You are watching my Z80 simple CPU tester. This is a small circuit that is able to test a Z80 CPU and 40 pins compatible Z80 CPUs.The principle is really basic - the circuit has a very slow clock (less than 30Hz), and will execute the instruction NOP continuosly. NOP essentially waits 4 clock cycles and goes to the next address. Attaching a LED bar to the first 8 bits of the address bus, it will flash according to the current address. There is a RESET button to restart the test.
The circuit is powered by a mini USB cable (not provided). I will include a NEW Zilog Z80 CPU along with the circuit so you can play around.
OVER 100 UNITS SOLD
I tested the circuit with Zilog Z80, Mostek MK3880, SGS Z8400, NEC uPD780, Sharp LH0080 etc. (now you know that I collect CPUs)
Z80 is one of the most used 8 bit CPUs ever. I have dozens of devices that use it - Several Sinclair computers (ZX Spectrum plus/+2/+3, ZX81), Timex 2048 and 2068, Sequential Circuits Drumtraks drum machine, a Multi trak, and a couple of arcade consoles.
...and because I am a synthesizer enthusiast, a small list of synths that use Z80:
Sequential Circuits Drumtraks, Prophet 5, Prophet 10, Prophet 600, Multi trak, Moog Memorymoog, Roland Jupiter 8, Oberheim OB-8, E-mu Emulator I and II, SP-1200, Drumulator, Linn LM-1, Linndrum, etc.