text. Text characters can be positioned not only on, for example, a 40 X 32 grid, but at any intermediate position in graphics modes. Separate or overlapping text and graphics windows can be easily user defined over any area of the display. Each of these windows may be filled and scrolled separately. The Electron is able to support the following modes: 0 640 X 256 two-colour graphics and 80 X 32 text (20K) 1 320 X 256 four-colour graphics and 40 X 32 text (20K) 2 160 X 256 sixteen-colour graphics and 20 X 32 text (20K) 3 80 X 25 two-colour text (16K) 4 320 X 256 two-colour graphics and 40 X 32 text (10K) 5 160 X 256 four-colour graphics and 20 X 32 text (10K) 6 40 X 25 two-colour text (8K) The installed RAM is divided between the high resolution graphics display, the user's program, and machine operating system variables. The MOS requires 3.5K of RAM.
Keyboard and keyboard buffer. Serial interface, input and output, and buffers. Many of the operating system calls are vectored to enable the user to change them if required.
3.3 BASIC
The BASIC interpreter is a fast implementation, very close to Microsoft standard but with numerous powerful extensions: Long variable names. Integer, floating point and string variables. Multi-dimension integer, floating point and string arrays. Extensive support for string handling.
IF...THEN...ELSE. REPEAT...UNTIL.
Multi-line integer, floating point and string functions. Procedures. Local variables. Full recursion on all functions and procedures. Effective error trapping and handling. Cassette loading and saving of programs and data. Full support for the extensive colour graphics facilities. Easy control of the built-in music generation circuits. Built-in 6502 mnemonic assembler enabling BASIC and assembler to be mixed, or pure assembly language programs to be produced.
Composite video Output level Output impedance Option Connector Colour monitor RGB signals CSYNC signal Connector
Nominal 1V peak to peak Nominal 75 ohms Chrominance information (wire selectable) allows composite PAL monitors to be used Phono TTL type levels TTL type level +ve/ve going (link selectable) 6-pin DIN
3.8 Environment
Air temperature Humidity System on: 0 to 35C System off: 20 to 70C System on: 85% relative humidity at 35C System off: 95% relative humidity at 55C Air temperature: 20 to 70C Humidity: 95% relative humidity at 55C
Storage conditions
5 Circuit description
5.1 General
The microprocessor used in the Electron is a 6502A with the clock signals provided by a 16MHz crystal oscillator (IC8) in conjunction with divider circuitry in the ULA (IC1). The 6502 runs at three speeds depending on what is being accessed: 2MHz: The processor will run at 2MHz during an access cycle to the ROM. This is because the ROM is being accessed only by the processor which has a maximum speed of 2MHz. 1MHz: The processor will run at 1MHz during an access cycle to the RAM. The processor and the video are competing for access to the RAM, and the RAM can only support a bandwidth of 2MHz. In screen modes 4, 5 and 6 this is no problem since the screen only needs 1MHz access to the RAM. Stopped: In screen modes 0, 1, 2 and 3 the screen uses all the available memory time slots during the display period. The processor is denied RAM access during 40 microseconds of each 64 microseconds of the 256 lines in 312 which is the display period, and it is made to wait for RAM access until the end of the period. Random Access (read/write) Memory on the Electron is provided by four 64Kbit dynamic memory devices (ICs 4 to 7), giving 32Kbytes in all. This means that to read a byte from memory requires two accesses. IC4 contains bit 0 and bit 1, IC5 contains bit 2 and bit 3, IC6 contains bit 4 and bit 5, and IC7 contains bit 6 and bit 7. The mechanism for doing this is handled by the ULA. The timing diagram for the DRAMs is shown below.
AO : : : A15: Processor address lines which take memory address information from the 6502. PDO : : : PD7: Processor data lines which send data to and receive data from the 6502: NMI: The ULA is responsible for all RAM accesses and uses the NMI input to determine whether the processor should have full 1MHz access to the RAM regardless of screen mode. PHI OUT: This output provides the processor with its clock. The processor works at one of three speeds: 2MHz, 1MHz and stopped. It is derived from the 16MHz input. IRQ: This output is used by the ULA to interrupt the processor when certain events within the ULA have occurred: R/W: This is an input through which the processor tells the ULA the direction of data on the data bus, logic 0 for processor write and logic 1 for processor read: (A functional block diagram of the ULA is given in the Appendix.)
