INTRODUCING THE PhizzyB

by ALAN WINSTANLEY

“Practical Electronics!......... person cutting a dash in minds of Max and co-author

Sheesh!......... I remember that American blue denims and Alvin Brown.
from years ago!'' exquisitely-crafted American Although British born and
leather cowboy boots. Quite bred, Max departed this country
Such was an unsolicited remarkable, that, because we
E-mail I received from some- to go and work in the United
were in the middle of Sheffield States, and Alvin too picked up
where in America about four at the time − a bright November
years ago, which in the event certain transient Sheffield
morning several years ago; a mannerisms en route to the
was to be the genesis of meeting from which great things
Something Pretty Big. USA nearly a decade ago.
lay ahead for the readers of Both of them live and work in
Much electronic mail has EPE and the world at large! Alabama, USA, for Intergraph
flowed between Clive “Hi! Call Computer Systems a world-
me Max” Maxfield and myself leading manufacturer of
since then, mostly jokes and WORLD EXCLUSIVE powerful NT-based 2D/3D
wise-cracks (as you will dis- What you are reading now, graphics workstations:
cover, readers, Max is a wit though, is an introduction to the www.intergraph.com/ics
and a half), which garnish first installment of an EPE world Max and Alvin have toiled
relentlessly for the past year
to create the concept of the
PhizzyB, a unique piece of
computer hardware which can
be made to mimic and execute
the actions of its on-screen
counterpart, whose “virtual”
embodiment takes shape in the
PhizzyB Simulator software.
Together, the PhizzyB hard-
ware and the PhizzyB Simulator
software form a great-to-build,
fun-to-use computer tutorial,
demonstration, and application
system which is, well, rinky-
dinky and mega-cool (as Max
would doubtless say).
“What',” I hear you cry, “is
the Beboputer?” Well, that's a
Max's incredible knowledge of exclusive series in association computer teaching and demo
anything to do with computing with Maxfield & Montrose tool which relates to Max's and
systems, digital electronics and Interactive, Inc., featuring the Alvin's second book, Bebop
present and future electronic PhizzyB − the Physical BYTES Back (the first being
technology. Max's unparalleled Bebop to the
Beboputer − the latest in a
When I finally set eyes sprightly series of highly Boolean Boogie, a chapter from
upon Max, I was greeted by the entertaining, educational and which we reproduced in the Dec
sight of a tall bespectacled original works from the creative ‘97 and Jan '98 issues of EPE).

Copyright © 1998 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, November 1998 - www.epemag.com - 24
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 The second book is a tantalize you enough for you to You will also need the full
comprehensive low-down on want to follow the series, learn working version of the PhizzyB
how computers were created, how computers think and work, Simulator software, and a spare
how they live and breathe, and and most importantly to build serial port, which must be either
generally strut their stuff. your own PhizzyB. COM1 or COM2. We will tell
Accompanying Bebop BYTES Each monthly PhizzyB you about sourcing everything
Back is a multimedia CD-ROM feature is divided into two sect- later. The constructional article
featuring the Beboputer ions, a constructional design each month is a practical one
Computer Simulator, a fully- and a tutorial. Max and Alvin which deals with the aspects of
functional “Virtual Computer” have masterminded and written assembling the PhizzyB and a
replete with interactive labs − the entire tutorial series which variety of small, but interesting
so, you can learn to drive and uses the PhizzyB and PhizzyB peripheral units.
program the Beboputer using Simulator software in conjunct- Max and Alvin tell you more
your own personal computer, ion with your personal computer about the PhizzyB and what it
and by following the book and (an IBM-compatible PC running does in their feature in this
the on-screen “labs,” you will Microsoft Windows 95/98/NT) to magazine. Meanwhile, I'll tell
learn more about the funda- form a fully-fledged tutorial and you about assembling its printed
mentals and operation of demo system. circuit board − it's all very
computer systems in a month of
Sundays than you ever dreamt
possible (remembering there
are five Sundays in a month, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
maximum). • The hardware design of the PhizzyB was undertaken in the UK at
Then another idea sprang to the Department of Electronic Engineering at the University of Hull,
mind, as these things do. How by a gifted young student − Andrew Ayre − who, for his final year
about a real, live, pulsing and University project − and with arms tied behind his back and teeth
breathing, hardware version of gnashing − nevertheless successfully engineered the entire circuitry
the Beboputer? A physical needed to create a real-life PhizzyB. Andrew also developed the
version of the Beboputer? Thus PBLink for the PhizzyB Simulator software for Windows. The
the Physical Beboputer − PhizzyB-loving world owes Andrew a big thank-you.
