The High Nibble

# S-132

Powered by an ESP32: S-100 + ESP32 = S-132

V1.5 pre-production

Pictured with USB-HID keyboard connected (red interface PCB) and DC power supplied via barrel jack

# Overview

The S-132 is an add-on for both the IMSAI8080 and the Cromemco Z-1 replicas.

It adds many I/O features normally provided by additional cards on the S-100 bus. It connects to the Patch header on the IMSAI8080 or Cromemco Z-1 replica and produces output on a VGA monitor with support for either a PS/2 or USB-HID keyboard.

With the S-132 attached to the IMSAI8080 or Cromemco Z-1 replica you have all the functionality of the following S-100 attached devices, without the need to use the Web Desktop:

Additionally, the S-132 adds a System Menu (SYS:) where you can

  • mount/eject disk images from the 4 emulated floppy disk drives (DSK:A: - DSK:D:)
  • view and control the Run/Stop/Reset/Ext.Clr state of the front panel (CPA:)
  • view all the system information normally found in the SYS: device on the Web Desktop

Lastly, the S-132 has a DC barrel jack and a selectable LM7805 5V regulator allowing you the option of powering your IMSAI8080/Cromemco Z-1, along with the S-132, from a standard DC power supply (from 5V to 12V).

# Functions

Each function of the S-132 can be selected by a keyboard hot-key (as with the Linux console on a PC)

  • <ctrl><alt><F1> = TTY: - VT132 terminal emulator
  • <ctrl><alt><F2> = TTY2: - Cromemco Z-1 only
  • <ctrl><alt><F3> = TTY3: - Cromemco Z-1 only
  • <ctrl><alt><F4> = VIO: - IMSAI VIO character display - IMSAI8080 only
  • <ctrl><alt><F5> = DZLR: - IMSAI Dazzler graphics display
  • <ctrl><alt><F6> = SYS: - System Menu to:
    • view/eject/mount floppy disks
    • view floppy disk library image list
    • view system state for the guest/host/environment/tasks & config files
    • set S-132 specific settings
  • <ctrl><alt><F7> = D7AIO: - Cromemco D+7A Input/Output display
  • <ctrl><alt><F9> = CPA: - RUN - lift CP-A frontpanel switch to the RUN position
  • <ctrl><alt><F10> = CPA: - STOP - press CP-A frontpanel switch to the STOP position
  • <ctrl><alt><F11> = CPA: - RESET - lift CP-A frontpanel switch to the RESET position
  • <ctrl><alt><F12> = CPA: - EXT.CLR - press CP-A frontpanel switch to the EXT.CLR position

# Pinouts for the D+7A I/O connector

# Availability

The S-132 is available to order as of March 2023.

# Pricing

  • USD$55 for the base kit
    • all functions included with VGA output, PS/2 keyboard input & DC power input
    • with only the main PCB (green) and the parts for that
    • ie. no adapter PCBs or joysticks
  • plus USD$5 for USB-HID keyboard input (replaces PS/2 keyboard input)
  • plus USD$40 for the full adapter PCB kit including all parts
    • Parallel printer adapter PCB (red) & DB-25 Centronics printer port
    • Prototype adapter PCB (also green)
    • Joystick adapter PCBs (yellow) + 2 analog joysticks, buttons, cables and connectors

So a full package is USD$100 but you can choose from:

  • just the base kit @ USD$55, or
  • base + usb @ USD$60, or
  • base + adapters @ USD$95, or
  • base + usb + adapters @ USD$100

# To Order

I am accepting orders via email. If you send email to info@thehighnibble.com with your choice of configuration, shipping name & address, I will respond to you with a PayPal invoice with the total price including shipping and transaction fees.

WARNING

Please only pay against the PayPal invoice when I send it to you. Do not try to pay directly to me via PayPal as this will only delay your order.

While you are waiting for your S-132 kit, checkout the introductory video

# Configuration (draft)

# Bill-of-Materials (draft)

# Build notes (draft)

# Firmware Install & Console Log

Last Updated: 4/13/2023, 3:55:22 AM