Proton Z80 Modular Computer demonstration

[@chap666ish]

I love seeing CP/M 2.2 It was what I worked with when I first got a job as a programmer in the early 1980s.

[@Lantertronics]

I love how it looks kind of like a Eurorack Modular synthesizer. :)

[@addhoardingprocrastinator]

Yes, VME chassis even

[@electronicscaos]

I love how it remember me of an industrial PLC rack. Congratulations, beautiful work.

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

Thanks m.riggs. That was my goal. I'm working on a new card (digital I/O), so soon it'll be a PLC de facto.

[@konzen4004]

I'm back to 80's... I'm used to program Z80 Assembly for a MSX 1 machine. Good times! Absolutely awesome!

[@Bareego]

Great concept. AFAIR youtube has an option to stabilize your video to cut down on the shaking if you edit it online, might be a good idea.

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

Thanks, James. I'll use it, for sure.

[@israeldlr4365]

Most of the times I've seen it produces a wobbly image

[@geewiz70]

This is a thing of beauty. Very well done! I imagine what a kit of this level of quality would have cost back in the day, even just with contemporary components...

[@jrkorman]

An excellent project and well executed. Your two videos are quite a debut!

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

Thanks Jim.

[@sn1000k]

I really love this. Im a huge enthusiast of modular synths as well as early/simple computers. This brings it all together for me aesthetically! I really appreciate you doing this PR!

[@jwdory]

I really like the modular design of the Proton Z80. 👍

[@stargasm1000]

I''m very impressed. This is a beautiful demonstration of the concept of a modular computer and I especially like that you did this all yourself. As I watched this video, I couldn't help but wonder if a relatively inexpensive computer could be built this way; the modularity seems like it would offer a lot of flexibility.

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

Hi Mike. The reason why I chose modularity is so I can experience with different concepts and cards. For example, right now I'm testing a new family of cards (remote I/Os) for automation, using Modbus over RS485. Besides the flexibility for new hardware, the modularity concept also allows me to test many software ideas. So far, I already have 3 completely different microprocessor/microcontrollers working "in harmony" (Z80, ATmega328, AT89C4051). After I finish the automation RIOs, I'll make a card with keyboard and video interface, based on the STM32. Can't wait for that!😉

[@MacPoop]

This reminds me by design of Telco exchange modules and what they looked like. Neat to see a computer like this

[@KeritechElectronics]

Beauty and joy for ever. I like how this thing is built using the Eurocard like frame. Good engineering job! Using CF as storage is a fun way of connecting the quaint with the real deal old school, I like it.

[@unbiased1]

This is real computing!

[@valerys.219]

Such a work and design ! Wow, awesome. Thanks for sharing this beauty.

[@davidgrisez]

This reminds me of the first computer I had in the early 1980s. The computer was a Heathkit H89 computer. This was a Z80 type computer. There were two operating systems the Heathkit H89 could run. One operating system was Heath Disk Operating System called HDOS and the other operating system was CP/M. We have sure come a long way from those days of very basic operating systems and text only displays with no graphics.

[@larsgotfredsen6068]

A fun and great project. I did build 3 modular Z80 PC’s from 1980-1982. They were build based on the work by a danish engineer, that published the project in an article series. Same principle as yours with modules and a backplane containing the bus. Back then I also had to develop the bios, thus integrating CP/M with the hardware. It was great fun, my introduction to assemblers, the characterbased wordperfect and one of the first spreadsheats Lotus 1-2-3. Great fun and very educational at the time.

[@relentlessexplorers5251]

Anyone remember the Commodore 128 and its Z80 mode that ran CP,/M? This video tempts me actually build this machine.

[@waltperko8389]

Wow, nice design! You should be selling kits and ready made computers.

[@marty9248]

In school we had the Z80 Kempac modular system by A.C.H.M. Maas.

[@dimasaldypratama2513]

will get it. Just don't get burnt out. Whenever you need a break, take one.

[@777giba]

Looks like a nice old school industrial controller or PLC

[@AppliedCryogenics]

Very cool. 0.1" header pins can't carry a lot of current individually, but that's solved by ganging pins as needed. Also, Z80's are cool and all, but MC6809 or HD6309 rule!!

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

You're right, but I have an emotional attachment with Z80. 40 year ago... love at first sight 🥰

[@awesomecronk7183]

This is incredible!

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

Wow! Nice project!

[@anispinner]

legend

[@sorin.n]

Do you always look at it encoded? Well you have to. The image translators work for the construct program. Great work! 👍

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

Sorry, I didn't understand your question. can you elaborate a little bit more, please?

[@sorin.n]

@@p.r.kaltchuk5120 it was a quote from The Matrix. Neo was asking Cypher that question. 👍

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

@@sorin.n 🤣🤣🤣

[@GRATCHNAT]

Thx for sharing! Good(?) old times! 😀

[@garyjohnson4608]

Very interesting machine !! In a way, it kind of reminds me of the S-100 style computers.

[@prashkd7684]

What a beauty.

[@alexloktionoff6833]

Nice implementation ! Nowadays ATMega emulating UART is cheaper and more efficient than 8251. Especially I liked simplicity of using dual row 2.52 pins. Can you make detailed video about cage, pcb holders etc How the gage and pcb are made worth the separate video same as computer schematics!

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

Alex, I'll try to make a short video of the mechanical parts and enclosure. About the electronic schematics, we can find all in my Github repo under the "KiCAD files" directory (github.com/KALTCHUK/Z80_Modular_Computer/tree/master/KiCAD%20files).

