The year was 1982, and the air in Richard’s workshop was thick with the scent of solder and ozone. On his desk sat a "dead" ZX Spectrum
Uncommitted Logic Array (ULA)
To understand how to design a retro microcomputer based on the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, you should focus on its "heart": the . This custom chip handled nearly everything besides processing, including video generation, keyboard scanning, and memory management. Core Component: The ZX Spectrum ULA
Part 5: Case Design – The Retro Enclosure
In 1982, most computers used dozens of individual chips. Sinclair contracted Ferranti to build a Uncommitted Logic Array (ULA) . This was a primitive form of a modern FPGA. Integration: It combined roughly 40 discrete chips into one. Cost Reduction: Fewer parts meant a lower retail price (£125). Video Master:
- Digital logic simulator: Software tools like Logisim, Digital Works, or CircuitLab can help you simulate and test your digital logic designs.
- HDL tools: Choose an HDL like VHDL or Verilog, and use tools like ModelSim, Quartus, or ISE to design and implement your ULA.
- FPGA or ASIC design tools: Use tools like Xilinx Vivado, Altera Quartus, or Cadence Encounter to implement your ULA design on an FPGA or ASIC.