24 Oct
2005
24 Oct
'05
11:45 p.m.
Hi all:
I'm building a Z80 based computer as a stepper motor controller, and it
would be nice if there was a homebrew newsgroup to ask questions on since
I don't think this is the group to do so - any recommendations?
Yes, I know I'm 30 years behind the curve, and yes, I know a
microcontroller would save me some time, but where's the fun in that?
Regards,
Gord
25 Oct
25 Oct
4:01 a.m.
On 10/24/2005 at 10:45 PM gtulloch at shaw.ca wrote:
I'm building a Z80 based computer as a stepper
motor controller, and it
would be nice if there was a homebrew newsgroup to ask questions on since
I don't think this is the group to do so - any recommendations?
Nothing at all wrong with a Z80, particularly in some of its newer
incarnations, like the Rabbit Semiconductor parts.
It sounds as if one of the Robotics newsgroups might be right up your
alley:
http://groups.google.com/groups/dir?lnk=gh&sel=33584095
They deal with smaller microprocessors and things like motor control quite
a bit. Lots of homebrewers there.
Cheers,
Chuck
12:36 p.m.
gtulloch at shaw.ca wrote:
Hi all:
I'm building a Z80 based computer as a stepper motor controller, and it
would be nice if there was a homebrew newsgroup to ask questions on since
I don't think this is the group to do so - any recommendations?
I was looking for similar resources last year and couldn't find
anything. There are some good websites around - try http://www.z80.info
- but I couldn't find any forums/newsgroups.
I think alt.comp.homebuilt has died, and if not it's certainly full of
people these days wanting to put coloured lights into their PCs rather
than actually building machines :)
Yes, I know I'm 30 years behind the curve, and
yes, I know a
microcontroller would save me some time, but where's the fun in that?
I'm with you there... it's a useful learning experience anyway, plus in
my case I've got a lot of spare Z80-related ICs in the junk box, so it'd
be nice to put them to use!
cheers
Jules
26 Oct
26 Oct
10:25 p.m.
Gord wrote...
I'm building a Z80 based computer as a stepper
motor controller, and it
would be nice if there was a homebrew newsgroup to ask questions on since
I don't think this is the group to do so - any recommendations?
Um... I would certainly think developing a new system around a classic
processor (Z-80) is certainly ok on this group :)
Jay
27 Oct
27 Oct
12:36 a.m.
New subject: Z80 Telescope Controller (was Homebrew newsgroups / forums?)
Well, ok, in that case ...
I'm building a Z80 based microcontroller as a telescope controller, to
run a few stepper motors, calculate and correct for periodic errors as
well as XYZ errors in the mount. The driver circuit is done
(http://www.bbastrodesigns.com/cot/steppercircuit.html), and
currently runs off a DOS app which uses the parallel port to pulse
the motor windings. However, I prefer not to use a dedicated
DOS PC so I'd like to put a Z80 in front of the driver with an RC
circuit connected to the NMI so I know how long the duration between
interrupts is and can thus calc the steps required to track. For historic
reasons the code will be written in FORTH - a PC connected via serial
will do all the heavy lifting as far as telling the Z80 where to point
and how. Comments on the veracity of this architecture welcome!
I have a few questions I'm hoping someone can answer for me, starting
with the following: I have a Z80A and a 4 mhz TTL clock
oscillator - I'm wondering if it would be ok to connect the clock
directly to the CPU or is it wise to connect it via a parallel or
serial resonant oscillator circuit like those described here:
http://www.z80.info/uexosc.htm
Why be so elaborate? The data sheets for the oscillator doesn't say
"Make sure you connect via a parallel or serial resonent oscillator
circuit!"
Thanks for any light you can shed on this, Google hasn't been helpful.
I have references that do it both ways without explanation so I'm
confused!
Regards,
Gord
cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org wrote on 26/10/2005 09:25:58 PM:
Gord wrote...
> I'm building a Z80 based computer as a stepper motor controller, and
it
> would be nice if there was a homebrew newsgroup
to ask questions on
since
I don't
think this is the group to do so - any recommendations?
Um... I would certainly think developing a new system around a classic
processor (Z-80) is certainly ok on this group :)
Jay
1 a.m.
New subject: Z80 Telescope Controller (was Homebrew newsgroups / forums?)
On 10/26/2005 at 11:36 PM gtulloch at shaw.ca wrote:
A 4 MHz oscillator connected to the clock pin of Z80 is fine, the only
specific called out is a 330 ohm pullup, so make sure your oscillator has
enough drive current. You may want to buffer the clock anyway if you have
other peripherals to drive.
(Personal opinion follows) \
For such a simple job, I'd be tempted to use one of the single-chip family
MPUs (Z8, 8051, etc).
Cheers,
Chuck
3:12 a.m.
On 10/27/05, Jay West <jwest at classiccmp.org> wrote:
Gord wrote...
What if it is a 50MHz Rabbit? :-)
I'm building a Z80 based computer as a
stepper motor controller, and it
would be nice if there was a homebrew newsgroup to ask questions on since
I don't think this is the group to do so - any recommendations?
Um... I would certainly think developing a new system around a classic
processor (Z-80) is certainly ok on this group :)
3:35 a.m.
There are embedded news group and fpga news group. People there are
more than happy to help.
vax, 9000
On 10/27/05, Wai-Sun Chia <waisun.chia at gmail.com> wrote:
On 10/27/05, Jay West <jwest at classiccmp.org>
wrote:
What if it is a 50MHz Rabbit? :-)
Gord wrote...
> I'm building a Z80 based computer as a stepper motor controller, and it
> would be nice if there was a homebrew newsgroup to ask questions on
since
I
don't think this is the group to do so - any recommendations?
Um... I would certainly think developing a new system around a classic
processor (Z-80) is certainly ok on this group :)
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8 comments
7 participants
participants (7)
-
allain＠panix.com -
cclist＠sydex.com -
gtulloch＠shaw.ca -
julesrichardsonuk＠yahoo.co.uk -
jwest＠classiccmp.org -
vax9000＠gmail.com -
waisun.chia＠gmail.com