This website is an archived copy of "Chris's Acorns", now hosted by The Centre for Computing History as part of The Chris Whytehead collection.
To view the page in it's original forms without this header, append "?cfch-archive=orig" to the URL.

Acorn Atom

[Atom Computers]    [Computers]     [Atom Disc Pack ]

Introduction

The Atom was released in March 1980. The Atom is based on a System 3 in a new case with keyboard. System computer expansion cards can be used to expand it.

Manuals and documents

See Atom Computers 

Here is a diagram of the lay-out of the Atom motherboard (from the Acorn Atom Review ) which shows the location of the ICs.

Atom motherboard layout

 Atom

The Acorn Atom has a 1 MHz 6502 CPU. The minimum system has 2K RAM and 8K ROM. The 2K RAM is split 0.5K for program memory, 0.5K video RAM and 1K page zero, page zero is used by the OS, CPU stack and BASIC variables. The memory can be expanded to 12K RAM, split 5K for programs, 1K page zero and 6K for high resolution graphics (if hi resolution graphics are not used then an additional 5 ½K is available for programs.

The Acorn Atom has a Motorola MC6847 video chip which allows text (32X16 characters) or 2 colour graphics (upto 256 x 192 monochrome). It can be connected to a TV or, with modifications, a monitor. A PAL colour graphics card was also available. A 6522 VIA controls the serial and parallel ports. An INS8255 PPI drives the cassette interface and keyboard.

The basic Atom could be expanded by:

Note that when fully expanded the Atom power requirements can exceed that available from the Atom psu which will require uprating..

I bought my Atom second hand while living in Bedford in 1989. I also have a few Acornsoft programs, including the Indroductory Package. I have never seriously used the Atom.

  Acorn Atom

Acorn Atom and TV

 Acorn Atom plugged in to my TV and saying HELLO WORLD to show it is working. The power supply is an Acorn Atom mains power supply rated at 8V at 1.8A DC. This power supply is insufficient for a fully configured Atom and the Acorn Atom Technical recommends a regulated 5V DC power supply instead.

Acorn Atom front

Acorn Atom (front)

 Acorn Atom right

Acorn Atom (right)

 Acorn Atom back

Acorn Atom (back)

 The back of the Acorn Atom shows the ports. On the basic Atom most of the ports are not fitted. The ports, from left to right, are:

Acorn Atom case open

 Acorn Atom with case open

The top of the PCB has the keyboard, speaker and PL8 Extension Link.

 Acorn Atom motherboard

Acorn Atom motherboard

 This is a base configuration Atom, you can see the empty sockets for various expansions to be added. The motherboard is part no. 2002,000 issue 4.

 A HiRes version of this picture is available HERE 

 Acorn Atom Manuals

Acorn Atom manuals

Acorn Atom software

Aconsoft Atom Software 

 Specification:

Serial Numbern/a
Motherboard part No.202,000 Issue 4
CPU6502
CPU Clock1MHz
RAM2KB
ROM8KB
Add-in/Upgradesn/a