uP Trainer
Heathkit / Zenith ET-3400 microcomputer learning system, very popular object in 1976 designed to teach the principles of programming and computers in universities in the 70s. Used to educate students in the knowledge of new components, hardware and software inside the computer through assembler and programming.It was delivered assembled or in kit form. It also featured a prototype area and could be used for the design and development of special interface circuits, such as a common 6820 parallel interface or 6850 asynchronous chips.Several ROM software were available. These include an assembler and a small BASIC.
The Texas Instruments SBP0400 (SBP = silicon bipolar), also known as SBC 0400 and X0400, is a microprogrammable 4-bit slice processor that was introduced in 1976 (delivery began in December 1975).It was one of the first VLSI processors and was the first device in the USA based on I²L technology (integrated injection logic). It was used for research and teaching purposes in the aerospace industry (NASA)and in the learning computer LCM-1001 (Texas Instruments, 1976). This microprocessor learning computer was probably the company's first.
In addition to the SBP0400, the learning computer contains a 74279 latch and a rechargeable battery. It is powered by a 7 V power supply unit. It is operated via a total of 20 toggle switches, which are divided into nine micro-operation switches, four data input switches, six control switches and the main switch. The switch position "down" or "left" corresponds to digital "0" or LOW; the position "up" or "right" corresponds to "1" or HIGH. The switch position at "1" is additionally indicated by a red LED lighting up. Nine further LEDs are used as output, four each for data and address, and one for ALUCOUT (ALU carry-out). The commands are entered bit by bit, whereby the 9-bit microinstruction word is divided into four ALU command bits, two target operand and three source operand bits. The least significant bit position (LSB) within each of the three groups is on the right. After each data input or expected output, the "CLOCK" push-button must be pressed to write the command to the command register and increase the command counter.
Depending on the command used, the input is then made via the four data switches. The control switches are: ALUCIN (ripple-carry in), PCPRI (program counter priority, required to turn on the output LEDs on the address bus, PCCIN (program counter carry-in), ENCBY2 (enable program counter increment by a displacement of 1 or 2), POS1, POS0 (most significant, intermediate, or least significant position of the processor slice in a cascade). A DIL-40 socket serves as an optional extension by three further modules of the LCM-1000 series or own modules. The pin assignment is identical to that of the SBP0400 (power supply at the second INJECTOR pin - pin 40).
LCM-1001 base device ($ 149,95)
LCM-1002 controller module for micro programming with 256×20 bit PROM ($ 189,95)
LCM-1003 memory module containing 1024 12-bit words ($ 189,95)
LCM-1004 input/output module ($ 109,95)
The KIM-1, short for Keyboard Input Monitor, is a small 6502-based single-board computer developed and produced by MOS Technology, Inc. and launched in 1976. It was very successful in that period, due to its low price (thanks to the inexpensive 6502 microprocessor) and easy-access expandability.
The Microprofessor I (MPF-1), introduced in 1981 by Multitech (which changed its name to Acer in 1987), was the first Multitech-branded computer and one of the longest-selling computers. The Microprofessor I consists of an electronic board based on the Zilog Z80 processor: it is designed to teach the fundamentals of machine language and assembly. The Microprofessor I does not have the appearance of a classic microcomputer: it is enclosed in a sealed book-shaped plastic casing that can contain the language manual, 2 cassettes and a learning manual. When closed, it has the appearance and dimensions of a book and can therefore be placed in a bookcase or carried with you comfortably.
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The Rockwell AIM 65 (R6500 based Advanced Interactive Microcomputer) is a microcomputer based on the MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor manufactured by Rockwell International since 1976. It differed from the MOS KIM-1, the first of the microcomputers based on the MOS 6502, to be a system more advanced, also including a full keyboard and a small thermal paper printer. It was conceived as an educational development system, but it was in fact a versatile and economic tool.
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