Making it run NOPS? Basically turns it into two 4 bit counters. I have some PCB designs made for that to use as sequencers.Clock as slow or fast as it can go!That's as simple as it gets. That should be the first thing everyone does with one.
As a side note-you can buy the Z80 on Ebay for a little more than a dollar each.......The first one I bought in the 70s was way more than that! US supplier Jameco Electronics has the Z80 for 2.49 and also sells the interface chips for even more fun.
I would have an interest in such a discussion. I still build with them and have since the 70s. Still have handfuls of them to play with. Have made several dev. boards also.(I realize this is a very old post)
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.
