Category: Emailer

Research (and maybe resurrecting) the Amstrad Emailer plus

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Emailer

Other em@ailer projects

E2

E3

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Emailer

em@iler Chip Identification

Main PCB

Annotated image of the main PCB showing with chips numbered for the following table.
Annotated image of the main PCB showing Chip locations
IDImageMarkingPurpose / DescriptionSpec Sheets
1Sharp ARM
LH79531
L216 01B
50MHz 32-Bit ARM7TDMI General-purpose SoCProduct Info
DataSheet
(local)
2Atmel
AT49BV512
15TC
0214		512K Flash MemoryDataSheet
(local)
3XILINX
XC9572XL
TQ100BMN0217
A1216699A
10C		High Performance 3.3v CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device)DataSheet
(local)
4Conexant
SCP LT
L9403-11
E212479.1
0216 Mexico		Smart Modem IC
5F Japan
30LV0064
0208 M38
PFTN		64Mbit CMOS NAND Flash
(8Mbyte)		DataSheet
(local)
6EtronTech
EM638165TS-7
F528059MQFC0359		64Mbit S-DRAM
(8Mbyte)		DataSheet
(local)
7CONEXANT
SMARTSCM/56
CX88168-11
E91871.1
0042 TAIWAN		Single Chip v90/k56Flex/V.34 ModemDataSheet
(local)
8CYPRESS
SL811HST
1.5
M1C9K-000
0209		Embedded USB Host ControllerDataSheet
(local)
9CONEXANT
SMARTDAA
20463-11
E205287.1
0213 MEXICO		Modem Data DriverSee SmartSCM/56
10CONEXANT
20437-11
E189607.1
0207 MEXICO		Modem Voice CodecSee SmartSCM/56
11
12		063AC
9221		Voltage RegulatorsDataSheet
13L 0228
MOC3023
Y		OptoIsolatorDataSheet
14835-00086
EE
0222 CN3		? Isolation transformer ?See SmartSCM/56
1524AZ
LM
358M		2 Channel Op AmpDataSheet
(local)
Underside24AH
LM386
M-1		Audio Amplifiers (2 of)DataSheet
(local)

Smartcard Reader

Rather advanced for a domestic product of the era, the em@iler included smartcard functionality that was expected to be used for payment or authentication cards.

The smartcard reader is based around a single chip:

ImageMarkingsPurposeSpec Sheet
Smartcard reader PCBTDA8004T
J82226
Jn0219 1		Smart Card Interface (superseded by NXP TDA8024)TDA8004T
(local)
TDA8024
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Emailer

Dismantling the e-m@iler

  1. Remove the handset and qwerty keyboard.
  2. Tip the device over, and remove the 4 screws shown.
    Underside of the em@iler with the screws indicated
  3. Tip the device back over, and unclip the top trim.
    em@iler with the top cover removed
  4. Remove the small screw to the right of the qwerty keyboard
  5. Gently split the case open.
    Opened em@iler, showing main PCBs
  6. Disconnect the keypad looms (2), screen ribbon and aux cables (2), ringer cable and hook switch cable.
    Annotated photo of the base of the emailer
  7. After disconnecting the remaining cables, remove two screws to extract the Main PCB.
    em@iler main PCB (in Can) fixing screws indicated.
  8. PCB can then be lifted from the can after bending back 6 retaining tabs.
Underside of the em@iler main PCB
Underside of the Main PCB
em@iler main PCB top side
Topside of the Main PCB

The Screen has two screws in the back (hidden by rubber stoppers). With these removed, the rear can be wiggled away (there are 2 hook/clips at the top).

This exposes the Display, backlight inverter, and three sub PCB with the indicator LED’s and a button (these all connect back through the middle board to the Keypad PCB in the base.
Closeup of the Inverter
The Left LED has a small capacitor, which connects back to the mainboard via a dedicated cable … it’s not obvious what purpose this serves!
The screen can be unscrewed, and the can opened by prizing back a number of tabs.

This separates with the backlight in one half and the TFT panel in the other, with a small driver board consisting of a couple Op-Amps (a VHC244-042 and a BA1032AAF).