Please note that you are NOT allowed to
reproduce any of this page elsewhere on the Web without my permission.
MOST IMAGES ON THIS PAGE ARE MY OWN WORK
I respectfully recognise the copyright of the original producer of this machine (Sinclair), and reproduce the information here for information / non-profit purposes only. The intention is to preserve the details of this classic machine and is for hobbyist use only.
This page details the construction of your own ZX80. Follow this link to build an NMI generator which, when used with the ZX80 circuit detailed below and the ZX81 ROM, will produce a FULLY FUNCTIONING ZX81 USING OFF-THE-SHELF COMPONENTS.
by Grant Searle
Last update: 23rd December 2011
Introduction
Circuit Diagram
Circuit Operation
PCB Foil layouts
Component positioning
Using alternative components (EPROMs, crystal)
Construction (PCB version)
ROM images
Keyboard overlays
Construction (Stripboard version)
Parts List
Pictures of the completed ZX80 on stripboard
Software
Simple upgrades
16K RAM Expansion
ZX80/81 ROM switching
ZX80 to ZX81 conversion
Pics of the original ZX80 kit
Links to other sites of interest
Nothing nowadays can replace the time when the first home microcomputers hit the streets. I am a keen collector of the home computer era. Follow this link to see my current collection. In those days you HAD to make your programs fit the hardware and memory available. This added to the enjoyment of programming to see something you had written to fit in a few K spring to life. The later ZX81 is very similar to the ZX80 except a lot of the ICs in the 80 has been merged into one chip. As a result, you can learn a lot about the workings of the ZX81 by referring to the ZX80 circuit. I have several computers from the start of the 80's but have always liked the Sinclair ZX80 for the following reasons:
1. It was the bare minimum required to produce a workable
computer with a TV display.
2. It did not have a single dedicated IC in sight.
It is because of the second reason this page has come into existence. Here I show you how to build your own piece of history. Virtually all parts for the ZX80 are available from most of the larger electronic companies. The remaining parts (the Z80 processor and RAM, normally) can be picked up cheaply from eBay.
I must point out this is not a job for the absolute beginner. You will need to
blow your own EPROM image and it will probably be a distinct advantage to have access to
an oscilloscope in case it doesn't work. I can assure you the circuit supplied here
as well as the PCB layouts DO
work without any modification.
The details on this page consists of the original re-build done on strip-board,
and also accurate reproduction foils to allow a faithful replica PCB to be made.
Both versions have been built successfully so I know they are correct.
I made the following modifications for my stripboard version:
1. I originally used a 6264 SRAM to make the base memory 8K instead of 1K.
2. I have since
replaced this with a 62256 (a 32K x 8 chip) to bring the memory up to the "full
16K" (the unused address line is tied to a power line).
Changes for both versions
1. I could not get the ceramic resonator. Instead I used a crystal and used a load
capacitance of 47pF.
I used this diagram to build my version of the ZX80. As a result, I know it is correct, apart from the following errors on the original schematic:
- Thanks to Ismael Pérez for finding many of the errors
 |
Notes about the circuit diagram MREQ is actually obtained from the output of the NOT gate, IC13,pin 2 (/MREQ is the input). SYNC (IC19 pin 5) goes to the microphone socket (via R35) and to the modulator (via R32). /SYNC (IC19 pin 6) is not actually used and goes to R36 (unused!) on the real ZX80 PCB. Errors on the original scanned version have been corrected on my re-drawn version. |
I have painstakingly redrawn this circuit using
vector-based graphics so it can be scaled with no pixellation.
I have kept my version as faithful to the original circuit as is possible, but I
have corrected the errors on the original schematic that I have mentioned above and I have added
the missing pin numbers (4,10 and 13) on IC19 near the bottom-right of the
scanned circuit. Apart from that, everything on my redrawn circuit is very
accurately placed. I resized the scanned version to A3 and over-layed my new
version on top of the scanned version while I was developing it. For most of
the diagram, my placement is well within 0.5mm of the original when scaled to be
the same overall size of the original.
Adobe reader 7.0 or higher is required to open the PDF - you will get an error
message if you use an older version.
Click here to get this re-drawn version (PDF format)
Click here to download the original scanned ZX80 circuit
The following is a brief description of the various parts of the ZX80 circuit. Please refer to the colour-coded version of the circuit diagram (HERE, or click on the picture below) when reading these details.
