Re: 65C02 emulation

[Charlie Springer <RAM@regnirps.com>]

On Mon, 4 Dec 2006 10:27:30 -0800, Eric wrote
(in article <1165256850.902220.167890@l12g2000cwl.googlegroups.com>):

> 
>> Please take a look at Winbond's arm-7 family :
>> <http://www.winbond.com/e-winbondhtm/partner/_Consumer_M_32MCUS.htm>
>> 
>> I think this is the one (w90n740) that fits perfectly. What do you
>> think ?
> 
> It looks like a specialized network processor. That should perform very
> well if you can understand it's nuances.
> 
> I tend to stick with the main companies because I don't have much time
> to work on embedded projects, and I need to get answers quickly when I
> have trouble.
> 
> Have you looked at the newer LPC devices? The 24xx family looks
> interesting:
> http://www.standardics.nxp.com/products/lpc2000/pdf/lpc2468.pdf
> 
> The lpc2888 also has merit - esp for battery operation:
> http://www.standardics.nxp.com/products/lpc2000/pdf/lpc2880.lpc2888.pdf
> 
> But if you want USB and/or Ethernet there's going to be a requirement
> for more system support software. Perhaps even a light RTOS like
> FreeRTOS. I don't like the idea of having an Ethernet or USB capability
> on the chip that won't be used.
> 
> The lpc24xx has a free Ethernet stack from a third-party company, but
> the source isn't free. There are several open stacks for various
> processors (such as uIP), but you have to find a port for your chip, or
> do your own port.

There is a nice variety of ARM products from various makers at 

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/categories.php

These are very affordable and can use the "Wiggler" JTAG debugger interface 
and gnu tools. Note all the cool stuff you can hook up to your ARM.

Several outfits have done what I started to do about 10 years ago -- copy the 
the Z-World business model with ARM-World so to speak. No one has gone all 
the way. I started and have a bunch of outdated designs and outdated deals 
with Atmel but I got tied up in trying to make a living :-) In fact what got 
me started was interviewing at Z-World in Davis a couple of times and seeing 
they had no interest in going beyond 8 bits and the Z80 architecture. (I 
would have taken the job if Davis wasn't the hay fever capital of the world. 
There was a huge allergy clinic next door!) I could see then that the ARM was 
going to be nearly as small and cheap as the 8 bitters before long. It is 
probably simpler than a Z80.

-- Charlie Springer