DigicoolThings Forum

I’m just finishing off a Banked Memory Expansion Card design, intended to give the flexibility of a Banked Memory solution for any 8-bit CPU Card.

This will allow any CPU to have a Banked Memory space of up to 3MB, available for implementing larger memory space applications, or, operating systems.

For example, an operating system application could be for a NitrOS-9 implementation (for 6809), RomWBW implementation (for Z80), FUZIX implementation (various processors), or whatever other operating system you might want to experiment with.

Of course, to make full use of a Banked Memory Expansion (for OS use), will also require a Mass Storage Device (which is also currently in my Planning).

In the meantime, a Banked Memory Expansion Card will (of course) be immediately usable for any large data model style of application.

Hi, The new boards should add a lot of otherwise missing flexibility to MECB, I'll be interested to see what you come up with out of all the possibilities existing for both memory and storage options. Ive been working on a lower density storage option this week playing with a paper tape punch and reader and also 386 SBC with boot roms. BR David.

djrm wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2026 7:47 am Hi, The new boards should add a lot of otherwise missing flexibility to MECB, I'll be interested to see what you come up with out of all the possibilities existing for both memory and storage options.

Yes, I took a while mulling over how I wanted to approach a Banked Memory solution. I think I was stuck in my Z80 thinking for way too long, and Emil has (of course) done an awesome job with his Z80 CPU + Banked Memory combo Card.

I’m pretty happy (so far) with what I have now put together for a Banked Memory Expansion, mostly guided by just staying true to my original MECB intent (mostly in terms of flexibility and mix & match).

With my prototype Banked Memory Expansion PCBs on order, I’m now focussing on my Mass Storage Card solution, again, looking at making something that will provide some flexibility in its use.

I think my biggest challenge (or should I say “fun”), will then be in terms of coding initial drivers to demonstrate the use of the new Cards.

Also, I’ve been busy working on these Banked Memory / Mass Storage projects, even though I have had my “WDC I/O + Sound Card” completed (and ready to go) for a few months now. That project is also just requiring me to get back into some coding and make a video for that. But I think it makes a great alternative / sibling, to the existing Motorola I/O + Sound Card.

But, they are all (currently) listed in the MECB Roadmap as "In-Progress".

As always, lots to do, and never enough (spare) hours in the day! LOL

djrm wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2026 7:47 amIve been working on a lower density storage option this week playing with a paper tape punch and reader and also 386 SBC with boot roms. BR David.

Sounds like fun. I never experienced punched cards, although If I'd got any of the computing jobs that I applied for when I left school, I imagine I would have been exposed to them. One thing that I do remember, from my early days, was the promise / excitement of the "Bubble Memory" potential.

But, I never did own any Bubble Memory modules. Perhaps one day I'll get hold of a device to experiment with.