dubbed PhizzyB − was born. • PhizzyB wouldn't fly in a straight line unless all its innermost
workings talked to each other properly. The printed circuit board
BIZZY-BEE required for the PhizzyB was engineered in the USA by David
Thompson using the Auto-Active environment provided by the
Now we could work some Veribest PCB layout suite, from VeriBest Inc., CO., USA
real magic − we could learn (www.veribest.com).
to program and use a “virtual”
computer on a personal com- • PhizzyB is a Trade Mark of Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc.,
puter screen using the PhizzyB Alabama, USA. The PhizzyB source code and microcontroller files
Simulator software, and then we are commercial items which are fully protected by international
could send those programs to copyright.
the real PhizzyB which connects
to your computer's RS232 serial
port. PhizzyB can then be made
to do some pretty cool and
useful stuff in the real world.
Extending the idea further,
we could then develop a range
of PhizzyB add-on units (such
as simple input/output sub-
systems) which would allow
the outside world to interact with
the PhizzyB (and vice versa).
So, readers, hopefully
between the three of us, we'll

Copyright © 1998 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, November 1998 - www.epemag.com - 25
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 BUILDING A PhizzyB COMPUTER
by ALAN WINSTANLEY

Let’s get down to the such things (and others) is solder only goes where it's
practical aspects of creating covered later. supposed to go.
your very own PhizzyB comp- To assemble and enjoy Just to help make const-
uter from the ground up. using your PhizzyB, no ruction as reliable as possible,
Straight away, we must say assumptions are made about there is also a full silk-screen
that the PhizzyB is a commer- your knowledge of electronics. It print on the board, showing you
cial product and, for the pur- is necessary, though, for you to precisely which component
poses of these articles, we are have had some experience of goes where.
far more interested in showing using a soldering iron. But it has Whilst we have provided a
you how to build and use it, to be stressed that the success full parts list, readers must be
rather than exploring how the of the electronics side of things made aware that for a minority
PhizzyB works in detail. Such rests on the quality of the of the parts, the manufacturer is
technicalities would be beyond soldered joints. Presently we critical and alternative brand
the scope of this series. shall give some advice on how devices should not be subst-
to ensure you get a good ituted. Furthermore, some parts
Note that the PhizzyB soldering result.
Simulator CD ROM contains a are obviously critical as far as
number of on-line manuals to The PhizzyB board is quite their dimensions are concerned,
get you started. Further tech- densely populated and the so if they are to fit the PCB
nical data is also available in soldering, whilst not difficult, is properly, care must be taken to
The Official Beboputer quite intricate. The PhizzyB select appropriate parts.
Microprocessor Handbook uses a double-sided board with The pre-programmed micro-
which can be purchased on-line plated-through holes (PTH). It controller, printed circuit board,
from Maxfield & Montrose includes an extra “solder resist” and full CD-ROM are available
Interactive, Inc. for a very too − that's the green layer from the EPE Online web site,
modest price. How to obtain which helps ensure molten see later.

HOT TIPS!
We have an excellent re-
source available on the Internet,
in the form of EPE Online’s
universally recognized Basic
Soldering Guide, which tells you
virtually everything you need to
know about soldering (check the
EPE Online web site for more
details: www.epemag.com)
You need the following
basic tools and equipment:
• hands (two, maximum)
• pencil-type soldering iron,
say 15W or so, with a fine
tip point

Copyright © 1998 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, November 1998 - www.epemag.com - 26
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 • fine-gauge multicore solder, choose to be more selective from their anti-static packaging
0⋅7mm or thereabouts and upgrade the board later until you are ready to fit them to
• soldering iron stand with with extra components, if des- the board. This will be at the
damp sponge ired. In fact, you can: very end of construction and
preliminary testing.
