diff --git a/papers/doc/7-systems/lynx.md b/papers/doc/7-systems/lynx.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..c9c9bc26 --- /dev/null +++ b/papers/doc/7-systems/lynx.md @@ -0,0 +1,12 @@ +# Atari Lynx/MIKEY + +The Atari Lynx is a 16 bit handheld console developed by (obviously) Atari Corporation, and initially released in September of 1989, with the worldwide release being in 1990. + +The Atari Lynx's custom sound chip and CPU (MIKEY) is a 6502-based 8 bit CPU running at 16MHz, however this information is generally not useful in the context of Furnace. + +## Sound capabilities + + - The MIKEY has 4 channels of square wave-based sound, which can be modulated with different frequencies (×0, ×1, ×2, ×3, ×4, ×5, ×7, ×10, and ×11) to create wavetable-like results. + - The MIKEY also has hard stereo panning capabilities via the `08xx` effect command. + - The MIKEY has four 8-bit DACs (Digital to Analog Converter) — one for each voice — that essentially mean you can play samples on the MIKEY (at the cost of CPU time and memory). + - The MIKEY also has a variety of pitches to choose from, and they go from 32Hz to "above the range of human hearing", according to Atari.