My new RC2014/RCBus compatible Z80 module

[Dean Netherton]

Hi,

I have updated my main website with a few more of my new modules.  (And started to list kits on my store).

Next up is the Turbo CPU module for RC2014/RCBus Z80 systems.  This is a simplified version of my Yellow design.  The smaller green module drops the on-board 'slow-clock'

I am particularly proud of this module -- as it was perhaps the first design i did that wasn't so much based on stock MSX schematics. 

For those that don't know - this CPU module runs a standard Z80 40 pin chip (Z84C0020PEG), at up to 20Mhz.  Its not overclocking it - nor does it require the backplane clock to run at 20Mhz.  It dynamically switches the clock of the CPU between the bus-clock and its 20Mhz turbo boost speed.

The clock speed of the CPU is switched to the bus-clock, when the IOREQ line goes low.  It holds the processor at the 'slow' bus clock for a number of ticks.  

This means when the processor is communicating with any I/O device, its running at the modest bus clock speed - to ensure compatibility.  But when its just 'processing' or reading/writing to memory - it runs at its boost speed.

This dual speed/boost process gives it a lot of compatibility with existing devices - but can really improve those very slow IX/IY+n operations a lot.

https://www.dinoboards.com.au/stegosaur/turbo-cpu/

This dinosaur is not so slow!

Dean.

[Dean Netherton]

LOL - Not sure why the picture of the module is there twice.  But it is a beauty, yes.

[Ronny Ribeiro]

Very interesting design! Congratulations!

Ronny

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[Dean Netherton]

Thanks Ronny