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Low cost Z80 ICE

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David_M

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Joined
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Melbourne, Australia
For those that are not aware I've recently created an Arduino Mega2560 shield that allows you to manipulate the bus of a Z80 target system.

It allows you to read and write to memory and IO ports to help identify faults in the target.

For those that are interested it is based on this project, https://fjkraan.home.xs4all.nl/digaud/arduino/Z80exer/

I have bare boards available for US$10 + shipping, PM me if interested.

20180706_104057.jpg
 
I'm confused; ICE = In Circuit Emulator; something that replaces the CPU in a system and runs normal code, but allows for monitoring and control of various signals. So, does your Mega2560 card emulate a Z80?
 
Chuck(G) said:
I'm confused; ICE = In Circuit Emulator; something that replaces the CPU in a system and runs normal code, but allows for monitoring and control of various signals. So, does your Mega2560 card emulate a Z80?
Click to expand...

No it doesnt emulate the z80 instructions. I'm being lazy in my description. The link I provided in the OP will explain what it can do.
 
No, it's okay--I was just confused by the acronym. I guess I'm just too old:

ice-80.jpg
 
David_M said:
I dont think the module it's based on is available anymore.
Click to expand...

Still is available, just not in original form. FPGA is from ebay and then need a level shifter board which is designed for it. I think I posted thread on creating it in the other thread. Dave is still actively supporting it.

Edit: I should know as I kept pestering Hoglet to come up with a solution that used an easily available FPGA as I need an ICE at the time.
 
And I'm happy with my EM-180 (and EM-189). I also have a complete EM-188 that I should try to hook up someday.
 

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mark0x01 said:
I have recently build one of these Arduino z80exer's to try to help fix my many Z80 systems. Anyone else using it?
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I have just fount this thread and this TRS-80 diagnostic/ICE card thread. Does anyone know if David still has a supply of the final board design for connecting to both the Model 1 Expansion Interface and Z80, and if so what would cost of board and postage to the UK be. I have several Mega 2560 shields so could jury rig if needed but would prefer a custom shield. I have several Model 1's, including the one that I purchased in 1980, all of which are in need of repair.

I also have various projects based on the Arduino Uno and Nano boards as well as Raspberry Pi boards, probably got around 15 boards of all types in total.
 
I built mine using a generic development board, as it was a 1 off and didn't need the TRS-80 specific expansion.
I have had limited success using it on a Televideo TS 803. I/O works, but no luck reading rom and ram yet.
Next testing with be on S100 boards.

I find things based on the Arduino or Pi are easier, as the base boards are more readily available and don't require smd and fine soldering.
My next build will be a floppy imager, based on the Adafruit Floppy design with a Pi Pico, but with a buffered interface to the floppy and support for 8" drives and jumpers to give more options.
As it is a bit more complex, I'll probably make a PCB for it.
 
The MCLZ8 is based on a Teensy 4.1 which uses the Arduino tools which are very simple. The PCB Gerbers are on GitHub which cost me $25 to build, assemble, and ship five boards. It can exercise the Z80 bus and emulate RAM/ROM as well as any other platform plus can actually emulate the Z80 itself! You would have no problem accessing the RAM and ROM on your Televideo TS 803 and S100 boards. :)
 
Looks very interesting.
The Teensy's are quite expensive compared to other platforms through a local supplier with the Teensy 4.1 around NZ$65, compared to a Pi Pico at under NZ$9.
Much cheaper on Aliexpress, so I might have to order a few to play with.

I think back to when I was fixing Z80 systems when they were current, and what limited tools were available when compared to what I have at home today.

I use a wide range of stuff for my home automation, including PIC, Arduino and Pi.
Can't get over how I can make a custom modbus or wireless sensor for under $20 and programming is a breeze.
 
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