• soldering frame − optional − • Solder all components into
nice to have if you can place to produce the coolest
afford it computer demo and hard-
CONSTRUCTION
• miniature electronics-grade ware/software system ever First, an important note for
pliers for bending wires conceived in the history of UK/European readers: at the
humankind, or time of writing, it has not yet
• side-cutters for snipping
• omit the battery back-up been possible to source an
component leads
function (the controller chip equivalent PCB mounting 3V
• screwdriver for good mea- Lithium back-up battery to fit the
sure (all kits worth their salt IC7 and battery BAT1), or
American-designed board (see
use one). • omit the 7-segment displays also the Shop Talk page).
(DUAL1 to DUAL6) and
their corresponding display This situation may change,
Because we want PhizzyB
driver chips (IC101/IC102). but, in the shorter term, a small
to have as wide an appeal as
You will still have the ability adapter board has been design-
possible, this constructional
to monitor the registers ed in the UK which is capable of
article will tell you everything
(memories), which are carrying a Lithium battery coin
you need to know about ident-
“mirrored” on your PC cell holder, so that the battery
ifying the electronic components
screen, although it’s maybe can be exchanged if necessary
and general methods surround-
not as neat as watching without any desoldering being
ing its assembly, as we have in
what the PhizzyB has to needed.
mind (say) the PC user who
may not be very experienced in say for itself. The adapter board fits the
electronics assembly but would • Lastly you can omit IC5, pinouts of the PhizzyB battery
like to construct a PhizzyB to one of the two 32K random (BAT1). Skilled and experi-
link to their own computer. access memory (RAM) enced readers will be able to
chips used to store data in improvise. Without the battery,
If necessary, if you have not
the PhizzyB. This obviously any program and data contents
used a soldering iron very much
reduces the data storage will be lost when power is interr-
before, practice using your iron
capacity of the PhizzyB, but upted, and PhizzyB will have to
with some surplus components.
there will still be ample be reloaded from the PC soft-
Construction of the PhizzyB is
available firepower to follow ware, via the PBLink. This only
best undertaken using a
the series. You can add the takes a second.
“soldering frame,” a gadget
which holds various parts in situ second chip later if you like. At this point, you may
on the board while you solder decide to omit the battery
the joints on the underside, The construction follows a altogether for now. That's OK −
although most people seem to logical order, fitting the smallest start assembly by inserting the
get by quite happily without one. parts first and progressively jump wire JUMP1, and omit
building up the board until the IC7. This bypasses the battery
Be patient during assembly.
tallest and largest parts are controller. (If you decide to
Don't rush it, and there's an
inserted last of all. If you use a insert the battery at a later date,
excellent chance that your
soldering frame, you might still you must desolder or cut the
PhizzyB will work first time!
want to follow this same order jumper wire and fit IC7 plus the
and gradually locate the parts battery.) Otherwise, the battery
MODULAR OPTIONS rather than insert everything will be fitted last of all, because
To help with the construct- at once. it is the tallest component.
ion costs, it is possible to adopt However, before starting, The following suggested
a “modular” approach to assem- be sure to check that you have order of assembly will help less
bling the PhizzyB, at least up to all the parts, and that they all fit experienced constructors to
a point. You may decide to go the PhizzyB board. Do not gain some revisionary practice
the whole hog and assemble the remove any integrated circuits of soldering and handling the
entire product, or you can (ICs − also known as chips) PhizzyB board.

Copyright © 1998 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, November 1998 - www.epemag.com - 27
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 Insert the six 22k resistors as 10X-1-472 (the 472 and correct again. Ultimately,
R1 to R4 and R101 to R102 indicates 4⋅7k) you could accidentally damage
(color coded red-red-orange- • R9 will be marked as the board and the last thing
gold) into place, bending the 10X-1-151 (“151” indicates which any of us want you to be
leads with thin-nosed pliers to 150 Ohms) is disappointed!
