Platform Microbee - z88dk/z88dk GitHub Wiki
The MicroBEE is a CP/M compatible platform, so the same base library can be used, but extra functionalities are available. Library extras include the low resolution graphics, the sound support for the 1-bit sound, and joystick (real and emulated via keyboard scanning).
Command Line
CP/M mode:
zcc +cpm -lm -create-app -lmicrobee -D__BEE__ -oPROGRAM program.c
CP/M mode, VT-ANSI color terminal emulation:
zcc +cpm -clib=ansi -lm -create-app -lmicrobee -D__BEE__ -oPROGRAM program.c
CP/M mode, 40 columns VT-ANSI color terminal emulation:
zcc +cpm -clib=ansi40 -lm -create-app -lmicrobee -D__BEE__ -oPROGRAM program.c
CP/M mode, generic console, switchable between 40,64,80 columns:
zcc +cpm -lm -create-app -subtype=microbee -oPROGRAM program.c -pragma-redirect:fputc_cons=fputc_cons_generic
LOADM mode:
The following commands will create a file with the ".BEE" extension. Adding the '-subtype=wav' or '-subtype=wav300' options will, as an alternative, produce a WAV audio file compatible to the cassette player formats. The earlier 16K models support 300 baud only.
zcc +bee -lm -create-app -oPROGRAM program.c
As above in 80x25 mode (VT ansi emulation):
zcc +bee -clib=ansi -lm -create-app -oPROGRAM program.c
As above in 40 columns mode:
zcc +bee -clib=ansi40 -lm -create-app -oPROGRAM program.c
Generic console
The generic console supports switching between 3 text based modes:
- Mode 0 = 80x24, natural fontsize = 11
- Mode 1 = 64x16, natural fontsize = 16
- Mode 2 = 40x25, natural fontsize = 11
All modes support a custom font and UDG support when supported by the hardware. There are 128 PCG slots, which are allocated as follows:
- With custom font: font (96), UDGs (16), Block graphics (16)
- Without custom font: UDGS (112), Block graphics (16)
Note that in mode 1, the gap between rows of characters is quite large with the standard 8x8 font. Alternative height fonts and UDGs can be used by adding the option -pragma-define:CLIB_FONT_HEIGHT=XX where XX is obtained from the list above.
By default, colours are mapped for the Premium models, to map for the standard models add the option -pragma-define:CLIB_BEE_PREMIUM=0.
Graphics Library
The MicroBee port supports three graphics variants. Low-resolution (up-to 160x48) is built in by default. This form cooperates with the generic console and allows the use of custom fonts and UDGs.
A slightly higher resolution (160x75) is also available. This library will preclude the use of custom fonts and UDGs:
*-lgfxbee
On the Premium models, full graphics expansion for 16 PCG pages, 640x275:
*-lgfxbee640
On the Premium models, standard 16K video memory for 8 PCG pages, 512x256 (faster and smaller) and 320x275:
*-lgfxbee512
*-lgfxbee320
Audio options
To enable the audio format output and create a WAV file in place of the ".BEE" binary one, use one of the following options:
* **-subtype=wav** <- 1200 baud, valid for most of the Microbee models but failing on the earlier ones
* **-subtype=wav300** <- 300 baud, works also on the 16K model
The audio format can be slightly adjusted:
* **-Cz--loud** to increase the generated audio level
* **-Cz--fast** to slightly force the audio frequencies and tone duration for a faster transfer
Emulator hints
A good emulator is UBEE512, available in the Microbee Software Preservation Project
To run the ".BEE" native files: RUNM "program.bee"
The mbee128 and mbee128p targets within Mame work well for CP/M support.
Appmake
Appmake can generate discs for the Microbee ds80 format - add the -subtype=microbee option to the CP/M target. Note some versions of CP/M use a different disc format which isn't generated by appmake.
CPMTOOLS
For the CP/M format we suggest to use the CPMTOOLS compiled with the LibDsk option and edit an existing 84 tracks disk image.
An already built and configured version is available in the Microbee Software Preservation Project
First of all edit its "diskdefs" file and add a section:
# Microbee 3.5" PJB DS84 (3.5" DS DD 80T 10x512 s/t)
diskdef ds84
seclen 512
cylinders 80
sectrk 10
heads 2
blocksize 4096
maxdir 128
skew 3
skewstart 2
datasect 1
testside 1
boottrk 2
os 2.2
end
To transfer a program on a disk image erase the previous copy and refresh it, i.e.: cpmrm -T dsk -f ds84 boot.dsk 0:a.com cpmcp -T dsk -f ds84 boot.dsk a.com 0:a.com
The resulting disk image can be associated to the emulator as a command line option: ubee512 -a boot.dsk
Other disk images may have been created in RAW format (no libdsk header).
Many other formats are avaiable, in the mentioned pre-configured cpmtools variant. Example for a 409600 bytes long boot disk:
# Microbee Nanowasp (DS DD 40T 10x512 s/t)
# It probably can't be used to read/write files on a real floppy disk.
diskdef nw40
seclen 512
cylinders 80
sectrk 10
heads 1
sidedness 3
blocksize 2048
maxdir 128
skew 3
skewstart 2
datasect 1
testside 1
boottrk 2
os 2.2
end