Z80 Emulation Using the RP2040

[granz]

I did get a bit of a start there, I received the SD Card, but it was a micro card - I thought that the breakout was full-sized. It only took a minute, or two, to find out that they were both for micro- and not full-sized.

Yeah, almost nobody uses full-sized SD cards anymore. Just a fact of life, I guess.

Yes, but as you emphasized, almost... The PicoCalc actually uses a full-sized SD card. Personally, with my not-so-great fine motor control, I would prefer the full-sized cards anyway.

The breadboard does come with some jumper wires, but they are all male-to-female jumper wires. I'm not sure how the female connectors would help with a breadboard, but they were there any way.

Here is where my own recent experience shines. The vast majority of sensors and accessories I get for the Arduino have pins on them. I use the M-F wires to connect these devices to the breadboard. You can see an example here: New Project

There is that, however most of those sensors' breakouts use 0.1" pin spacing, and they do fit into the breadboard. It actually makes the attachment of those sensors more stable, and secure. Yes, there are some that use non-standard pin spacing, but as far as I have seen, that is a minority. Either way, it is nice (for a more-advanced hobbyist) for them to include them - I just would have preferred the male-to-male wires for this.

It's especially nice when the pins are such that you can't actually plug the board into the breadboard.

If you were to decide to sell these kits all in one pack, then you could save a huge amount of money by buying in bulk, and soldering things yourself. This is just for the newbie who is wanting to get into this assembly programming by him-(her-?)self.

Yeah, something to think about, especially since you've identified other uses for it than what my interests are.

P.S. - My last part came in, so now I have everything I need to realize your configuration. (Emphasis mine - AG3)

Did you (accidentally) order a second micro-SD card, and breadboard, for me? Last night, I noticed three packages on my porch; two of them were the card and breadboard (the third was some stuff that I did order.) Since you did receive your components, it may have been that you accidentally ordered these for me, or it was an Amazon mistake. You may want to check your bank to make sure that you were not charged for these extras.

P.P.S. - Two things about these card readers that I am mildly disappointed with is the PCB edges (rough) and the lack of a card detect pin. I know we're trying to keep costs down, but that's something I use in my own designs, usually.

[Chris Savage]

Yes, but as you emphasized, almost... The PicoCalc actually uses a full-sized SD card. Personally, with my not-so-great fine motor control, I would prefer the full-sized cards anyway.

I get it...on circuit boards the larger sockets are easier to solder as well. The microSD card sockets are challenging for some to solder, and some boards, like the ones Parallax used to sell, had pads for them. The socket was optional.

There is that, however most of those sensors' breakouts use 0.1" pin spacing, and they do fit into the breadboard. It actually makes the attachment of those sensors more stable, and secure. Yes, there are some that use non-standard pin spacing, but as far as I have seen, that is a minority. Either way, it is nice (for a more-advanced hobbyist) for them to include them - I just would have preferred the male-to-male wires for this.

So, the link I posted actually showed what I meant to say, but failed to convey. Some of the boards I get have two rows of pins, instead of one, despite having 0.1" spacing. This is similar to the AppMod connectors on older Parallax boards. Even when I do have a SIP header, there often isn't room on the breadboard for the large LCD I recently connected to a breadboard, so I had to use the M-F wires. I just post this for those who wouldn't think about this as a reason to have these on hand. I bought M-M, M-F and F-F in multiple lengths, just so I'm covered. The wires can be gotten cheap on Amazon in multi-packs. Something to consider for those who use a lot of accessories.

Did you (accidentally) order a second micro-SD card, and breadboard, for me? Last night, I noticed three packages on my porch; two of them were the card and breadboard (the third was some stuff that I did order.) Since you did receive your components, it may have been that you accidentally ordered these for me, or it was an Amazon mistake. You may want to check your bank to make sure that you were not charged for these extras.

I think your order contained five (5) items (though the SD card boards are a pack of two) and I got three (3) items. What else did you get? Whatever it is, it's a FREE bonus, because I believe the orders look accurate on my app, though in checking, I just noticed that it still says the wires and Pico are arriving today and the SD card boards are arriving Monday. It will be interesting to see if you get those deliveries. If you do, let me know.

[granz]

There is that, however most of those sensors' breakouts use 0.1" pin spacing, and they do fit into the breadboard. It actually makes the attachment of those sensors more stable, and secure. Yes, there are some that use non-standard pin spacing, but as far as I have seen, that is a minority. Either way, it is nice (for a more-advanced hobbyist) for them to include them - I just would have preferred the male-to-male wires for this.

So, the link I posted actually showed what I meant to say, but failed to convey. Some of the boards I get have two rows of pins, instead of one, despite having 0.1" spacing. This is similar to the AppMod connectors on older Parallax boards. Even when I do have a SIP header, there often isn't room on the breadboard for the large LCD I recently connected to a breadboard, so I had to use the M-F wires. I just post this for those who wouldn't think about this as a reason to have these on hand. I bought M-M, M-F and F-F in multiple lengths, just so I'm covered. The wires can be gotten cheap on Amazon in multi-packs. Something to consider for those who use a lot of accessories.

I have to admit that I did not go to that link, but things like the ESP-01 (breadboard unfriendly) came to my mind right away. Yep, things like that, or the male headers on the Raspberry Pi GPIOs, make the female jumper wires much more handy. And, like you, I also have a pretty large assortment of all three of those kinds of jumper wires.

