Multiprocessor module concept

[Tadeusz Pycio]

I can see that sometimes the topic of multiprocessor systems reigns here. Bill and Alan built their boards using dual-port RAM, I will soon send my production solution combining backplane SC112 and SC113 using Z8038 FIO, but I came up with the interesting idea of ​​using the complete system on Z182 ZIP as a regular RC2014 module.

Does anyone have any experience with this integrated circuit as 16550 Compatible MIMIC Interface? This might be interesting.

[Bill Shen]

I have experience with Z84C15 which is similar in concept to Z80182.  It only needs RAM and EPROM to make a complete system.  I have a SBC based on Z84C15.  https://www.retrobrewcomputers.org/doku.php?id=builderpages:plasmo:microz

My idea of multi Z80 system is based on dual-port RAM where a master processor controls one or more slave processors each has a dual-port RAM interface with the master processor.  The dual-port RAM serves as both the instruction and data RAM for the slave processor.  If a slave processor needs more capabilities it can be a Z84C15 instead of a Z80. 
  Bill

[Tadeusz Pycio]

Hi, Bill

In this case, I meant for the supervisor system that Z80182 was seen as an I/O device compatible with 16550. It would be possible to use, for example, ROMWBW without any modifications. Serial port, but with great potential ;-)

[Greg Holdren]

I have 3 or 4 of these Multitech ISI551 RS232 Z182 based ISA cards that I save from the recycle dumpster back in the late 90s.

I have been wanting to play with these some but haven't got to them. Looks pretty basic. 32KB ROM/32KB SRAM, 688/DIP switches for ISA address decoding and IRQ jumper block (classic manual ISA card setup). 245 for bus 8 bit bus it looks. RS232 shifter and DB9. Pretty simple. I'm not familiar with the Z182 but I'm guessing it looks like a 16xxx serial port to the ISA bus/system. Maybe a host side image loader could be developed for the board. Piggy back the SRAM and use IO for ROM/Lower 32KB swapping. :)

Greg

[Bill Shen]

Cool board.  Should be able to replace the EPROM and put in a monitor with BASIC (like SCMonitor) and play Startrek!
  Bill

[Alan Cox]

I have been wanting to play with these some but haven't got to them. Looks pretty basic. 32KB ROM/32KB SRAM, 688/DIP switches for ISA address decoding and IRQ jumper block (classic manual ISA card setup). 245 for bus 8 bit bus it looks. RS232 shifter and DB9. Pretty simple. I'm not familiar with the Z182 but I'm guessing it looks like a 16xxx serial port to the ISA bus/system. Maybe a host side image loader could be developed for the board. Piggy back the SRAM and use IO for ROM/Lower 32KB swapping. :)

The single port ISI modem cards pretend to be a 16550A UART on the PC side so it ought to be possible to reflash it to run CP/M as a CP/M card 8)

Alan

[Colin MacArthur]

I think this is what you have ...

CM

[Greg Holdren]

Thanks for the app note. With that and the datasheet I can get a handle on the 16550 MIMIC stuff and get some running as Alan and Bill suggested.

Greg

[Bill Shen]

I did similar hacking around with three Z84C15 boards that I bought on eBay. I imagine Z182 is very similar to Z84c15. https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/retro-comp/0XO4bdqJiro