MSX  Panasonic A1-FX
msx_a1fx

Introduction

MSX Cassette Pin Layout

The MSX Standard calls for all MSX computers to have a standard data-cassette port. This port transports the audio-in/out signals to and from the datarecorder and the computer has a relay-switch on board to turn the recorder on and off.

MSX Cartridge Connector

The MSX Cartridge system uses a 50-pin flat-edge connector to connect to the systems expansion bus. The cartridge slot maps into one of the main- or sub-slots.

Zilog Z80 CPU Family

The Z80 quickly became popular in the personal computer market, with many early personal computers, such as the TRS-80 and Sinclair ZX80, using the Z80 as their central processing unit (CPU). It was also widely used in home computers, such as the MSX range, SORD, and the Amstrad CPC, as well as in many arcade games. Additionally, it was also used in other applications such as industrial control systems, and embedded systems. The Z80 was widely used until the mid-1980s, when it was gradually replaced by newer microprocessors such as the Intel 80286 and the Motorola 68000.

The Z80 microprocessor was developed by Zilog, a company founded by Federico Faggin in 1974. The Z80 was released in July 1976, as a successor to the Intel 8080. It was designed to be fully compatible with the 8080, but also included new features such as an improved instruction set, more powerful interrupts, and a more sophisticated memory management system.

The Z80 quickly became popular in the personal computer market, with many early personal computers, such as the TRS-80 and Sinclair ZX80, using the Z80 as their central processing unit (CPU). It was also widely used in home computers, such as the MSX range, SORD, and the Amstrad CPC, as well as in many arcade games. Additionally, it was also used in other applications such as industrial control systems, and embedded systems. The Z80 was widely used until the mid-1980s, when it was gradually replaced by newer microprocessors such as the Intel 80286 and the Motorola 68000. The design was licensed to Synertek and Mostek as well as the European SGS.

The Z80s instruction set is binary compatible with the Intel 8080, so that 8080 code such as the CP/M Operating System and Intel's PL/M compiler for the 8080 can run unmodified on the Z80. The Z80 had many enhancements over the 8080 such as 16-bit data movement instructions, block copy and block I/O instructions, single bit addressing of all registers, IX/IY offset registers, better interrupt system and a complete duplicate register file for context switching during an interrupt.

Source: WikiPedia
Technical Details
Released 1988 Country Japan Brand Panasonic Type MSX 2+ Name Panasonic A1-FX CPU Class Z80 CPU Zilog Z80A @3.58MHz RAM 64kB VRAM 128kB Sound Chip Yamaha YM2149F Programmable Sound Generator Sound 3 wave channels + white noise Display Chip Yamaha V9938 VDP Display All MSX-1 modes
256x212 16 color
512x212 4 color
512x212 2 color
256x212 256 color
Best Text 80x24 Best Color 19268 colors Best Graphics 512x424 interlaced Sprites 16 colors out of 512, 16x16, 8/scanline, 64 total System OS MSX 2+ BIOS / MSX 2+ BASIC Storage Internal Double sided sided 3.5" disk drive, external Tape, ROM cartridges
Related Systems
 
MSX 1
 
MSX 2
 
MSX 2+
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Panasonic  A1-FX (1988)
 
MSX Turbo-R
Books & Publications
 
Assembly Programming
A collection of books on Assembly Programming
 
Basic Programming
A collection of books on Programming in BASIC
 
MSX Computers
Books related to the MSX Standard of microcomputers
 
Z80 CPU
Collection of books on the Z80 8-bit CPU used in various home-computers
Magazines & Serials
 
Happy Computer
Das Grosse Heimcomputer-Magazin
 
Login Magazine
Log In, a magazine covering Japanese MSX, Sharp and NEC computer systems.
 
MC Micro Computer
Una delle riviste storiche di informatica in Italia
 
MCCM
MSX Computer Club Magazine - MSX Blad van MSX Club Belgie/Nederland
 
MCM
MSX Computer Magazine - Maandblad voor MSX-Gebruikers
 
Micom Basic
Basic listings for various Japanese computer systems, including Sharp, MSX, Pasiopia, and more.
 
Moj Micro
Slovenian Computer Magazine
 
MSX CPU
MSX Magazine from Brazil, later included Amiga as well
 
MSX Fan
MSX Fan, Japanese MSX Magazine
 
MSX Gids
Magazine voor MSX gebruiker en programmeur
 
MSX Info
Het Nederlandstalige computerblad voor MSX-Bezitters
 
MSX Magazine
MSX Magazine, Japanese MSX Magazine
 
MSX Micro Magazine
MSX Micro Magazine, Brazilian MSX magazine
 
MSX Mozaik
MSX Mozaik was a user group magazine started by Dirk Scheper. The magazine first appeared as a single page in the MSX-Info magazine of January 1985.
 
MSX World
MSX World, spanish MSX Magazine
 
PopCom
PopCom (Let's Enjoy Computer LIfe)
World Wide Web Links
 
MSX Resource Center
MSX Resource Center dedicated to MSX. It has an extensive archive of MSX news, an active MSX forum, lots of information in their MSX wiki and a large section of free MSX software.
 
Virtual MSX
MSXVR is a computer that is hardware and software compatible with MSX computers, implemented in FPGA.
 
Computer Fandom
Computer fandom website for MSX
 
Wikipedia: The Z80 CPU
Wikipedia page on the very popular Z80 8-bit CPU used in many computers of the 1980's era.