In addition, to see detailed real oscilloscope traces and a description as to how the display is produced go here (or click the picture below).
Details of the ROM program operation can be found elsewhere on
the net so will not be covered on this page. This text is intended to explain
the functions of the schematic to explain the circuit operation when the ROM
program is run, and can be used in conjunction with the explanation of the ROM
code.
PROGRAM AND DISPLAY RAM
Static RAM holds both the program and also the display file (DFILE). The
unexpanded ZX80 consists of 1K of RAM. This can be expanded to 16K directly
addressable RAM and the internal RAM can be disabled via a line on the
edge-connector.
PROGRAM AND CHARACTER ROM
First part contains the program ROM, the top part contains the character map.
So, when the character data is being accessed, during the CPU refresh, the top
address lines point to the start of a particular character, as determined by the
character latch and the bottom three address lines are sourced from the display
char row counter.
CLOCK GENERATOR
A ceramic resonator generates a 6.5MHz signal, which is then divided by 2 by
IC18. The output is double-buffered to allow faster rise times on the CPU clock.
Other outputs are:
6.5MHz for the display bit-shifter
Inverted 3.5MHz clock to feed the character latch.
CPU
A Z80 processor running at an external clock of 3.5MHz. Unused inputs tied high,
and the reset is connected to a simple RC circuit which holds the /RESET pin low
for a short amount of time after power-up, ensuring the circuit is stable before
the CPU starts execution. After reset, the address bus is zero, so the first
program byte read is from the start of the program ROM.
DATA BUS ISOLATOR
The NOP generator will force "00" (NOP) onto the CPU data bus during display
causing the CPU to run NOP code sequences while the address bus changes.
However, RAM is also active during this time, so these resistors allow the CPU
data bus to be forced low while the RAM is also outputting data.
CPU/DISPLAY ACCESS ROM ADDRESS MULTIPLEXER
This is controlled purely by the CPU refresh signal.
When refresh is high, the ROM address lines are connected to the CPU address,
allowing normal program execution.
When the refresh signal is low, the ROM address lines are connected to the RAM
data latch and the character row counter.
DATA LATCH ENABLE
Output low (RAM data latch will freeze outputs) when /REFRESH is low, /phi is
low or /MREQ is high.
So, a normal memory read (or write), ie. /MREQ low and /phi high, will update
the data in the latch with what is on the the data bus which is then frozen
during the complete REFRESH cycle.
RAM DATA LATCH
The data latch enable circuit will allow IC5 to capture the data currently on
the data bus, as read from the RAM. The lower 6 bits of this latched data is
then used as part of the character address within the ROM. Bit 7 is the
normal/invert display bit and bit 6 is used to determine whether the NOP opcode
will be forced onto the data bus.
When the control input is high, the outputs follow the inputs. When the control
input goes low, the outputs are frozen (latched) and will not change until the
control goes high again.
"NOP" OPCODE GENERATOR
When using the CPU to draw the screen display, the CPU "executes" the start of
the DFILE RAM addresses. During a program fetch cycle, if the data at the DFILE
address has bit 6 low then IC 14 and 15 are active, forcing the data bus low (ie.
settting it to be a NOP opcode). The CPU then executes this psuedo-instruction
and increments the address bus to proceed to the next location. This continues
until a byte is encountered with it's bit 6 high. In this case, the NOP code is
not generated so the actual RAM contents is read and executed instead.
At this point, I should provide a note about the DFILE / NOP
execution...
The display file (DFILE) is held in RAM and consists of 24 blocks of characters
(one block for each line) terminated by a HALT instruction.
Every character has a code where bit 6 is zero, so the NOP circuit will be
activated when the CPU executes that location.
At the end of each line of characters (which is variable length, between 0 and
32) is a HALT instruction, hex 76, binary 01110110. As you can see, the halt
instruction has bit 6 set, so is executed as a normal instruction.
To display each line. the sync occurs, then a short delay. The refresh register
is then loaded and interrupts enabled. The CPU then "executes" the start of the
current line.
The refresh register (R) is preloaded with a suitable value so A6 will change
from 1 to 0 once the end of the display scan is reached.
Each character is trapped and replaced by a NOP instruction on the CPU data bus
while the display logic latches it and uses it as part of the ROM address that
contains the character to be displayed. The ROM data is then serialised for
display on the screen.
