Elektronika BK
Encyclopedia
The Elektronika
BK was a series of 16-bit PDP-11
-compatible Soviet
home computer
s developed by NPO Scientific Center, the leading Soviet microcomputer design team at the time. It was also responsible for the more powerful UKNC
and DVK
micros. First released in 1985, they were based on the К1801ВМ1 (Soviet LSI-11-compatible CPU) and were the only "official" Soviet home computer design in mass production.
They initially sold for about 600-650 ruble
s. This was expensive, but marginally affordable, so they became one of the most popular home computer models in the Soviet Union despite numerous problems. Later, when that price edge was eclipsed by cheaper ZX Spectrum
clones, their powerful CPU and straightforward, easy to program design made them popular as demo machines
. BK (БК) is a Russian
abbreviation which stands for -- domestic (or home) computer. It was also for a short time used as cash register
, for example, in the State Universal Store
.
, apparently, was not, as it was essentially a bare-bone machine, without any peripherals or development tools. The only software available at the launch (except ROM
firmware
) was an included magnetic tape with an early version of BASIC, several programming examples (both for BASIC and FOCAL), and several tests. The ROM firmware included a simple program to enter machine codes, BASIC and Focal interpreters.
While the BK was somewhat compatible with larger and more expensive DVK
professional model microcomputer
s and industrial minicomputers like the SM EVM
series, its meager 32 KB memory from which only 16 KB was generally available to programmers (an extended memory mode supported 28 KB but limited video output to a quarter of the screen) generally precluded direct use of software for the more powerful machines. Nevertheless, the DVK became a popular development platform for BK software, and when the BK memory was later extended to 128 KB, most DVK software could be used directly with minimal changes.
Homebrew
developers quickly filled this niche, porting several development tools from DVK and UKNC
. This led to an explosion of homebrew software, from Text editor
s and database
s to operating system
s and games. Most BK owners expanded the built-in RAM to at least 64 KB, which not only allowed easier software porting from more "grownup" systems, but as these upgrades often included floppy drive controllers, creating a one's own disk operating system
became something of a competitive sport in BK scene. Games and demo
communities also flourished, as its anemic graphics were offset by a powerful CPU.
One of the operating system
was ANDOS
, although officially the computer was shipped with OS BK-11, a modification of RT-11
.
CPU, clocked generally at 3 MHz. It was almost perfectly compatible with Digital Equipment Corporation
's LSI-11 line, though it lacked the EIS and further command set extensions. The manufacturer also closely copied the PDP-11's internal architecture. Each model had one free card slot, which was electrically, but not mechanically compatible with the Q-Bus
. The first versions had 32 KB onboard DRAM
, half of which was used as video memory
. That was extended to 128 KB in later models, with video memory extended to two 16 KB pages.
Video output on all models was provided by the K1801VP1-037 VDC
, a rather spartan chip. It was actually a standard 600-gate ULA with a VDC program that allowed for two graphic video modes, high res (512x256, monochrome) and low res (256x256, 4 colors), and supported hardware vertical scrolling
. Later models had 16 hardwired 4-color sets selectable from 64 color palette
. It didn't support text modes, but simulated two via BIOS
routines: 32x25, 64x25. Some operating systems such as ANDOS managed to output text in 80x25 mode when displaying documents imported from IBM PC, by placing characters more densely. Output was through two separate 5-pin DIN connectors
for a monochrome TV or color TV/monitor. Sound on all models was initially through simple programmable counter connected to an onboard piezo speaker. Later, a General Instrument AY-3-8910
was popular as an aftermarket addition.
All models also had a 16-bit universal parallel port
with separate input and output buses for connecting peripherals such as printer (Eastern Bloc
printers that used an incompatible ИРПР interface instead of the more popular Centronics
port, so Centronics printers needed an adapter), mouse
or Covox DAC
for sound output, and tape recorder
port for data storage. Later models included a manufacturer-supplied floppy drive controller (that could be plugged into a Q-Bus slot) by default. It was available for earlier models as an aftermarket part, but homebrew ones (that also often extended rather anemic 16K memory of original BK) were more popular. A cottage industry for such peripherals and mods flourished.
