Classic computing fanatic Mark Jelic is celebrating 40 years for the reason that launch of Speaking Electronics’ TEC-1 single-board pc (SBC) in fashion — by figuring out the restrictions of the unique and fixing them.
“The TEC-1 […] was first revealed by the Australian electronics hobbyist journal ‘Speaking Electronics’ between 1981 and 1991,” Jelic explains of the unique system. “The TEC-1 was developed as a studying pc, designed to show the fundamentals of how a microprocessor works on the elementary {hardware} and software program degree, and supplied the flexibility to create and run easy packages in Z80 machine code. TE journal lined the TEC-1 in six installments from Challenge 10 to fifteen.”
An upgraded, backlit, mechanical keypad is simply one of many upgrades discovered within the TEC-1’s 40-year refresh. (📷: Mark Jelic)
Teaming up with the TEC-1’s unique designers John Hardy and Ken Stone, in addition to former Speaking Electronics staffer Craig Hart and neighborhood members Brian Chiha and Ian McLean, the TEC-1G is a modernized model of the TEC-1 — boasting full compatibility with the unique, {hardware} and software program, and even its potential to run unique monitor ROMs with out modification.
Among the many enhancements made to the design of the TEC-1G embody a default reminiscence capability of 32kB RAM and 16kB ROM to a most of 64kB RAM, RAM write safety capabilities, shadow reminiscence and financial institution switching, and a quicker Zilog Z80A-compatible CPU operating at 4MHz with a “sluggish clock” mode for compatibility. There’s assist for a full QWERTY keyboard and elective joystick whereas the on-board hex keyboard has been upgraded with mechanical keyswitches, full with LED backlighting, and an on-board 20×4 character LCD as the first show.
Jelic has launched the {hardware} and software program as open supply, with the blessing of TE’s proprietor. (📷: Mark Jelic)
Maybe the most important characteristic, although, is just not within the {hardware} itself however in how it’s being launched to the world. “[The TEC-1G has] been produced with the blessing of Colin Mitchell, Speaking Electronics proprietor,” Jelic explains. “For the primary time, the TEC-1G may also be absolutely free and open supply, in each its {hardware} and software program. The TEC-1G is the final word TEC-1!”
Extra info on the venture is obtainable on Jelic’s Hackaday.io web page; design information and supply code for the TEC-1G can be found on GitHub beneath the reciprocal GNU Normal Public License 3, together with a information to assembling the system.