[@alexloktionoff6833]

@@p.r.kaltchuk5120 Thank you. Making a case is the second big problem in all DIY projects /* after the making it work :) */ And I don't see videos about making professional mechanical parts and enclosure.

[@vvdvlas8397]

2.54?

[@zilog1]

woop! awesome! beep boop

[@vvdvlas8397]

Интересная конструкция! В далекой молодости пользовался подобным конструктивом 100x160 для построения контроллера на 8086. Interesting design! In my distant youth, I used a similar construct 100x160 to build a controller for 8086.

[@MicrobyteAlan]

VT100 👍 😊 I worked at DEC

[@fregl6781]

In such a way, Sinclair should make their home PCs. Who knows, maybe they would be more popular... But there is no graphics?

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

Not yet. After I finish the Modbus cards, I'll work on a keyboard/video card with graphics. Stay tuned.

[@josefont11]

Thank you. It great Z80 computer. I am wondering if this computer would be available as a kit?

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

Hi José. No kit, but all the project is in public domain. You can send the gerber files to the PCB manufacturer and buy the components on the BOMs, all in my Github repo. Check the Proton User's Manual for the build procedure.

[@nail-in-snail4565]

awesome!

[@cycvuk3666]

sweet!

[@francoisdastardly4405]

Very nice !!

[@taylordcraig]

I don't know shit about hardware but this is awesome.

[@garyjohnson4608]

Hello. I am currently working on designing and building a Z80 computer, I am curious as to what items you used to construct your card cage.

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

Basically, I used: - a backplane, which in fact is made of 3 backplane cards cascaded, so I have 9 slots for cards. - top/bottom/lateral cards for mechanical structure. - nylon PCB slots. 9 on top and 9 on bottom. - Aluminum L frames (10x10mm). - M3 nuts and bolts. Huge amount. Check the "Proton User's Manual" in my Github repo. Lots of pictures there.

[@alexloktionoff6833]

@@p.r.kaltchuk5120 please, please make a video about construction

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

@@alexloktionoff6833 here it is... kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWfGf4edhcirh68

[@deang5622]

My advice is, don't. If you want to build an 8 bit computer system, go use the 6809 microprocessor. Far better.

[@Neptun78rus]

good job!

[@yagizxpx]

Click top right on the 3 dots and turn playback speed to .05x

[@jacekruzyczka3058]

Why are the various apps situated on different "drives" (partitions) like D: or H:?

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

Because CP/M doesn't have a sub-directory structure like DOS or Unix. All you have are disk drive. Maximum 16 drives, from a to p. Imagine that each drive is a big container where you put files in. So, to make things easier, I adopted, when possible, some mnemonics... Drive b: contains Basic stuff, drive c: contains "C" stuff, drive e: contains (word) Editor, drive f: contains Forth stuff. Hope I answered your question.

[@El_Croc]

Reminds me of the RML 380Z computer.

[@markevans2294]

Though the 380Z uses a ribbon cable, as can be seen in this image, rather than a regular back plane. www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk/scripts/picshow.php?image=/Museum/rm/RML380zLFullyPopulated.jpg&back=/Museum/rm/380z.php

[@El_Croc]

Ah, thanks!

[@plc.automation]

Worked, thx

[@DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

can you not do ASSEM 10 where 10 is the line number like on MTX Assembler for the MEMOTECH MTX512.

[@BrunodeSouzaLino]

Would be possible to have these in a 500 Series rack format?

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

I'm not familiar with the 500 Series rack, but as long as you keep the backplane buses and the card size, it should be ok.

[@sweetlaizabalbuena2269]

Bro i want to beco dj but i'm smart enough to learn soft soft but have financial problem.

[@-r-495]

Love it. I‘ve not seen anyone work with a system I have heard of: GESPAC (MC68xxxx), but this is pretty close to it 😊

[@mohamadnurfiqribinazmie6329]

trying to learn soft so I am easily understanding everytNice tutorialng but I don't tNice tutorialnk it is for complete beginners who just opened the soft literally 5

[@your_utube]

Games?

[@M0GLU]

Congratulations good job. Can you sell PCB? Where do you live?

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

Hi Antony. I don't sell the PCBs, but you can order them from JLCPCB, for example. In my Github repo you'll find a directory called "KiCAD files" (github.com/KALTCHUK/Z80_Modular_Computer/tree/master/KiCAD%20files). It has the schematics and PCB layout for all the cards, even the Gerber files already zipped. Just download the zipped files and send them to your favorite manufacturer. Don't forget to chose the colors. I used blue for the cards and black for the enclosure.

[@M0GLU]

@@p.r.kaltchuk5120 Hi. thank you for your answer. Just one question left, is all V2 are a good choice?

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

@@M0GLU not sure I understood your question. Please elaborate.

[@M0GLU]

@@p.r.kaltchuk5120 The KiCAD files folder contains Backplane and Backplane V2. The Backplane V2 is the latest and that is the best choice?

[@p.r.kaltchuk5120]

@@M0GLU correct. V2 (version 2) is the one you saw on the video demo.

[@akiladissanayaka282]

fuck man im trying to switch from Ableton to soft... I wish soft would do specific tNice tutorialngs Ableton does, sNice tutorialts frustrating. >.< tryna get used to it

[@subashtrips9826]

"Welco-"

[@railroadcrossingfumikirian9981]

lol

[@FUNKLABOR_DL1LEP]

mains without earth in metallchassis? no no and again no. sorry. but the other parts are nice and fine. 👍

[@nicks4597]

horrible video quality