(an array of mechanical microswitches without keycaps, covered by flexible overlay), 32 KiB RAM, 8 KiB ROM with BIOS (chip K1801RE2-017), 8 KiB ROM with FOCAL interpreter
(K1801RE2-018), 8 KiB ROM with debugger (K1801RE2-019) and one free ROM slot, and its CPU was clocked at 3 MHz. A tape recorder
was used for data storage in the factory configuration.
This model was criticized for its uncomfortable keyboard—while mechanical in nature, lack of keycaps lead to the same unsatisfactory tactile response, that was seen as unacceptable when the machine was used in home or educational settings, although such keyboard could be easily sealed completely, so this version found widespread use as an industrial controller. Other points of criticism was an archaic FOCAL programming language supplied by default, and complete lack of peripherals and software. While all hardware was well documented and easy to work with, the machine was delivered without any programming tools.
p-code
compiler
in the ROM, correcting the weakest points of its predecessor. While BASIC dialect used there was quite powerful and well-optimized (it was actually a somewhat scaled-down clone of MSX BASIC
), the keyboard was a mixed blessing. While it was much more comfortable to work with, its quality left much to be desired, and the keys were prone to sticking, significant bounce and wore quickly, though a model with further modernized keyboard lacking these bottlenecks was available later. FOCAL interpreter was not dropped, but instead shipped on an external ROM cartridge that could be inserted into the Q-Bus slot.
network adapter rated at 19200 bps, which could be inserted into the Q-Bus
slot. Based on ULA chip K1801VP1-035 (and later on K1801VP1-065), the adapter was compatible to DEC
DL-11 and KL-11 serial interfaces, but without modem control bits. It also included a monitor (usually a modified Yunost' compact TV-set), as in school setting it couldn't be expected to be connected to household TV.
to install one or two mechanical switches
that made using the computer more convenient. Some of the common mods were:
These modifications were relatively simple and could be carried out by users who knew how to handle a soldering iron
. Most of the people in the cottage industry of selling programs could also do the mods for a small fee
. Enthusiasts also managed to connect more advanced devices to BK series computers. They developed a hard disk
controller, and 2.5" HDDs were successfully used with BK computer. Other popular enhancements were AY-3-8912
sound chip and Covox Speech Thing
.
s of BK for modern IBM PC compatible
computers. An emulator is able to run at a much higher speed than the original BK.
Elektronika
Electronika is the brand name used for many different electronic products such as calculators, electronic watches, portable games and radios in the Soviet Union and, nowadays, in Russia...
BK was a series of 16-bit PDP-11
PDP-11
The PDP-11 was a series of 16-bit minicomputers sold by Digital Equipment Corporation from 1970 into the 1990s, one of a succession of products in the PDP series. The PDP-11 replaced the PDP-8 in many real-time applications, although both product lines lived in parallel for more than 10 years...
-compatible Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
home computer
Home computer
Home computers were a class of microcomputers entering the market in 1977, and becoming increasingly common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as affordable and accessible computers that, for the first time, were intended for the use of a single nontechnical user...
s developed by NPO Scientific Center, the leading Soviet microcomputer design team at the time. It was also responsible for the more powerful UKNC
UKNC
UKNC was a Soviet PDP-11-compatible educational computer, aimed at teaching school informatics courses. It is also known as Elektronika MS-0511...
and DVK
DVK
DVK is a Soviet PDP-11-compatible personal computer.The design is also known as Elektronika MS-0501 and Elektronika MS-0502.Earlier models of DVK series were based on K1801VM1 or K1801VM2 microprocessors with 16 bit address bus. In the later models, the KM1801VM3 microprocessor was used.-...
micros. First released in 1985, they were based on the К1801ВМ1 (Soviet LSI-11-compatible CPU) and were the only "official" Soviet home computer design in mass production.
They initially sold for about 600-650 ruble
Soviet ruble
The Soviet ruble or rouble was the currency of the Soviet Union. One ruble is divided into 100 kopeks, ....
s. This was expensive, but marginally affordable, so they became one of the most popular home computer models in the Soviet Union despite numerous problems. Later, when that price edge was eclipsed by cheaper ZX Spectrum
ZX Spectrum
The ZX Spectrum is an 8-bit personal home computer released in the United Kingdom in 1982 by Sinclair Research Ltd...
clones, their powerful CPU and straightforward, easy to program design made them popular as demo machines
Demoscene
The demoscene is a computer art subculture that specializes in producing demos, which are non-interactive audio-visual presentations that run in real-time on a computer...