Once the HALT is executed, the CPU will then pause for the remainder of the
line, where A6 eventually going low will then cause an interrupt to allow the
CPU to continue with the next sync and line etc.
For more details, see
here
RAM SELECT
The RAM CS signal is low (active) whenever a memory request is made (/MREQ=low)
and address line 14 is low. The output is buffered by a resistor so this output
can be forced to high/low via the edge connector.
ROM SELECT
The ROM select is active (low) when A14 is low and the MREQ signal from the CPU
is also low.
Although the ROM is only ever read from, it is also active if the ROM is
attempted to be written to. In this case, the ROM data and CPU data would be
active (but isolated somewhat by the data bus isolator resistors). A15 is
ignored, so the ROM is mirrored higher up in the address space.
DISPLAY CHAR ROW COUNTER (0 TO 7)
A 3-bit counter, reset on vertical sync, used to determine which of the 8 lines
of a character is to be displayed.
PARALLEL TO SERIAL BIT SHIFT (DISPLAY)
IC 9 is a parallel-in, serial-out bit shifter. The data on the data pins is
loaded via when the shift/load input goes low, and is shifted out, one bit at a time, by the
clock (6.5MHz). This output data is passed to the display output logic. Normally
pin 7 (/Q) is connected to the display, causing a black-on-white character to be
displayed. If the PCB link is change to connect to pin 9 (Q) as shown by the
dotted line on the schematic then the display will show white on black characters
instead.
C11/R25 ensures that only a short low pulse is present on the shift/load pin at
the start of the phi clock being high.
The data is shifted out during the low-to-high transition of the clock pulse on
pin 2 of IC 9.
The data is only loaded when the pseudo "NOP"s are being executed (ie. during
the screen character drawing), as controlled by the data in on pin 8 of the data
latch IC 5, and output on pin 9 of IC 5. During other periods of the display, no
loading is done so the output pins of IC 9 remain static, producing the blank
parts of the display (or the remainder of the current line in the DFILE).
NORMAL/INVERT CHARACTER LATCH
When a character is processed for display, data bit 7 (as captured in the RAM
data latch) determines whether the character is to be inverse video. If this bit
is set, the inverter latch is set, and the exclusive-or gate (IC20) will invert
the data stream from the parallel to serial bit shift circuitry. This latch is
reset at the end of a character display, unless the following character is also
inverted.
I/O DECODER
/KBD is low when /IORQ is low, /RD is low and A0 is low.
So, the keyboard is read for every even-address I/O read. As a result, any
peripherals requiring I/O reads would need to use odd addresses to avoid the
keyboard read being activated.
In addition, any I/O write will set the latch implemented with IC11, and any
keyboard read will reset the latch. This latch is used to generate the vertical
SYNC signal.
TV SYNC GENERATOR
Every INTACK (and I/O request) will preset the latch in IC 18. The display
routine will halt the CPU until interrupted. It then generates an INTACK signal
(/M1 and /IORQ low) which starts the sync generation. /M1 clocks the data through
the two latches that eventually (14.5 cycles after IORQ going low) takes /SYNC low. The inverse (SYNC) output then
resets the latch in IC 18 which is also clocked though this circuit, taking the
/SYNC output high again after a short while. So, this circuit will generate a
20-cycle (6.15uS) low signal on the /SYNC line shortly after every I/O request.
This 20-cycle sync is used for the horizontal syncs to the TV. In addition, the
latch in the I/O decoder can force the output of the sync generator to be held
low, as required for the longer vertical (frame) sync pulses on the /SYNC line.
CASSETTE INPUT AND KEYBOARD READ
The /KBD output from the I/O decoder is used to enable IC10, putting the data on
it's inputs onto the CPU data bus.
The keyboard is read in a multiplexed manner, with only one of the address lines
A8 to A15 low at any particular time. If a key is pressed, then the
corresponding data input to IC10 is pulled low, allowing the ROM to determine
which key was pressed in the keyboard matrix.
Resistors R13 to R17 pull these inputs high when no key is pressed.
When the port is read, D4...D0 contain the keyboard switch details for a segment
of the keyboard (as determined by which of A8 to A15 is low), D7 contains the
cassette input value and D6 indicates whether UK 50Hz or USA 60Hz display is to
be used (via D11).
