Propeddle is single-board computer, based on the 6502 microprocessor. It’s not an emulator and it’s not a replica of any existing computer — it’s something in between. It uses a real 6502 processor as CPU, and a real SRAM chip as memory. A Parallax Propeller generates the clock and other signals needed by the 6502, and it also controls the memory chip. Furthermore, the Propeller can provide video output (VGA, NTSC or PAL), keyboard input (PS/2 connector) and a serial connection. You could say that the software running on the Propeller determines how the 6502 sees the world; that’s why I use the term “Software Defined Computer”.
The name “Propeddle” is a contraction of “Propeller” and “Peddle”, in honor of Chuck Peddle, one of the engineers who designed the 6502. Don’t worry, Bill Mensch will also be honored, in a future product!
Once the design is finished, you’ll be able to purchase Propeddle online as a kit, probably via Tindie. Those who don’t want to buy the kit or want to make some modifications, can build their own: All schematics, PCB designs and software will be open source, distributed under MIT License via GitHub. All components are through-hole so you can even build one on a breadboard. There are no PALs, GALs, CPLD’s, FPGA’s or EPROM’s in the circuit, so you don’t need any special hardware to get started, other than an FTDI cable.
To develop the Propeddle project, I used a Propeller Platform motherboard and a modified Proto VGA-A/V kit from the Shoppe at Wulfden to connect the video and keyboard. The final Propeddle kit will have everything on one circuit board. All you will need is:
- The assembled Propeddle hardware
- A power supply (wall wart)
- A computer with an FTDI cable or a Parallax Propeller Plug
- A monitor or TV that can display PAL or NTSC or VGA video
- A keyboard with a PS/2 connector
- The Parallax Propeller software, freely available from the Parallax website
- The Propeddle software available from Github
Once the final PCB design is done, I’ll probably make all those items available (except the computer 😉 ) or I’ll post links to where you can get them.
Propeddle was inspired by the Prop6502 project by Dennis Ferron, for which he got an honorable mention in a Parallax contest in 2008. Thanks for sharing, Dennis!
More information will appear on this website and on the Propeddle Google Plus account. Before the Propeddle website existed, I wrote a lot of information in the SavageCircuits forums; those posts are available on the Zappbots website now.
Thanks for reading!
===Jac