CHAPTER 4. FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
4.1 INTRODUCTION
The following paragraphs provide a fuctional block diagram discussion
of the ATARI 400 and 800 Computer Console Systems. The first
paragraphs will describe the overall system, using a simple block
diagram discussion of the major fuctional modules. Later sections
provide a more detailed discussion of each of these major functional
modules.
For greatest convenience, all the Figures referred to in this Chapter
have been placed together at the end of the Chapter.
4.2 The ATARI 400 and 800 Computer Console Systems
The ATARI 400 and 800 Computer Consoles are made up of seven major
functional modules. Refer to Figure 4.1.
• Motherboard
• CPU Printed Circuit Board
• ROM Personality Printed Circuit Board (Operation System)
• RAM Memory Printed Circuit Board
• Keyboard
• Power Supply
• Program Cartridges
The printed circuit boards plug into sockets on the Motherboard,
utilizing a common Address Bus, Data Bus, and clock lines. The
various power requirements are routed from the Power Supply through
the Motherhoard to all the printed circuit boards. The Keyboard
connects directly to the Motherhoard through a ribbon oonnector. The
sixteen-Line Address bus (AO-A15) allows the microprocessor to
directly address 65,536 (64K) memory locations. The eight line Data
bus (DO-D7) provides the communication and data path beween the
various functional modules.
4.2.1 Motherboard
The Motherboard perfoms the function of tying together all the
various components of the computer system, as well as performing a
variety of logic fumctions. All printed circuit boards, (pcb) and
connector cables plug into the Motherboard to allow communication
between the functional blocks of the 400 and 800 Computer Consoles.
The Motheraoard also does the following:
ATARI Personal Computers 4-1
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