Kit for self-Assembly tape recorder for computers ZX Spectrum (pictured - assembled view).As part of the set - the PCB, all the necessary parts for the Assembly of the module, the device diagram, link to the firmware program of microcontroller (you must have the ability to use an AVR programmer)
ZX Spectrum is a computer created more than 30 years ago with a 3.5 MHz processor and only 48 KB of RAM, under which a huge number of games (and application software too) are written, in which it is interesting to play even today. Despite the fact that these games are often megacheira terms of programming and code optimization, their designers have managed to accommodate a huge game worlds in these modest 48 KB.Programs in those days were loaded from a tape recorder. Moreover, unlike the Spectrum-but, tape recorders and the downloading process is they cause much less fond memories - download not always successful, sometimes the toy had to ship several times getting the error \"R Tape loading error\" adjusting the position of the head of the tape, clearing the surface with Cologne, or, if very unlucky to pull out of the VCR jammed tape them while barely holding back the desire to hit much of the culprit apstenu :)In General, if the computer to this day has not lost its relevance and it wants to have in the collection (and, it is a real computer, not an emulator) to run games such as Elite, Saboteur, Exolon, etc., then contact the cassette recorder to download programs want much less (and besides, audio cassettes now get is not so easy). Alternatively, you can use either an mp3 player or a smartphone with a special program. The first option is inconvenient because in mp3-format programs take up much more space than in tap-files, both options are inconvenient because they allow only to play, but not to write TAP-files. But to be able to save TAP files have at least in order to save your typed in the basic program or its status in the game.As an alternative to audio cassettes, a memory card containing program files in the TAP and TZX formats is being asked nowadays. And as an alternative to tape - microcontroller device that is capable of these files it can play and record.
The recorder is made on the ATMega128 microcontroller, operating at a clock frequency of 16 MHz. The resources of this microcontroller should be sufficient to implement all the necessary functionality and improve it in the future.
The display from Nokia 5110, mounted on a printed circuit Board, is used as a screen. To navigate the on-screen menu, use the 5-button joystick.
The device has a speaker for listening to recorded / played back files. The speaker volume can be adjusted with a variable resistor.
To connect to Spectrum, there are two mini-Jack connectors - input and output.