<From: HOTZE <photze_at_batelco.com.bh>
<That's what I said about 3 weeks ago. We should make a computer, possibly
<our own design, from common components. Was anyone here into processor
<engineering in the "early days", if so, I have a pretty good idea where (if
<want) we can get a board-maker for about $200, which might also be able to
<single-layer chips. Also, we could probably get our hands on some of Intel
<old stuff... they had a page for that on their site, but I forget where.
< We could use components that were marking points in history... a 5.25"
<floppy, for example.
Dear Hotze,
Your out of touch with the world. There are people already doing this.
It is doable though the price range for the boards varies alot depending
on size and quantity.
There is a chap in AUS that has the P112 a complete z180 system on a board
with floppy and serial ports that runs CP/m-80 like the wind.
You can build a system easy enough using available parts from mail order
houses like JAMCO or JDR. Possible CPUs (looking at latest catalog) are
6800, 6809, 68000, Z80, 8080, 8085, 8088 all of which are still very much
available along with the needed RAM, Eprom and TTL glue logic.
The parts thing, small quantites (10-100 pieces) of most ttl and micros
are not a problem but production quanities (1000s+) generally means going
for surface mount and modern pars to ASSURE parts availability. There is
not a lot of magic to taking a 6800 or z80 and making a system of it. The
real work is board layout and all the little details to get it in
production.
I can say this as a designer of some 20+ years that still does exactly this
kind of thing.
Copying an older processor design like say PDP-8 runs the risk of
copyrights and patents. Doing a scratch design means amassing support
for a common design and then there would be no code available as a unique
design. Cost to design vs return are problems as commitment for capital
to make it and kit the parts are sufficient to dismay most.
Allison
Received on Sun Nov 09 1997 - 10:25:39 GMT