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An unusual 7400-series chip implemented with a gate array

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Re: An unusual 7400-series chip implemented with a gate array

#7

> transistors in an orderly matrix (...) forming scattered circuits connected by thin metal wires. That's [ULA], isn't it? This tech was also known as "Gate Array", before FPGA came along. [ULA] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncommitted_logic_array

Yes, a ULA is another name for a gate array. A while ago I bought an 8086 chip on eBay that turned out to be a random ULA chip that was re-labeled: https://www.righto.com/2020/08/inside-counterfeit-8086-proce...

Re: An unusual 7400-series chip implemented with a gate array

#8
post #7

> transistors in an orderly matrix (...) forming scattered circuits connected by thin metal wires. That's [ULA], isn't it? This tech was also known as "Gate Array", before FPGA came along. [ULA] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncommitted_logic_array

Yes, a ULA is another name for a gate array. A while ago I bought an 8086 chip on eBay that turned out to be a random ULA chip that was re-labeled: https://www.righto.com/2020/08/inside-counterfeit-8086-proce...

From that article:

  The book The ZX Spectrum ULA: How to design a microcomputer discusses [...]
 
I had no idea such a book even existed. Now I am really curious about what other hidden gems exist on your bookshelf.

Re: An unusual 7400-series chip implemented with a gate array

#9
Funny to see this appear online today. I was discussing the real nand2tetris computer built from 74 ICs yesterday with my 8 year old son yesterday:

https://hackaday.io/project/185131-the-hack-computer-from-na...

and now this pops up.

I'm thinking of buying a bunch of 74xx ICs and buttons and led+resistors somewhere and let him mess with them. It's stone age digital tech according to current norms, but I'd rather see him do it with physical components than behind a screen.

Re: An unusual 7400-series chip implemented with a gate array

#10

Funny to see this appear online today. I was discussing the real nand2tetris computer built from 74 ICs yesterday with my 8 year old son yesterday: https://hackaday.io/project/185131-the-hack-computer-from-na... and now this pops up. I'm thinking of buying a bunch of 74xx ICs and buttons and led+resistors somewhere and let him mess with them. It's stone age digital tech according to current norms, but I'd rather see…

That's what my dad did. I remember it as confusing, the parts being marked like SN7424 7411 with one of those numbers being the date code.
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