8
8.2 Oscillator
Check with the oscilloscope that a 16MHz 4V peak to peak clock pulse is reaching the ULA (pin 49 of IC 1). If this signal is good then the oscillator is working: If not, check pin 8 of IC8; there could be a track broken between the two. Next check that there is 5V across pin 14 (+ve) and pin 7 (ground) of IC8. If the oscillator is not working then it could be the 74S04 (IC8), the crystal, or any of the passive components around them.
8.3 ULA
The ULA is tested before being installed in the Electron. As it is easily removed, the best way to check it is to use the machine with a known good one (a good ULA must always be kept for Electron fault diagnosis): The method of removal and insertion is as follows.
10
The ULA is IC 1 on the PCB, and is held in place by a square metal clip. To remove the ULA, insert a small screwdriver between the front left corner of the clip and the plastic ULA holder as shown in the diagram below, being extremely careful not to let it touch the PCB tracks (which are very easily damaged).
Figure 2
Twist the screwdriver until that corner unclips and then repeat the procedure for the front right corner. The clip should then spring off altogether and the ULA can be removed by turning the Electron upside down. Insert the good ULA, making sure that the notches cut out of the three corners are in the correct position inside the carrier, and that the little metal spring in the remaining corner is not bent down under the ULA. When the ULA is seated correctly, replace the clip by pressing it on to the socket with the fingers: Check the power supply (pins 9, 43, 48 +5V; pins 51, 68, ground; see circuit diagram). Check that the clock output is present on pin 60. In modes 4, 5 and 6 this will be varying between 1MHz and 2MHz: In modes 0, 1, 2 and 3 there is no clock output at all for some of the time (see chapter 5). Check that the ROM line (pin 61) is wobbling (is not fixed at one logic level). Do this also for the two RAM address strobes RAS and CAS (pin 52 and pin 53). If RAS is fixed at logic 0 then the DRAMs are very rapidly destroyed. For a description of ULA function see chapter 6.
8.4 CPU
Check the power supply to IC3 (pins 1 and 21 ground, pin 8 +5V). Test the clock input (pin 37) which should be varying between 1MHz and 2MHz in modes 4, 5 and 6, and also stopped for some of the time in modes 0, 1, 2 and 3 (see chapter 5): Check that the IRQ (pin 4), NMI (pin 6), and R/W (pin 34) lines are wobbling (are not fixed at one logic level). If these lines are fixed then test the reset line (pin 40) which should be +5V. If it is held low then there could be a short on the PCB or the ULA could be faulty. Press BREAK while monitoring the reset and check that it goes to 0V.
8.5 ROM
Check the power supply to IC2 (pin 28 +5V, pin 14 ground). Check that the output enable (pin 22) is wobbling (is not fixed at one logic level), and also the address lines.
8.6 DRAMs
Check the power supply on pin 8 (+5V) and pin 16 (ground) of ICs 4, 5, 6 and 7: Check that the row and column address strobes RAS (pin 4) and CAS (pin 15) are wobbling (see figure 1 in section 5.1): If they are not then the DRAMs may be destroyed, and there is a track broken (assuming RAS and CAS are present at the ULA).
8.7 Video
Look at the displays from the three monitors (RGB, UHF and composite) and see which of the following, (a), (b), (c) or (d), best describes them. a) If none of the monitors operates (RGB, UHF and composite) then there is no signal coming from the ULA. Replace the ULA and test again:
11
b) If the RGB works but the UHF doesn't then test the UHF modulator input voltage waveform using the oscilloscope. Set the oscilloscope to 50mV per division, 10 microseconds per division, auto trigger, and attach the probe to the wire shown in the diagram.
