SD Card System.
This is a two board system that provides a very inexpensive, flexible, and long-lasting storage option for our KIM Clone , SS-50 based designs, or almost any third party system.
The main board is the Corsham SD Shield. It plugs into an Arduino Mega and provides for insertion of a micro SD card, and also includes a DS3231 based real time clock (RTC). The Arduino does the hard work of providing an interface between the host processor (6502, 6800, 6809, etc) and the SD card and RTC. It connects to the host via a ribbon cable.
The board also contains three LEDs used for status, a RESET switch, a four position DIP switch, a DS3231 RTC, backup battery, and it maintains the Arduino Mega headers so additional shields can be placed on top. Since the source code is available you can add additional drivers for whatever shields you add. Want to add an LCD shield that displays which files are mounted? Just plug in the shield and modify the user interface class in the source code. Only one of the DIP switches has a defined purpose, so the rest are free for you to add your own logic.
The protocol between the host and the SD Card System is completely defined in The Remote Disk Protocol Guide available for download below.
The source for the Arduino Mega is also available for download.
The KIM-1. my first computer. Still have it, and it is still operational.
But I fear to use it for experiments and daily use, it is too valuable for me.
So I invested in KIM-1 clones and replica’s:
– Micro-KIM by Vince Briel
– KIM Clone by Bob Applegate, Corsham Technologies
– MOS KIM-1 Reproduction by Dave Williams
– KIM Uno by Oscar Vermeulen
Each has it advantages. And not all are still for sale.
Corsham is till in business and has an awful KIM Clone, with motherboard, I/O card, experimenters board and SD file system. A real enhanced KIM-1 on real KIM-1 hardware.
The KIM Uno is also available, affordable,now an emulator on an Arduino, soon on ESP32. Fun to have a KIM-1 look and feel.
All are documented on the KIM-1 replica’s and clone page.
KIM replica’s and clones
I have several KIM-1 replica’s or clones, and there are more available.
For me a KIM-1 Replica/clone needs a KIM-1 keypad and LED dispaly, a serial TTY interface, and the original KIM-1 software. Some have a layout close to the KIM-1, others look different but are functionally equivalent.
The CPU is of course a 6502 at 1 MHz crystal clock frequency. And they have at least the KIM-1 ROM 6530-002, the keypad/LED/TTY monitor.
Since 6530 RRIOT ICs (the 002 and 003 variant) are not available anymore, the same solution as in the other clones is chosen: a 6532 RIOT with a 2K EEPROM and some logic ICs (3) to get a hardware solution that makes it look exactly the same for the KIM-1 ROM software. The PCB is mostly a new design, not the typical 70ties KIM-1 rounded lines PCB design (except the KIM-1 Nachbau).
All this started with a design by Ruud Baltissen, who found out how the 6530 can be replaced with a 6532.
The result is great: it feels, looks and operates as an original KIM-1 with hex keyboard and LED display and TTY serial interface.
First Book of KIM programs run, All KIM-1 software runs, Microsoft KIM-1 Basic and Microchess run, when additional RAM is connected.
 Corsham KIM Clone |
 MOS KIM reproduction |
KIM Uno |
 Micro-KIM |
 PAL-1 a clone, can be expanded with motherboard, second RIOT, RAM, ROM, Cassette interface |
 Nachbau KIM-1 |
The PockeTerm is a 4″ X 2.5″ single board terminal that uses a VGA monitor and a PS/2 keyboard for its input and output. Dual serial ports gives the user the option of transferring data to/from a PC while still connected to the host device. This terminal was designed to work with vintage computers but is compatible with most systems including Unix and Linux systems. A low cost color choice terminal that has VT-100 compatible commands for controlling cursor and screen functions. Want to program the propeller microcontroller or install an update to the firmware? No problem, just connect the PockeTerm to your PC, run the Propeller Tools software and you can program it from your PC, no expensive Prop Plug required.
The PockeTerm has a full featured screen with Function key status at the bottom of the screen. Click on the image for a full size photograph of the screenshot.
CTRL-F1 Selects Baud Rate
CTRL-F2 Changes text color of the main display section
CTRL-F3 Turns on/off the 2nd serial port that connects to a PC.
CTRL-F4 Force incoming data to 7 bit ASCII. Strips the 8th bit, required for some systems
CTRL=F5 Change cursor type. Choose from underscore, solid block, or none. Also, choose from blinking or not.
CTRL-F6 Add line-feed to carriage returns
Documents
PS/2 keyboards
I have succesfully assembled the kit, the manual guided me just fine through the steps. Took me just over an hour.
The PockeTerm worked right away. Thanks to mfortuna’s tip, put jumpers in 1&2 and 5&6, and testing is independent of cables and computers to connect.
