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@plzgvhug | |
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Im going to build a spectacular new Z80 based computer. Features of this machine will include most of the same operating system as my previous mpf1d but with some additional features. I will be running the z80 cpu as fast as i reliably can so maybe 12 to 16 mhz which will be upto 4 or 5 times faster. Im going to add in a voltage controled filter (VCF) and a wave shaper, A low freq oscillator (LFO) and an envelope generator to the design so i can develop and run sound synthersizer applications. |
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@plzgvhug | 19 January 10 |
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As in the previous design an an*louge to digital converter (ADC) and a digital to an*louge converter (DAC) will be added to allow sampling, processing and playback of audio signals but with much higher sampling rates than i could before.
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@plzgvhug | 19 January 10 |
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At the moment i am currently in the process of sourcing and buying parts for the project which is going to take some time.
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@plzgvhug | 25 February 10 |
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I now have about 99 percent of all the parts needed to build my new computer.
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@plzgvhug | 6 April 10 |
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yes ay i got a few hours of free time to start the build. Im working on the keyboard and LED display board that will be the user interface. It wont be long before its built and then i shall post a photo.
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@plzgvhug | 16 April 10 |
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I have finally finished the new keyboard and have uplo aded two photos in the files section. |
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@plzgvhug | 25 April 10 |
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i have started work on the mainboard and taken a photo in its early phase of construction. I will add more photos as the build progresses. |
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@plzgvhug | 2 May 10 |
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i have added another 2 photos of the build in progr ess - mainboard build progress 2, and mainboard underside build 2. |
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@plzgvhug | 4 May 10 |
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heres another 2 photos of the build added to the files se ction. Mainboard progress 3, and mainboard underside 3. Hopefully the next time i take photos the board will be connected to its keyboard display and powered up. |
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@plzgvhug | 5 May 10 |
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HURRAY! First time power up and everything works! I uploaded a new photo to the files section - z80 board power up! The system is just a minimal computer at the moment just for now but the extra hardware will get added soon.
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@cs.punk | 6 May 10 |
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lol thats allota newspaper you know ;) you should open a FB page or something =D
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@cs.punk | 6 May 10 |
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so uhm basically you have full knowledge of each uhm chip? what pins does what etc etc? What sorta thing can you do with it if i may ask lol?
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@plzgvhug | 6 May 10 |
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i download all the manufactures data sheets for all t he chips and various other parts so i know if a part is suitable and how it functions. Some of them are huge! Some have specs and wiring diagrams and some like the cpu have alot of info you gotta read just to know how to operate the thing. |
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@plzgvhug | 6 May 10 |
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A co mputer of this type can be used for a variety of things where a huge pc is not needed. For example it could be used to develop a small robotic vehical, or it could be used to develop a security system for your house, or it could be used to play old 8bit games on when an lcd display is added to it. You could design a washing machine controller that plays a tune when the washing is done... |
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@plzgvhug | 6 May 10 |
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... It could be used to make a midi sound synthersizer, or how about a telescope position control system... or you could run CPM operating system on it and use it like a mini desktop computer with a wordprocessor/spreadsheet software or program in BASIC, C, or FORTH, or how about a weather station, endless possibities.
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@plzgvhug | 13 May 10 |
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ive added another pic in the files section, build progress 5.. you can see a midi interface taking shape to the top right. Im using a 6850 serial port chip here. The Z80 CTC (counter time chip) to the left of that and further to the left is the ram bank switch. |
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@plzgvhug | 30 May 10 |
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ive started the build of the powersupply as you can see in build progress 6 and powered up photos in the files section of this group. This powersupply has two regulated outputs for 5 volts at upto 1.5 amps and 12 volts at 1 amp. I have a special overvoltage circuit to protect my precious computers from damage in the the event of a regulator failure.
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@plzgvhug | 30 May 10 |
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if the 5 volt outputs should go above 5.17 volts then a special circuit shorts out the supply and blows a fuse so protecting my computers from damage from exceding maximum voltage. The 12 volts is to power the fan that will blow air down onto the heatsinks. The box is having the holes drilled in it for the fan and connectors so will post another pic when thats complete.
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@plzgvhug | 3 June 10 |
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i have posted another photo in the files section called mainboard complete. On the board i s 256kb of battery backed ram, two 8 bit parralel ports, 4 counter/timer channels, and 8 bit an*logue to digital converter and an 8 bit digital to an*logue converter. A serial port with a midi interface. Finally a 24 in/out parralel port for the keyboard and display. |
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@plzgvhug | 5 June 10 |
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The Z80 and some of its peripharal chips on the mainboard are using a clock signal which is switchable between two clock speeds by the switch on the lower left of the mainboard. These being 4mhz for compatability reasons and 8mhz so the board can be run faster. But now the board will run even faster ...
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@plzgvhug | 5 June 10 |
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... Because i have overclocked the Z80! Its now running at 10Mhz! Ive been running it for hours and i ve had no errors or problems or anything even getting warm on the board . Im so confident that next ive decided to increase the overclock to 12 Mhz! |
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