The Glitch Works 8085 SBC rev 3 (GW-8085SBC-3) is a single-board computer based on the Intel
8085 CPU. It includes the following features:
• Intel 8085 CPU at 2 MHz (guaranteed operation, overclocking possible)
• 64 KB static RAM, FeRAM compatible
• 32 KB ROM, EEPROM, or FeRAM in 4K pages, in-board programmable
• Serial console via Intel 8251A USART
• USART clock independent of system clock
• Software controlled power-on jump
• ROM paging and switch-out
• Debounced reset and power supply supervisory circuit
• Glitchbus expansion header
The 8085 SBC rev 3, when paired with GWMON, is a self-contained system needing only a serial
terminal (or teminal emulation software on a PC) for full operation. GWMON for the 8085 SBC
rev 3 includes Glitch Works ROM-FS, which allows for the storage of file records in ROM. These
records can be loaded from the monitor, or automatically selected by option switches on reset/powerup. This also allows for in-board up dates to GWMON without overwriting the current, known-good
copy.
2Configuration
The 8085 SBC rev 3 includes a number of jumpers and switch packs for configuring system options:
NameFunction
J1ROM Boot, 1-2 disables ROM boot, 2-3 enables ROM boot
J2ROM Enabled, 1-2 disables ROM on reset, 2-3 enables ROM on reset
J5Console USART Bitrate, jumper one position only for printed speed
SW2I/O Port Block Base Address
SW3ROM Base Address, Write Protect, and Boot Page Address
For normal operation with standard GWMON ROM images, J1 and J2 should both be set 2-3, SW2
should be all open, SW3 1-4 should be closed, and SW3 5-8 should be open. This places the I/O block
at 0x00 - 0x03, ROM at 0xF000 - 0xFFFF, and enables jump to ROM on reset and power-up.
Console bitrate is selected with J5. The board’s silkscreen shows each position’s speed. Only onespeed may be selected. Note that the silkscreen legend will be incorrect if anything other than a
2.4576 MHz crystal is used at Y2.
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2.1Configuring I/O
The addresses of the USART registers, the board status register, and the board control register are
controlled by switch pack SW2. In a default configuration, SW2 is set to all open and places the
I/O base at 0x00 - 0x03. The base I/O block may be re-addressed on any four-byte boundary in
address space for use with other software.
2.2ROM Options
ROM configuration on the 8085 SBC rev 3 is flexible. ROM is addressed in 4K pages, using the
ROM base set on SW3 and three bits from the board control register. The board control register is
software programmable, and is reset to 0x00 at reset and power-on.
A pair of D-type flip-flops allows switching the ROM on or off under software control, as well as
mapping ROM to 0x0000 for booting. The default states for these flip-flops are controlled by jumpers
J1 and J2. J1 controls remapping to 0x0000 for b ooting: place its shunt from 1-2 to disable ROM
boot, or from 2-3 to enable ROM boot. J2 controls whether the ROM is enabled or disabled at reset.
Place its shunt from 1-2 to disable ROM at reset, or from 2-3 to enable ROM at reset. Note thatROM must be enabled at reset for ROM boot to work (both J1 and J2 must be strapped for 2-3).
2.3Interrupt Jumpering
The five hardware interrupt lines of the Intel 8085 are pulled down to an inactive state with 4.7 kΩ
resistors. While they are not used by the default Glitch Works software package, they are available
for use. Additionally, the *BINT line from the Glitchbus expansion header is inverted and brought to
TP1, INTERRUPT. It may be jumpered to any of the five available hardware interrupts. Consult the
schematic for further details.
2.4Glitchbus Expansion
The 8085 SBC rev 3 is expandable through a Glitchbus expansion header. The Glitchbus is a generic
8-bit bus intended to be processor-agnostic. We plan on offering many expansion boards that utilize
this bus design. As implemented on the 8085 SBC rev 3, the Glitchbus is designed to stack above
the SBC using PC/104 style stacking headers.
Do note that some of the status and control lines are not fully buffered on the 8085 SBC rev 3 and
are subject to loading limitations.
