rejunity / z80-open-silicon

Z80 open-source silicon clone. Goal is to become a silicon proven, pin compatible, open-source replacement for classic Z80.
https://rejunity.github.io/z80-open-silicon/
Apache License 2.0
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Family #1

Closed omikron88 closed 4 months ago

omikron88 commented 4 months ago

Do you plan to "revive" some other members of Z80 family too, in the future? Such as CTC or PIO? I can provide some testing of real samples on logic analyser.

How fast the new Z80 will be?

rejunity commented 4 months ago

CTC or PIO

No plans for CTC and PIO yet, mostly because I don't know 8-bit computers that ever used them. If you have a good example / case why they would be important - please let me know!

Instead, I was thinking about packaging Z80 with AY sound processor, Spectrum ULA and maybe TMS99xx, HD6845. Basically making small SoC (System on Chip) that could handle ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and some MSX models. But that is a long term project.

I can provide some testing of real samples on logic analyser.

That would be great! There are couple of people that volunteered for hardware testing already and I will be looking for several more! I will keep you posted.

How fast the new Z80 will be?

According to simulation 50 MHz, but maybe 66 MHz.

omikron88 commented 4 months ago

No plans for CTC and PIO yet, mostly because I don't know 8-bit computers that ever used them. If you have a good example / case why they would be important - please let me know!

They are, but not so frequently as CPU. Most used is CTC (and also simplest), then PIO. Sharp MZ for example. The rarest is DMA and DART.

Instead, I was thinking about packaging Z80 with AY sound processor, Spectrum ULA and maybe TMS99xx, HD6845. Basically making small SoC (System on Chip) that could handle ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and some MSX models. But that is a long term project.

This is a good idea. Spectrum ULA is becoming rare. But there is a little problem: Some pins are analog. Video output for example. But ULA is well documented at technology and gate level

rejunity commented 4 months ago

But there is a little problem: Some pins are analog.

This is not FPGA :) we can do analog pins!