Many 8-bit processors and some 16-bit processors from 1970's and 1980's are packaged as 40 or 48-pin DIP which is easy to prototype, processors such as Z80, 6800, 6809, 8080, 8085, 1802, 6502 and some 16-bit processors with 8-bit bus such as 68008 and 32008. They are CPU-only devices without integrated peripherals and memory so external memory and I/O must be designed to work with the particular processor. The purpose of this project is to develop a generic prototype board that interfaces to these processors and provides memory, I/O, and mass storage.
All these processors have 16 or more addresses, 8 data lines, 5V power, clock, and reset plus a number of processor-specific control signals. The RC2014 bus is a simple 40-pin connector defined for Z80, but it can be easily redefined for other processors. The data, address, clock, power, reset and interrupt of RC2014 remain the same, but the 5 Z80 control signals and 4 spares can be redefined for other processors. A in-situ programmable 5V CPLD can be reprogrammed to different processor's control signal characteristics. The same CPLD can also provide the glue logic for memory, I/O and mass storage. So a CPLD with RAM, compact flash interface, oscillator are the building blocks of a generic 8-bit processor prototype board or G8PP. An operational computer can be built with a simple CPU board and a G8PP board plug into a RC2014 backplane.
This project is a series of experiments demonstrating how G8PP can interface with many different processors resulting in capable operational computers.
Introduction to G8PP, common functions and two modes of operation.
G8PP+Z80 Part 1, demonstrate the G8PP concept with a single-board Z80.
G8PP+Z80 Part 2, running CP/M on the single-board Z80
G8PP+Z80 Part3, separate G8PP board and Z80 CPU board on a RC2014 backplane.
G8PP+Z80 Part4, PC board CPU cards, G8PP+CPU without RC2014 backplane.
Processors with 8-bit bus such as 8088 and 68008 are suitable for G8PP. In fact, 32-bit processors with dynamic bus sizing feature such as 68020/80386 can also be prototyped with G8PP. There are spare pins available to expand the address space to 512K.