The 8085 SBC’s Glitchbus expansion header is not compatible with previous expansion boards designed
for past revisions of the Glitch Works 8085 SBC. Previous boards will not work with the 8085 SBC
rev 3 – use only Glitchbus compatible expansion boards! Previous boards are of a different physical
size and should be fairly hard to get mixed up with Glitchbus boards.
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3Assembly
The 8085 SBC rev 3 is designed to be easy to assemble for anyone with moderate soldering ability.
It is a mo derately complex board and will typically require between one and three hours of assembly
time, depending on the skill of the assembler. The following tools will be required:
• Soldering iron, 20-40 W recommended, grounded tip
• Solder, 63/37 leaded solder recommended, Kester “44 Core” or similar
• Diagonal cutters or flush cutters
• Solder braid, solder sucker, or desoldering station, in the event errors are made
• Needle-nose pilers for bending component leads
• 1/4 and 1/8 W resistor lead forms (optional)
This manual does not cover basic soldering technique. If you are new to soldering, we recommend the
Adafruit soldering guide and plenty of practice on a piece of protoboard, before beginning assembly
of the 8085 SBC rev 3. The Adafruit guide can be found at:
If you purchased a full Glitch Works parts kit, we recommend completing all assembly sections, since
extra features can be disabled as needed. If supplying your own parts, you may choose which sections
to complete based on the functionality required.
Note that pin 1 is designated with a square pad for all ICs, resistor packs, switches, and most
connectors. Pin 1 is toward the top of the board, as seen from the front, for all ICs, diodes, resistor
packs, and switches. The component (front) side of the board is the side which contains the white
silkscreen legend. It is recommended to install components from shortest to tallest, which makes
assembly without an assembly vise or jig easier, assuming the board is flipped over and soldered with
the component side resting on a table top.
All jumper headers and connector headers are press-fit and may require a bit of force or gentle
wiggling to install. This is normal and helps keep the headers in place when the board is flipped over
for soldering.
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3.2Assembly Checklist
Verify parts list against kit contents or builder-provided parts
Consult the assembly drawing for component locations and values
Bend all 0.01 µF bypass capacitors (yellow axial bead) – position 2 on a 1/8 W lead form
Install all 0.01 µF capacitors in positions marked C in assembly diagram
Hairpin bend three 4.7 kΩ resistors and set aside
Bend remaining 4.7 kΩ resistors and install in their marked locations – position 1 on a 1/4 W
lead form
Bend all 330 Ω resistors and install in their marked locations – position 1 on a 1/4 W lead form
Install non-socketed DIP ICs at their marked locations. Do not install U9, U15, U16, U17,
U19, or U21
Install a 16-pin socket at U21
Install 28-pin sockets at U15, U16, U17, and U19
Install a 40-pin socket at U9
Install 22 µF 10V capacitors at C8 and C17, bend leads with needle-node pliers
Install micro tact pushbutton at SW1
Install 20 pF radial ceramic capacitor at C9
Install 10 nF radial ceramic capacitors at C1, C16
Install resistor packs at RP1, RP2
Install DIP switches at SW2, SW3
Install five 22 µF 16 V radial electrolytic capacitors at C25 - C29
Install TO-92 DS1233 at U1
Hairpin bend all 1 kΩ resistors and install at R21, R22
Install three previously hairpinned 4.7 kΩ resistors at R3, R4, R20
Install three LEDs at D1, D2, D3
Break the 22-pin pin header strip into two 8-pin sections and two 3-pin sections
Install two 3-pin header sections at J1, J2
Install two 8-pin header sections next to one another at J5
Install 4 MHz CPU clock crystal at Y1
Install 2.4576 MHz serial clock crystal at Y2
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3.3Insert Socketed ICs
Insert SRAM into sockets at U15, U16
Insert 8085 CPU into socket at U9
Insert 28C256 EEPROM into socket at U17
Insert 8251A USART into socket at U19
Insert MAX232 level shifter into socket at U21
3.4Solder Console Cable
Glitch Works parts kits include a DB25F connector for the 8085 SBC rev 3 console cable, as well as a
one-foot pigtail terminated in a 5-pin Molex KK-100 connector. This pigtail connects to J6, RS-232CONSOLE. Use the following table to build a console cable appropriate to your intended terminal:
J6 PinDB25F DCE PinDB25F DTE PinFunction
154Request to Send
232Transmit Data
323Receive Data
445Clear to Send
577Signal Ground
J6 pin 4, CTS must be asserted for the console USART to transmit data. RTS may be left unconnected
if hardware handshaking is not desired. Console pigtails provided with Glitch Works parts kits omit
pin 1, RTS.
