minipamX eXperimental release (0.9.04 Beta)

[glenn.f...@gmail.com]

I also posted this on Discord, but for followers here of the H8 Mini effort here’s the latest:

 

I have pushed minipamX.hex to the github site: https://github.com/sebhc/MiniH8/tree/main/ROM%20Firmware the "X" is for "eXperimental".

 

This is the first version of the firmware that drops you into the PAM/8 (front panel keypad) task-time monitor on startup (instead of the GWMON console monitor). It most likely will have odd bugs but please let me know what you experience and note as much as possible how you got there so I can try to repeat the problem.

 

A few notes:

• You should now be able to do REG PC ALTER 0 0 4 0 0 0 ALTER GO to go to the GWMON monitor
• I have changed the default BAUD for the console to 4800. I have not yet successfully gotten 9600 to work
• LOAD, DUMP and STEP are not yet implemented. I will work on LOAD first, meanwhile you'll have to drop into the GWMON and use the "L" command to load Intel HEX files. then G 0000 (or RST/0) to restart into the PAM/8 monitor. most user programs are ORGed at 040.100 (2040H). To run a program from the keypad change the PC to 040.100 and hit key 4 ("GO")
• I'm not sure how to implement single stepping. haven't given that any thought
• RTM/0 function is not yet implemented
• The system sometimes comes up with the decimal points rotating on. That's a bug.
• I have left minipam8.hex in the repository as a stable backup. I hope soon to find time to clean up the GitHub site and establish multiple branches. on the "to do" list.

 

Happy to receive any feedback...

 

• Glenn