Brief Description of Cyclone 2.0 16/06/99 Cyclone is a Dos program that allows yaroze playstation applications to use the PC as a file server, meaning playstation data files (tim files, sound files etc) can be loaded from and saved to the PC from within playstation applications at run time. Cyclone also allows for the transfer of packet data between playstations, permitting a multiplayer link-up. Currently, this is possible either via a PC modem-to-modem connection, or via a direct link between two playstations using a link cable. The playstation library libcyc.a contains the functions required to allow file data and packet transfers within yaroze applications. Start Up When Cyclone is executed, it reads in the user-defined values stored in it's config file, 'cyclone.cfg', after which the serial ports are opened. If Cyclone can't gain control of the serial ports, it won't report an error, instead it will fall through to the Direct Link menu, where you can quit (see below). With the ports opened, the Siocons 'GO' command is sent to both ports. The ports are then scanned for the 'ResetGraph...' string, signifying a playstation application has started, and from this Cyclone determines the game type. Cyclone allows for the following connection/game types:- Direct Link no playstations detected Modem Link Game one playstation found Port Link Game two playstations found (not supported) Direct Link Direct Link mode creates a transparent connection between one playstation and another. You can have either two playstations connected to the PC, or create a PC modem-to-modem connection to a remote playstation. Any data the PC receives at one port is passed immediately to the other, without translation or modification. To view the data bytes passed between ports set the Debug_Flag in the config.cfg file, 1 for hexidecimal and 2 for characters. It may be possible to use this connection to run commercial link games, if you know the baud rates they run at, but its unlikely they could cope with the added latency of a modem connection. A port-to-port connection can also allow the yaroze to communicate directly with the modem. Pressing the space bar during a Direct Link connection will register that you wish to break the connection, after which Cyclone will exit from transfer mode when the port lines go low. You may need to reset the playstation for this to work. To quit Cyclone select option 4 from the menu. Modem Link Game If one playstation is detected, Cyclone enters into Modem Link Game, command mode. The playstation can then send commands to the PC, requesting file data transfers, or to create a connection to a remote playstation. The file transfer requests are automatically handled by Cyclone, but to connect to another playstation you'll have to select whether you'll be making or awaiting a call from the remote. If you're creating the connection, then your playstation will be the master, and the other the slave. When the modems have been found and initialized correctly, one PC will dial up while the other is awaiting the call. Once the connection has been established, the PC's send over the player name and matches the Cyclone version numbers. If this data checks out the playstations are informed of a successful connection, and receive their master/slave status. The playstation application is still able to transfer file data when connected, though not between themselves and the remote PC/playstation. Players can send text messages to each other by pressing the space bar and typing them in, and it's possible to change the Frame_Difference value by typing max_diff where val is a number from 0 to 8. When ready, the playstations call pkt_start() to begin the packet transfer. If the Frame_Difference value in the master PC's cyclone.cfg is greater than zero, this value is passed to the playstation at this time. When both playstations have started, Cyclone enters into packet transfer mode, and transfers packets between the playstations. By setting the Debug_Flag to 1 or 2 in the config file, the data being passed between playstations will be displayed. Cyclone returns to command mode when both playstations have called pkt_end() to end the transfer. To quit Cyclone from within a Modem Link connection, the playstation application should call cyc_exit(), or the playstation can be reset. Port Link Game (not supported) If two playstations are detected, Cyclone enters into Port Link Game, command mode. Both playstations can send commands to the PC, requesting file data transfers, create a connection etc. When connecting to the other playstation, the first playstation to make a connection request becomes the master, the other becomes the slave. When both playstations have called pkt_start(), Cyclone enters into packet transfer mode. Packets are transferred until both playstations call pkt_end(), then Cyclone returns to command mode. To quit Cyclone within a Port Link connection, both playstations should call cyc_exit or both be reset.