D6 will be low for USA (due to D11 pulling D6 low when /KBD is low) and high for
UK (R28 on the right-hand side of the schematic pulls D6 high if floating).
CASSETTE INTERFACE
Ear socket takes a signal, the capacitor blocks the DC content and the resistor
limits the current when it is forced outside the normal TTL voltage levels.
Mic socket provides an attenuated (less than 1000th) signal that is compatible
with the high-gain mic input on a cassette recorder. The mic input on a cassette
recorder expects a very low level signal as provided by a dynamic (moving coil)
microphone, so the attenuator provides a compatible signal. C14 blocks the DC
content, R35 attenuates the signal and R34/C13 is a simple low-pass filter.
PCB FOIL PATTERNS (VERIFIED CORRECT)
Click on the picture to download the latest files.
PDF Contents:
1.
Silk layout
2.
Keyboard layout
3.
Top tracks
4.
Bottom tracks
5. Top tracks - mirror image for acetate printing
6. Bottom tracks - mirror image for acetate printing
These are exact (as far as is possible) replica track and silk layouts of the original issue 2 board. Nearly all tracks and component placements on the board are within 0.5mm of the original. The majority of the tracks were laid out by taking high resolution scans of my original board. I had removed the modulator, heatsink and the ICs which were in sockets to ensure that I could see the hidden tracks. Tracks that were underneath the soldered-in ICs were visible if I viewed closely from the side of the chip, and again, I used a continuity tester to confirm. The layout of these "hidden" tracks was then updated to match a picture I obtained from a magazine article. Recently, I was provided a picture of a ZX80 with the keyboard layer removed (thanks Rich). With this, I was able to reproduce an accurate representation of the contact spirals underneath the keys.
A ZIP file containing the foil patterns can be download
HERE (currently version 1.7)
For list of changes to recent versions, please see the
change-log at the end of this page.
Martin has actually built a ZX80 using these foils (with the fixes mentioned
above, that I had put into version 1.1) and it works !
Please see Martin's page at
http://www.8bity.cz/?page_id=212
I have ALSO built a fully working ZX80 from the latest version (1.7) of the files (see below).
These are 600DPI prints in a PDF file (far higher resolution than you would
ever need for etching), so you will need Adobe reader 7.0 or higher to
view them. When printing from Adobe Acrobat reader, make sure you set Page
Scaling to be "None".
I have included marks to indicate the board corners and I have also included
rulers along the edges marked in millimetres to allow you to confirm the
printout is to the correct scale.
For component placement, I recommend that you refer to the original ZX80 below. Click on the image to enlarge it:
Please note that my original board uses 2 x 2114 SRAM chips and a 2532 EPROM (which is slightly different pin-out to a 2732). So, if you cannot obtain them then you could either make an adapter board to plug into the original sockets, modify the PCB layout as appropriate or it may be possible to leave the RAM area of the PCB empty and build an add-on board to plug into the expansion bus instead.
The pin-outs for the 2732, the mask programmed ROM and 2532 chips here:
* - "/CS2" connection is the second chip select on the ROM version (normally connected to A12 so that the ROM is only enabled in the lower-4K of the 8K map).
My original ZX80 has a 2532 which does not have this second chip select so this pin on the 2532 EPROM is actually snipped and connected directly to Vcc, as shown here:
The 2732 EPROM does, however, have 2 chip
selects (/G and /E) so both can be used with a small wiring change.
As you can see, there is a small difference on the right-hand side for the 2732.
If you use a 2732 then you can either modify the layout or bend the 2 pins out
and run short wires to the correct points (ie. swap them).
Here is how I did the modification to use a 2732 EPROM in my re-build machine. The A11 and /E pins are bent out and connected via short lengths of wire-wrap cable to the PCB that supplies the two signals...
A crystal can be used instead of a ceramic resonator, and it fits very nicely on the board (shown resting on top of R27 to the right of IC20):
CONSTRUCTION (ETCHED PCB VERSION)
Cut the board to the exact size required, in this case, 204mm by 155.5 mm
The PDF files contain the required artwork that needs to be printed. This
contains both normal and reversed images. Make sure you print the correct ones
as needed.
