Texas Instruments MINI MEMORY Handbuch Seite 3

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Texas Instruments
INTRODUCTION
MINI MEMORY SOLID STATE CARTRIDGE
The Mini Memory Solid State Cartridge Command Module increases the versatility of your Texas
Instruments Tl99/ 4 orTl99/4A Home Computer by providing additional memory for your system and
important tools for program development. In addition, the module contains a built-in battery, which
permits the programs and data stored in the module's Random Access Memory (RAM) to be retain-
ed when the computer console is turned off, even if the module is removed from the console.
THE FEATURES OF THE MINI MEMORY MODULE INCLUDE:
• A total of 14 K bytes of memory. This memory consists of 6 K bytes of Graphics Read Only Memory
(GROM), 4 K bytes of Read Only Memory (ROM), and 4 K bytes of RAM. The programs resident in
the GROM and ROM provide additional important program development tools. The RAM provides
additional memory space for data and program storage.
• A built-in battery in the module to preserve the data or programs stored in the RAM memory
• Additional files. Besides the 4 K-byte RAM file in Mini Memory module itself, the 24 K-byte seg-
ment of the Memory Expansion unit, if attached, can be used by TI BASIC programs.
• Assembly language capabilities. With the Mini Memory module, assembly language object pro-
grams can be loaded into the module itself or into the Memory Expansion unit, if attached.
• Additional TI BASIC subprograms. With the Mini Memory module, several additional subpro-
grams can be called with TI BASIC statements. These subprograms include the ability to PEEK
and POKE values.
• Additional utility routines. The Mini Memory module includes several program routines which
permit access to the computer's resources; for example, interfa9ing user programs with ROM-
and GROM- resident programs, interfacing assembly language with the TI BASIC interpreter, and
accessing the VDP RAM.
• A resident debug program. The EASY BUG debug program is a useful program-development
tool with which you can access the internal resources of the computer system and trouble-shoot
your programs.
APPLICATIONS
You can use the RAM in the Mini Memory module to store either data or programs. This memory is
»CPU memory,« which means it is fast-access memory. You can take adventage of this fast storage
and retrieval to store data which is used frequently in an application orto store assembly language
programs which perform rapid computations.
A TI BASIC program which you frequently use can be stored in the Mini Memory module, rather than
on a cassette tape or diskette, for quicker loading.
Generally, Random Access Memory (for example, the »user« memory in the compi;terconsole) loses
its contents when the console is turned off. The battery-activated Mini Memory module, however,
retains its contents when you turn the console off. programs or data can be stored in the battery-
packed RAM, the console turned off, and the module removed from the console. Then, when you
reinsert the module and turn the console on, your data or program is ready to use.