A standard keyboard with PS/2 worked. What did not work was my mini-USB keyboard (standard PC keyboard without numerical pad, and smaller size, like notebook keyboards) connected via an USB to PS/2 converter. The USB keyboard is ok, works with the PC’s and the Apple 1 kits via the USB-PS/2 dongle. I bought it because the smaller size looks better with the small computers and takes less desk space With the scope I found the PS/2 clock/data line (cant remember which one), to be open, as if nothing connected. So something is missing to make the USB device come alive. I googled around and found this: http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/edu/28060-PS2Adapter-v1.0.pdf
In it I saw a schematic how to connect a Parallax mini PS/2 keyboard, and it was different from the PockeTerm PS/2 interface. It has additional 10k pull-ups connected to the PS/2 clock and data. I soldered in the two 10k’s and the mini keyboard came alive!
Program the Propeller Notes by Vince Briel
- Go download propeller tools from parallax here: http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/sw/propeller/Setup-Propeller-Tool-v1.2.7-(R2).exe
- Install propeller tools
- Place the firmware directory from your PockeTerm CD onto your hard drive here:
C:\program files\parallax inc\propeller tool v1.2.7 (r2)\
- Connect your PockeTerm to the RS232 port labled PC and turn on your PockeTerm.
- Under the propeller tools program click on the section File and find the firmware directory you just copied onto your hard drive and select the file
PockeTermV.905.spin
- Press F11 on your PC keyboard and the propeller tools will compile and attempt to find a Propeller chip connected to a serial port on your PC. If your
connection is good it will program the RAM first on your Propeller chip then program the EEPROM.
The PockeTerm makes a really good development board for learning how to program the Propeller chip. For more information on programming the Propeller,
please visit the Parallax forums here: http://forums.parallax.com/forums/default.aspx?f=25
The above steps will program the Propeller with the code that is now resident on the EEPROM onboard the PockeTerm. Change step 3 to the location of the program you wish to insert onto the PockeTerm.
A collection of articles and projects around the Replica 1.
Rebus
EEPROM programmer circuit (as featured on the Multi I/O board)
EEPROM circuit
Here’s a 1 chip EEPROM programmer for somebody wishing to copy their EEPROM or create their own data. In keeping with the replica 1 theme, it is a down and dirty solution requiring few connections. All the connections listed on the EEPROM go to their listed connections. A 74LS00 is all that is required to program an EEPROM.
This attaches to address A000-BFFF and is direct addressing. Simply write to the address to store the data. You should give a slight delay after your write since it takes 200ns to write a byte into an EEPROM. I do a short loop in basic
FOR I=1 TO 2:NEXT I
That does the trick. I tested this circuit out and had 0 errors when writing.
In 2007 Vince Briel tried to get a replica of the Cassette board, as designed by Steve Wozniak, operational. Another example of the genius Steve Wozniak, minimal hardware, 256 byte program. Two revisions, he did not have much luck with this. Reports indicate this has to do with insufficient quality of the power supply lines.
Software
Archive with disassembly and source files of the Apple 1 Cassette Interface.
The Multi I/O Board, 2007, gives 2 8 bit bi-directional ports with 4 handshaking lines, a 6522 VIA,, a true RS232 serial port, a 6551 ACIA, with speeds up to 19,200 BAUD, and a 8K EEPROM programmer to store data or programs. There is a socket to add your own Speakjet voice chip that works in conjunction with the serial port to make your Replica 1 or Apple 1 speak!
Software included to let the WOZmon operate over serial.
Three slot expander
Available first in 2006 for the SE and continued to the Plus. One side for the 40 pin connector, the other side a real Apple 1 slot.
Note that sometimes the 40 pin flatcable connection is not reliable and gives CFFA1 I/O errors. A thick extra ground wire between the Replica 1 and the slot expander solves this.
One slot expander
A single slot expander, one Apple 1 slot, to be placed upon the 40 pin box connector.
The latest designed and sold by Vince Briel: The Plus
Now licensed to and for sale at ReactiveMicro
Vince Briel said this about the Plus:
Based on the the fastest selling replica, the replica 1 tenth anniversary edition, the plus has improvements over the TE that make programming and power issues a thing of the past. Now you can power your replica 1 right off your PC or Mac or Tablet with the USB interface. With drivers installed, you can use a terminal program for sending/receiving programs or just use the terminal interface as your display and keyboard if you want. For those who prefer the stand alone feature, you can still use a composite monitor or TV and PS/2 keyboard. The ASCII keyboard port has been retained but for Apple II keyboards, a -12V supply or a Super Encoder board enhanced Apple II keyboard is required. Firmware changes now allow backspace or the original _ to be used just by selecting CTRL and F1. No more fighting backspace issues. Two versions of ROM’s onboard to select from! Yes, the original apple 1 with BASIC and now the Woz monitor and Applesoft lite can be used by adding a jumper! Enjoy floating point BASIC ported from the Apple II.