match the board. Make sure the Proceed by soldering in
resistors are reasonably flat So far so good! The next
stage is more intricate. We the IC sockets. If you are
against the board. Solder the inexperienced at this, practice
leads, then snip off any excess strongly recommend protecting
your PhizzyB investment by on IC7 socket first (regardless
wire with miniature side-cutters. of whether you choose to fit the
Continue with R6 and R7, which using dual-in-line (DIL) sockets
to carry all of the ICs (and one battery controller chip). Take
are two 4⋅7 kilo-ohm resistors your time, working diligently
(yellow-violet-red-gold). or two other parts). They enable
you to change any faulty chips and methodically and you
Next, insert the three single- (unlikely, but you never know) should be fine.
in-line (SIL) resistor packages, and, more importantly, they It only takes two or three
labeled on the board as R5, R8 help prevent any damage seconds at most to make such a
occurring to the semiconductor joint, using a few millimeters of
Dimple chips through excessive solder. Definitely avoid applying
Notch soldering heat being applied. an excess which might bridge
and short adjacent contacts,
and double-check all the time
1 16 ORIENTATION to ensure the sockets are
2 15 The orientation of each IC is completely flush against the
identified by a notch at one end, board. Keep the ICs in their
3 14
and/or a dimple (see Fig.1). packaging for now.
4 13
What you must do is insert the Max and Alvin suggest
5 12 DIL socket for each of these “socketing” the 7-segment dual
6 11
devices the correct way to light-emitting diode (LED)
match the silk screen printing displays and bargraph displays
7 10 on the PhizzyB board. A notch should you have any worries
8 9 at one end of the socket must about damaging these devices
match the same identifier on the during soldering. This is an
silk-screen print. The ICs them- option, and single-in-line socket
Fig.1. Example of DIL I.C. selves will later be inserted the strips can be used, snapped off
pinouts Orientation is same way round. to length (two strips of nine
denoted by the dimple and / sockets for each dual display).
For reliability and strength,
or notch it's best to ensure that every Also note that it is worth
socket lies flush against the socketing switch SW5 (16-pin
and R9. These SIL packages board. This is easy if a soldering dual-in-line switch) together with
actually contain nine individual frame is used, but otherwise BAR1 (20-pin bargraph LED)
resistors joined to a “common” various tricks include using a using ordinary DIL sockets. This
pin, making ten pins in all. You length of adhesive tape to hold is in order to make these
can prove this by using an the socket temporarily during devices removable for future
ohmmeter. Hence, these SIL soldering. expansion projects, but they are
resistors must be correctly As a tip, look closely at the not shown in the photos of the
orientated: a dot printed on the pins when soldering: if all the prototype.
body marks pin 1 (common), pins protrude through the board
which aligns with the square box at the same height, then it's
in the silk-screen print symbol. safe to say the DIL. socket is
CAPACITORS
Note also that if the recommen- flush against the PhizzyB board. Once you have all the
ded SIL resistors are used This is pretty important, beca- resistors and IC sockets in
(4610X series from Digi-Key in use if you are inexperienced in place, next insert the non-
the US or Bourns in the UK) handling and soldering such electrolytic capacitors, most of
then: devices then you would find it which are used to decouple the
• R5 and R8 will be marked somewhat tricky to desolder power supply by removing noise

Copyright © 1998 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, November 1998 - www.epemag.com - 28
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 and spikes near to the ICs. All observe a positive sign on the You can now add the four
capacitors are vertical (“radial”) PCB, which denotes the positive mounting pillars, which act as
PCB mounting types. lead. (Usually, you see a negat- “feet” for the PhizzyB and which
To make a neat job, a good ive sign printed on the capacit- stand the solder side off the
tip is to solder one pin of a or's body which, by an uncanny tabletop.
capacitor, turn the board over coincidence, signifies the negat- After this, your PhizzyB is
and straighten the device, then ive wire.) It is very important very nearly complete: there is
secure it by soldering the other that these capacitors are sold- only the battery (if used) to
pin. Solder all the polyester and ered in the right way round. solder on-board, which can be
ceramic capacitors into place, Turning next to the power done after all the testing is
paying close attention to their supply section: PhizzyB's circuit complete.
markings. These can confuse operates at 5V d.c. so an on- Construction for the battery
beginners and old hands alike: board regulator is used (REG1) sub-board is described later. But
• Devices marked “10n” are to provide a constant 5V volt- before we breathe life into the
10nF (ten nanofarads) age from the suggested 9V d.c. PhizzyB, it is necessary to
mains adapter. The best way of perform some preliminary tests
• “100n” means 100nF fitting it is to bend its wires to to ensure everything is in order.
