PROP-6502 Used for Propeller Laptop

Overview

This propeller laptop was designed using a 6502 co-processor along with 64K of static RAM which can program a computer by running an integrated debugger and handling all I/O for the 6502.

Details

For this 6502 laptop, the propeller will function as the programmable chipset. The 6502 memory map does not contain ROM, startup BIOS, nor dedicated I/O at any address but the memory map can still be defined in any way. Connected to the static RAM is the 6502 though the address bus and data bus although the control bus is not connected directly. The Propeller reads the signal from the 6502 and controls the RAM appropriately if the 6502 wants to read or write RAM since all the control signals go through the propeller. The bytes mapped to hub RAM could be used to map virtual hardware since the Propeller can run objects simultaneously on other cogs. This includes emulating video memory or the input buffer of a disk controller.

A toy laptop with a real keyboard was used to build this project although it was just a key matrix and not PS/2. Making the PS/2 keyboard involved soldering the circuit board.