TRS-80 Plug 'n Power Controller - Revision history

Alnwlsn: /* Files */

2020-02-08T21:11:08Z

Files

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:11, 8 February 2020
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	</pre>		</pre>
	==Files==		==Files==
	I have recorded the 2 software tapes that came with this unit. There is software for Model I level1, level2 16K and 32K, Model III, and CoCo. [[File:Trs80-plugnpower-tapes.zip]]		I have recorded the 2 software tapes that came with this unit (into 8-bit WAV files, which seem to work best with the emulators). There is software for Model I level1, level2 16K and 32K, Model III, and CoCo. [[File:Trs80-plugnpower-tapes.zip]]

	Or on Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/trs80-plugnpower-tapes		Or on Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/trs80-plugnpower-tapes

	==References==		==References==

Alnwlsn: /* Files */

2020-02-08T20:43:01Z

Files

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 8 February 2020
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	I have recorded the 2 software tapes that came with this unit. There is software for Model I level1, level2 16K and 32K, Model III, and CoCo. [[File:Trs80-plugnpower-tapes.zip]]		I have recorded the 2 software tapes that came with this unit. There is software for Model I level1, level2 16K and 32K, Model III, and CoCo. [[File:Trs80-plugnpower-tapes.zip]]

	Or on Internet Archive: [[https://archive.org/details/trs80-plugnpower-tapes]]		Or on Internet Archive: https://archive.org/details/trs80-plugnpower-tapes

	==References==		==References==

Alnwlsn at 20:42, 8 February 2020

2020-02-08T20:42:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:42, 8 February 2020
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	ret		ret
	</pre>		</pre>
			==Files==
			I have recorded the 2 software tapes that came with this unit. There is software for Model I level1, level2 16K and 32K, Model III, and CoCo. [[File:Trs80-plugnpower-tapes.zip]]

			Or on Internet Archive: [[https://archive.org/details/trs80-plugnpower-tapes]]

	==References==		==References==

Alnwlsn at 03:22, 8 July 2019

2019-07-08T03:22:19Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:22, 7 July 2019
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	The original TRS-80 Plug 'n Power controller (catalog 26-1182)<ref>http://www.trs-80.org/plug-n-power/</ref> was Radio Shack's 1981 answer to home automation. "Plug 'n Power" was actually the Radio Shack branding for products that speak the X10 protocol. If you're not familiar, X10 uses modules that send signals through the house AC lines to turn on and off lamps and appliances. They also made special wall switches and outlets so you could integrate X10 directly into the walls of your house, if you so choose. X10 devices are still made and sold, and the X10 system has been extended to control devices via IR, radio, and added sensors like motion detectors, cameras, and windows switches to make an entire security system.		The original TRS-80 Plug 'n Power controller (catalog 26-1182)<ref>http://www.trs-80.org/plug-n-power/</ref> was Radio Shack's 1981 answer to home automation. "Plug 'n Power" was actually the Radio Shack branding for products that speak the X10 protocol. If you're not familiar, X10 uses modules that send signals through the house AC lines to turn on and off lamps and appliances. They also made special wall switches and outlets so you could integrate X10 directly into the walls of your house, if you so choose. X10 devices are still made and sold, and the X10 system has been extended to control devices via IR, radio, and added sensors like motion detectors, cameras, and windows switches to make an entire security system.

	However, we're only concerned with the original X10 power line system in this context. The TRS-80 plug n power system came with a small gray box that plugged into the cassette port and and AC outlet. You could ~~then~~ plug your tape recorder into the box, and by flipping the switch on the top, pass the signals through so you could either use the box or your tape recorder without having to unplug anything. The unit comes with two cassettes, containing a machine language "Home Control" program, for the model 1 and 3, and the color computer.		However, we're only concerned with the original X10 power line system in this context. The TRS-80 plug n power system came with a small gray box that plugged into the cassette port and and AC outlet. With the included software, you could set up a schedule that would turn on and off your lights. The box even provides a real-time clock signal to run your schedule at the right time. You could also plug your tape recorder into the box, and by flipping the switch on the top, pass the signals through so you could either use the box or your tape recorder without having to unplug anything. The unit comes with two cassettes, containing a machine language "Home Control" program, for the model 1 and 3, and the color computer.