• Any devices labeled as “µ1” the required shape, then bolt
are 0⋅1µF, or 100nF the device through the hole
provided in the board using an INITIAL TESTING
• C1 may be labeled as “µ33”
M3 6 nut and bolt. Then solder With none of the dual-in-
which is 0⋅33µF (0⋅33
the regulator's three leads. line devices installed − still keep
microfarads).
Now install CON2, which is the integrated circuits in their
There are various “pitches” the d.c. power inlet socket. packaging − the next stage is to
(distance between the pins) Amongst the very last closely inspect all your
used for the capacitors, so be components to solder are the soldering. Look especially for:
sure to select the right types five “IDC headers” (Insulation • Joints you overlooked
(see components list). Leave Displacement Connector), completely − solder them!
the electrolytic capacitors until CON3 to CON7. PhizzyB has a
• Badly made or “dry” joints:
later. Follow on with the switch- preferred way and a wrong way,
desolder them with a
es SW1 to SW4, and SW6. and it is indicated on the silk
desoldering pump or braid,
(Remember that SW5 is best screen print which way the large
and re-apply fresh solder
socketed.) notches in the sides of the
headers should match with the • Excessive “blobs” of solder
The dual LEDs can be fitted
board. (Experienced users of bridging adjacent pins −
next if you're confident enough
IDC connectors will see an desolder, clean up and
about soldering them directly
arrowhead symbol molded in rework
instead of using sockets, again
making sure they are flat the plastic body, too, which • Whiskers of solder shorting
against the board. Look for the matches an arrow on the silk- neighboring terminals
screen print.) Ensure the
decimal point location to align • If you see any dubious-
headers are flush against
them correctly − see photos. looking solder joints,
the board.
The bargraph display BAR101 rework them
follows next (BAR1 being The very last item is CON1,
socketed). the RS232 serial connector If everything looks to be in
which will be used to connect order, we now move to the test-
the PhizzyB to your PC. There ing phase, where we power up
LARGER PARTS are several holes on the board the board without any integrat-
By now your PhizzyB to accept the commonest styles ed circuits in place. An ordinary
should be really taking shape. of right-angle socket, and the 9V 300mA to 500mA regulated
Continue construction by sold- connector will drop straight in. mains adapter is needed, with a
ering into position the quartz Some types use mounting standard 2⋅1mm d.c. plug. The
crystal XTAL1, then the electro- prongs which need no further “tip” or inner sleeve is negative
lytic capacitors C7 to C11 and attention, otherwise you should (see the PhizzyB Manual on the
C14. These capacitors are use small (plastic) nuts/bolts to CD-ROM), so go ahead and
polarity critical, and you will firmly secure the connector. apply d.c. power to the board.

Copyright © 1998 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, November 1998 - www.epemag.com - 29
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 If regulator REG1 becomes Next, you should install the pins misaligning with its
warm after 10 to 15 seconds, ICs. Disconnect the power terminal and possibly bending
switch off immediately and supply before inserting them. underneath. (Straighten any
check the polarity of your All the DIL ICs are CMOS bent pins by using fine-nosed
power supply! devices and are static sensitive, pliers, ensuring you briefly earth
Now use a voltmeter set to so special precautions are yourself before touching the
a 10V d.c. range and proceed to needed to ensure you do not chip with metal pliers.)
test out the board as follows. inadvertently “zap” these chips The most important comp-
The metal tab of REG1 and its with a discharge of static onent is IC3, the PhizzyB’s
mounting bolt are at 0V, which electricity which may have microcontroller, and you will
you can use as the common 0V accumulated on your board, or want to ensure that this part-
connection for your multimeter. yourself. (A computer monitor icularly is installed correctly into
Test for +5V appearing at screen is one example of a its holder. Also fit the dual disp-
the IC pin locations in Table 1, source of static, nylon carpets lays, SW5 and BAR1 into their
using the positive probe of your and underwear another.) holders, if used.
meter. Most people use an anti- Inspect the board very
static wrist strap in conjunction closely to confirm that each and
IC Designation Pin Number with a special mains earthing every pin is correctly in place.
