atoone/microbeast

An 8-bit Z80 computer kit in a box

MicroBeast

A self contained 8-bit Z80 computer kit with a unique 14 segment LED display.

Introduction

MicroBeast is a kit you can build yourself. This repository provides information about the system, useful code and downloads.

Visit the Wiki for technical documentation: https://github.com/atoone/MicroBeast/wiki

More details on the project can be found at https://feertech.com/microbeast/

Specs

	Specs
CPU	8/10Mhz Z80
ROM	512K Flash Rom
RAM	512K Ram
Display	24 character, 14 segment LEDs
Comms	Serial over USB C
Keyboard	47 keys
Power	USB-C, or 3-5v barrel connector
I/O	12 Pins GPIO / I2C bus / RC2014 expansion header
	Battery backed RTC
	1-bit audio
Size	235mm x 160mm x 35mm

microbeast's Issues

Suggestion(s)

Hello,

I learned about your MicroBeast Computer Kit from Hacker News. From the few images I saw it looks great.

I wanted to make a suggestion - add a few tutorial videos to your website (or ask someone that is passionate about 8-bit computers to do it for you) e.g. how to build the kit, how to write a small program, build it and run it on the device, remote development from a more powerful machine. People will be more inclined to buy it if they see the computer in action.

(As a point of comparison, check how many videos are on YouTube about something like Agon Light 2 or RC2014. It could really help people decide if they want to buy and play with your device).

Best wishes,
Paul

Jump table for BIOS/Firmware routines

Add a jump table for BIOS and firmware routines, so that user programs can call them directly.

For example:

• Play tone
• Wait for key
• Display write
• I2C comms

etc.

Ctrl-B Should produce "\" character

Keyboard map is missing the "" character for CTRL-B

BIOS doesn't allow both keyboard and serial input

The BIOS only inputs from one of either the keyboard or serial input on boot. This is confusing, since output is to both the LED display and serial output.

When IOBYTE is CRT, input from both keyboard and serial.

When Y-Modem starts a transfer, disable the serial read.

Return to memory editor after executing code

Currently, the memory editor returns to the main menu/clock after code is executed.

Change that to continue in the editor, to enable iterative hacking..

Swap CTRL & SHIFT keys

The Ctrl and Shift keys make keys produce the symbols above and below the main character on those keys. However, the shift key is below the ctrl key. This is the other way round to most conventional keyboards, and opposite to the symbols they produce.

Swap the meaning of the keys in the BIOS.

RTC Interrupts don't consistently reset

Debug RTC Interrupt initialisation by firmware.

"Check RTC" message is not consistently displayed on startup when firmware boots.