| Dan,
It may not be as retro, but I really like the way the propellor provides the normal human interface devices in one module.
Having both the interface to the SBC, and also HID, the board could be used either as a standalone device capable of reading and storing some images or programming devices from the SD storage. Or it could be used as a host controlled peripheral.
I think it is valuable for us to get used to having some modern modules included on our otherwise vintage style boards. In this way we can interface with USB, wireless, and ethernet, as well as other neat stuff.
It might even be cool to make a board that interfaces to Arduino shields. There are so many cool ones out there. I don't think a little hybrid activity is bad.
Douglas
I think is it a good idea, but, in order to totally solve the problem with this design we would need to provide pre-programmed eproms. Should we consider a propeller based solution that would not need a bootstrap eprom? With a prop the initial code could be downloaded from a PC avoiding the initial boot up problem, and it could support VGA, keyboard and SD card IO on board.
Not quite as retro, but could be useful (just a thought)
Dan Werner
On Sat, Jan 19, 2013 at 10:29 AM, Andrew Lynch <LYN...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi Several times the idea of an N8VEM Flash/EEPROM programmer has come up on the list. After the most recent discussion with John and Douglas, I thought maybe we could base such a device on the S2I framework with a few key substitutions. Attached is a concept schematic and PCB layout to help fill out the idea. It is for discussion only and not intended to represent an actual N8VEM board project. The idea is to take a stand alone embedded Z80 based controller and add a 8255 PPI to control a 5VDC 32 pin ZIF programming socket. Then write firmware, presumably based on the ROMWBW just like S2I, to individually manipulate the programming of the Flash/EEPROM. I used the 8255 PPI to make virtual address and control bus lines (A19-A0, CE, OE, WE, and a spare) and a pair of latches to make virtual data bus (D7-D0). There are pull up resistors to bring the 8255 and latch pins up to 5VDC or close for reliable programming. The programmer communicates with the host over a serial line which could be replace/augmented with a $3 ebay serial to USB cable. Then any laptop or desktop PC could interact with the programmer in a console mode. Since there is residual components left over from the S2I project, the programmer could store multiple images and even builder programs on an IDE drive or CF adapter or SD card. This would be an ideal starting project for new builders and produce a useful Flash/EEPROM programmer. It still has the unfortunate requirement for a pre-programmed 28C256 though so it has not solved the “chicken and the egg” problem. What do you think? Is this worth pursuing? Is there sufficient demand to warrant a board run? Thoughts, comments, ideas, all welcome. Thanks and have a nice day!
Andrew Lynch
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