IC1 14 adapter (and often, an earthed
IC2 16 bench mat) to ground their body
IC3 31, 40 and work area, thereby eliminat-
IC4 20 ing static build-up. Alternatively,
IC5 (if used) 28* you should touch a good earth
before handling the chips.
IC6 28*
IC7 (if used) 8 The main problem now is 9V D.C input (inner
IC8 16 that the pins of the dual-in-line sleeve tip = -VE)
IC9 26 devices must be made to align
IC10 26 with their respective sockets:
IC11 20 pins tend to arrive ex-factory
slightly splayed out, so it is
IC101 (if used) 19
necessary to gently straighten
IC102 (if used) 19 Mounting
them slightly.
Table 1. bolt = 0V
Do this by resting one row
of pins on an anti-static surface
*Note that pin 28 on IC5/IC6 and bend them by grasping the
will only measure +5V if JUMP1 IC molding and bend the pins
simultaneously. The pins are REG1
is in place or if BAT1 is fitted. +9V CON2
generally “springy,” but you
If you fail to measure any should bend the pins evenly and
voltage at all, double-check the progressively, and repeat until
polarity of your mains adapter they align with the IC sockets. 0V
plug (test with a voltmeter), and (Don't worry: chips are remark-
also check the voltages around ably sturdy, but don't overdo it.)
REG1 (see Fig.2) to ensure the
power supply is reaching the Now comes a critical part of
board. We think, though, that the assembly. You must double-
the chances of failure at this check the polarity of the ICs, +9V 0V +5V
point are very remote, and any looking for the notch/dimple on (In) (Out)
problems will be due to mech- the chip and align it with the
anical defects, including poor notch of its IC holder. All the
soldering, and very unlucky ICs face the same way, you'll
would be the reader whose notice, to make life easier.
PhizzyB doesn't measure up Place each IC on its socket
Fig.2. Power supply section of
correctly at this stage. (See the and push it firmly into place, but
end of the article for details of do ensure that each pin is the PCB. The mounting bolt of
where to get more help.) properly located. Avoid any regulator REG1 is at 0V.
Copyright © 1998 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, November 1998 - www.epemag.com - 30
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 BACK-UP BATTERY
The PhizzyB RAM 3V
COMPONENTS
battery back-up is an optional
extra which retains memory Resistors DUAL1 to DUAL 6 dual 0.56-inch
data when the main power R1 to R4, R101, R102 22k (6 off) 7-segment common cathode LED
supply is interrupted. A Lithium R5, R8 4k7 9-resistor SIL package (2 off) display (6 off)
coin cell (BR23301VC in the (Digi-Key/Bourns 4610X series) BAR1, BAR101 10-segment LED
US, CR2430 in the UK) will R6, R7 4k7 (2 off) bargraph display (2 off)
manage a low current consump- R9 150 Ohm 9-resistor SIL package REG1 LM340-T5 5V 1A TO-220
tion CMOS memory probably
(Digi-Key/Bourns 4610X series) voltage regulator
for many years. At the time of
writing, and in spite of the best All 0.25W 5% carbon film unless marked
Miscellaneous
endeavors of your scribe, it
SW1 to SW4 miniature push-to-make
hasn't proved possible to source Capacitors
a battery which exactly matches switch, PCB mounting, 6.5mm x
C1 0.33u polyester, 10mm pitch 4.5mm (4 off)
the PhizzyB board in the UK
(but US readers can use a Digi- C2 100n polyester, 5mm pitch SW5 8-way s.p.s.t DIL switch
Key P199-ND part). C3 to C6 10n polyester, 5mm pitch (4 off) SW6 2-way s.p.s.t DIL switch
C7 to C11, C14 1u 50V miniature radial XTAL1 11.0592MHz quartz crystal
24mm battery holder electrolytic, 2mm pitch (6 off) BAT1 3V Lithium coin cell (see text)
C12, C13 33p 50V miniature ceramic CON1 9-pin right-angle PCB mounting
1.4"
disc, approx. 6mm pitch (2 off) sub-miniature D-connector (male)