Print the track images onto acetate sheets. If using a laser printer, then normally two copies, stacked, are sufficiently dark enough to block the UV light in the exposure box. These should be reverse-printed images, ideally, if using acetates as this will allow the ink-side to be in direct contact with the board and will ensure a sharp image being transferred.
Lay ALL of the acetates on top of one another to make sure they are line up. My laser printer slips a little bit, so I had to print a few extra until I managed to get a set where all were aligned with each other. The corner index markings allow perfect alignment.
Check the sizing by overlaying the acetate on the cut PCB...
This was exposed in my home-made UV exposure unit, with
two 8W UV tubes.
The exposure time was only 75 seconds for each side.
Test with an off-cut with different timings and pick one which cleanly exposes
the board. Do not over-expose as the thin tracks will disappear.
When both sides have been exposed, develop the board immediately. I recommend
using proper PCB developer, as the developer timing is much more relaxed than
using the home-made mixes.
This artwork contains index marks at all corners - you will need to accurately align the board to these to ensure the top and bottom holes are on top of each other. The tracks are quite tight so accuracy is essential.
Once exposed and developed, the board will look as follows. The parts to be etched will be bare copper, and the resist remains where the tracks are to be...
Etching of the board took approx 25 mins with a fresh warm solution of ferric chloride. Parts of the board were etched quite some time before this, but the centre of the more exposed areas always seem to take much longer. The board was removed and rinsed as soon as the areas were clear. Any longer would cause the thinner of the tracks to be eaten into.
Once etched, it will look like this...
With careful etching, very fine-detail results can be achieved, as shown here with the Sinclair lettering (the "s" is only 3.25 mm wide and the dots above the "i"s are only 0.4mm)...
The complete board was then drilled.
A
0.8mm drill is used for the majority of the holes. A stand is really recommended
for the drill as it will then be held vertical. Using a handheld drill is likely
to result in the holes in the back of the board being off-vertical, so will not
be positioned at the centre of the rear pads.
Check the board very carefully with a magnifying glass to see if there are any bridges between tracks or pads. These are removed at this stage using a sharp knife. Spending some time at this stage will result in a machine that should work first-time.
As this is to be left open, I chemically-tinned the complete board. The
chemicals are not very cheap, but you don't need to mix the whole quantity at
once, and the unmixed crystals have a very long shelf-life. The tinning was well
worth it, as it gives a professional tinned finish to the board that will keep
it looking bright. It also ensures the keypads won't corrode and give poor
contact.
Hope you agree the results are worth it...
Sockets need to be soldered. This was definitely the most
difficult and time-consuming part.
I wanted to use standard sockets (as I had them spare) and I didn't have
plated-through holes, so I needed a way of ensuring that the pins that required
connections to the top and bottom tracks were connected.
To do this, I did the following...
1. Take a strand of stripped wire-wrap wire and push it upward
from the back to the front of the PCB.
2. With about 5mm protruding from the front, I gently pushed a wooden cocktail stick
into the hole to trap the wire. This also serves to stop the solder flowing into
the hole.
3. Using a small screwdriver, I pushed the wire around the stick to form a small
loop, touching the board.
4. This loop, with the cocktail stick still in place, was soldered to the top
layer pad.
5. The stick is then removed to reveal the hole.
6. Cut off excess on the back (don't solder) leaving about 5 mm.
7. Repeat this for the other holes in the socket that need soldering to the top
layer.
8. Once all required holes done, the chip socket is pushed into the holes. There
is sufficient space for the socket legs and the wire to pass through the same hole.
9. With the chip socket firmly pressed against the top of the board, the bottom
pads are soldered as normal, soldering the wire and the socket leg together.
Alternate ways of soldering sockets onto a
home-made double-sided board:
1. Purchase wire-wrap sockets. These have very long pins so you will be able to
mount the sockets a small distance from the board, allowing sufficient space to
enable a fine-tipped soldering iron to complete the top layer solder joint.
or
2. (Cheaper than wire-wrap option) Buy turned-pin sockets then use a pair of
pliers to squeeze the plastic on the socket, breaking it and allowing the metal
pins to be removed. Then, take a spare chip (or another socket), push these
metal sockets that you have extracted onto the pins. You can then insert the
chip/socket into the PCB as normal and solder the top and bottom track
connections to the individual sockets. Then, pull out the chip and the soldered
socket pins will then be neatly aligned and soldered. Konstantinos has built a
ZX80 with an earlier version of the PCB foils presented on this page, and has
added some very clear pictures of the procedure that I have described on his
website here.
