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Have you ever thought of designing some hardware for the Z88? 

Here is the 'dream' card that enables you to do just that.

It has five key functions which can be used separately.

  1. Use the Z88 as an EPROM Programmer
  2. Use an external EPROM programmer to Program a Z88 card  (EPROMs or Flash)
  3. Use to connect to Test a prototype board externally.
  4. Use the extender to Test a Z88 card externally from the Z88
  5. Use an ICE (in-circuit emulator) to see what the Z88 signals are doing in real time.

Main description

The Z88 Extender card which has the gold edge connector for the Z88, is supplied as a 'bare board,' all other components to be ordered separately. It has the space to fit 

  • 2 x 34 way connectors which can be used to monitor the Z88 signals and connect to an external board,
  • 1 x 32 way DIL connector for a header to use with an EPROM programmer or a zero-insertion socket and
  • 1 x Z88 Card connector.

When the Extender card is used with a Z88, the 'Card Flap' needs to be modified, to allow the PCB to go through the flap.

Why was it built?

Some developers have expressed the need of developing hardware like external cards to read the new flash chips, or different communication devices using a modern approach. The high cost of getting an external card made has put some users off from taking this further. It is hoped that this card will enable those people to take their ideas further, by using this card as a stepping stone to the finished article. 

EPROM Programmer

Fitting the plastic card case and a zero-insertion socket allows the Z88 to program chips up to 512K (like the Flash chip (AM29F040B)) with ROMcombiner, or ROMupdate.

This could be used to program the 512K Flash chip that can be used instead of the ROM in slot 0 of the Z88.

Up to 1M chips may be programmed by using an additional adapter card that fits into the DIL socket and using the additional signal A19, which is on a pad.

If this socket is used, the 2 x 34 way connectors cannot be fitted.

Program a Z88 Flash card

Using a 32 way DIL and 8 way SIL header plugs, this card can be used with an external EPROM programmer (like the Dual Powered Willem Universal EPROM Programmer+27C256) or the W-USB programmer 1.5 EPROM programmer to program  Z88 EPROMs or Flash cards  up to 1M.

This allows developers designing software with the Emulator, to 'build' the image there and then download the file to the EPROM programmer to use on the Z88, saving time and complexity of saving the file first to the Z88 and then blowing the Flash or EPROM there.

Full instructions on how to use the card with this programmer is given.

Test a prototype board

The 2 x 34 way connectors used are the same ones used for the older type of IDE connectors to the hard disks. These connectors take all the signals from the Z88's bus to an external board where building and testing can take place. Plug in or transition connectors may be used depending on personal requirements.

This facility has not been used yet.

Test a Z88 Card

Normally, it is impossible to test an external card when this card is in the Z88. By cutting another plastic card cover, to expose the PCB and leaving the connector end intact, probes may be used to see what is going on in real time.

This facility has not been used yet.

Use an ICE

As all the connections are paralleled out of the Z88, an "In Circuit Emulator" can be connected to the card with the DIL and SIL connector (like the NEW external W-USB programmer 1.5 EPROM programmer) or by using the 34 way cable connector. 

The Vcc 5v supply from the Z88 to the ICE should be disconnected. This can be achieved by breaking the connection in the connecting ribbon  cable.

This facility has not been used yet.

Components required

As this card can be used for different purposes, not all the components are required, nor can one card be built to use all the functions. Non-standard components are available from us, or faulty Z88 motherboards and memory cards may be canabilised to extract the Z88 card connectors and memory card cases. The standard components shown here are linked to the Farnell site. If you would prefer us to get these for you, we can and will add a 'handling fee' to cover our costs.

Function required

      

EPROM Programmer

      

Programming a Z88 card

with an EPROM programmer

      

Testing a prototype board with the Z88

      

Testing a Z88 Card

      

Using an ICE

      

Components required

      
Z88 Plastic Card Case
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Z88 Modified Card Case
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Z88 Modified Card Flap
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Z88 Card connector
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HEADER, IDC, STRAIGHT, 34WAY x 2
109-6992
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CABLE ASSY, RIBBON 34WAY
101-2214
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SOCKET, IC, ZIF, 32WAY
113-6782
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HEADER, STRAIGHT, 16WAY x 2
124-8124
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HOUSING, 26AWG, 8WAY
109-8717
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SMALL BIT OF WIRE or
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RIBBON CABLE, IDT, 8WAY
131-3461Image Modified  Image RemovedImage Added 

 

Circuit Diagram

The circuit diagram of this card can be viewed by clicking here (which will open in a new window).