anyone still using the z80 SIO?

It is a 40 pin DIL IC. Yes I know, most microcontrollers these days have integrated serial port. This chip on it's own requires 100mA or so.

I have some of these ICs around, and eventually I'd like to make a breakout board, so all the pins have a label on the PCB.

Or should I just dispose them discretely?

Similar, 68000 and also 68ec020 chips.

I'd like to know if anyone here is still using these ICs.

 

It has been some years since I used UART IC's, if this is what you are referring to?
The older style I used such as Intersil IM6402 & Im6403 have long gone I believe.
These are only usefull now if using non Micro applications.
Max.

 

I would like to figure out if it is worth to put them on breakout boards, or dispose them.

on eBay they can be found for $3 or so, but not selling much.

 

I suspect it is a VERY limited market, maybe not worth the effort to build BOB's out of them?
Max.

 

I was thinking maybe some students still use them.
It won't be a large expensive board, just for the pin names.

 

If you interface the Z80 with a Z84C90 IC, it would give a student more options.
E

 

hmm i see. that also contains a SIO but is more advanced...

 

I would think any use of that chip in our days, will be just for curiosity.

 

maybe some people in the 3rd world. but it is not clear if they can buy stuff on ebay.

given the large current this chip consumes it is not appreciate to use it.

 

The last time I used a LSI USART IC was to convert some paper tape readers on CNC machines to serial RS232 output (~20yrs ago).
Max.

 

If you plan to do something like this. I would have used a 16c555 UART instead. If I remember correct the 16c555 was pin compatible
with the 8250

 

I used the IM6402 which turned out ideal.
Max.