Eprom Emulator for HP-71b

[avrkris]

(09-26-2020 05:08 PM)Dave Frederickson Wrote:  The description of the emulator seems to focus on firmware development. This isn't really necessary for the 71 as software development doesn't require an EPROM as it does with other systems. Also, the developer is hyping the inconvenience of erasing an EPROM saying it takes 20-30 minutes. My eraser takes about 7 minutes.

Rather, wouldn't it be more convenient to simply have a selection of EPROM's programmed with the HP ROM images instead of lugging that board around?

Dave

Hi Dave, it's true that I focus a lot on the update process for EPROMs and the fact they have to be UV erased. The issue is not really the time it takes to erase (7 min vs 20min), its the fact that for each "update" you have to go through a "manual" process of: 1. extract your eprom from device, 2. UV erase, 3. re-install EPROM. I'm not that familiar with the HP-71b, so not sure how oftern you have to update / swap the EPROM content, but for other systems based on EPROMs, where you might be doing firmware development or frequent code changes (silly example could be game cartrige in a commodore, or ECU computer in a car, EPROM emulator saves you the entire hassle, you just plug it to a computer and you can have new version of EPROM in seconds without removing or swapping anything. I was working on a small single-board computer based on Z80 and the only way to update the firmware or write code for it, was to juggle the EPROMs but now I'm happy to use my new emulator.

Thanks
Kris (MyGeekyHobby.com)