Also, all vias that are underneath the chips are soldered before the socket is attached, as these can't be accessed later.
Then the remainder of the components were then soldered into place. Some only need soldering to the bottom tracks. Where a track is also present at the top, the component is soldered to this as well, as shown here...
Some components (the capacitors) need to be a couple of mm off the board to allow this.
Once all components are fitted, all remaining holes that have tracks attached to them both above and below the board must be joined. In this picture a temporary heatsink is fitted to the regulator until I got some aluminium.
I wanted the keyboard to lay flat. If the holes were through-hole plated then this would not be a problem. I, however, needed to solder the top layer through to the track underneath while still ensuring a flat keyboard could be used. To do this, I used a strand of wire-wrap then squeezed it flat using a pair of pliers. This flattend wire could then be soldered using a minimal amount of solder and some very fine soldering. The excess was then removed using desoldering wick. The result is shown here. If you look carefully then you can just see the flat wire soldered to the edge of the centre hole in the picture.
The keyboard was printed onto photo paper then laminated to make it durable. It was then trimmed and the contacts stuck on the back. Once the contacts were attached, a spacer sheet of acetate was attached with holes to allow the foil to make contact with the PCB contacts when pressed. Everything is fixed using double-sided tape.
Once all components are soldered and without any ICs inserted into the sockets, connect a continuity tester between the power supply pins. If all is well connect a power supply (7.5V to 12V, current regulated to 500mA if possible). Check the +5V and 0V connections on each IC socket (normally top-right and bottom-left respectively, except for IC21). Turn off the supply and insert the ICs. Turn on the power supply and connect to a television on Channel 36 (approx) if using the normal modulator. If the circuit is working then expect a power consumption of around 350mA.
If using a TV then adjust the tuning to get a picture (note: the display of black text on white will require the brightness control of the TV to be turned up). A working circuit should show an inverse "K" in the bottom left of the screen.
Here is my completed (fully working) rebuild next to the original...
That's it. A fully working replica of the original.
The ZX80 ROM is 4K long.
Click here to download the ROM in binary format
You can also use the ZX81 ROM image (8K):
Click here to download the ROM in binary format
For the ZX81 ROM to work you will need to use a 2764 EPROM (28 pin instead of the original 24 pin, so will need to adapt as appropriate) and must take A12 to the appropriate address line on the ROM and ground the /OE pin.
On my stripboard version I actually now use a 16KB ROM with BOTH images blown into a 27128 EPROM with a switch on the A13 line to determine whether to run the ZX81 or ZX80 image.
Accurate keyboard overlays (same size as original, suitable for use with the PCB foils shown above) are available here.
Click on the
image to view a 600DPI version.
I have spent a lot of time on these overlays to make them as faithful to the originals as possible.
When you click on the image using Internet Explorer or Firefox, the large version will be displayed scaled to fit the window, and will not show them at their best. You normally need to click on the image which is then displayed to zoom in full-size.
Higher resolutions are available (as I drew them using vector graphics so I can rescale as much as required). Please let me know if you want them.
For best results, these need to be printed onto glossy photo paper.
CONSTRUCTION (STRIPBOARD VERSION)
The complete computer is built on a large piece of perforated stripboard. All digital connections are made using wire-wrap wire as this is a lot thinner than conventional hook-up wire so the data and address bundles can be tied to form a neat layout. The positioning of the ICs in relation to each other matches the positioning in the original ZX80.
I recommend printing the circuit out on an A3 sheet if possible. The pin numbers are easier to read on my re-drawn schematic than on the original scan, and my version has corrected the errors found on the original version.
Begin construction by positioning the IC sockets (see my pictures below for guidance), ensuring there is sufficient space between then to make all of the connections, and position the remaining components.
I would recommend that you adopt a layout similar to Sinclair's (that is what I did).
Here is my re-drawn version of the layout found in the ZX80 assembly manual:
Click on
this image to see a large version.
When you click on the image using Internet Explorer or Firefox, the large
version will be displayed bit it will be scaled to fit the window, and will not
display the image at
it's best. You normally need to click on the image which is then displayed to
zoom in full-size.
