Hi, This is my first post, but I was inspired to share my new project after reading Mr Chips' thread about designing a new mini-computer.
I became intrigued by the Kenbak computer after initially reading about the most recently discovered example being auctioned off for a silly price.
Looking into it, I discovered quite an archive of information, including photographs/pdf's of the circuit board and a component list. Then I uncovered the operating manual which contained line diagrams of the entire circuit, but on 20 odd pages of modules.
I would really like to recreate the circuit board, or linked circuit board modules.
My first thoughts are would the current crop of ttl ic's (CMOS or other) be compatible with the timings and delay loops of the circuit as originally designed?
I'm only doing this because of my warped sense of intrigue, but I'm thinking it would be fun.
Obviously I could re-create the same computer on an Arduino, but there would be no fun in the journey in achieving this.

 

And the question is?

 

You may all be super nerds on this website, but that response was uncalled for.
Note the operative word: share

 

You may all be super nerds on this website, but that response was uncalled for.
Note the operative word: share

No! THAT response was uncalled for.

 

You may all be super nerds on this website, but that response was uncalled for.
Note the operative word: share

Without a question I'm not sure what it was you were expecting. Maybe if we understood your motivation for sharing we could react in ways you might consider appropriate. My second wife was big on non-verbal communication. She expected me to know at all times what she was thinking. It was an impossible task. We want to help you and share back, but we don't necessarily know how unless you tell us. So gently remove the chip from your shoulder and tell us in words of one syllable what you would like us to do.

 

would the current crop of ttl ic's (CMOS or other) be compatible with the timings and delay loops of the circuit as originally designed?

Without us ploughing through that archive you discovered it would be hard to give a definitive answer, but my personal guess would be 'probably'.

 

You may all be super nerds on this website, but that response was uncalled for.
Note the operative word: share

My god, is it snowing already?

And I find the phrase "super nerd" to be offensive. And 'yes', the operative word is 'share', so why didn't you?

 

My first thoughts are would the current crop of ttl ic's (CMOS or other) be compatible with the timings and delay loops of the circuit as originally designed?

From what I can find on the internet about this device, I would expect just about any of the currently available TTL families (74LSxxx, 74ALSxxx, etc.) would work. High-speed CMOS (74HCxxx, 74AHCxxx, etc. but not 4000 series) would probably suffice, too.

Where I think you're going to have a LOT of trouble is in finding any of the MOS shift registers that comprised the 256-byte main memory. I don't think they're made anymore.

 

I don't think they're made anymore.

Some of the "old" computers have been made using a FPGA. Ten years ago I found 100mhz 8051 and 100mhz 6502 etc.
Making a 100 IC computer sounds fun, if I had nothing to do, but I think doing it in programmable logic could be just as fun with much less soldering.

 

Ahah, well I stirred some emotions then anyway. Thanks very much for all your comments, I'm not necessarily looking for help at this stage, just helpful responses would be fine, thanks OBW0549 and Ronsimpson, particularly about the MOS shift register issue, I was thinking along those lines too.