A serial light box will help debug potential serial wiring problems, we highly recommend the addition
of a light box to your toolkit if you regularly interface RS-232 equipment. Our personal favorite is
the IQ Technologies SmartCable SC821 Plus.
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4Initial Checkout and Testing
Once the 8085 SBC rev 3 is assembled, configure it as described in the “Configuration” section,
starting on Page 2. Make sure that RPA2 - RPA0 (SW2, positions 6-8) are all open.
Double-check all ICs for proper orientation, check all solder joints for cold joints or solder bridges.
Connect the p ower pigtail provided to a suitable regulated 5 V power supply capable of providing
at least 500 mA. Connect your serial terminal or computer to the console port. Apply p ower to
your system and press RESET. The GWMON sign-on message should be printed to the console, and
GWMON should respond to appropriate user input. POWER ON and ROM ON LEDs D1 and D2 should
be lit.
4.1Troubleshooting
If your 8085 SBC rev 3 fails to come up, recheck all solder joints for cold joints, bridges, or missed
pins – this is by far the most common problem we’ve observed during assembly workshops. Recheck
configuration options. Ensure your serial terminal or terminal emulator software is properly configured and that your cable is wired correctly (a RS-232 light box is very helpful here). The Intel 8251A
must have CTS asserted or it will disable its transmitter and refuse to send characters.
Verify that *BRESET is properly strobing during power-up and when pressing the RESET button (SW1).
If the ROM ON (D2) LED does not light after reset, either the power-on options for ROM (J1 and J2)
are incorrect, or the flip-flop circuit is faulty.
4.2Repair and Service
If you purchased an assembled 8085 SBC rev 3 from The Glitch Works, your board is warranted to
work on arrival. If you have assembled a kit that fails to work, you may return it to The Glitch
Works for evaluation, repair, and testing. For questions concerning returns or configuration, please
visit http://www.glitchwrks.com/ and click the “Contact” link.
Do note that while we will attempt to help those who have purchased used boards, there is no
warranty extended.
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5Technical Notes
5.1Board Control Register
The 8085 SBC rev 3 includes a board control register, which is a series of writable latches that affect
how various parts of the built-in circuitry function. This register is addressed at I/O BASE + 0x02;
in the default configuration, this places the board control register at 0x02. Electrically, it is composed
of three different latches: a 4-bit D-type latch at U2, and two elements of a dual D-type latch at U3.
The bits of the board control register are mapped as follows:
Register BitFunctionNotes
0ROM Page Address, bit 0Cleared on reset
1ROM Page Address, bit 1Cleared on reset
2ROM Page Address, bit 2Cleared on reset
3ROM Boot flip-flopReset state determined by J1
4ROM Enabled flip-flopReset state determined by J2
5Unused
6Unused
7USER LED outputCleared (LED off) on reset
Bits 0-2 control the selected 4K page of ROM available at ROM BASE. These bits are cleared on reset
so that the first page of ROM is available for booting. Writing to these bits immediately changes the
ROM page. The state of these bits is available through the Board Status Register.
Bit 3 controls the ROM Boot flip-flop.When set, ROM is addressed at all memory locations,
repeating throughout memory. This allows the 8085 to read ROM code at 0x0000 on reset. Writing
a 0 to this bit clears it and immediately switches off the ROM Boot functionality. Typically, ROM
boot code should contain a jump to a startup routine in ROM, which should immediately clear the
ROM Boot bit. The reset state of bit 3 is controlled by J1, see the “Configuration” section for more
information. The state of these bits is available through the Board Status Register.
