Hello classic computer fans...

From: Bob Shannon <bshannon_at_tiac.net>
Date: Thu May 31 17:00:03 2001

Tony Duell wrote:

> <snip>
>
> I'm suprised it took a microprocessor to do this. I don't know the
> details of the HP tape reader interface, but the HP optical tape reader I
> have (rescued with the 2100A) looks pretty simple inside, so I have to
> conclude the interface is going to be much the same as on other optical
> tape readers.
>
> And for those, I could design the interface between the computer's paper
> tape port and a counter/EPROM array using a few TTL chips, probably as a
> state machine in most cases.
>
> -tony

2 one-shots could do the job, but the Z8 also drove a Decitek tape reader
to capture original paper tape images for transfer to the ROM burner.

Not having good documentation on the Decitek, programmability was a big
help.

I think that an improved version of the reader-emulator would make better use
of the micro by switching into the console serial line and prompting to select
a tape image, and then returning the console to the system during the boot cycle.
Received on Thu May 31 2001 - 17:00:03 BST