The PlasMa mini-mainframe simulator

PlasMa simulates a complete mini/mainframe system in a self-contained desktop-sized box with real lights and switches. The system is comprised of a simulated ‘mini-like’ processor with a small amount of main memory, and simulated ‘mainframe-like’ peripherals such as a paper tape reader and punch, mag tapes, exchangeable disks and an operators console.

The processor is ‘micro-coded’ and can run (currently) 3 different instruction sets; two based on the Princeton TOY architecture with 2K words memory for educational use, and a more advanced home-grown ISA based on NICE, with 64K words memory and floating point.

The simulation runs on an ATmega2560 MCU which also controls the user-interface comprising approx 540 LEDs, 100 switches, 6 SD-cards for the storage peripherals, LCD screen, keypad, speaker, Centronics interface for a dot-matrix printer, PS/2 interface for a qwerty keyboard… and a MIDI in & out interface for fun.

See the video below and more on hackaday.io.


Have an amazing project to share? The Electronics Show and Tell is every Wednesday at 7:30pm ET! To join, head over to YouTube and check out the show’s live chat and our Discord!

Join us every Wednesday night at 8pm ET for Ask an Engineer!

Join over 38,000+ makers on Adafruit’s Discord channels and be part of the community! http://adafru.it/discord

CircuitPython – The easiest way to program microcontrollers – CircuitPython.org


New Products – Adafruit Industries – Makers, hackers, artists, designers and engineers! — New Products 11/15/2024 Featuring Adafruit bq25185 USB / DC / Solar Charger with 3.3V Buck Board! (Video)

Python for Microcontrollers – Adafruit Daily — Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter: A New Arduino MicroPython Package Manager, How-Tos and Much More! #CircuitPython #Python #micropython @ThePSF @Raspberry_Pi

EYE on NPI – Adafruit Daily — EYE on NPI Maxim’s Himalaya uSLIC Step-Down Power Module #EyeOnNPI @maximintegrated @digikey

Adafruit IoT Monthly — The 2024 Recap Issue!

Maker Business – Adafruit Daily — Apple to build another chip at TSMC Arizona

Electronics – Adafruit Daily — SMT Tip – Stop moving around!

Get the only spam-free daily newsletter about wearables, running a "maker business", electronic tips and more! Subscribe at AdafruitDaily.com !


No Comments

No comments yet.

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.