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home brew S-100 backplane project

L

lynchaj

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi! I don't know if there are any S-100 enthusiasts who are on SED
but on the chance you are here...

I've designed a home brew S-100 backplane project. I have several PCBs
available for testing and am looking for experienced S-100 hobbyists
for the initial evaluation. The PCBs are $32 each with $2 shipping in
the US if you are interested in participating. Please contact me
offline if interested.

http://n8vem-sbc.pbworks.com/browse/#view=ViewFolder¶m=S100

Please note this is a purely amateur volunteer home brew project and
totally noncommercial. Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
 
D

Dirk Bruere at NeoPax

Jan 1, 1970
0
lynchaj said:
Hi! I don't know if there are any S-100 enthusiasts who are on SED
but on the chance you are here...

I've designed a home brew S-100 backplane project. I have several PCBs
available for testing and am looking for experienced S-100 hobbyists
for the initial evaluation. The PCBs are $32 each with $2 shipping in
the US if you are interested in participating. Please contact me
offline if interested.

http://n8vem-sbc.pbworks.com/browse/#view=ViewFolder¶m=S100

Please note this is a purely amateur volunteer home brew project and
totally noncommercial. Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
Click to expand...

I can believe the non-commercial bit!
And for totally non-commercial get an S100 system to run Vista:)

--
Dirk

http://www.transcendence.me.uk/ - Transcendence UK
http://www.theconsensus.org/ - A UK political party
http://www.onetribe.me.uk/wordpress/?cat=5 - Our podcasts on weird stuff
 
E

Eeyore

Jan 1, 1970
0
BobW said:
Check out those file sizes (like a 32KB basic compiler). The pdf file for
MBASIC is larger than the whole freakin' CPM operating system!

I think I can even remember how to use PIP (the Peripheral Interchange
Program).
Click to expand...

PIP source destination.

Graham
 
B

Baron

Jan 1, 1970
0
Dirk Bruere at NeoPax Inscribed thus:
I can believe the non-commercial bit!
And for totally non-commercial get an S100 system to run Vista:)
Click to expand...

Its one way of getting people to visit his website !
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
I think I can even remember how to use PIP (the Peripheral Interchange
Program).
Click to expand...
C>pip destination source

I once had a devil of a time teaching that to an accountant! ;-)

Cheers!
Rich
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
PIP source destination.
Click to expand...
You got it exactly back-asswards, which was its bugaboo. "pip" is not
synonymus with "copy"; it's the opposite, kinda.

I know his; I was there. I remember being rankled by Intel's convention
of putting their operands backwards, but my earliest computer experience
was in 1966, so what did I know? ;-)

Then again, why was it so hard to write an assembler with _human_ readable
mnemonics? You can put the bits in the byte anywhere you want to!

Hope This Helps!
Rich
 
L

lynchaj

Jan 1, 1970
0
Are you serious ? S-100 went out with the ark.

The S-100 bus, IEEE696-1983 (withdrawn), was an early computer bus
designed in 1974http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-100_bus

Graham
Click to expand...

Yes, I am serious. Snarky comments aside, I am interested in both
vintage computing (S-100, CP/M, etc) and home brew computing (design
from scratch). Both are niche hobbies but have quite a bit in
common. Much of what we now associate with microcomputers originated
in the "Homebrew Computer Club" back in the mid 1970s and this project
is a bit of an homage to that exciting period in technological
history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homebrew_Computer_Club

I take it from the responses so far there isn't much interest and
that's OK. On the off chance there is anyone interested, here is an
updated URL for the N8VEM S-100 backplane project.

http://n8vem-sbc.pbworks.com/browse/#view=ViewFolder&param=S100

Tonight more parts arrived and I was able to almost finish
construction of the backplane itself and the power supply subsystem.
My goal is to make this unit as affordable and as authentic as
possible without making an expensive replica system. I am keeping the
design small while in development. I haven't settled on a number of
design points although I am fairly sure about the backplane itself.
There are going to be some compromises to keep if affordable.

The good news is the active terminator circuit appears to be working.
Also the power supply subsystem is feeding the proper voltages into
the backplane. I powered everything up this evening and nothing
caught on fire which is always nice. After some measurements things
appear to be in order with just a minor adjustment to the trimmer pot
setting the voltage on the bus signals lines to 2.7v.

Next is to mount everything on a board, install a connector and begin
the shake out with some real S-100 boards. Eventually build up a
small system to evaluate the performance, noise, etc of the bus
itself.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
 
J

Jon Kirwan

Jan 1, 1970
0
<snip>
The good news is the active terminator circuit appears to be working.
<snip>
Click to expand...

