|
Z80 CPU
8080 CPU
6500 Series
6800 CPU
DG Systems
Bytemaster
System Cards
Keyboard
Printer A & B
Phideck
Disk Drives
Documentation
Software
Flyers
Magazine Ads
| |
|
|
| |
|
| 6500 Series Processor Board
Ta-da! The very first 6501 processor from The Digital Group--sort of.
The 6501 chip in this photo was given to Dr. Robert Suding by Chuck Peddle, the
designer of the chip. Dr. Suding gave the chip to me in 2004. This board, although built up especially for this
chip, was a bare board I picked up from Marty Giest. Thanks Marty! The
6501 chip by MOS Technology had barely been introduced when Motorola
threatened a lawsuit over the fact that this chip was a direct pin for pin
replacement for the 6800. Since Chuck had previously worked for Motorola,
who knows what might have have happened in court--MOS decided not to find
out, and agreed to quit the 6501--Hello 6502!
Dr. Suding made this board able to accept a 6501, 6502, and 6800 by
just a few jumper changes. The 6502 was modestly successful for The
Digital Group, but didn't hold a candle to the success of the Z80,
therefore, no software support. :(
|
|
Fully (almost!) Restored 6501 Processor Board
|
|
| Construction
This board is not a restoration, unlike most everything else on this
site. Since I received the board bare, there was not much needed except to
construct what I wanted. I had recently acquired the 6501 chip from Dr.
Suding, so I felt this was the way to go. All the chips used are from
other Digital Group stock I have, so everything but the IC sockets came
from DG. That's pretty authentic, right? After construction was completed,
the board was tested with a 6800 chip, and runs fine, but I have yet to
actually power it up with the 6501 chip. The 1702 ROM shown in these
photos lost it's mind and is plugged in for show. I have the ROM code
listings, and know folks with the correct programmer, I'm just busy--I'll
get it soon. I promise. Even after I have the ROM reprogrammed, will I
dare power up that ultra, super, truly rare 6501 Chip? This is arguably
the rarest processor chip in the world! Hmmm.
|
|
6501 Processor Board, Solder Side
|
|
| 6500 Series Card Information
6502_CPU_Construction.PDF
- Assembly instructions for the 6500 Series and 6800 card with schematics
and board layout. Kind of a terrible copy--I have a better one now, one
day I'll scan and upload it here. See my Document archive for more related
files.
6500-10A_MCS6500hwMan_Jan76.pdf
- MOS Technology 6500 Series Hardware Manual
6500-50A_MCS6500pgmManJan76.pdf
- MOS Technology 6500 Series Software Manual
|
|
6501 Processor Board, Layout
|
|
|
|
|
Photos During Rebuild: |
|
|
Bare 6501-2 Processor Board
|
|
|
Cleaning solder flux from completed board
|
|
|
Still in the bath--front side
|
|
|