But, again (just for this use case) the male-to-male jumpers would have been useful, where as the male-to-female jumpers could cause confusion, and price concerns, for the buyer. We will need to consider maybe using a different source for this, and the SD breakout board that you mentioned.

Did you (accidentally) order a second micro-SD card, and breadboard, for me? Last night, I noticed three packages on my porch; two of them were the card and breadboard (the third was some stuff that I did order.) Since you did receive your components, it may have been that you accidentally ordered these for me, or it was an Amazon mistake. You may want to check your bank to make sure that you were not charged for these extras.

I think your order contained five (5) items (though the SD card boards are a pack of two) and I got three (3) items. What else did you get? Whatever it is, it's a FREE bonus, because I believe the orders look accurate on my app, though in checking, I just noticed that it still says the wires and Pico are arriving today and the SD card boards are arriving Monday. It will be interesting to see if you get those deliveries. If you do, let me know.

I did get all four of my items (still waiting for the SD breakouts; due Monday.) The items that I got yesterday were in addition to the items that I received the other day.

Just so long as you did not get charged for the extras.

[Chris Savage]

But, again (just for this use case) the male-to-male jumpers would have been useful, where as the male-to-female jumpers could cause confusion, and price concerns, for the buyer. We will need to consider maybe using a different source for this, and the SD breakout board that you mentioned.

Once you've posted your project here, I will follow your guide to build the project. While doing so, I will create a project on Savage///Circuits which accredits your work and links to it. Depending on what I find, I may start off by building five (5) kits with everything needed and post them on the MeBay page. We can always add more if they become popular.

I did get all four of my items (still waiting for the SD breakouts; due Monday.) The items that I got yesterday were in addition to the items that I received the other day. Just so long as you did not get charged for the extras.

I'm good. Not gonna lie though...I am curious what you got extra. 

[granz]

Correction: This "extra" breadboard came with male-to-male jumper wires. While these are better for our specific case, it is a bit disturbing in that they have not standardized on what they add to the breadboard. This is OK (actually very nice) for hobbyists, but could cause a lot of troubles for a newbie. What jumper wires did you get in your breadboard pack?

I think that, if we give a BOM list, like above, we need to select a breadboard that either comes with M-M jumper wires (then we can drop the additional jumper wires) or no jumper wires at all. This is weird - the first time it has been concerning to me that I get more than what was purchased. 

Of course, this is completely irrelevant to the packs that you put together - you can just make sure that each pack has only what is needed.

[Chris Savage]

Correction: This "extra" breadboard came with male-to-male jumper wires. While these are better for our specific case, it is a bit disturbing in that they have not standardized on what they add to the breadboard. This is OK (actually very nice) for hobbyists, but could cause a lot of troubles for a newbie.

Are you saying the "extra" package you got was another breadboard with M-M wires?

What jumper wires did you get in your breadboard pack?

I didn't order a breadboard or wires, since I have so many on my bench already.

I think that, if we give a BOM list, like above, we need to select a breadboard that either comes with M-M jumper wires (then we can drop the additional jumper wires) or no jumper wires at all.

Sounds good. We'll refine things as the projects becomes finalized for the kit on the main website. Until then, I'm just following your lead based on what you're using.

[granz]

The following was supposed to be posted this morning, shortly after Chris' reply # 48:

Like I said, in reply #45, I got an extra SD card (have not opened it yet, but it is in the same type envelope as the first one that I got,) and an extra breadboard set (with the same male-to-female jumper wires.) Kind of strange that I got those two, and nothing more (so far.)

I use two different laptops every day. Apparently this got typed in, but then I got distracted and never actually posted it.

[granz]

And, the plot thickens; I just received another Pico. This is exactly the same make and seller as the first one that I received. Something strange here: the Pico that I received last week came through Amazon delivery, but this one (same seller) came through the U.S. Postal Service, and was in our mailbox. First of all, why did they send me a duplicate of (most of) your order, and secondly, why did one come through Amazon delivery, and the other through the mail? Weirdness abounds. 

[Chris Savage]

All I can say is, "BONUS!!!" Lucky you! LOL 

[granz]

Well, I got everything except for the SD Card Breakouts - they should arrive on Monday.

Well, that "should arrive on Monday" has come, and gone. So, now that the SD Card breakouts are a week late, could you check the status on your Amazon account to see if they were marked as delivered? If they show as delivered, you will need to file a claim that they were not delivered.

[Chris Savage]

Well, as of right now, here's what my Amazon app says...I will DM you the UPS tracking number now. Optionally, I could cancel and ship you directly one of the TWO I got. But I bet you'd like the spare? Your choice.

You cannot view this attachment.

[granz]

Hah! UPS says that they have not even received the package yet.

I'll go ahead and wait; thanks.

I'm re-thinking our target market right now - continuing on with getting started with CP/M assembly programing intro.

[Chris Savage]

I'm re-thinking our target market right now - continuing on with getting started with CP/M assembly programing intro.

That's fine, just as long as the tools for assembling for Z80 are a part of the end package, that's what I am interested in. Everything else is bonus material, which is great for average end users, but not part of my initial interest in the project. So yeah, have fun with whatever resources you want to add in for software or focus, as long as we retain Z80 ASM dev tools / information. 

P.S. - I really wish the stock install of SMF had better smileys, but I promised myself I wouldn't mod this software in any way to minimize issues I experienced in the past. Bad enough I've experienced some related to the anti-spam plug-in.

[Chris Savage]

Hah! UPS says that they have not even received the package yet.

I got a notification this morning that it's out for delivery.

[granz]

Okay, I'll keep a watch for it.