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Logic Analysers, CPLDs and Dunning-Kruger

A project log for The Last Psion

Resurrecting Psion's SIBO/EPOC16 Platform For The 21st Century

alex-brownAlex Brown 10/13/2018 at 20:090 Comments

It’s been a few weeks since my last update on this project. This is partly because I’ve been waiting for a couple of bits to arrive, specifically a logic analyser based on the CY7C68013A and an Altera MAX II EPM240 board. But to be honest, the delay is mostly because I’ve realised how much I need to learn. I mean, I kind of knew that I needed to learn a lot, but I didn’t actually realise how little I already knew. Trust me, folks, Dunning-Kruger is very real and has smacked me in the face with its pointy inverted curve. Again.

So, I’ve been learning. One of my first ports of call was Udemy. I’ve got a collection of courses building in my Wishlist, including ones on C, ARM assembly, VHDL and even one on using Blender for 3D printing. But I’ve started the ball rolling with a Crash Course on Electronics and PCB Design by the fantastic André LaMothe. So far the course has been recapping things I learned back in school 25 years ago in Physics and Design Technology lessons, so much of it is familiar to me. But I’m missing a lot of practical knowledge, not to mention having forgotten all the important formulae for working with electricity and electronics. And I know that in a few lessons time I’ll heading into completely new territory. This course is almost 90 hours long and I got it on offer for £10.99. It’s worth much more than that.

I’ve also been trawling YouTube for related videos. I’ve watched a lot of videos on hacking retro hardware, including a batch of videos with someone repairing a lot of Sinclair ZX Spectrums. I’m yet to find any videos of people modifying any Psion kit (he says, trying to drag the narrative back to the project in hand), but maybe I haven’t been looking hard enough. Of course, I’ve watched a lot of the Ben Heck Show, but I guess that’s pretty obligatory.

Otherwise, I’ve been scouring the internet for long-abandoned websites dedicated to Psion kit. It’s been slow going, but I’ve found one or two gems. Of course, if you have any information then please let me know!

Now that the logic analyser and CPLD have arrived and I’ve installed a lot of development software, my next task for this project is to build a breakout board so that I can look at the traffic between the Series 3c and my Psion Flash SSD.

I think I’m going to need to get a stock of old Psion SSDs, both working and dead, because I don’t want to fry my only SSD (which has actual written work on it). If anyone knows anyone with a pile of them going spare, do get in touch. Actually, I’ll take on any old Psion kit, alive or dead. I’m pretty sure I’m going to damage some kit somewhere along the line, especially given my rookie status. Having spares would be invaluable.

Tell any potential donors that it’s for the good of worldwide technological development. 

Right, back to the course. Only another 84 hours to go...

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