The pale-green components are not actually used in the circuit, but there are
spaces for them on the PCB.
Here is the ZX80 build on stripboard:
Click on this image to see a large version.
As you can see, the component placement is in a similar manner to the original. The two original RAM chips replaced with a single larger one instead.
Next I recommend wiring the data and address buses for the top half of the circuit. As each wire is soldered it, mark it off on the circuit diagram. This helps avoid any errors resulting from missing connections. Wire in the logic ICs, resistors, capacitors and diodes. As virtually all pins on every IC are to be connected, any errors made will become obvious as more connections are made. For initial testing, there is no need to wire the keyboard into the circuit.
Once all components are soldered and without any ICs inserted into the sockets, connect a continuity tester between the power supply pins. If a short exists then check the underside of the board for any missing track breaks or flakes of copper between tracks. If all is well connect a power supply (current regulated to 500mA if possible). Check the +5V and 0V connections on each IC socket. Turn off the supply and insert the ICs. Turn on the power supply and the television or monitor. If the circuit is working then expect a power consumption of around 310mA. If using a TV then adjust the tuning to get a picture (note: the display of black text on white will require the brightness control of the TV to be turned up). A working circuit should show an inverse "K" in the bottom left of the screen. If all is well then wire in the keyboard if not already done.
This is a full list of discrete components required to build the ZX80 excluding any hardware such as power supplies, nuts and bolts etc.
Component Type Qty No IC1 Z80A 1 IC2 2732 4K EPROM 1 (Or larger with modification) IC3/4 2114 1Kx4 bit RAM 2 (Or can use 62256 with modification) IC5 74LS373 1 IC6-8 74LS157 3 IC9 74LS165 1 IC10 74LS365 1 IC11,12 74LS00 2 IC13 74LS04 1 IC14,15 74LS05 2 IC16 74LS10 1 IC17 74LS32 1 IC18,19 74LS74 2 IC20 74LS86 1 IC21 74LS93 1 IC22 7805 1 D3-10 1N4148 8 X1 6.5MHz Xtal or 1 ceramic resonator C1-6,12,13 47nF 8 C8 22uF 1 C9,11,14, 15 47pF 4 C10 1uF 1 R29 180R 1 R35 1M 1 R1,3-11,18, 22,23,27, 30,34 1K 16 R32 330R 1 R21 220K 1 R13-16,? 47K 6 R2,25 470R 2 R19 2k2 1 3.5mm Jack Socket 3 Miscellaneous, depending on build SW1-40 SPST Push 40 Heatsink for regulator 1 Wire wrap cable for interconenctions (Stripboard)1 reel (25m) Vero Board/PCB 1 40 Pin DIL socket 1 20 Pin DIL socket 1 16 Pin DIL socket 5 14 Pin DIL socket 11 18 Pin DIL socket (2114 RAM) 2 28 Pin DIL socket (62256 RAM)1
PICTURES OF FINISHED STRIPBOARD VERSION
Full component side view
Close-up of component area
Close-up of the keyboard
Reverse of circuit board
The connectors used
ZX80
Follow this link to go to my ZX80 software page,
featuring a flicker-free space invaders game for you to type in. Search the net
to find some other flicker-free games for the ZX80.
ZX81
A software archive for the ZX81 is available at ftp.nvg.unit.no.
These files are in the ".P" format as used by XTENDER, the ZX81 emulator. To use
these on a real ZX81, you can build a VERY simple cable connected to the parallel port and
use this program by Wilf
Rigter to send the files to the ZX81.
This can be built with just two ICs - 74LS00 (or a 74LS02 with a circuit modification) and a 62256.
The prototype shown here is a very compact layout which is not much higher than the heatsink.
This was built on "tri-pad" prototyping board, with "wire
runner" connections on the back.
Here is a view of the front and back...
The 27128 is a 28 pin device, but the board only allows for a 24 pin ROM, so a piggy-back board is required to allow a larger device to be fitted.
There is a jumper on the board to allow the top address line (A13) to be switched between 0V and Vcc. This way, both the ZX80 and ZX81 images can be on the same EPROM (I recomment ZX80 ROM occupying 0K-4K, ZX81 ROM occupying 8K-16K), and the jumper allows selection between the two. If you are building the ZX81 NMI generator (ZX80 to ZX81 upgrade), then this A13 address line can be connected to the NMI GEN ENABLE input so that the NMI generator is automatically enabled if the ZX81 ROM is enabled. Below is a view of the top and bottom of the adapter board. Many pins are in the same positions as the original ROM. The others are wired to the correct pins on the EPROM.
