Mkb@CMU-CS-C.ARPA@sri-unix.UUCP (08/12/83)
From: Mike Blackwell <Mkb@CMU-CS-C.ARPA>
I second the motion. I think there are a lot of hardware type hackers out
there who aren't reading Info-Micro because they don't want to wade through
20 different announcments about the latest version of ModemXYZ and pleas for
termcaps and other such stuff each day...
This brings up another, related, idea that's been fermenting in the back of
my mind for a while (maybe it should stay there, but...): How 'bout some
sort of clearing house for "public domain hardware?" For example, in the
course of my work on the CMU Rover, I have designed and built three
different microprocessor controller systems (6805, 68000, and 68008 based).
It seems to me that there are probably others out there who need something
similar, and could benefit from the work that I have already done. And
quite possibly, I could save myself some work next time, by using or
modifying somebody elses designs.
On the outset, this has several problems. The major one that I can think of
is that there is no real way at the moment to store hardware designs online.
A lot of us probably use various CAD tools for doing hardware design, but I
doubt that any of them are even remotely compatable. What I think could
work, though, is an online directory of what is available. I can imagine
entries in the directory in the form of:
6805 microprocessor controller
Description: A small microprocessor system suitable for very intelligent
controller applications. Includes Motorala MC146805E2 CMOS 8-bit
microprocessor with onboard timer and 16 IO bits, Harris 6402 CMOS UART,
6K bytes RAM (Hitachi 6116), 2K ROM (27C16). Also includes circuitry for
4096 count shaft encoder interface, and FET direct drive motor interface.
Notes: Entirely CMOS construction for very low power consumption. Total
circuitry size about 6 inches by 4 inches.
For more information contact: Mike Blackwell (MKB@CMU-CS-C)
Keywords: 6805, Microprocessor, Controller, CMOS
Does this sound resonable? If so, I would be more than willing to put some
time and effort in to making it work. Lets have some discussion on this!
Cheers, -m-