The Z80 is still manufactured today and I was wondering whether there is any interest for a community or discussion group.
The Z80 is still manufactured today and I was wondering whether there is any interest for a community or discussion group.
What sort of things would you discuss - Z80 has such poor performance compared with modern processors that surely no one would use one in a new project ?
MK
Would you believe the Z80 is still in production today?
I know it's still being made but so are spares for Ford Model T !
My question was about using one in a new project, is there any reason why one would ?
MK
Ah but from the original company?
Yes, as a teaching device. The Z80 only consists of about 10,000 transistors hand laid without CAD.
But if these could be made using today's transistors (say 14nm) should yoctoscopic and draw next to no power!
That also raises the question, of can it be totally modelled in software and hence all cases proved out.
Am thinking of safety applications
That also raises the question, of can it be totally modelled in software and hence all cases proved out.
Am thinking of safety applications
Safety Applications?
What would you be looking at doing? Most off the shelf safety controllers used in industrial applications that require certification (very few safety applications don't!) are dual processors with watchdogs to each from each to ensure that it all behaves according to plan.
If you want to certify this application for use then there is a very long road ahead to get certification to the relevant standards.
So what's watching the watchdogs, and what's watching the watchdog's watchdogs, and what's watching the watchdog's watchdog's watchdog?.....
A zap of uncontrolled ESD can put it all at risk.
How did Toyota and other car manufacturers get some of their code so wrong to cause safety issues?
MISRA standards are only a starting point.