The Z80-MBC2 is an easy to build single board computer which as the name implies, contains a Z80 CPU at it's heart. It uses an SD card as a "disk emulator", and contains a 128KB banked RAM capable of running CP/M 3, CP/M2.2, QP/M 2.71, UCSD Pascal, and Collapse OS.
In addition, quoting the author, "It has an optional on board 16x GPIO expander, and uses common cheap add-on modules for the SD and the RTC options. It has an "Arduino heart" using an Atmega32A as EEPROM and "universal" I/O emulator (so a "legacy" EPROM programmer is not needed)."
In every sense, this is a real working computer, not an emulation or a microcontroller pretending to be a CPU. The Zilog Z80 processor at the heart of this SBC has a lineage that goes all the way back to 1976, and is still manufactured today. In my opinion, the Z80-MBC2 is the perfect platform for those who are interested in learning computer science, exploring vintage computer systems, learning to program, or creating your own games, art, and hardware interface projects.
Unlike just purchasing a Raspberry Pi, you'll be involved in the assembling the computer from the individual parts. Don't worry! This is a very simple 5 chip design which uses easy to solder through-hole parts, and sockets for the ICs. It's very hard to make mistakes, and chances are like mine, yours will boot the first time you plug it in.
In 2023, we'll explore various aspects of the Z80-MBC2 single board computer:
- Sourcing and building your own kit.
- Installing the software CP/M 2.2 & CP/M 3.
- Exploring the historic Z80 software.
- Adding a "modern" terminal.
- Programming in Microsoft BASIC.
- Programming in Turbo Pascal.
- Programming in C.
- Connecting to the real world via GPIO.
- Graphics, Sprites, and Sound.
- Expanding the Z80-MBC2
Stay tuned!