IP6800 FPGA Detailed Information

IP6800 is a functional replacement for an original M6800 microprocessor. It is possible to fit IP6800 to a mezzanine card, that contains its own FPGA, so that it can be fitted directly into an M6800 chip socket. It can also be compiled directly into an FPGA along with other functional blocks (e.g. the VGA6800) to create a "System-on-a-Chip" (SOC).

The M6800 8-bit microprocessor was released by Motorola for the first time in August 1979, where it become a fundamental building block for many personal computers and embedded systems, it also found a home as a teaching aid for many university and trade courses. In the late 1980's the chip was made obsolete by Motorola with no direct replacement offered.

That left a hole in the market for companies, and individuals, attempting to use their existing designs and product base due to chip availability. Eventually product lines based on the chip would have to change to a newer, and more available microprocessor along with its software, or users would have to find a suitable substitute.

Scott L. Baker has come to the aid of the M6800 community and produced IP6800 as a licensable soft-core, and plug-in solution.

Left shows the IP6800, as a plug in mezzanine board, fitted to the DREAM 6800 personal computer.

The cable and IDC10 connector, shown, is a download cable to deliver an IP6800 FPGA software image into the FPGA chip. This is normally replaced by a serial E²ROM when no further downloading is required.

Another picture of the DREAM 6800 fitted with an IP6800 mezzanine board.

It should be pointed out that IP6800 can operate at exactly the same clock frequency as the original, or boosted up past 20MHz, depending on the external circuitry limits of course.

Imagine - a M6800 microprocessor clocked at 20MHz.

IP6800 has worked successfully in the DREAM6800 system without modification while emulating the original microprocessor. It is a very software centric system requiring timing to be produced by software for many reasons. If the microprocessor got certain instructions times wrong then it would not function properly and timing would be out.

In practice, however, that has not transpired, while all functions to the system behaved and performed correctly.

Here is a video monitor screen shot of a game being played out on the DREAM6800 fitted with an IP6800 microprocessor.

Should you need further information about IP6800 contact Scott L. Baker at "scd@teleport.com"