[2] Users programmed the MicroAngelo in assembly language using the Z80's input/output parallel ports, which sent data over the internal S-100 bus at relatively high speeds.
In particular, the software interface required only two of the input/output "ports", but a single MA512 would lock down an entire set of eight, typically F0 to FF.
Shortly after the MA520 was announced, SCION stated they were going to produce a standalone terminal consisting of a complete Zilog Z80-based CP/M machine packaged with a MA520, and optionally a monitor as well.
Form and Function packaged a graphics terminal using a single MicroAngelo board placed inside an existing Ball monochrome monitor to produce the "IM-1".
This solution had a number of problems, including the fact that it did not support existing terminal standards like VT52, and that the serial port would start to bog down above about 6000 bit/s, slow even for the era.