Couch to 64k Part 5: Adding RAM and a CP/M Compatible Memory Architecture to the Z80 Breadboard Computer
If you’ve been following this series so far then you’ll have a basic Z80 based computer with ROM, an LCD display and a keypad or keyboard. What we don’t have yet is any way store store data. We need to add some RAM (Random Access Memory). This is what I’ll be focusing on in this …. Read More
Couch To 64k Part 4: Adding a Keypad/Keyboard to our Z80 Breadboard Computer
In the previous part of this series we added a character LCD display to our breadboard computer. We discussed how input, output and address decoding works on the Z80, which means we know most of what we need to know to be able to add an input device. In this part we’ll be adding some …. Read More
Couch to 64k Part 3: Adding a Character LCD Display to our Z80 Breadboard Computer
In the previous part of this series we attached a ROM chip to our Z80 so we can run programs. But running programs is of little use unless our computer has some way to communicate with the outside world. We need input and output (I/O). In this part we’ll discuss how input and output work …. Read More
Couch to 64k Part 2: Adding ROM to Our Breadboard Z80 Computer
In part one of this series we explored the Z80 processor and found out what various pins do. And we explored a few of the Z80s opcodes by manually feeding them into the data pins. But feeding instructions and data in manually is hard work. We need to add some memory so we can feed …. Read More
Couch to 64k – a.k.a. Building a Z80 Breadboard Computer. Part 1: Pins
A lot of people build Z80 based computers. They build something with some flashing LEDs, some buttons, and maybe even a serial port. But the computers I loved as a kid had high-resolution displays, and keyboards, and joysticks attached. And you could spend your days playing games on them. So, I’m going to attempt to …. Read More