Bit 4 enables ROM when set, and disables ROM when cleared. This allows unmapping ROM for use
of the full 64 KB of system memory. Writing a 0 to this bit clears it and immediately switches off
ROM, writing a 1 to this bit switches ROM in. The selected ROM page is not affected. The reset
state of bit 3 is controlled by J2, see the “Configuration” section for more information. The state of
these bits is available through the Board Status Register.
Bits 5 and 6 are not implemented; that is, nothing responds to their state when writing to the Board
Control Register.
Bit 7 is connected to the USER LED (D3). Writing a 1 to this bit lights the LED, writing a 0 turns
the LED off. This bit is cleared on reset.
5.2Board Status Register
The 8085 SBC rev 3 includes a board status register which provides the state of several bits of the
Board Control Register, as well as ROM OPT (SW3) DIP switch settings. This register is addressed
at I/O BASE + 0x02; in the default configuration, this places the board control register at 0x02.
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Electrically, it is composed of an octal tristate bus transceiver. The bits of the board status register
are mapped as follows:
Bits 0-2 reflect the state of SW3 positions 8 through 6. These positions are labeled RPA0 - RPA2 in
the silkscreen. With the standard version of GWMON, these switches select the ROM-FS record to
load into memory at reset. A 1 in a given bit position corresponds to a closed switch.
Bit 3 reflects the status of the ROM Boot flip-flop. ROM Boot is enabled when this bit reads 1.
Bit 4 reflects the status of the ROM Enabled flip-flop. ROM is enabled when this bit reads 1.
Bits 5-7 reflect the state of the ROM Page Address latch, which selects the currently addressed 4K
page from ROM at U17.
5.3Default Memory Map
Address RangeContents
0x0000 - 0x7FFFStatic RAM, IC socket U15
0x8000 - 0xEFFFStatic RAM, IC socket U16
0xF000 - 0xFFFFStatic RAM, IC socket U16, when ROM is disabled
0xF000 - 0xFFFF4K page of ROM, IC socket U19, when ROM is enabled
Onboard memory devices may be overlaid by external devices on the Glitchbus using the *BMASK
signal.
5.4Default I/O Map
I/O AddressR/WFunction
0x00R/WUSART Data Register
0x01RUSART Status Register
0x01WUSART Control Register
0x02RBoard Status Register
0x02WBoard Control Register
0x03RBoard Status Register
0x03WBoard Control Register
Note that the Board Control Register and Board Status register appear at both 0x02 and 0x03.
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6Errata and Clarifications
6.1Resistor Pack Values
Kits provided at VCF East XIII (May 2018) included 18 kΩ resistor packs for both RP1 and RP2.
18 kΩ was discovered to be insufficient for 74LS85 address comparators, resulting in SW3 1-4 being
ignored (ROM BASE always at 0xF000). All later parts kits include 10 kΩ or smaller resistor packs for
both positions. Thanks to Josh Bensadon for reporting this error!
6.2ROM Compatibility
The ROM socket at U17 is compatible with JEDEC standard 32K x 8 static RAM, Ferroelectric
RAM (FeRAM), and 28C256 EEPROMs. It may not be compatible with some manufacturers’ UV
EPROMs, such as the common 27256 EPROM.
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7Parts List
The following substitutions may be made if you have purchased a bare board and are supplying your
own parts, or in a full Glitch Works parts kit:
• Any compatible 7400 series family logic ICs may be used (for example, a 74LS04 in the parts
list may be shipped as a 7404, 74S04, 74F04, 74LS04, 74ALS04, or 74HCT04)
• All 4.7 kΩ resistors and resistor packs on the GW-OSI-RAM1 are pull-up or pull-down resistors,
and may be any value from 2.2 kΩ to 10 kΩ, even though they are indicated as 4.7 kΩ on the
assembly drawing
• Resistors may be of varying precision and body type
If you purchased a full Glitch Works parts kit, be sure it includes the following: