About

PerryFi is a wifi modem expansion for Amstrad PCW computers, based on VapourSoft's PCW WiFi Modem schematic. The PCW WiFI Modem itself is a fork of Retro WiFi Modem by mecparts, who in turn cites inspiration from a message thread on the VCF forums, Paul Rickards's WiFi232, and Daniel Jameson's Virtual Modem for ESP8266.

The PCW itself does not contain the electronics for an RS232 serial port built in. Back in the day, users would be required to buy a separate CPS8256 serial interface to connect to an analogue modem or serial printer.

The PerryFi combines a serial interface with an ESP8266 microcontroller. The ESP8266 is perfect for this task, as it has a built in TCP/IP network stack, wifi connectivity, and its default firmware uses Hayes modem-style AT commands, so the PerryFi can be used with existing PCW communications software.

PerryFi can be used to set your PCW's time and date automatically on boot directly from the internet, negating the need for an RTC. You can connect to any of the many telnet BBSes, and it is also possible to print to a modern printer using CUPS on a *BSD or Linux-based server as a gateway.

PerryFi is designed to either plug into the PCW Backplane, or directly into the back of the PCW using the expansion edge connector.

Licensing

PerryFi is licensed under the CERN Open Hardware Licence Version 2: CERN-OHL-S. If you intend to produce boards to sell, please make sure you read and understand the terms of this licence first.

Project

For more full details, and full instructions for flashing the firmware, and setting up the PerryFi on the PCW, please go to the GitHub repository.