Archive for the Embedded Systems Category
Back in 2003, I designed this Z80 SBC as a proof of concept for using a PIO to control a compact flash card or IDE hard drive. In spite of a few dumb layout errors, I proved it would work and had adequate throughput.
The page linked to above gets a dozen hits per month or so, and I get an inquiry roughly every 2 months asking if a PCB is available. Because I never did anything with the Z80 SBC afterwards, or pursued the SOAPOC design, I regretfully inform the enquirers that no PCB is available.
In about half of these inquiries, it’s mentioned that they’d really like to be able build a little system that’s easy to wrap their head around, uses through-hole construction, and brings back the fun of PCs from the days before 2.4Ghz processors, 500GB drives, and massive operating systems.
The last week or so, I’ve started thinking about revising the Z80 SBC to satisfy these people. I find myself thinking “Adding Ethernet would be pretty easy. And VGA video would be nice…” And before you know it, you’re looking at a BGA FPGA, and something that’s completely incomprehensible to someone who has an interest in computers but hasn’t kept up with all the latest techologies.
