![]() ![]() The early HP Reverse Polish Notation calculators have a special place in the hearts of engineers and tinkerers as there are lots of projects involving them. A similarly respectful approach was taken with this TRS80 Model 100 revival.Ĭontinue reading “Vintage Console Becomes The Calculator It Appears To Be” → Posted in Retrocomputing Tagged calculator, console, gps, logarithms, nixie, pic32, retrocomputing, RPN, Wang We normally frown on vintage gear being given modern guts, but in this case hit just the right balance of new and old, And given that the Electronic Packages these consoles were connected to go for $1500 or more on eBay, it was a better choice than letting the console go to scrap. Doing so replicates the original look and feel of the calculator down to the rapid progression of numbers across the Nixies as the logarithms are calculated using the display registers. The interesting bit is the programming chose to emulate the original Wang methods of doing math, which include multiplication by logarithmic addition. The console turned out to have enough room for a custom PCB carrying a PIC32, some level-shifting components, power supply modules that include the high-voltage supply for the Nixies, and a GPS module because Nixies and clocks just go together. decided to remedy the situation with modern electronics. The foot-warming part that was once connected to ’s console by a thick cable that had been unceremoniously lopped off by a previous owner. But it’s actually only a dumb terminal for a much, MUCH bigger box, called the Electronic Package, that would fit under a desk. Sure, with its Nixie display, calculator keypad, and chunky mid-century design, the Wang 360 desktop console looks like a retro calculator. Turning it into a standalone calculator with features the original designers couldn’t imagine turned out to be an interesting project, and a trip down the retrocomputing rabbit hole.Ī little explanation is in order. For this mode, jumpers JP1 and JP2 both need to be connected to positions 2-3 (see schematic).Ĭheck out the video of it below.What’s sitting on ’s desk in the video below did not start out life as the desktop calculator it appears to be. In this mode, the signals /CLEAR, CLK and DATA of the 74164 chain have to be controlled externally via connector J1. Thereby you have full control of the displayed LED patterns. Mode 2: All 60 LEDs can be controlled externally, for example by a microcontroller or by a PC. For this mode, jumpers JP1 and JP2 both need to be connected to positions 1-2 (see schematic). This mode uses an integrated 1 Hz timebase and loop-back mode of the shift registers. This is continuosly repeated, so the seconds are visualized by LEDs. Then every second each LED is deactivated one after another. Mode 1: Every second, each LED is activated one after another. There are 2 selectable modes via 2 jumpers: This project uses a standard analog quartz clock and adds 60 LEDs clockwise around it to display the seconds. ![]() He added 60 LEDs to an analog clock which are controlled by discrete logic chips. Michael built an LED clock for the Open 7400 Logic Competition. Posted by DP OctoOctoPosted in 7400 contest Tags: 7400 competition entry Leave a comment on 7400 competition entry: Wheely bin night reminder 7400 competition entry: Heat generator The Green (green waste) wheely bin goes out on a Tuesday night on alternate weeks. ![]() ![]() The Red (garbage) and Yellow (recycling) wheely bins go out weekly on a Monday night.So I set about designing the logic system required to remind me that: Sure, I could have set an alarm on my phone. I always forget to take the bins out on bin night. Second, I had to make something that solved a problem I faced. Because of this constraint, it is sub-optimal in many ways – requiring more parts than had I had access to the more highly integrated CMOS parts. I had more 4000-series parts than 7400-series parts, so the design is based on 4000 CMOS logic. No going to Jaycar or placing an order through Element 14 only junkbox parts allowed. Luc entered his Wheely bin night reminder into the Open 7400 Logic Competition:īecause the competition was so open ended in its brief, I placed two constraints on myself:įirst, I had to make do with the logic chips (and other components) I had on hand. ![]()
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