The KIM-1 explained

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Hans Otten

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Jul 13, 2026, 8:37:58 AM (4 days ago) Jul 13

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The KIM-1 explained

The hardware and the software in the KIM-1 work closely together. The tiny program, less than 2KB in the two ROMs, together with the simple hardware is very clever designed.

The KIM-1 is a complete computer with two user interfaces and data storage with a simple namespace. It is one of the first 6502 computers, and many clones or derived 6502 SBC systems are designed with more or less KIM-1 copied parts of the software and hardware. On this site you can find many examples!

http://retro.hansotten.nl/6502-sbc/kim-1-manuals-and-software/the-kim-1-monitor-explained/

On these pages I will try to explain how all this is working together. It will not be a rewrite of the KIM-1 user manual, , but more a deeper personal dive into the software and hardware of what makes the KIM-1 tick. It also expects a basic knowledge of the 6502 and digital electronics.

Based upon my experience and study of the KIM-1 since 1979. The first years to learn the 6502 CPU and the 6530 RRIOTs. The next time when I wrote the KIM-1 Simulator (2015 to now). Many notes on paper and files everywhere. Now consolidated in a lot of pages.