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| Re: New eZ80 Small Encased System [message #7905 is a reply to message #7785] |
Mon, 10 August 2020 09:36   |
wsm
Messages: 232
Registered: February 2017
Location: AB, Canada
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What with summer, development has been sowewhat slow. I've developed a loader to allow for easy replacement of the embedded CP/M 2.2 system without the use of any special programmer and a basic BIOS with the RAMdisk & ROMdisk working. Given the speed claims for the eZ80, I thought I'd do some benchmarking.
For comparison, I used a 33MHz Z180 system which has proven to be about 16% faster per MHz than a Z80. All of these tests were repeated twice but the times are simply from a stopwatch so they're only approximate.
ASCIIART: Z180 = 30 seconds, eZ80 = 6.8 seconds or a Z80 at approximately 171 MHz
PI (200 digits): Z180 = 58.1 seconds, eZ80 = 12.6 seconds or a Z80 at ~ 178 MHz
PI-OL (200 digits): Z180 = 34.7 seconds, eZ80 = 7.6 seconds or a Z80 at ~ 177 MHz
PI-OLZ88 (500 digits): Z180 = 42.0 seconds, eZ80 = 8.35 seconds or a Z80 at ~ 194 MHz
PIZ88 (500 digits): Z180 = 69.9 seconds, eZ80 = 14.35 seconds or a Z80 at ~ 188 MHz
Conclusion: This is a speedy system and the claims for an eZ80 being the equivalent of a Z80 at 150-200 MHz are quite reasonable but it obviously depends on the instruction mix. Some instructions like LDIR have been optimized to run in 2 cycles on the eZ80 versus 21 on the Z80. Given that instructions like INIR can operate in 2 cycles or 25 MB/Sec, DMA really isn't required unless there are slow peripherals and multi-tasking.
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| Re: New eZ80 Small Encased System [message #8131 is a reply to message #8028] |
Fri, 11 December 2020 09:35 |
wsm
Messages: 232
Registered: February 2017
Location: AB, Canada
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Senior Member |
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Software is slowly progressing and I'm currently testing some of the utilities such as disk formatting and host file transfers. Ethernet and FAT32 support are still being deferred.
V1.1 PCBs have been received and more CPUs are finally enroute. V1.1 has minor changes to the board outline and layout plus some port re-assignments to enhance disk overlap if multi-tasking. I've actually made two V1.1 board configurations: one with 512K-4MB RAM and the other with a single 512K/2MB SRAM plus an optional 512K or 2MB MRAM. Although fairly expensive, the MRAM can be used as a fast non-volatile RAMdisk.
I've been impressed with the speed and integration of the eZ80, although I'm not overly fond of the ZDS assembler and linker. New eZ80F91 chips from Mouser are essentially the same price as the 33MHz Z180 (about $10) but are considerably faster (roughly 5X) and also include an RTC, two additional timers, additional integrated I/O (I2C, SPI, GPIO & Ethernet MAC) plus 256KB of flash and 16KB of SRAM. It also contains a voltage/reset supervisor and a debug interface.
I've been thinking about a new layout more geared towards MP/M etc. but similarly in a small case. Current thoughts are for a single 512K/2MB SRAM, 2MB parallel flash for a "read mostly" system disk, a uSD card plus optional Ethernet and/or FT2232H which would allow for hi-speeed USB transfers. More console ports would be logical but I'm kind of torn between USB, RS232 or a combination. Additional USB console ports could include a hub for just a single host connection or possibly multiple USB connectors which could use an external hub or separate hosts. Software enhancements could also allow for Ethernet consoles.
Any feedback on what someone might be looking for in multiple console ports on a FAST Z80-compatible system would be appreciated.
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| Re: New eZ80 Small Encased System [message #8350 is a reply to message #8131] |
Wed, 24 February 2021 12:15 |
wsm
Messages: 232
Registered: February 2017
Location: AB, Canada
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Senior Member |
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I'm looking to sell three of my assembled and tested eZ80 systems basically at cost in order to help fund a new batch of them. All of the following systems have been fully populated with new devices, except for the second SRAM on units 1-3, and have RAMdisk, ROMdisk, 2*8MB serial flash disk and 8MB SD disk support. The Ethernet PHY and jack are installed BUT with MINIMAL testing. My flash loader is installed and thus a Smart Cable is only required if the user wants to use ZDS for debugging.
Prices are in US$ and include a 16GB uSD card with BIOS source, schematic etc. plus tracked shipping in North America while Europe / Australia will be +$15.00 due to increased tracking costs. N.B. Deutsche Post has "lost" two for two MinZ-C systems which has cost me a LOT of time and money ... any shipments to Germany are at the buyer's risk.
1) $75 - V1.0 PCB, 512KB SRAM - expandable to 2.5MB
2) $85 - V1.0 PCB, 2MB SRAM - expandable to 4MB
3) $75 - V1.1 PCB, 512KB SRAM - expandable to 1MB or 2.5MB
4) $120 - V1.1M PCB, 2MB SRAM + 2MB parallel MRAM as a non-volatile RAMdisk
The difference between V1.0 and V1.1 is primarily mechanical and layout with some port redefinitions that are handled with conditional assembly in the BIOS. Embedded CP/M 2.2 is working but I consider the BIOS and utilities to be at the Beta level since they haven't had exhaustive testing or optimization. The following are still on the active "to-do" list and will be sent upon completion:
- Add wear levelling support (dynamic and possibly static) for internal serial flash disks
- Test the Internet connection and develop software
- Formatting support for multiple SD card partitions / disks
- Develop a configuration utility for disk remapping, AUTOEXEC of alternate system etc.
- Develop and add support for FAT32 files on SD card
PM me if interested in one of these systems ... preliminary documentation is available <here>. Likewise I'll accept expressions of interest without a deposit on permutations of this system in the next batch BUT the prices will definitely be higher even for a minimal system. These boards are pretty well all SMD devices and I don't plan on offering them as bare boards or a kit but minimal systems could be upgraded by the user.
Bill
P.S. I also have a boxed version of Zilog's eZ80F910200KITG-E development system which includes the eZ80F916005MODG Mini Enet Module, a base module and a 110/220V wall wart power supply. It's had very little use and is complete EXCEPT for the USB Smart Cable (ZUSBSC00100ZACG) which is available from Digi-Key or Mouser for ~$30. Kit retails for $100 but I'd like $55US for it which includes North America shipping.
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| Re: New eZ80 Small Encased System [message #10199 is a reply to message #8688] |
Mon, 02 January 2023 08:46 |
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lowen
Messages: 226
Registered: August 2016
Location: Western NC USA
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Senior Member |
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Just a quick comment: I purchased and received a Min-eZ a few weeks ago, and I am very impressed with the little beast. The build quality is outstanding. The speed is great.
I further love the fact the the software load is very minimal; it doesn't include all the bells and whistles in the CP/M partition, but there are plenty of goodies in the FAT partition of the SD card that can be picked and chosen, with the CP/M partition as a blank slate. Very nicely done!
The documentation is complete, and very approachable.
Did I mention it was FAST?
--
Bughlt: Sckmud
Shut her down Scotty, she's sucking mud again!
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there won't be a need to do multiple PCB revisions. The eZ80 is in a TQFP package but there's also a LOT of 0603 packages plus some QFNs ... not a board for the soldering novice! Once the basic board / system checks out, I plan to make any extra pre-built systems available to other users. I'll accept expressions of interest but it should be noted that early adopters should be prepared to do some software and/or hardware debugging.
