Category Archives: 3-Modules

CE-165 : More informations (by Don Gregory)

Don Gregory is a PC-1500.info reader and contributor.
In february he sent me all the “Pocket Computer Newsletter” (I apologize, I’m very late to post it)
He contacted me after my last article and give us a lot more informations about the CE-165 :

(CE-165 with it’s cover (c) Don Gregory)

Here is my CE-165 and a user guide I made as follows:

The CE-165 is a program writer for CE-160 memory modules.

Programs must first be written to a CE-155 8k module (not a CE-159).
DEF key labels should be used for your programs. Read a CE-160 manual.
Then the program can be transferred to the CE-160 module.
Up to 16 modules can be programmed at a time.

Maximum byte size of the program for transferal:

BASIC program – 7808 bytes
Katakana in use – 6119 bytes
CE-153 in used – 6740 bytes
Katakana and CE-153 in use – 4941 bytes

(CE-165 ready to program 2 modules (c) Don Gregory)

Procedure:

Connect the PC-1500 with CE-155 to a CE-150 printer.
Load your program and power off.
Connect to the CE-165 via a cable.
Connect the EA-150 power supply to the CE-165 then plug to a wall outlet.
Power on the CE-165 then power on the PC-1500.
CE-165 program Auto Runs.
Commands corresponding to the Function keys will appear on the screen.
If you press the Break key you can restart with Run command or press
Function Key 1.
Function Key 2 is a power down with no line feed at power up, like Auto
Power Off.

Screen 1:
MODULE X UNITS: YES NO

X will be the number of modules that are inserted and functioning.

If the number is correct press the Function Key under YES.
Program proceeds to Screen 2.

If the number is incorrect press the function key under NO.
Screen will show sockets that are not active 0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7
Press Enter shows sockets not active 8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15
Any number not appearing is a good module ready to use.

Screen 2:
ERASE WRITE VERIFY

ERASE – Screen displays ERASE START ******* changes to ERASE END ******
then powers off.

WRITE – Screen displays PREVIOUS SETTINGS AVAILABLE ?? YES NO
NO will ask if you want to include the RESERVE AREA: YES NO
Then asks if CE-153? YES NO
Asks again to confirm CE-153 usage. YES NO
WRITE START ******
WRITE VERIFY ****** If VERIFY fails the socket number(s) is
displayed ERR: X
WRITE END ******** then powers off

VERIFY – Screen displays SOURCE PROGRAM 1500 160
modules in the CE-165 can be verified with a CE-160 or a CE-155 in
the PC-1500.
RESERVE AREA? YES NO
CE-153? YES NO
Confirm CE-153 usage. YES NO
VERIFY START ********* If VERIFY fails the socket number(s) is
displayed ERR: X
VERIFY END ******** then powers off

Note: If CE-153 is used and the NEW command was incorrect ERROR: NEW XXX
THIS VALUE IS WRONG is displayed.

Are you able to understand the meaning of it’s CE-165 serial number ?
It’s one of the firsts one produced.

(My CE-165’s serial number (c) Don Gregory)

Thank you very much Don for this article !
We are happy to see a near mint, full functional, CE-165.

TE-1507 : Prototype updated

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Hi, In my PC-1500 i had problems with the first TE-1507 version using Xicor memory.
It was impossible to write something in an unprotected X28HC256.
http://www.pc-1500.info/2015/07/30/te-1507-the-memory-module-for-developers/

The Team1560 needs were to have a big system RAM and a place to test system ROM extensions.
Done ! The TE-1507 is now working with 2 RAM ICs and the R/W protection is done by jumper.

Here are some pictures the prototype :

This one, number 3, is reserved for…….. ? Stay tuned 😉

The release version should be available in one month.

TE-1507 : The memory module for developers !

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Hello !

The TE-1507 memory module is now in my PC-1500 !
This module offers a very wide memory space for developers.

It was initially planned to have RAM and EEProm but due to a bad EEProm lot… it’s now full RAM.

Standard memory for Basic/ML :
– from &0000 to &3FFF
– 2 x 16KB switchable by PV or PU (jumper to select active signal)
– read only by removing a jumper
– disabled by removing a jumper

EEProm memory (here it’s RAM) for ML only as system/peripheral ROM extension:
– from &8000 to &BFFF
– 2 x 16KB switchable by PU (as in the CE-158 interface)
– set by jumper if it’s in the PV=0 (like CE-150) or PV=1 (like CE-158 or CE-162E) memory space
– read only by removing a jumper
– disabled by removing a jumper

The two memory addresses can be inverted by placing the enable jumpers on the switch positions (90° move)

Here are the pictures :

This module will be a very good investment to expand your PC-1500(A) !
The Team1560 member CGH is working on a ROM builder to add Basic keywords from a wide library. Cool, isn’t it ?

The price for this special module is $75 without shipping costs.

New in the family : PC-1500 RP !

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Do you remember the PC-1500 RP2 found in Brazil ?
This new one is the RP and it’s the same for the printer.

This is a full set with all accessories and manuals. The instruction manual is only a bad copy.

The case is very clean ! And all accessories are present : power adapter, pens, paper, cables…

And the papers too : connector cover for the printer, sticker for name.

And the big surprise is the PC-1500RP 8K memory module. Uh, all seems to be named PC-1500RP…

The case is like the one the the PC-1500RP2 but with two rivets on each side. This makes it stronger.

Differences between the RP and RP2 ? None !

Each time the serials are same for the pocket computer and the printer.

