Card Edge Slot-based 8-bit experimental computer with a Cyberpunk aesthetic.
I wanted to make a 8-bit card-edge style computer. 8-bit computers were the first thing I learned to design in school back in the 80's. Our mid-level education courses involved engineering students wire-wrapping and then programming their own Z80 computer system, with the next semester involving the addition and more programming of peripherals. So I want to get back to that headspace for a bit. I see many other hobbyists doing this with Z80, 6502 and even RP2040 chips. This not sure yet what processor I will choose but it will be something with a good emulator environment on the Mac or Linux.
I want to create a system that has a Cyberpunk aesthetic and in the book Neuromancer, there is a Cyberspace "Deck" called the Cyberspace7 by Ono-Sendai and that implies the existence of Cyberspace 1 through 6. So for my own amusement I've decided to call this experiment the Cyberspace 1 along with creating logos for Cyberspace product as well as a logo for Ono-Sendai Company.
I've decided to make this project with the MIT license. Do whatever you want with it.
Created GitHub repository.
Roughed out basic design for all main boards. Backplane, 6502, Memory, Clock, Video card. Placement seems to be satisfactory.
Bring up of Backplane and Clock board largely succesful!
- Backplane. No issues found so far.
- Clock board crystal circuit has error (used Schmidt buffer (HCT14) instead of regular buffer (HCT04). Will fix in later revision.
Sound Card, Keyboard and game controller input card.
Each of these peripheral cards are likely to be RP2040 chips masquerading as custom devices like the Video card will be. I wish to use USB keyboards and USB game (perhaps bluetooth?) controllers, so I will look at making a card with multiple USB jacks on it. The card would handle HID and Storage devices.