C15 to C25, C101, C102 100n polyester, CON2 2.1mm d.c. PCB mounting
7.5mm pitch (13 off) power inlet socket
CON3 to CON6 shrouded (boxed)
Semiconductors 20-pin straight-up IDC header (4 off)
1.4"
IC1 74LS14 hex Schmitt trigger CON7 shrouded (boxed) 50-pin
IC2 MAX232CPE RS232 transmitter / straight-up IDC header
receiver
IC3 Pre-programmed 87C51 (or 89C52) PhizzyB Simulator CD ROM, programmed
Solder on
-VE +VE copper microcontroller microcontroller (IC3), and PhizzyB circuit
track side IC4 74LS373 tri-state octal D-type board are available from the EPE Online
Rigid copper wires
flip-flop Store; 8-pin DIL socket; 14-pin DIL socket;
Fig.3. PhizzyB battery IC5, IC6 Toshiba TC55257DPL-70L 16-pin DIL socket (3 off); 20-pin DIL socket
connection and mounting 32K x 8-bit CMOS SRAM (2 off – (3 off); 24-pin DIL socket 0.3-inch wide
*IC5 is optional, see text) (2 off)*; 28-pin DIL socket (2 off); 40-pin
IC7 Harris ICL7673 battery backup DIL socket (3 off); PCB connectors, single-
An adapter board has controller* in-line snap off, 12 strips x 9 contacts*; 9-
therefore been designed for UK IC8 74LS138 3-to-8 decoder pin to 9-pin null modem serial cable
readers which is 1⋅4 inch square IC9, IC10 OKI (only) 82C55A2 (female-female); mounting pillars, 3mm
and carries a coin cell battery programmable peripheral interface thread (4 off); M3 x 6mm nut and bolt; 9V
clip. This fits vertically into the controllers (2 off) 300mA to 500mA regulated d.c. mains
PhizzyB board. The design is
IC11 74LS540 octal buffer/driver adapter, 2.1mm plug (inner/tip negative);
shown in Fig.3. This board is
supported using two short thick IC101, IC102 MAX7219CNG display PCB mounting 24mm coin cell holder*;
lengths of solid copper wire controller (2 off) backup battery (see text); solder, etc.
(e.g. as used in domestic light- *Optional (see text)
ing systems). Experienced
constructors can adapt a 3V Approx. Cost
memory back-up of their own
design as the necessary conn-
See also the
SHOP TALK Page! Guidance Only $199
ections are self-explanatory. Including Simulator CD-ROM
Copyright © 1998 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, November 1998 - www.epemag.com - 31
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 The fully assembled PhizzyB PCB - it is so well designed you should have little difficulty
achieving such a professional appearance.

The final task, where appropri- object, though, so treat it with All the 7-segment displays
ate, is to install the Lithium some care. will briefly flash 8s (the decimal
back-up coin cell or adapter. points aren't used), and both the
This can be soldered directly bargraph displays should flash
onto the PCB (correct polarity is FINAL TESTING AND briefly (the eight right-most
vital). You may decide to leave OPERATION LEDs only: the two left LEDs
this until later. When installed, are unused).
programs loaded into the IMPORTANT: Before proc-
eeding to the final test, note that After less than half a sec-
PhizzyB will be retained by ond or so, the LEDs should all
the back-up battery. both of the SW6 switches must
be set to OFF. turn off, and the 7-segment
When all the components displays should show:
are in place, congratulations! The next check is to power
up your fully-populated PhizzyB (ACC) 00 (PC)
Give yourself a pat on the back! 4000
You can, incidentally, generally from the mains adapter. It is not
handle the completed PhizzyB necessary to connect to your (IR) 00 (SP) 0000
board without needing to take PC at this time. (Note that the
(A similar start-up routine is
any further anti-static precau- regulator REG1 will be warm or
displayed by the PhizzyB Sim-
tions, although you must hot in normal operation.)
ulator when you hit the virtual
certainly take precautions if The modest display provid- “power” switch.)