Connections:
No circuit diagram for this, as it is a straight transfer of
connections, as shown below:
EPROM A0 to A11 --> ROM Socket A0 to A11
EPROM A12 --> ROM Socket /CS2 (which is actually A12)
EPROM Vcc, Vpp and /P --> ROM Socket Vcc
EPROM Gnd and /E --> ROM Socket Gnd
EPROM /G --> ROM Socket /CS1
EPROM A13 --> Jumper to connect to either Vcc or Gnd
Six ICs, a small number of other components and a ZX81 8K ROM is all that is needed to convert the ZX80 into a fully functional ZX81 which supports both SLOW and FAST modes using the same timings and synchronisation as a real ZX81.
Click on image to go to page
Details here to see a full
description of a circuit to convert the
ZX80 into a fully functional ZX81 (including SLOW mode).
Some pictures of the ZX80 in kit form that I have seen in my magazines.
Picture from "ZX Computing" (Issue 1)
- (Carefully re-touched, as it was over 2 pages in the magazine) - very big!
Picture of kit
My pages
Build your
own ZX80 - my page showing
you how to build this old micro
|__ ZX80 to
ZX81 conversion - build the NMI generator needed to convert the ZX80 circuit
into a ZX81
|__ ZX80
software - Type in a Space Invaders game into the ZX80
Build your own Jupiter Ace - my page showing
you how to build this old micro
Build your own UK101 - my page showing you how to build
a greatly simplified version of this old micro
Pong - Pictures of
my build of the Atari classic arcade game
My
Machines - My collection of classic 80's micros
Other user's pages
ZX81 Rules - Wilf Rigter's
excellently detailed pages for ZX81 circuitry. He was a great help with the
ZX80/81 video details
Rodney Knapp's
homebuilt micros - lots of information on the ZX81 computer which he has
built
The German ZX-TEAM
- Sinclair enthusiasts page by Peter Liebert-Adelt
"The" software
archive for the ZX81 - at ftp.nvg.unit.no
TRACK LAYOUTS
Changes for 1.1 (Many thanks to Martin Lukasek
for pointing out the errors):
Link missing which meant the keyboard resistors were floating, intead of being
connected to +5V
The link from the lower ICs was connected to IORQ instead of MREQ on the Z80
I have used an actual magazine picture (carefully rotated/stretched etc) of the
bare PCB to allow me to reposition the hidden tracks under the ICs. No change to
functionality, but it makes the layout more accurate to the original.
Corrections to the foil for 1.1 can he seen
here
Changes for 1.2
Update to use round pads on the upper IC pins instead of oval to avoid touching
nearby tracks, and some small graphic touch-ups.
Changes for 1.3
Several graphic touch-ups to increase accuracy. PCB resized slightly to 155.5mm
x 204mm to accurately match the size of the original.
Images within the PDF use higher quality compression to reduce JPEG artifacts
(bigger size PDF, but worth it).
The two mounting holes at the bottom of the keyboard changed to accurately match
the original.
Changes for 1.4
(Thanks to Rich at
www.rwapsoftware.co.uk for providing a picture of the PCB underneath the
keyboard. He also sells
replacement ZX80 keyboard overlays)
Keyboard pads changed to spirals (as you can see on the small image above)
instead of a fingers to more closely match the contacts under the real ZX80
overlay.
Silkscreen layout.
Track images no longer JPEG compressed.
The "origin" of the rulers is now bottom-left for the top layers and
bottom-right for the bottom layer, as it is viewed from underneath.
Changes for 1.5
Full review of the rear tracks - several updates to improve/correct spacing
between tracks and pads. General tidy-up.
Changes for 1.6
Very minor (I'm being fussy!) alignment and spacing updates to ensure tracks
between pads are in the middle and parallel track spacing is improved..
Changes for 1.7
PDF file now contains 2-colour images of the tracks to improve printing (to
eliminate the anti-alias shading). Reversed images also included for acetate
printing.
I hope this page has been useful.
Grant.
To contact me, my current eMail address can be found here. Please note that this address may change to avoid spam.