. BK (БК) is a Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
abbreviation which stands for -- domestic (or home) computer. It was also for a short time used as cash register
Cash register
A cash register or till is a mechanical or electronic device for calculating and recording sales transactions, and an attached cash drawer for storing cash...
, for example, in the State Universal Store
State Universal Store
GUM is the name of the main department store in many cities of the former Soviet Union, known as State Department Store during the Soviet times. Similar-named stores were in some Soviet republics and post-Soviet states. The most famous GUM is a large store in the Kitai-gorod part of Moscow,...
.
Software
Although the BK series was included in a governmental economic plan, customer supportCustomer support
Customer support is a range of customer services to assist customers in making cost effective and correct use of a product. It includes assistance in planning, installation, training, trouble shooting, maintenance, upgrading, and disposal of a product....
, apparently, was not, as it was essentially a bare-bone machine, without any peripherals or development tools. The only software available at the launch (except ROM
Read-only memory
Read-only memory is a class of storage medium used in computers and other electronic devices. Data stored in ROM cannot be modified, or can be modified only slowly or with difficulty, so it is mainly used to distribute firmware .In its strictest sense, ROM refers only...
firmware
Firmware
In electronic systems and computing, firmware is a term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that internally control various electronic devices...
) was an included magnetic tape with an early version of BASIC, several programming examples (both for BASIC and FOCAL), and several tests. The ROM firmware included a simple program to enter machine codes, BASIC and Focal interpreters.
While the BK was somewhat compatible with larger and more expensive DVK
DVK
DVK is a Soviet PDP-11-compatible personal computer.The design is also known as Elektronika MS-0501 and Elektronika MS-0502.Earlier models of DVK series were based on K1801VM1 or K1801VM2 microprocessors with 16 bit address bus. In the later models, the KM1801VM3 microprocessor was used.-...
professional model microcomputer
Microcomputer
A microcomputer is a computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit. They are physically small compared to mainframe and minicomputers...
s and industrial minicomputers like the SM EVM
SM EVM
SM EVM was the general name for several types of Soviet and Comecon minicomputers produced in the 1970s and 1980s. Production began in 1975....
series, its meager 32 KB memory from which only 16 KB was generally available to programmers (an extended memory mode supported 28 KB but limited video output to a quarter of the screen) generally precluded direct use of software for the more powerful machines. Nevertheless, the DVK became a popular development platform for BK software, and when the BK memory was later extended to 128 KB, most DVK software could be used directly with minimal changes.
Homebrew
Homebrew (video games)
Homebrew is a term frequently applied to video games or other software produced by consumers to target proprietary hardware platforms not typically user-programmable or that use proprietary storage methods...
developers quickly filled this niche, porting several development tools from DVK and UKNC
UKNC
UKNC was a Soviet PDP-11-compatible educational computer, aimed at teaching school informatics courses. It is also known as Elektronika MS-0511...
. This led to an explosion of homebrew software, from Text editor
Text editor
A text editor is a type of program used for editing plain text files.Text editors are often provided with operating systems or software development packages, and can be used to change configuration files and programming language source code....
s and database
Database
A database is an organized collection of data for one or more purposes, usually in digital form. The data are typically organized to model relevant aspects of reality , in a way that supports processes requiring this information...
s to operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
s and games. Most BK owners expanded the built-in RAM to at least 64 KB, which not only allowed easier software porting from more "grownup" systems, but as these upgrades often included floppy drive controllers, creating a one's own disk operating system
Disk operating system
Disk Operating System and disk operating system , most often abbreviated as DOS, refers to an operating system software used in most computers that provides the abstraction and management of secondary storage devices and the information on them...
became something of a competitive sport in BK scene. Games and demo
Demoscene
The demoscene is a computer art subculture that specializes in producing demos, which are non-interactive audio-visual presentations that run in real-time on a computer...
communities also flourished, as its anemic graphics were offset by a powerful CPU.
One of the operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
was ANDOS
ANDOS
ANDOS is a Russian operating system for Electronika BK-0010, Electronika BK-0011 and Electronika BK-0011M series computers. It was created in 1990 and first released in 1992. Initially it was developed by Alexey Nadezhin and later also by Sergey Kamnev, who joined the project...