Ah! That was the question I was going to ask. And you answered it.
Good! It's _active_ termination!

Jon
 
R

Rich Grise

Jan 1, 1970
0
Are you serious ? S-100 went out with the ark.

The S-100 bus, IEEE696-1983 (withdrawn), was an early computer bus
designed in 1974http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-100_bus
Click to expand...

Yes, I am serious. Snarky comments aside, I am interested in both
vintage computing (S-100, CP/M, etc) and home brew computing (design
from scratch). Both are niche hobbies but have quite a bit in
common. Much of what we now associate with microcomputers originated
in the "Homebrew Computer Club" back in the mid 1970s and this project
is a bit of an homage to that exciting period in technological
history.[/QUOTE]

Are you talking about using off-the-shelf whole micros (Z80,...), or
building your own bit-slice machine? ;-)

I guess these days you'd do that with a CPLD or an FPGA, and a core. ;-)

Have Fun!
Rich
 
J

Jon Kirwan

Jan 1, 1970
0
Yes, I am serious. Snarky comments aside, I am interested in both
vintage computing (S-100, CP/M, etc) and home brew computing (design
from scratch). Both are niche hobbies but have quite a bit in
common. Much of what we now associate with microcomputers originated
in the "Homebrew Computer Club" back in the mid 1970s and this project
is a bit of an homage to that exciting period in technological
history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homebrew_Computer_Club

I take it from the responses so far there isn't much interest and
that's OK. On the off chance there is anyone interested, here is an
updated URL for the N8VEM S-100 backplane project.

http://n8vem-sbc.pbworks.com/browse/#view=ViewFolder&param=S100
<snip>
Click to expand...

I got a chance to start skimming through the pages, just now. Some
initial comments.

(1) I really enjoyed the breadth of example pictures included. That
really helps a lot.

(2) I normally disallow pretty much all permissions on new web pages.
What first showed up was a nearly blank page, as a result, without an
indication that permissions should be enabled. (I knew it, of course,
but it always helps to set things up so that if the web page may look
confusing that a helpful message appears to suggest a direction.)

(3) Once enabled, the preview of JPGs that appear when the mouse is
placed over a link is much appreciated! That is something that I now
know I wish happened more often on other pages. Keep that up!

Other than that, I'm still reading along and thanks.

Jon
 
D

Dangerous Bill

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi!  I don't know if there are any S-100 enthusiasts who are on SED
but on the chance you are here...
Click to expand...

Very retro. And nostalgic, too. I understand there are still Commodore
64 groups around, too.

Within the last twelve months, I actually threw out an eight socket
S-100 backplane, an S-100 specifications manual, and a handful of
breadboard PCBs. Gone forever.

I cut my teeth on S-100 about 1978, helping a technician in my group
assemble memory and !/O boards when I needed a break from the
paperwork. They used more power than an arc welder, but they worked.

Dangerous Bill
 
L

lynchaj

Jan 1, 1970
0
Are you talking about using off-the-shelf whole micros (Z80,...), or
building your own bit-slice machine? ;-)  

I guess these days you'd do that with a CPLD or an FPGA, and a core. ;-)

Have Fun!
Rich- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Hi Rich! Thanks! Right now I am just focusing on making a good S-100
backplane. My next S-100 related project will probably be a PCB for a
linear power supply. IMO the biggest obstacles preventing more S-100
home brew hobbyist development is the lack of readily available
backplanes and power supplies.

As you know, S-100 has some rather unusual power requirements and its
difficult to come up with replacements. You can make you own linear
power supplies but they are usually huge and difficult to work with
things. I'd like to simplify it a bit.

Making S-100 cards has been done already so I'd like to work more on
the infrastructure before making new boards. The first board I'd make
though would be a new source of S-100 prototype boards. You can still
get them but they are hard to find and cost and too much IMO.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
 
L

lynchaj

Jan 1, 1970
0
lynchaj wrote:
Hi!  I don't know if there are any S-100 enthusiasts who are on SED
but on the chance you are here...
Are you serious ? S-100 went out with the ark.
The S-100 bus, IEEE696-1983 (withdrawn), was an early computer bus
designed in 1974http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-100_bus
Graham
Click to expand...
[snip]

http://n8vem-sbc.pbworks.com/browse/#view=ViewFolder¶m=S100
<snip>
Click to expand...

I got a chance to start skimming through the pages, just now.  Some
initial comments.

(1)  I really enjoyed the breadth of example pictures included.  That
really helps a lot.
Click to expand...

