Front panel controller

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
Date: Wed May 12 18:00:39 2004

> I believe that this is a problem with virtually *any* component you could
> choose. The newer stuff seems to generally have shorter lifespans. I
> believe this is an outcome of having more choices -- none of the "newer"
> chips (with perhaps some exceptions from Intel) has enough of a following to
> be readily available down the road.


As you said, the newer chips are worse. I've come across chips that have
gone out of production in the time between the announcement and the
distributors getting stocks of them. Hmmm....

Personally, the only 8-bit CPU I think can be depended on to stay around
is the Intel 8031 family. It's used everywhere, and many manufacturers
either make it, or make 'improved' versions. You can ignroe the
'improvements' if you like.

I thought the 6809 was getting somewhat hard to find now :-(. The Z80 and
6502 were a lot more popular and are still listed in catalogues over here
(the 6809 doesn't seem to be.)

As for SRAM and EPROMs. I am sure both will be around in 10 years time,
even if at a vastly increased capacity. And just as now we put 2764s in
place of 2716s with a few minor mods, I guess in the future we'll make up
daughterbaords to put the latest SMD EPROMs into 28 pin DIL sockets.

-tony
Received on Wed May 12 2004 - 18:00:39 BST

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