, although officially the computer was shipped with OS BK-11, a modification of RT-11
RT-11
RT-11 was a small, single-user real-time operating system for the Digital Equipment Corporation PDP-11 family of 16-bit computers...
.
Hardware
The machine was based on a powerful (for the time) 16-bit single-chip K1801VM11801 series CPU
The 1801 series CPUs were a family of 16-bit Soviet microprocessors based on the indigenous Elektronika NC microarchitecture cores, but binary compatible with DEC's PDP-11 machines. First released in 1980, various models and variants of the series were among the most popular Soviet microprocessors...
CPU, clocked generally at 3 MHz. It was almost perfectly compatible with Digital Equipment Corporation
Digital Equipment Corporation
Digital Equipment Corporation was a major American company in the computer industry and a leading vendor of computer systems, software and peripherals from the 1960s to the 1990s...
's LSI-11 line, though it lacked the EIS and further command set extensions. The manufacturer also closely copied the PDP-11's internal architecture. Each model had one free card slot, which was electrically, but not mechanically compatible with the Q-Bus
Q-Bus
The Q-bus was one of several bus technologies used with PDP and MicroVAX computer systems manufactured by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Maynard, Massachusetts....
. The first versions had 32 KB onboard DRAM
Dram
Dram or DRAM may refer to:As a unit of measure:* Dram , an imperial unit of mass and volume* Armenian dram, a monetary unit* Dirham, a unit of currency in several Arab nationsOther uses:...
, half of which was used as video memory
Video memory
Video memory is a term generally used in computers to describe some form of writable memory, usually RAM, dedicated to the purpose of holding the information necessary for a graphics card to drive a display device...
. That was extended to 128 KB in later models, with video memory extended to two 16 KB pages.
Video output on all models was provided by the K1801VP1-037 VDC
Video Display Controller
A Video Display Controller or VDC is an integrated circuit which is the main component in a video signal generator, a device responsible for the production of a TV video signal in a computing or game system...
, a rather spartan chip. It was actually a standard 600-gate ULA with a VDC program that allowed for two graphic video modes, high res (512x256, monochrome) and low res (256x256, 4 colors), and supported hardware vertical scrolling
Scrolling
In computer graphics, filmmaking, television production, and other kinetic displays, scrolling is sliding text, images or video across a monitor or display. "Scrolling", as such, does not change the layout of the text or pictures, or but incrementally moves the user's view across what is...
. Later models had 16 hardwired 4-color sets selectable from 64 color palette
Palette (computing)
In computer graphics, a palette is either a given, finite set of colors for the management of digital images , or a small on-screen graphical element for choosing from a limited set of choices, not necessarily colors .Depending on the context In computer graphics, a palette is either a given,...
. It didn't support text modes, but simulated two via BIOS
BIOS
In IBM PC compatible computers, the basic input/output system , also known as the System BIOS or ROM BIOS , is a de facto standard defining a firmware interface....
routines: 32x25, 64x25. Some operating systems such as ANDOS managed to output text in 80x25 mode when displaying documents imported from IBM PC, by placing characters more densely. Output was through two separate 5-pin DIN connectors
DIN connector
A DIN connector is a connector that was originally standardized by the , the German national standards organization. There are DIN standards for a large number of different connectors, therefore the term "DIN connector" alone does not unambiguously identify any particular type of connector unless...
for a monochrome TV or color TV/monitor. Sound on all models was initially through simple programmable counter connected to an onboard piezo speaker. Later, a General Instrument AY-3-8910
General Instrument AY-3-8910
The AY-3-8910 is a 3-voice Programmable Sound Generator designed by General Instrument, initially for use with their 16-bit CP1610 or one of the PIC1650 series of 8-bit microcomputers...
was popular as an aftermarket addition.