	However, what my unit didn't come with is any kind of manual, even though it's in the original box. And neither do any of the other units that are available on eBay, which is where I got mine. As it turns out, I was very lucky to get the cassettes! There is next to no information on this piece of hardware anywhere online, besides the fact that it existed. That means no schematics, no software, and no programming information.		However, what my unit didn't come with is any kind of manual, even though it's in the original box. And neither do any of the other units that are available on eBay, which is where I got mine. As it turns out, I was very lucky to get the cassettes! There is next to no information on this piece of hardware anywhere online, besides the fact that it existed. That means no schematics, no software, and no programming information.

Alnwlsn at 13:54, 28 June 2019

2019-06-28T13:54:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:54, 28 June 2019
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	[[File:Trs80-pnp.jpg\|thumb\|TRS-80 Plug 'n Power Controller, cat # 26-1182 ]]		[[File:Trs80-pnp.jpg\|thumb\|TRS-80 Plug 'n Power Controller, cat # 26-1182 ]]
	The original TRS-80 Plug 'n Power controller (catalog 26-1182)<ref>http://www.trs-80.org/plug-n-power/</ref> was Radio Shack's 1981 answer to home automation. "Plug 'n Power" was actually the Radio Shack branding for products that speak the X10 protocol. If you're not familiar, X10 uses modules that send signals through the house AC lines to turn on and off lamps and appliances. They also made special wall switches and outlets so you could integrate X10 directly into the walls of your house, if you so ~~chose~~. ~~I say chose, but actually~~ X10 devices are still made and sold, and the X10 system has been extended to control devices via IR, radio, and added sensors like motion detectors, cameras, and windows switches to make an entire security system.		The original TRS-80 Plug 'n Power controller (catalog 26-1182)<ref>http://www.trs-80.org/plug-n-power/</ref> was Radio Shack's 1981 answer to home automation. "Plug 'n Power" was actually the Radio Shack branding for products that speak the X10 protocol. If you're not familiar, X10 uses modules that send signals through the house AC lines to turn on and off lamps and appliances. They also made special wall switches and outlets so you could integrate X10 directly into the walls of your house, if you so choose. X10 devices are still made and sold, and the X10 system has been extended to control devices via IR, radio, and added sensors like motion detectors, cameras, and windows switches to make an entire security system.

	However, we're only concerned with the original X10 power line system in this context. The TRS-80 plug n power system came with a small gray box that plugged into the cassette port and and AC outlet. You could then plug your tape recorder into the box, and by flipping the switch on the top, pass the signals through so you could either use the box or your tape recorder without having to unplug anything. The unit comes with two cassettes, containing a machine language "Home Control" program, for the model 1 and 3, and the color computer.		However, we're only concerned with the original X10 power line system in this context. The TRS-80 plug n power system came with a small gray box that plugged into the cassette port and and AC outlet. You could then plug your tape recorder into the box, and by flipping the switch on the top, pass the signals through so you could either use the box or your tape recorder without having to unplug anything. The unit comes with two cassettes, containing a machine language "Home Control" program, for the model 1 and 3, and the color computer.

Alnwlsn: /* Assembler Demo Program */

2019-06-28T05:22:58Z

Assembler Demo Program

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:22, 28 June 2019
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	call 3000h ;not needed unless you need to use trs80ei2 special loader functions while running this programe		call 3000h ;not needed unless you need to use trs80ei2 special loader functions while running this programe

	ld c,00000010b ;select home code C (4 lower ~~bytes~~ form House code - 0010 in this case)		ld c,00000010b ;select home code C (4 lower bits form House code - 0010 in this case)
	ld b,00011100b ;select device 2 (5 lower bits - 11100)		ld b,00011100b ;select device 2 (5 lower bits - 11100)
	call x10msg		call x10msg