Hi Jon! Thanks!

Yes, I've added some pictures and many of the N8VEM home brew
computing builders have added theirs as well. You can see all the
N8VEM home brew computing project information at the wiki and the
mailing list

http://n8vem-sbc.pbworks.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/n8vem

Any and all interested in home brew computing are welcome to join and
discuss. PCBs are available for all the projects; the N8VEM SBC, ECB
backplane, ECB bus monitor, ECB prototyping board, Disk IO, and Zilog
Peripherals boards. Some of the N8VEM builders have their own project
PCBs available too like James (miniN8VEM and derivatives), Vince
(PockeTerm, etc) and a lot of other stuff. Its too much to describe
so you're better off just seeing for yourself.

My original post was regarding the S-100 backplane I am developing and
looking for experienced S-100 persons interested in joining that
aspect of the N8VEM project. I'd like to branch into S-100 related
stuff and am exploring the options at the moment. The other N8VEM
projects tend to be ECB Eurocard style neo vintage computing items.
However, there are some PICAxe, Propeller, and various other things
underway at any given time too.
(2)  I normally disallow pretty much all permissions on new web pages.
What first showed up was a nearly blank page, as a result, without an
indication that permissions should be enabled.  (I knew it, of course,
but it always helps to set things up so that if the web page may look
confusing that a helpful message appears to suggest a direction.)
Click to expand...

Yes, pbworks is rather complicated for my tastes but it works and is
free so its OK. I'd prefer something a bit simpler myself. Like an
FTP directory.
(3)  Once enabled, the preview of JPGs that appear when the mouse is
placed over a link is much appreciated!  That is something that I now
know I wish happened more often on other pages.  Keep that up!

Other than that, I'm still reading along and thanks.
Click to expand...

Well if you or anyone else are interested you are welcome to join.
You don't have to purchase PCBs although it will be fun to put them
together and discuss your favorite topics with the other builders.
Its not a blog or business but just a bunch of friends who like home
brew computers.
Jon- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Some people debate whether something you build from a purchased PCB is
really a home brew computer and I can see their point. However, all
the N8VEM PCBs I have *did* start out as a home brew projects.
Typically they start life as a blank piece of paper and a DATAK
prototype board although lately I've been using these N8VEM prototype
boards.

The N8VEM ECB prototype boards make it so easy I feel like its
cheating. That is especially ironic since I originally did not
support the idea of a prototype board but so many builders asked for
them I felt I had to. Now I am the biggest consumer of them - oops.

All the builders get is the PCBs and they do the rest on their own. I
supply schematics and PCB layouts. Occasionally a preprogrammed EPROM
or hard to get part but for the most part its "sink or swim" for the
builders. An amazing percentage of them get them working too. Its
close to 100% or at least I don't know of anyone that *hasn't* gotten
them to work. I suppose there are some who never finish their
projects but I don't know of any. The builders share a lot of
information from their builds so new builders do get quite a leg up
now. The first batch was pretty sporty though.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
 
L

lynchaj

Jan 1, 1970
0
Very retro. And nostalgic, too. I understand there are still Commodore
64 groups around, too.

Within the last twelve months, I actually threw out an eight socket
S-100 backplane, an S-100 specifications manual, and a handful of
breadboard PCBs. Gone forever.

I cut my teeth on S-100 about 1978, helping a technician in my group
assemble memory and !/O boards when I needed a break from the
paperwork. They used more power than an arc welder, but they worked.

Dangerous Bill
Click to expand...

Hi Bill! If you find any more stuff like that please contact me.
Especially wire wrap supplies or parts. I use them all the time and
it breaks my heart to see them tossed in the garbage. I will use them
or find someone who will appreciate them.

Thanks and have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
 
L

lynchaj

Jan 1, 1970
0
Notice:

My Norton tells me that site is infected with
W97M.Thus.A

Dangerous Bill
Click to expand...

Hi Bill! Thanks! Can you say which file is infected? Is it a false
positive? I have up to date definitions and not seeing that message
nor heard it anywhere else.

Any information appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Andrew Lynch
 
L

lynchaj

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi Bill!  Thanks! Can you say which file is infected?  Is it a false
positive? I have up to date definitions and not seeing that message
nor heard it anywhere else.

Any information appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

Andrew Lynch
Click to expand...

Bill, I think you need to get your virus definitions updated.
"W97M.Thus.A" is a ten year old virus

http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2000-121913-4331-99

Thanks for the warning. Have a nice day!

Andrew Lynch
 
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