SYM-1 tribute board
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2023 10:44 pm
My first microprocessor experience was with a SYM-1 in the 'olden' days.
I spent many hours on one and have a fairly large soft spot for them.
A while back I decided to build a new board loosely based on the SYM-1 as a tribute to my old friend.
With help from this site these are my results.
System
- 65C02 at 2 Mhz
- 64K RAM with holes for IO and 8K monitor in EPROM
- two 65C22 VIAs with all IO lines brought out to header pins
- 65C51 UART
- 8K monitor program in EPROM based on the SYM SUPERMON
- I2C interface for mass storage on serial EEPROMs (24CS512)
- socket for USB-serial module for interface to PC if desired
- socket for 8K EPROM for user program
- onboard ASCII dumb terminal drives a 10" VGA monitor (PIC based from VT100 work by Graham and Hansel)
- USB keyboard (can be wireless)
- 5v/12v DC boost converter to power monitor
- can boot images of BASIC, ASSEMBLER (RAE) and FORTH from serial EEPROM
- all thru hole components for easier soldering
The serial EEPROM boards are used as pseudo-disks for saving BASIC programs, RAE programs and FORTH screens.
They are stackable so you can have several available at any time.
The I2C connector will also accept one of the RTC modules that are available online.
Maybe this will bring back some pleasant memories for others. Enjoy.
I spent many hours on one and have a fairly large soft spot for them.
A while back I decided to build a new board loosely based on the SYM-1 as a tribute to my old friend.
With help from this site these are my results.
System
- 65C02 at 2 Mhz
- 64K RAM with holes for IO and 8K monitor in EPROM
- two 65C22 VIAs with all IO lines brought out to header pins
- 65C51 UART
- 8K monitor program in EPROM based on the SYM SUPERMON
- I2C interface for mass storage on serial EEPROMs (24CS512)
- socket for USB-serial module for interface to PC if desired
- socket for 8K EPROM for user program
- onboard ASCII dumb terminal drives a 10" VGA monitor (PIC based from VT100 work by Graham and Hansel)
- USB keyboard (can be wireless)
- 5v/12v DC boost converter to power monitor
- can boot images of BASIC, ASSEMBLER (RAE) and FORTH from serial EEPROM
- all thru hole components for easier soldering
The serial EEPROM boards are used as pseudo-disks for saving BASIC programs, RAE programs and FORTH screens.
They are stackable so you can have several available at any time.
The I2C connector will also accept one of the RTC modules that are available online.
Maybe this will bring back some pleasant memories for others. Enjoy.