NEW FROM M.A.P. 80 Systems Ltd.
THE
MAP V.F.C.

Following the success of the MAP 256k RAM card M.A.P.80 Systems Ltd is pleased to announce the launch of a new product for the Nasbus/80 Bus. This is the MAP V.F.C (Video/​Flopfy Controller) which can be used with either the Nascom or Gemini range of computers.

The original object of the new card was to provide the Nascom user with a cost effective option of an industry standard 80 column screen. In order to keep the cost to a minimum it was decided not to provide high resolution graphics but to support the simple character set that has been so successful on the standard Nascom. An on board character generator provides the standard 256 character set but it is possible to select 128 characters with inverse video under software control.

Facilities are provided for a second EPROM character generator which can be switches under program control. On board software has also been incorporated, providing full screen and keyboard handling together with a CPM boot, making the card extremely easy to use. During normal operation the screen is out of the T80 memory map and is switched into the map only when video RAW access is required. Simply, the sequence of events is as follows. Page in the video card (at any 4k boundary selected under software control) Call onboard relocatable software and then page the card back out again. The result is a fast memory mapped screen that occupies no space in the memory map, enabling, for example the implementation of a full 64K CP/M. Clearly this exciting new product cat be used in many applications, for example it is possible to run a complete 64K CP/M computer with only two 8″ by 8″ cards by using the MAP VFC card and a Gemini 813 CPU card (and don’t expect it to remain the only memory mapped CPU card for the 80 BUS).

As the project progressed it became apparent that there was plenty of space available and we are therefore able to offer the following optional extras. A Keyboard PORT for either 7 or 8 bit parallel ASCII keyboards with either positive or negative strobe has been incorporated on the card. Light pen facilities are available if required. For the Nascom owner a special VIDEO SWITCH can be fitted which would allow the user to select an alternate screen (eg original Nascom screen) under software control.

Finally, the most useful feature that we have incorporated is a Floppy Disc Controller. The controller will support any 5″ drives in either single or double density. It is totally software compatible with the Gemini 809 FDC and uses all the same control ports etc.

Availability --- The first complete cards will be despatched in the latter part of January and we expect the first kits will be despatched during late February. If you wish to order please complete the order form and return it to us with your cheque or postal order. We are prepared to receive orders for kits but they will only be despatched after we have cleared the back orders for the built product.