All models also had a 16-bit universal parallel port
Parallel port
A parallel port is a type of interface found on computers for connecting various peripherals. In computing, a parallel port is a parallel communication physical interface. It is also known as a printer port or Centronics port...
with separate input and output buses for connecting peripherals such as printer (Eastern Bloc
Eastern bloc
The term Eastern Bloc or Communist Bloc refers to the former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, generally the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact...
printers that used an incompatible ИРПР interface instead of the more popular Centronics
IEEE 1284
IEEE 1284 is a standard that defines bi-directional parallel communications between computers and other devices.-History:In the 1970s, Centronics developed the now-familiar printer parallel port that soon became a de facto standard...
port, so Centronics printers needed an adapter), mouse
Mouse (computing)
In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons...
or Covox DAC
Digital-to-analog converter
In electronics, a digital-to-analog converter is a device that converts a digital code to an analog signal . An analog-to-digital converter performs the reverse operation...
for sound output, and tape recorder
Tape recorder
An audio tape recorder, tape deck, reel-to-reel tape deck, cassette deck or tape machine is an audio storage device that records and plays back sounds, including articulated voices, usually using magnetic tape, either wound on a reel or in a cassette, for storage...
port for data storage. Later models included a manufacturer-supplied floppy drive controller (that could be plugged into a Q-Bus slot) by default. It was available for earlier models as an aftermarket part, but homebrew ones (that also often extended rather anemic 16K memory of original BK) were more popular. A cottage industry for such peripherals and mods flourished.
Elektronika BK-0010
was the first model (released in January 1985). It had a pseudo-membrane keyboardMembrane keyboard
A membrane keyboard is a computer keyboard whose "keys" are not separate, moving parts, as with the majority of other keyboards, but rather are pressure pads that have only outlines and symbols printed on a flat, flexible surface...
(an array of mechanical microswitches without keycaps, covered by flexible overlay), 32 KiB RAM, 8 KiB ROM with BIOS (chip K1801RE2-017), 8 KiB ROM with FOCAL interpreter
Interpreter (computing)
In computer science, an interpreter normally means a computer program that executes, i.e. performs, instructions written in a programming language...
(K1801RE2-018), 8 KiB ROM with debugger (K1801RE2-019) and one free ROM slot, and its CPU was clocked at 3 MHz. A tape recorder
Tape recorder
An audio tape recorder, tape deck, reel-to-reel tape deck, cassette deck or tape machine is an audio storage device that records and plays back sounds, including articulated voices, usually using magnetic tape, either wound on a reel or in a cassette, for storage...
was used for data storage in the factory configuration.
This model was criticized for its uncomfortable keyboard—while mechanical in nature, lack of keycaps lead to the same unsatisfactory tactile response, that was seen as unacceptable when the machine was used in home or educational settings, although such keyboard could be easily sealed completely, so this version found widespread use as an industrial controller. Other points of criticism was an archaic FOCAL programming language supplied by default, and complete lack of peripherals and software. While all hardware was well documented and easy to work with, the machine was delivered without any programming tools.
Elektronika BK-0010.01
The follow-up version, БК-0010.01 (sometimes referred to as -0010-01) was essentially the same machine, but with a conventional full-travel keyboard and a Vilnius BASICVilnius BASIC
Vilnius BASIC was a dialect of the BASIC programming language running on the Elektronika BK-0010-01/BK-0011M and UKNC computers.It was a quite advanced BASIC and featured a runtime threaded code compiler that compiled the program when one entered the RUN command. The dialect was very close to MSX...
p-code
P-Code machine
In computer programming, a p-code machine, or portable code machine is a virtual machine designed to execute p-code...
compiler
Compiler
A compiler is a computer program that transforms source code written in a programming language into another computer language...
in the ROM, correcting the weakest points of its predecessor. While BASIC dialect used there was quite powerful and well-optimized (it was actually a somewhat scaled-down clone of MSX BASIC
MSX BASIC
MSX BASIC is a dialect of the BASIC programming language. It is an extended version of Microsoft Standard BASIC Version 4.5, and includes support for graphic, music, and various peripherals attached to MSX Personal Computers. Generally, MSX-BASIC is designed to follow GW-BASIC, which is one of the...
), the keyboard was a mixed blessing. While it was much more comfortable to work with, its quality left much to be desired, and the keys were prone to sticking, significant bounce and wore quickly, though a model with further modernized keyboard lacking these bottlenecks was available later. FOCAL interpreter was not dropped, but instead shipped on an external ROM cartridge that could be inserted into the Q-Bus slot.
