Cabe Atwell writes that the Zilog Z80 is celebrating its 50th anniversary this July. Developed in 1976 by former Intel engineers, it became a dominant 8-bit processor largely due to its instruction compatibility with the existing Intel 8080 software ecosystem. This strategic design allowed manufacturers to adopt more advanced features like built-in DRAM refresh and improved interrupt systems without rewriting their entire codebases.
- Integrated into legendary hardware including Pac-Man arcade cabinets, ZX Spectrum, and TI graphing calculators.
- Launched at a competitive $25 price point to encourage mass market adoption.
- Community-driven silicon replacements are being developed following Littelfuse's cessation of Zilog orders in 2024.
- Integrated into legendary hardware including Pac-Man arcade cabinets, ZX Spectrum, and TI graphing calculators.
- Launched at a competitive $25 price point to encourage mass market adoption.
- Community-driven silicon replacements are being developed following Littelfuse's cessation of Zilog orders in 2024.
The article details the history of the TRS-80 Model I computer, highlighting its cost-cutting design, limitations, and impact on the early home computer market. It discusses its hardware, software (Level I & II BASIC, CP/M compatibility), and eventual replacement by the Model II and Model III. It also touches on the community's nickname 'Trash-80' and its lasting legacy.
Collapse OS is a Forth-based operating system designed to preserve microcontroller programming capabilities after a civilizational collapse, focusing on minimal resources, improvisation, and self-sufficiency.
A unique font that converts hexadecimal characters into disassembled Z80 instructions using OpenType features, with a focus on challenges and solutions for handling out-of-order operands and multiple character combinations.
An email machine, the Cidco MailStation, is repurposed as a terminal using the Z80 processor and msTERM application. The WiFiStation dongle enables network communication.
- Hardware: Z80 processor, 128KB RAM, 0.5MB flash, modem, parallel port, RTC, QWERTY keyboard.
- Code Loading: Built-in hex editor or loader program via parallel port.
- Dev Env: OpenBSD laptop, C/Z80 assembly, SDCC compiler, upload via parallel port.
- msTERM: Stein's terminal program for BBS communication, custom ISR, modified font.
- Get Started: Stein's released msTERM code, example project, WiFi adapter option."
- Hardware: Z80 processor, 128KB RAM, 0.5MB flash, modem, parallel port, RTC, QWERTY keyboard.
- Code Loading: Built-in hex editor or loader program via parallel port.
- Dev Env: OpenBSD laptop, C/Z80 assembly, SDCC compiler, upload via parallel port.
- msTERM: Stein's terminal program for BBS communication, custom ISR, modified font.
- Get Started: Stein's released msTERM code, example project, WiFi adapter option."
A tribute to the Z80 microprocessor, which has been discontinued after 48 years. The article discusses the history of the Z80, from its creation at Intel to its eventual departure from the market.
