Proton Z80 Modular Computer demonstration

My Github, where you'll find all schematics, PCB layouts and a 62 page user's manual: https://github.com/KALTCHUK/Z80_Modul...

My email, in case you want more info or give some feedback:
[email protected]

Two years ago I was searching for some ICs in my component drawers and came across a Z80 CPU and an Intel 8251 USART. I had an instant flashback and remembered my first contact with a microprocessor back in 1982. It was a Z80. After a few minutes of nostalgia I decided to make good use of these components and build a computer.

Of course I couldn't avoid thinking about this "new project" with my Systems Engineer mindset. So, I established a few initial goals:

This project is a hobby, so it has to be fun.
It should use mainly technologies available in the 1980's.
The computer has to run commercial software.
The architecture should be modular allowing for new cards with specific functions.
It also has to be a hardware/software development platform for students, hobbyists and enthusiasts.

After some research I decided to design the hardware fully compatible with CP/M 2.2.

One and a half years later I finally had my wire wrapped computer running CP/M. I could write programs using WordStar and compile them with a BDS C compiler or Microsoft Basic compiler. It was fun, exciting and challenging. After that, I decided it was time to turn the prototype into a finished product.

It's gratifying to see that in two years, alone, I was able to transform an idea into a final product.