TEC-1
Encyclopedia
The TEC-1 is a single-board kit computer first produced by the Australian hobbyist electronics magazine Talking Electronics in the early 80's. It was based on the Zilog Z80
CPU, had 2K of RAM and 2K of ROM in a default configuration. Later versions used a 4k ROM with two different versions of the monitor software selectable via a switch. This allowed the early software presented in the magazine to be used with the later version of the TEC-1.
The base configuration had 20 keys for the main input (16 hexadecimal keys for numeric input and keys labelled AD (for address), GO (to execute a program), + and -. There was also a reset key in the standard configuration and an optional upgrade had a function key.
It was featured in 1983, in Volume 1, Issue 10 of the Talking Electronics magazine, pages 57 to 75, with relevant chip data presented on the rear cover.
The series continued in early 1984 with Volume 1, Issue 11, pages 11 to 36, and pages 50 to 55. Included in this page count were two peripherals for the TEC-1 -an 8x8 matrix display, and a relay driver board, allowing the TEC-1 to be interfaced to other equipment.
Volume 1, Issue 12, pages 13 to 38, had the third installment, including an interface for a simple plotter that was available cheaply on the market at that time, and a RAM expansion. TEC-1A was introduced in this issue with the PCB artwork presented on the inside rear cover.
Volume 1, Issue 13, pages 9 to 26, had the fourth installment, including a power supply designed specifically for it, and a non-volatile RAM module to allow data to be retained, even after the TEC-1 was powered off. This was crucial, as, up to this point, there had been no way to save anything programmed into the TEC-1, short of leaving it connected to power indefinitely. An EPROM burner was also presented, as another way to preserve your data. TEC-1B was introduced in this issue.
Volume 1, Issue 14, pages 9 to 26, had the fifth installment. The later monitor software (MON 2) was introduced, as were a crystal oscillator/clock and an interface board to allow the TEC-1 to be connected to external devices.
Volume 1, Issue 15 contained further changes and additions by new staff members, as the original design team of John Hardy and Ken Stone were no longer involved. Jim Robertson released JMON to replace the MON1 and MON2 versions of the software as well as the DAT (Display And Tape) board. A speech synthesizer using the SPO256-AL2 was presented by Craig Hart.
Zilog Z80
The Zilog Z80 is an 8-bit microprocessor designed by Zilog and sold from July 1976 onwards. It was widely used both in desktop and embedded computer designs as well as for military purposes...
CPU, had 2K of RAM and 2K of ROM in a default configuration. Later versions used a 4k ROM with two different versions of the monitor software selectable via a switch. This allowed the early software presented in the magazine to be used with the later version of the TEC-1.
The base configuration had 20 keys for the main input (16 hexadecimal keys for numeric input and keys labelled AD (for address), GO (to execute a program), + and -. There was also a reset key in the standard configuration and an optional upgrade had a function key.
It was featured in 1983, in Volume 1, Issue 10 of the Talking Electronics magazine, pages 57 to 75, with relevant chip data presented on the rear cover.
The series continued in early 1984 with Volume 1, Issue 11, pages 11 to 36, and pages 50 to 55. Included in this page count were two peripherals for the TEC-1 -an 8x8 matrix display, and a relay driver board, allowing the TEC-1 to be interfaced to other equipment.
Volume 1, Issue 12, pages 13 to 38, had the third installment, including an interface for a simple plotter that was available cheaply on the market at that time, and a RAM expansion. TEC-1A was introduced in this issue with the PCB artwork presented on the inside rear cover.
Volume 1, Issue 13, pages 9 to 26, had the fourth installment, including a power supply designed specifically for it, and a non-volatile RAM module to allow data to be retained, even after the TEC-1 was powered off. This was crucial, as, up to this point, there had been no way to save anything programmed into the TEC-1, short of leaving it connected to power indefinitely. An EPROM burner was also presented, as another way to preserve your data. TEC-1B was introduced in this issue.
Volume 1, Issue 14, pages 9 to 26, had the fifth installment. The later monitor software (MON 2) was introduced, as were a crystal oscillator/clock and an interface board to allow the TEC-1 to be connected to external devices.
Volume 1, Issue 15 contained further changes and additions by new staff members, as the original design team of John Hardy and Ken Stone were no longer involved. Jim Robertson released JMON to replace the MON1 and MON2 versions of the software as well as the DAT (Display And Tape) board. A speech synthesizer using the SPO256-AL2 was presented by Craig Hart.
External links
- TEC-1 user group on Yahoo Groups
- TEC-1B or C Computer, Complete kits of Talking Electronics Kits
- holden.customer.netspace.net.au page on TEC-1
- Russell Coker's blog
- Explaining how computers work with the TEC-1, 2010/05/30, Strange Quark’s Blog