Atari 8-bit computer peripherals

Atari 8-bit computer peripherals include <a href="/facts/Floppy_drive/rShxfuxa">floppy drives</a>, printers, modems, and video game controllers for <a href="/facts/Atari_8-bit_computers/aT04N5zR">Atari 8-bit computers</a>, which includes the 400/800, XL, XE, and XEGS.
Because the Atari 400/800 8-bit computers were bundled with an <a href="/facts/RF_modulator/uKpaMvxk">RF modulator</a>, stringent <a href="/facts/FCC/Ueghz8W0">FCC</a> regulations limiting radio emissions applied. Consequently, the Atari 400/800 systems internal construction use large metal frames as <a href="/facts/Faraday_cage/VPWudr6J">Faraday cages</a> to prevent emissions. This prevents the use of internal cards to add connections for peripherals.
To permit easy expansion, Atari developed the <a href="/facts/Atari_SIO/TpvhgLVt">SIO</a> (Serial Input/Output) bus. This bus <a href="/facts/Daisy_chain_(electrical_engineering)/x1FsIB1E">daisy chains</a> together all Atari peripherals into a single string. The Atari computer family was designed to be easy for novice users to expand, with one universal connector plug. Peripherals have their own IDs and can deliver downloadable <a href="/facts/Device_driver/rDYnHU1G">drivers</a> to the computer during the boot process. However, the additional electronics in these "intelligent" peripherals made them cost more than the "dumb" devices for other systems.

Atari 8-bit computer peripherals open-in-new

Atari 8-bit computer peripherals