Press BREAK on the computer and check that the PAL waveform looks something like this:
12
If these waveforms are correct and the UHF monitor does not give a display then the PAL modulator is faulty and should be replaced. If the colour burst part of the waveforms is missing then the fault lies in the chrominance circuitry (see below). If any other part of the waveforms is incorrect, make link 4 temporarily (with a pair of pliers perhaps) and test the composite video output with the oscilloscope. The waveforms should be similar to those indicated above, but of reduced amplitude (1V peak to peak). If the composite output waveforms are good with link 4 made (including colour burst), but the UHF output does not work, then the fault lies in the UHF luminance circuitry (Q5, D1, D2, D3, C13 and associated resistors). Check that diodes D1, D2 and D3 are inserted the correct way round (the PCB is marked +). If the video output waveforms are bad then the video luminance circuitry (Q8 and associated resistors) is faulty, and possibly chrominance circuitry also (see below). A composite colour monitor can be used to test the video output with link 4 made. If the composite colour monitor works in black and white only then the chrominance circuitry is faulty (see below). c) If the RGB works and the UHF works in black and white only then the chrominance circuitry is faulty. Test pin 6 of IC8 with a frequency counter. The measured frequency must be 17.7345MHz 200Hz, and can be adjusted using VC1. If there is no signal on pin 6 then debug as for the oscillator in section 8.2. Check that the 17.7345MHz is reaching pins 3 and 11 of IC 11. IC11 is a 74S74. A 74LS74 inserted in this position can cause the circuit to fail. Check that there are signals from pins 9 and 6 of IC 11 (4.4336MHz), and also signals from pins 5 (7.7kHz approx) and 9 of IC 12. Check that L1 has not gone open circuit and that C21 has not short circuited, and check Q7. Failing all this, test the logic circuit formed by IC 14, IC 15, IC 16, IC10 and resistors R50 to R57. d) If the RGB picture is distorted and out of synchronisation then LK3 must be altered to invert CSYNC. LK3 must be set to suit whichever RGB monitor is being used with the computer.
To test the cassette input, press BREAK and measure the quiescent voltage of each of the three amplifier outputs, pin 7, pin 8 and pin 14 of IC 13. This voltage should not be greater than 100mV. If any of these pins is at too high a voltage then replace the LM324. To test the input, L 0 A D a program from a cassette which is known to work and check that a signal is arriving at pin 59 of the ULA with an amplitude of between 500mV and 2V.
8.9 Keyboard
The PIT system will test the keyboard. A manual check is possible using an ohm meter and the keyboard circuit diagram. Check for shorts, dry joints and lifted tracks. Replace any faulty keys. Check that both ends of the keyboard connector cable are making good contact, that the connector on the Electron end of the cable is covering all the pins (it could be inserted with an offset and miss some of the pins), and that the cable is not damaged in any way. Check that the diodes and resistors are correctly fitted and are of the correct value.
8.10 Sound
If the Electron will accept commands then give a SOUND command and check that there is a signal from pin 62 of the ULA (IC1): If not then replace the ULA with a known good one and try again. Check all the connections in the simple amplifier circuit to the loudspeaker, especially transistors Q3 and Q4 (see circuit diagram).
14
Appendix
Diagnostic flowcharts
8.2 Oscillator
16
23
8.4 CPU
18
8.5 ROM
19
8.6 DRAMs
20
8.7 Video
21
22
8.10 Sound
23
Final assembly
Keyboard matrix
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Bare PCB Keyboard support plate Assembly drawing Keytop set Resistor 470R 1/4W 10% carbon Resistor 15K 1/4W 10% carbon
651,474 794,148 799,001 880,040 886,003 882,972 882,121 870,222 886,000 886,001 886,002 890,010