Manuals BR	Link
	(Not original cover) Download
	Download

In conclusion i think the RP version is the PC-1500 without memory module (or with 8K) and the RP2 is provided with the 16KB module (Remember the PTA-4000 and PTA-4000+16).
Not much differences but we can consider the two versions.
Now we have 11 PC-1500 versions !

PC-1500 : the full SHARP system

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Here is my full SHARP system “in box”.

– PC-1500 small box
– PC-1500 big box with manuals
– PC-1500A big box with manuals
– CE-150 printer and tape interface
– CE-151 4KB memory module
– CE-152 tape recorder
– CE-153 Soft ware board
– CE-154 Briefcase
– CE-155 8KB memory module
– CE-156 Katakana software tape
– CE-157 Katakana ROM module
– CE-158 RS-232C and parallel interface
– CE-159 8KB memory module with write protection
– CE-160 7,8KB Read only memory module
– CE-161 16KB memory module
– CE-162E Tape and parallel interface

The CE-163 2x16KB memory module is missing.
Impossible to find the box. Do you have one ?

Team1560 : Welding the components on the TE-1506 board

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The boards and the 74HCxxx components are here.
The memory ICs will arrive soon.

TE-1508 : Internal 512KB RAMDisk !

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Ok, my tests are OK on the prototype board.

Here are the module features :
– Reference TE-1508
– 512KB of static RAM
– 16 pages of 32KB located in the ME1 zone
– Software selection of the page
– Software Activation/Desactivation (for example the IWS video interface uses same zone in ME1)
– Optional CR-2032 backup battery
– Optional write protection by jumper.

The page selection uses a very special feature of the LH5801 processor which was never being used before… because Sharp never routed this pin !
The data bus can work as a multiplexed bus like the Intel 8052 from the MCS51 family. It means that at one time data are on the bus and another time it’s something else. And this is f… good feature ! I don’t have to use many logical cells. Page 42 of the Technical Reference Manual describe it as the ATP instruction. It pushes the accumulator value on the data bus and provides all signals to store it in a latch. And here we just have to plug an octal latch.

Manual routing is done !
Installing it in your Sharp PC-1500(A) will need some wrapping wires…

I need some tests with the final board and i will tell you the price…

Is it enough to store your programs ? 😀

TEAM1560 : Testing a new module… TE-1508

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I’m testing a new hardware to take place inside the PC-1500(A).
The schematics is OK, the circuit board is manually routed.
And i’m testing it with some classic DIP components.

This new module will be the TE-1508, a 512KB RAMDrive.
It’s like 25x the maximum user RAM area.
All this memory is organized in 16x32KB pages with a write protect jumper and a CR2032 battery.
It’s in the first half of the ME1 zone and can be disabled by software. (Remember that the IWS video interface uses the same ME1 zone.)
But installing it inside the PC-1500 will be a big job.

Stay tuned…

TEAM1560 : TE-1507 memory module designed to extend Basic

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The TE-1506 could be too much complicated for most of the users.
Those who don’t need to replace system ROM but want a permanent Basic extension will be interested by this new module !
It’s like a CE-161 but with 2x16KB RAM and 2x16KB EEPROM for Basic extension.

Here is the schematics :

If a least 10 or more readers are interested i can produce it as a kit or mounted.
But only after having released the TE-1506 module.
If you have suggestions or see an error then please contact me.

Team1560 : Prototype board for TE-1506 memory module ordered

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The TE-1506 memory module is an important step on the way to the PC-1560.
It’s Sharp PC-1500(A) compatible and offers some nice features that missed from a long time.
I have ordered the prototype board and will receive it in two weeks.

In the size of a module you’ll have a 32KB static RAM and a 32KB Xicor EEPROM.

First remember the memory map. Example for the PC-1500A :

Now let’s see how it works :
The RAM :
It’s divided in two 16KB memory spaces from &0000H to &3FFFH and will replace your CE-161 module.
The LH5801 provide 2 flip-flops named PU and PV. They are mainly used to switch extension’s ROMs located from &8000H to &BFFFH.
Here you will be able to configure by jumper if pages are selected by PU or PV.
Natively the Basic can’t switch the RAM pages but… we will teach him.
For information the TRAMSoft memory extension use same page selection.
The whole RAM (from &0000H to &3FFFH) can be write protected by removing a jumper.

The EEPROM :
Xicor offers us a the perfect solution to store ROM extensions.
First, it’s 5v programable, second, it’s byte erasable !
No need of external EPROM programmer.
CGH already tested the Xicor solution on his PC-1500 as a permanent RAMDisk.
The 32KB of our EEPROM can work in two modes :

1 – As two 16KB ROM extensions located from &8000H to &BFFFH.
Depending on the peripheral used (CE-150 or CE-158) you can select the EEPROM’s position in the memory space.
If you use the CE-150 printer/tape interface then you have to select PU=1
If you use the CE-158 RS-232C/Parallel interface then you have to use PU=0
The two 16KB pages are selected by PV flip-flop.
Do you remember CGH’s tools ? BASWORD will be your friend.

2 – As a 16KB ROM extension + 16KB system ROM replacement.
The first 16KB page becomes the new system ROM and the second 16KB page is still a ROM extension located on PV=0 or PV=1 zone.
The whole EEPROM can be write protected by removing a jumper.

Amazing, no ? This will offer a solution to create you own root system !
Could you image a Forth native PC-1500 ?
an assembler native PC-1500 ?
a C native PC-1500 ?
Wow…

First tests in 3 weeks !