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C) GameLink-II SIO Connections (2 or 3 nodes):
The following directions give you some insight into how the GameLink
II system works, and will allow you to create a more permanent
connection for two or three player games. They are provided for the
more technical user who has sufficient experience to assemble a
small hardware project. Non-technical users who wish to buy a
multi-node connection should skip to the next section.
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GameLink-II Docs
1) The easiest way to construct a GameLink-II cable is to purchase
a long (6 foot) SIO cable and cut it in half.
2) If more length is needed, the wires can be extended to around 6
feet per node (thus, from one computer to any other would be a
maximum of 12 feet).
3) The connections are made according to the following list:
pin name connection description
--- -------- ---------- -------------------------------
1 SCLK not used leave with no connection
2 OCLK not used leave with no connection
3 SID PARALLEL connected to all other SID & SOD
4 DGND PARALLEL connected to all other DGNDs
5 SOD PARALLEL connected to all other SID & SOD
6 CGND PARALLEL connected to all other CGNDs
7 COMMAND not used leave with no connection
8 MOTCTL not used leave with no connection
9 PROCEED not used leave with no connection
10 +5V not used leave with no connection
11 AUDIO IN not used leave with no connection
12 +12V/NC not used leave with no connection
13 INTERRUPT not used leave with no connection
4) Both grounds are connected between all systems.
5) Both the SID (Serial Input), and SOD (Serial Output) lines are
connected together from all nodes. This allows any node to
transmit data to all other nodes (including itself, if
desired).
6) A graphical representation of a 3 node GameLink-II network is
shown below, with wires indicated by dashes (-) and vertical
bars (|). Junctions shown by asterisks (*)
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GameLink-II Docs
Node-1 Node-2 Node-3
------ ------ ------
SID(3) SID(3) SID(3)
| | |
*---------------*---------------*
| | |
SOD(5) SOD(5) SOD(5)
DGND(4) DGND(4) DGND(4)
| | |
*---------------*---------------*
CGND(6) CGND(6) CGND(6)
| | |
*---------------*---------------*
7) Another method would be to buy SIO sockets, and mount them in a
box, or PC board, and connect them as above. This would allow
you to use unmodified SIO cables.
8) Vendors for the cables and/or connectors:
a) MCM Electronics
650 Congress Park Drive
Dayton, OH 45459-9955
(note: no longer stocks SIO sockets)
b) BEST Electronics
2121 The Alameda Suite 290
San Jose, CA 95126-1127
c) B&C ComputerVisions
2730 Scott Boulevard
Santa Clara, CA 95050
d) American Techna-Vision
15338 Inverness St.
San Leandro, CA 94579
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D) GameLink-II SIO Connections for More Than 3 Nodes:
1) After a fair amount of beta testing and some head scratching, we
discovered that an unmodified Atari's POKEY IC lacks the current
sinking capability to provide reliable operation when more than
3 8-bit computers are linked as described above.
2) An active device (integrated circuit) must be added to provide
the necessary current sinking capability. Rather than include
some complicated instructions, we plan to offer the following
devices for sale to registered owners:
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GameLink-II Docs
a) The OCTO-LINK, which consists of a circuit board,
populated with the required integrated circuit and two SIO
connectors. Unpopulated sites will exist for the addition of
up to six additional SIO connectors by the user (SIO
connectors available from the vendors listed above). This is
ideal for user groups, where the club can purchase one of
these for regular meetings. Use of regular SIO cables
completes the network.
b) The DUO-LINK two-player expandable serial bus cable. This
consists of a circuit board with the necessary integrated
circuit, and serial cable with two ends. It can link two
players together by itself. By purchasing additional cables,
pairs of players can be added. The cables link at their
middles to other cables with heavy duty Molex pins and
connectors. This arrangement allows 8-bitters to own their
own GameLink-II modules, letting them plug together and play
at any time without investing in the 8-player board.
4) As you can imagine, AGDA is not a large commercial concern.
Previous to February 1, 1994 we will be monitoring our GEnie,
CompuServe, Internet, and U.S. Mail addresses hoping for some
response. After that date we will order the necessary raw
materials to create the first batch of the DUO-LINK and
OCTO-LINK connectors. We will sell them to the registered
shareware customers at a nominal fee to cover all expenses.
Keep in touch!
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