Capacitor 0.47F disc ceramic Diode IN4148 LED TIL212-2 Sleeve 10mm long Keyboard switch Washer M3 shakeproof Screw M3 X 6mm pan head posidrive Ribbon cable assembly Space Bar wire Wire holder Push rod RTV silicon compound
1 14 1 2 56 2 2 1 1 2 2 A/R
Cl D1-14 LD1
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
005,000/A Final assembly drawing 005,000/PG Packaging assembly 105,000 Main PCB assembly 105,002 Keyboard assembly
Case top moulding Case base moulding Case label PSU/PCB assembly RTV silicon compound Self-adhesive foam pad Speaker Screw M3 X 6 Screw No 4 X 5/16" flange head posidrive
1 1 1 1 A/R 1 1 12 4
41
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
4 1 1
Part No
205,000 105,000 502,100 508,240 502,470 502,680 502,101 502,471 502,681 502,821 502,102
Description
Bare PCB Assembly drawing Resistor 10R W 5% carbon Resistor 24R W 10% carbon Resistor 47R W 5% carbon Resistor 68R W 5% carbon Resistor 100R W 5% carbon Resistor 470R W 5% carbon Resistor 680R W 5% carbon Resistor 820R W 5% carbon Resistor 1K W 5% carbon
Qty
1 2 2 1 6 1 4 2 5 7
Remarks
1 per batch R65,66 R5,58 R61 R21,45,46,47,48,49 R17 R13,38,40,53 R51,56,57 R1,2,3,4,50 R16,22,32,34,37, 39, 63 R54,41 R19 R12,24,33,52 R26 R8,55,71 R14,31,42 R10,11 R15 R25,27 R18,28,64 R20 R6,7 R23 R29,30 R35,44 R36 R9 R43
502,122 502,152 502,222 502,182 502,332 502,392 502,472 502,562 502,822 502,103 502,393 502,563 502,104 502,124 502,154 502,224 502,274 502,824
Resistor 1K2R W 5% carbon Resistor 1K5R W 5% carbon Resistor 2K2R W 5% carbon Resistor 1K8 1%W 5% carbon Resistor 3K3R W 5% carbon Resistor 3K9R W 5% carbon Resistor 4K7R W 5% carbon Resistor 5K6R W 5% carbon Resistor 8K2R W 5% carbon Resistor 10K W 5% carbon Resistor 39K W 5% carbon Resistor 56K W 5% carbon Resistor 100K W 5% carbon Resistor 120K W 5% carbon Resistor 150K W 5% carbon Resistor 220K W 5% carbon Resistor 270K W 5% carbon Resistor 820K W carbon
2 1 4 1 3 3 2 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 1
Capacitor 33p plate ceramic Capacitor 39p plate ceramic Capacitor 47p plate ceramic Capacitor 100p plate ceramic
2 1 1 2
40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97
685,151 685,471 633,082 630,150 629,002 634,004 680,001 685,333 651,224 613,100 622,330 624,100 622,100 622,470 699,004 611,470 794,148 780,183 780,213 780,239 780,309 741,004 741,074 742,000 742,074 742,086 743,169 770,324 704,864 706,502 201,620 201,621 800,852 800,094 800,050 800,070 800,002 800,003 800,611 800,200
Capacitor 150p plate ceramic Capacitor 470p plate ceramic Capacitor 820p plate ceramic Capacitor 1n5 plate ceramic Capacitor 2n2 plate ceramic Capacitor 4n7 plate ceramic Capacitor 47n/33n decoupler Capacitor 33n ceramic multilayer Capacitor 220n ceramic disc Capacitor lu 35V tantalum Capacitor 33u 16V electrolytic axial Capacitor 10u 35V electrolytic axial Capacitor 10u 16V electrolytic axial Capacitor 47u 16V electrolytic Capacitor variable 5.5-40p Capacitor 47u 16V Tantalum Diode IN4148 Transistor BC 183L Transistor BC 213L Transistor BC239 Transistor BC309 Integrated circuit 74S04 Integrated circuit 74S74 Integrated circuit 74LS00 Integrated circuit 74LS74 Integrated circuit 74LS86 Integrated circuit 74LS169A Integrated circuit LM324 Integrated circuit 4164 Integrated circuit 6502A Integrated crcuit 12CO21 Integrated circuit OS/BASIC 3-way 0.156" SIL lock right angle 3-way 0.1" SIL right angle 2-way SIL pin Shunt 6-pin DIN socket 7-pin DIN socket Video connector Faston tab
1 1 2 1 1 2 18 1 2 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 4 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2
C13 C17 C20,22 C26 C15 C14,16 A C12 C10,19 C8,9 C25 C11,7 C2 C1 VC 1 C23 D1-7 Q3 Q4 Q1,2,6,7 Q5,8 IC8 IC11 IC10,16 IC12 IC14,15 IC9 IC13 IC4,5,6,7 IC3 IC1 IC2 PL3 LK3 SPKR LK3(E) SK2 SK1 SK3 18 VACIN, RETURN
1 1 1 1
IC1 RL1 L1 X2
43
98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110
820,160
Crystal 16MHz
X1
880,040 825,000
A/R 1
44
NOTES
NOTES