you have cause to handle any ed by the PhizzyB when it
Your PhizzyB is now ready
individual chips. The PhizzyB is awakens should gladden the
for use, so you can proceed to
not your average everyday heart and tell you that all is well.
install the PhizzyB Simulator
Copyright © 1998 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, November 1998 - www.epemag.com - 32
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc
 software from its CD-ROM (use Ensure your PhizzyB is Alternatively, you can
your Web Browser to view the connected and powered up. Use email the PhizzyB co-authors at
file default.htm on the CD, or File ⇒ Download, or click the [email protected] or you can
use the NotePad editor to open Download RAM File icon (third contact me (the constructional
the Welcome.txt file for one), and this tiny program will author) via my email address at
installation instructions). instantly (as fast as a mouse [email protected].
Once you’ve loaded the click!) be downloaded to the
hardware PhizzyB.
software, connect the PhizzyB BEBOP-A-LULA!
to your computer serial port, Now click Run (the >> icon
and then open a demonstration or F2), and your PhizzyB will The two amazing books
file and send it to your PhizzyB, run the program and display a referred to earlier, Bebop Bytes
as follows. simple binary count on $F030 Back and Bebop to the Boolean
output port. You can also press Boogie, are available from the
To attach PhizzyB to your EPE Online Direct Book Service
PC, you must use a null modem the “Run” and “Step” keys either
in the software or on your real (www.epemag.com).
cable; that is, a female-to-fem-
ale 9-pin serial lead linking the PhizzyB and watch the LED
CON1 connector on the displays react. NEXT MONTH
PhizzyB to either COM1 or Don't forget the PhizzyB Two really simple const-
COM2 of your PC. Some leads User Manual Volume 2, which is ructional projects for the
may have male-female conn- contained on the PhizzyB PhizzyB are described next
ections, in which case it is Simulator’s CD-ROM. Just use month − an 8-bit Switch on an
possible to attach a “gender the simulator’s online help to “input” board, and an 8-bit LED
bender” to produce the required access this document, which display on an “output” board.
female fittings at both ends. gives explicit instructions for These are intended to test the
After installing the software, setting up and installing the external I/O ports and also let
ensure the PhizzyB Simulator hardware, configuring the us experiment with the software.
CD is in the drive, then click PBLink software, and loading
and testing your PhizzyB, Looking ahead to future
Start ⇒ Programs ⇒ PhizzyB installments, in the fullness of
⇒ PhizzyB to launch the full which is now ready for use
(it is recommended that you time we will be adding a liquid-
version PhizzyB Simulator crystal display and a versatile
print out a hard copy of this
software. expansion board to greatly
manual for future reference).
Then use the Tools ⇒ enhance the capabilities of
PhizzyB Interface (or use the your newly-hatched PhizzyB!
PhizzyB Interface icon − there HELP!
are “tool tip” prompts on the What to do if it doesn't
icon toolbar) to activate the work? We really do think that if
PBLink software (which is used you have soldered the compon-
to download programs into your ents with reasonably tidiness,
PhizzyB). In its menu, click File and fitted the integrated circuits RESOURCES
⇒ Options (or use the Options correctly, your PhizzyB will work The following items are avail-
icon) to select the relevant first time. able from the EPE Online store
COM port. Come back here and However, rest assured that at (www.epemag.com) (prices
check or change the settings if support is never very far away, include shipping and handling):
your PhizzyB doesn't commu- and is available by E-mail or • PhizzyB Simulator CD-ROM,
nicate properly. post (see the PhizzyB Simu- $24.95
In the PBLink window, click lator’s on-line help for more
• Pre-programmed PhizzyB
File ⇒ Open (or click the icon, details). Don't forget to check
Microcontroller, $24.95
or CTRL + O) and open the file www.maxmon.com, the web
test1.ram. The first few lines of site for Maxfield & Montrose • PhizzyB printed circuit board
the PBLink window will read: Interactive, Inc. Max and Alvin $24.95
are always pleased to hear
RAM file: feedback, comments, and
Start Finish Size (bytes) Downloaded (especially) praise.
$4000 $4017 24 No

Copyright © 1998 Wimborne Publishing Ltd and EPE Online, November 1998 - www.epemag.com - 33
Maxfield & Montrose Interactive Inc