MC68000 Educational Computer Board

Home > Browse Our Collection > Peripherals > Circuit Boards > MC68000 Educational Computer Board

Intended primarily for training and educational use, including college-level courses and industrial in-plant training, the MC68000 Educational Computer Board (ECB) serves as an economical yet comprehensive introduction to systems based on the M68000 family of microcomputer products. Located on a single small printed circuit card, a complete microprocessor system is provided, including an MC68000 16-bit microprocessor, memory, parallel input/output, and serial communications I/O. The user must connect only an RS232C-compatible "dumb" terminal and power supplies to have a functional system.

For ease-of-use, the ECB has a resident firmware package that provides a self-contained programming and operating environment. The firmware, aptly names "TUTOR", provides the user with monitor/debug, assembly/disassembly, program entry, and I/O control functions. Utilising the capabilities provided by the system, the user can investigate and learn the computing power and architectural feature of the MC68000. This system also provides a working example of the microprocessor external bus structure and interface to memory and peripheral devices.

The Educational Computer Board's features include:

4-megahertz MC68000 16-bit MPU.
32K bytes of dynamic RAM arranges as 16Kx16.
16K-byte firmware ROM/EPROM monitor addressed as 8Kx16.
Two serial communication ports provided for a terminal and a host. Both are RS232C compatible and have selectable baud rates.
Programs can be downloaded from a host system.
A parallel port (16 data lines with handshake) can be used for I/O or for a Centronics-compatible printer interfaces.
Audio cassette serial I/O port.
Self-contained operating firmware that provides monitor, debug, and disassembly/assembly functions.
24-bit programmable timer.
Wire-wrap area provided for custom circuitry.
RESET and ABORT function switches.