Acorn 6502 second processor

ACORN has finally announced the first of its second processor options for the BBC machine — the units have been on display at shows for over a year.

The 6502 second processor. which Acorn says is available now, costs £199 and gives the BBC owner a second 6502 processor and an additional 64K of memory.

The unit plugs into the ‘tube’ high-speed data bus interface on the BBC machine. Most programs will run up to 50 percent faster with the second processor connected. The program is run on the second processor, leaving the 6502 in the BBC itself to simultaneously handle the screen display, Basic, operating system, keyboard, sound and input/ output calls. With the 6502 second processor connected, the BBC machine has 60K of contiguous programming space — including 44K available to Basic — regardless of display mode.

Acorn plans to follow the 6502 unit with the Z80 second processor in June. The Z80 will be offered complete with CP/M operating system disc and software.

Bad news, however, for those looking forward to Acorn’s third second processor option — the 16-bit National Semiconductor 16032 device. This option has receeded still further and is unlikely to appear this year. Chip availability problems have been blamed, although Acorn says it is determined to continue with development of the product.

To complement the launch of the 6502 option, Acorn has announced a development of the Robocom computer aided design software package originally developed for the Apple.

The system has been considerably enhanced and is implemented on the BBC with twin-disc drive and 6502 processor system using the Bitstick — a kind of glorified joystick.

The sophistication of the Bitstick graphics system is matched by the sophistication of its price — £375.