Elektronika BK-0010Sh
was a model intended specially for school use. It could be either -0010 or -0010.01 model, but was supplied with a special current loopCurrent loop
A current loop describes two different electrical signalling schemes.- Digital :For digital serial communications, a current loop is a communication interface that uses current instead of voltage for signaling...
network adapter rated at 19200 bps, which could be inserted into the Q-Bus
Q-Bus
The Q-bus was one of several bus technologies used with PDP and MicroVAX computer systems manufactured by the Digital Equipment Corporation of Maynard, Massachusetts....
slot. Based on ULA chip K1801VP1-035 (and later on K1801VP1-065), the adapter was compatible to DEC
Digital Equipment Corporation
Digital Equipment Corporation was a major American company in the computer industry and a leading vendor of computer systems, software and peripherals from the 1960s to the 1990s...
DL-11 and KL-11 serial interfaces, but without modem control bits. It also included a monitor (usually a modified Yunost' compact TV-set), as in school setting it couldn't be expected to be connected to household TV.
Elektronika BK-0011
BK-0011 was released in 1990. It had 128 KB of RAM divided into 16 KB pages, its CPU was clocked at 4 MHz by default; it included a newer version of BASIC in ROM, 16 selectable video palettes, which were almost universally criticized by users for their odd color combinations. It had a floppy controller, but the drive was still sold separately.Elektronika BK-0011M
Some changes in the BK-0011, while minor, made it incompatible with earlier -0010 models. In particular, it couldn't load 0010 programs from a cassette tape. Even if it could have loaded them, crucial subsystems, such as sound, were still incompatible. Public outcry forced the manufacturer to redesign the machine, restoring compatibility with earlier models. The resulting model, the BK-0011M, quickly went into production, and most BK-0011 series computers were actually BK-0011Ms. As the modifications were minor, most of the handful of -0011 models that made it to market were upgraded to -0011M models by enthusiasts.Mods
It was not uncommon among usersComputer User
Computer User is a computer magazine originally founded in 1982, and which, after several owners and fundamental changes, is still in business today online as computeruser.com...
to install one or two mechanical switches
Switch
In electronics, a switch is an electrical component that can break an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another....
that made using the computer more convenient. Some of the common mods were:
- ResetReset (Computing)In a computer or data transmission system, to reset means to clear any pending errors or events and bring a system to normal condition or initial state usually in a controlled manner. It is usually done in response to an error condition when it is impossible or undesirable for a processing activity...
buttonButton (control)A push-button or simply button is a simple switch mechanism for controlling some aspect of a machine or a process. Buttons are typically made out of hard material, usually plastic or metal. The surface is usually flat or shaped to accommodate the human finger or hand, so as to be easily depressed...
. ProgramsComputer programA computer program is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer. A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor. The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute...
often hungHang (computing)In computing, a hang or freeze occurs when either a single computer program, or the whole system ceases to respond to inputs. In the most commonly encountered scenario, a workstation with a graphical user interface, all windows belonging to the frozen program become static, and though the mouse...
; also, some games did not have a properly implemented Exit function. Without the button, the computer had to be reset by power cyclingPower cyclingPower cycling is the act of turning a piece of equipment, usually a computer, off and then on again. Reasons for power cycling include having an electronic device reinitialize its configuration or recover from an unresponsive state of its mission critical functionality, such as in a crash or hang...
, eventually leading to a worn out power switch on the external power supply. Reset interrupt could be caught by the operating system, so under such systems (for example, ANDOSANDOSANDOS is a Russian operating system for Electronika BK-0010, Electronika BK-0011 and Electronika BK-0011M series computers. It was created in 1990 and first released in 1992. Initially it was developed by Alexey Nadezhin and later also by Sergey Kamnev, who joined the project...
, MK-DOSMK-DOSMK-DOS was one of the most widespread operating systems for Elektronika BK Soviet personal computers, developed by Mikhail Korolev and Dmitriy Butyrskiy from 1993. Like ANDOS, the system provided full compatibility of operating environments for all models of BK, emulating environments of the...
), reset button exited to the OS's file manager.
- Pause switch. The switch activated hardware suspension of instructions execution in the processor. The pause switch was useful for pausing games, most of which did not have a pause keyBreak keyThe origins of the break key on a computer keyboard go back to telegraph practices. A standard telegraph key has a built-in knife switch that can be used to short the key's contacts. When the key was not in use, that switch was kept closed, so that a signal was continually sent...
