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The Mega 80 is targeted to be a complete retro computing environment on a modern microcontroller.

The [Software Video Generator] uses hardware already present on the microcontroller to produce high-resolution 400x256 bit-mapped monochrome graphics on practically any [Composite Video Display].

The [Keyboard Interface] provides bi-directional communication to a PC-style PS/2 keyboard including status LED control.

The video and keyboard together with a [high-level Basic language interpreter]. These ingredients allow the Mega 80 to work just like an 8-bit micro from the old days. Read about it's [Features].

Remember line-number Basic? Many old hats forged their first lines of code in this humble language. It may not be pretty but it sure is easy to learn and was often a springboard to higher coding. Those that do can find here a wealth of nostalgia the Basic flavor brings.

This does not mean the Mega 80 is not useful. A self-contained controller, field programmable, stand-alone with a built-in code editor. The interpreted execution eases debugging and altering code all adding up to a very rapid embedded development environment.

Communications are provided with a [functional RS232 bi-directional serial interface]. Future enhancements will provide GPIO control.

The Mega 80 is a work in progress and, although currently functional, is crippled by one huge flaw. There is currently no [program storage] implemented so it really is like the early days of home computing :-)

Project Admins:

• Nick Metcalfe