Alnwlsn: /* Reverse Engineer */

2019-06-28T05:20:38Z

Reverse Engineer

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:20, 28 June 2019
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	==Reverse Engineer==		==Reverse Engineer==
	[[File:Trs80-pnp-board.jpg\|thumb\|Internals of the grey box.]]		[[File:Trs80-pnp-board.jpg\|thumb\|Internals of the grey box.]]
			[[File:Trs80-pnp-aud.png\|thumb\|Recordings of the control waveforms of the Plug 'n Power Interface. Top track shows zero crossings (input), bottom shows the cassette output from the TRS-80. Middle shows the parts and data of the X10 transmission.]]
	At first, I thought that the little grey box might get a command sent to it from the TRS-80 and then get sent out on its own time, but this idea was quickly abandoned when I opened the box and found only a small transformer and a PCB with just one quad op-amp chip. There were no smarts in here; obviously the TRS-80 must be doing all the work. I know that the box must be sending some kind of clock signal to the TRS-80, because the included control program came with an on-screen clock, which would not update unless the box was connected. The expansion interface also has a clock, but this accessory does not require it to work. The first step was to determine what kind of signal the box was creating for the TRS-80. I put a scope on what would be the tape out / trs80 in pins, and found that the box sends out a pulse about every 8 milliseconds. This is roughly 120Hz. The X10 protocol sends out little blips on the power line at the zero-crossings of the AC power, and that's really all there is to it; sometimes it sends out a 1ms blip of 120Khz at the zero crossing (what I will call a Mark), and other times there is nothing (a Space). This pulse signal must be the zero pulses; it looks like the trs-80 just sends out a pulse at the zero crossing when required.		At first, I thought that the little grey box might get a command sent to it from the TRS-80 and then get sent out on its own time, but this idea was quickly abandoned when I opened the box and found only a small transformer and a PCB with just one quad op-amp chip. There were no smarts in here; obviously the TRS-80 must be doing all the work. I know that the box must be sending some kind of clock signal to the TRS-80, because the included control program came with an on-screen clock, which would not update unless the box was connected. The expansion interface also has a clock, but this accessory does not require it to work. The first step was to determine what kind of signal the box was creating for the TRS-80. I put a scope on what would be the tape out / trs80 in pins, and found that the box sends out a pulse about every 8 milliseconds. This is roughly 120Hz. The X10 protocol sends out little blips on the power line at the zero-crossings of the AC power, and that's really all there is to it; sometimes it sends out a 1ms blip of 120Khz at the zero crossing (what I will call a Mark), and other times there is nothing (a Space). This pulse signal must be the zero pulses; it looks like the trs-80 just sends out a pulse at the zero crossing when required.

