Recently, a kind gentleman (Leslie Anderson), donated some PLCC package CPU’s, for future projects.
So, it’s time to test the PLCC packaged HD63C09 microprocessors on my MECB 6809 CPU Card, and also plan what I intend to do with them next.
Join me as I present these CPU’s, make & assemble an adapter to allow testing, then test a PLCC packaged CPU, and finally discuss what I intend to do with them next, and also the received 68008 CPU’s.
I thought I was going to get maybe one or two, HD63C09 and MC68008 CPU’s.
So, I was pleasantly surprised, when I received 5 of each, in the mail.
As a fan of Motorola microprocessors, I didn’t even know that Hitachi had released some PLCC variants of their HD6309, which is (of course), an enhanced version of the Motorola MC6809.
Normally, you’d expect these retro 8-bit microprocessors in their more familiar 40 pin DIL package.
This was very interesting to me, as I’ve always been a fan of the PLCC package, being both compact and also easy (and satisfying), to insert into a PLCC socket.
And, importantly, PLCC sockets are also available in the retro friendly Through-Hole (TH) format.
Now, having received these PLCC chips, my first task was to verify that they were operational.
Being in a PLCC 44 pin package, I firstly needed a PLCC to DIL adapter, to allow me to easily test these in my existing DIP40 CPU sockets.
I already had a PLCC44 to DIP40 Adapter board for my EPROM Programmer, so I though I’d be ready to go.
However, a quick check of the HD63C09 PLCC pin-out, confirmed that the adapter I had, wasn’t suitable.
So, I thought the quickest and easiest solution was to just make my own Adapter, specifically for the HD63C09.
So, after making a 44 pin HD63C09 symbol in KiCAD, and quickly routing-up a simple adapter PCB, I sent an order off to JLCPCB.
Shortly after, my custom PLCC adapter PCBs arrived.
And here’s one:
My next step was to assemble one. Specifically, assemble with round-pin PCB headers so they’d also fit nicely in the round-pin CPU IC socket on my MECB 6809 CPU Card.
This was also set to be an interesting soldering job, as the pins of the DIP40 header, were interlaced with the PLCC44 socket pins. And, each had to be soldered on opposite sides of the PCB.
So next I got an adapter assembled! (Assembly shown on the video).
With my custom adapter board assembled and with the round-pin headers, it slips nicely into the existing DIP40 IC socket.
Next, I plugged-in one of the HD63C09 PLCC chips, ready to test the 6809 CPU Card is still operational.
Before testing, I also swapped the crystal oscillator to 16MHz, therefore running the CPU at 4MHz. So, I’m also overclocking the CPU, which is only rated for 3MHz. Why not?
Let’s apply power…
And, yes we got our ASSIST09 prompt, so we’re looking good.
Since I have a few of these PLCC packaged CPU chips (and can buy more), I’m keen to make use of them.
I also have a few PLCC Through-Hole IC sockets in my parts drawers, and, in addition I already have some PLCC32 packaged SST39SF040 FLASH ROM chips, from another project.
So, I’m thinking I might be able to take advantage of the PLCC “space saving”, to make a PLCC based MECB 6309 CPU Card, which combines the existing MECB 6809 CPU Card with the MECB 1MB ROM Expansion Card.
This would then feature 3 socketed PLCC chips, for a nice looking Card.
So, I’ll add that project to my to-do list.
Then, of course, there are the 68008 CPU’s that I also received from Leslie, in PLCC52 packages.
Now, I already have some 68008 CPU’s in their relatively large DIP48 package, and I’ve already started on a MECB 68008 CPU Card design.
But, now that I have some more compact PLCC packaged 68008 CPU chips, it certainly will make sense to design our MECB 68008 CPU Card around the more compact PLCC package. Through-Hole socketed, of course!
Well, that’s all I have for this short post / video. But, lots to do…