. A few games, however, did not behave gracefully after being returned from the suspension, because the programmable hardware timer built into the processor chipIntegrated circuitAn integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
was still running while the instructions execution was suspended. BK also had a software shortkey combination for pause.
- Clock speed switch (“turbo” switch). Changed the processor clock speedClock rateThe clock rate typically refers to the frequency that a CPU is running at.For example, a crystal oscillator frequency reference typically is synonymous with a fixed sinusoidal waveform, a clock rate is that frequency reference translated by electronic circuitry into a corresponding square wave...
from the standard 3 MHz (BK-0010* series) to 4 or 6 MHz, or from the standard 4 MHz (BK-0011* series) to 3 or 6 MHz. Not all processor samples worked reliably at 6 MHz; the possibility of such overclockingOverclockingOverclocking is the process of operating a computer component at a higher clock rate than it was designed for or was specified by the manufacturer, but some manufacturers purposely underclock their components to improve battery life. Many people just overclock or 'rightclock' their hardware to...
had to be determined experimentally for each sample. Switching the clock speed changed the pace of dynamic games. The turbo switch usually had to be installed together with the pause switch, because the simplest circuit for switching the clock speed produced bad shapesWaveformWaveform means the shape and form of a signal such as a wave moving in a physical medium or an abstract representation.In many cases the medium in which the wave is being propagated does not permit a direct visual image of the form. In these cases, the term 'waveform' refers to the shape of a graph...
in the clock signal due to contact bounce when the mechanical switch was flipped, running the risk of hanging the software execution unless the processor was in the suspended state.
- “Sound on/off” switch, or sound volume knob which adjusted the volume levelLoudnessLoudness is the quality of a sound that is primarily a psychological correlate of physical strength . More formally, it is defined as "that attribute of auditory sensation in terms of which sounds can be ordered on a scale extending from quiet to loud."Loudness, a subjective measure, is often...
of the internal piezoelectric speaker using a potentiometerPotentiometerA potentiometer , informally, a pot, is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding contact that forms an adjustable voltage divider. If only two terminals are used , it acts as a variable resistor or rheostat. Potentiometers are commonly used to control electrical devices such as volume controls on...
. While the modder was at it, the speaker could be replaced by a louder one.
These modifications were relatively simple and could be carried out by users who knew how to handle a soldering iron
Soldering iron
A soldering iron is a hand tool most commonly used in soldering. It supplies heat to melt the solder so that it can flow into the joint between two workpieces.A soldering iron is composed of a heated metal tip and an insulated handle...
. Most of the people in the cottage industry of selling programs could also do the mods for a small fee
Fee
A fee is the price one pays as remuneration for services. Fees usually allow for overhead, wages, costs, and markup.Traditionally, professionals in Great Britain received a fee in contradistinction to a payment, salary, or wage, and would often use guineas rather than pounds as units of account...
. Enthusiasts also managed to connect more advanced devices to BK series computers. They developed a hard disk
Hard disk
A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...
controller, and 2.5" HDDs were successfully used with BK computer. Other popular enhancements were AY-3-8912
General Instrument AY-3-8910
The AY-3-8910 is a 3-voice Programmable Sound Generator designed by General Instrument, initially for use with their 16-bit CP1610 or one of the PIC1650 series of 8-bit microcomputers...
sound chip and Covox Speech Thing
Covox Speech Thing
The Covox Speech Thing was an external audio device attached to the computer to output digital sound. It was composed of the most primitive 8-bit DAC using a resistor ladder and an analogue signal output, and plugged in to the printer port of the PC.The circuit was marketed around 1986 by Covox,...
.
Emulators
There are various software emulatorEmulator
In computing, an emulator is hardware or software or both that duplicates the functions of a first computer system in a different second computer system, so that the behavior of the second system closely resembles the behavior of the first system...
s of BK for modern IBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible
IBM PC compatible computers are those generally similar to the original IBM PC, XT, and AT. Such computers used to be referred to as PC clones, or IBM clones since they almost exactly duplicated all the significant features of the PC architecture, facilitated by various manufacturers' ability to...
computers. An emulator is able to run at a much higher speed than the original BK.
External links
- Elektronika BK 0011 in the Soviet Calculator Collection
- BK0010 Russian computer emul. v1.6 w/src