Alnwlsn: /* Reverse Engineer */

2019-06-28T03:15:24Z

Reverse Engineer

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:15, 27 June 2019
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	==Reverse Engineer==		==Reverse Engineer==
			[[File:Trs80-pnp-board.jpg\|thumb\|Internals of the grey box.]]
	At first, I thought that the little grey box might get a command sent to it from the TRS-80 and then get sent out on its own time, but this idea was quickly abandoned when I opened the box and found only a small transformer and a PCB with just one quad op-amp chip. There were no smarts in here; obviously the TRS-80 must be doing all the work. I know that the box must be sending some kind of clock signal to the TRS-80, because the included control program came with an on-screen clock, which would not update unless the box was connected. The expansion interface also has a clock, but this accessory does not require it to work. The first step was to determine what kind of signal the box was creating for the TRS-80. I put a scope on what would be the tape out / trs80 in pins, and found that the box sends out a pulse about every 8 milliseconds. This is roughly 120Hz. The X10 protocol sends out little blips on the power line at the zero-crossings of the AC power, and that's really all there is to it; sometimes it sends out a 1ms blip of 120Khz at the zero crossing (what I will call a Mark), and other times there is nothing (a Space). This pulse signal must be the zero pulses; it looks like the trs-80 just sends out a pulse at the zero crossing when required.		At first, I thought that the little grey box might get a command sent to it from the TRS-80 and then get sent out on its own time, but this idea was quickly abandoned when I opened the box and found only a small transformer and a PCB with just one quad op-amp chip. There were no smarts in here; obviously the TRS-80 must be doing all the work. I know that the box must be sending some kind of clock signal to the TRS-80, because the included control program came with an on-screen clock, which would not update unless the box was connected. The expansion interface also has a clock, but this accessory does not require it to work. The first step was to determine what kind of signal the box was creating for the TRS-80. I put a scope on what would be the tape out / trs80 in pins, and found that the box sends out a pulse about every 8 milliseconds. This is roughly 120Hz. The X10 protocol sends out little blips on the power line at the zero-crossings of the AC power, and that's really all there is to it; sometimes it sends out a 1ms blip of 120Khz at the zero crossing (what I will call a Mark), and other times there is nothing (a Space). This pulse signal must be the zero pulses; it looks like the trs-80 just sends out a pulse at the zero crossing when required.

Alnwlsn at 03:06, 28 June 2019

2019-06-28T03:06:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:06, 27 June 2019
Line 1:		Line 1:
			[[File:Trs80-pnp.jpg\|thumb\|TRS-80 Plug 'n Power Controller, cat # 26-1182 ]]
	The original TRS-80 Plug 'n Power controller (catalog 26-1182)<ref>http://www.trs-80.org/plug-n-power/</ref> was Radio Shack's 1981 answer to home automation. "Plug 'n Power" was actually the Radio Shack branding for products that speak the X10 protocol. If you're not familiar, X10 uses modules that send signals through the house AC lines to turn on and off lamps and appliances. They also made special wall switches and outlets so you could integrate X10 directly into the walls of your house, if you so chose. I say chose, but actually X10 devices are still made and sold, and the X10 system has been extended to control devices via IR, radio, and added sensors like motion detectors, cameras, and windows switches to make an entire security system.		The original TRS-80 Plug 'n Power controller (catalog 26-1182)<ref>http://www.trs-80.org/plug-n-power/</ref> was Radio Shack's 1981 answer to home automation. "Plug 'n Power" was actually the Radio Shack branding for products that speak the X10 protocol. If you're not familiar, X10 uses modules that send signals through the house AC lines to turn on and off lamps and appliances. They also made special wall switches and outlets so you could integrate X10 directly into the walls of your house, if you so chose. I say chose, but actually X10 devices are still made and sold, and the X10 system has been extended to control devices via IR, radio, and added sensors like motion detectors, cameras, and windows switches to make an entire security system.

Alnwlsn at 02:44, 28 June 2019

2019-06-28T02:44:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:44, 27 June 2019
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	<ref>https://archive.org/details/creativecomputing-1982-05/page/n37</ref>, where, in 1982, somebody wrote a review of this unit, and helpfully included how to operate the software (thanks again to Jason Scott who has collected and uploaded thousands of old computer artifacts to the Internet Archive over the years).		<ref>https://archive.org/details/creativecomputing-1982-05/page/n37</ref>, where, in 1982, somebody wrote a review of this unit, and helpfully included how to operate the software (thanks again to Jason Scott who has collected and uploaded thousands of old computer artifacts to the Internet Archive over the years).

	But, there was still a nagging question. On the box, it said that there was a way to control the X10 modules from within a BASIC program. No doubt that this information would have been listed in the manual, which doesn't exist. The obvious way forward would be to reverse engineer the hardware and software.		But, there was still a nagging question. On the box, it said that there was a way to control the X10 modules from within a BASIC program. No doubt that this information would have been listed in the manual, which doesn't exist. The unit as it stands isn't that useful when you can only operate it with the existing program, I'd much rather be able to use it from within my own programs. The obvious way forward would be to reverse engineer the hardware and software.

	==Reverse Engineer==		==Reverse Engineer==