The
FairchildF387X Prototyping, Emulating, and Programming (PEP) System is a specialized, single-board microcomputer specifically designed as a tool
to aid the engineer in the design and development of circuits using single-chip microcomputers. It offers the convenience and flexibility for
both prototyping and emulating the industry-standard F3870, F38E70, F3872, F3876, and F3878 single-chip devices. The PEP System can also be
used as a general Fairchild F8 series prototyping tool.
The features of the PEP System include:
Full in-circuit emulation of F3870, F3872, F3876, and F3878 microcomputers using the Fairchild F8 System.
2K firmware monitor (PEPBUG).
Versatile on-card keyboard for command and data entry.
On-card address and data display using large 0.8" seven-segment digits.
Programming socket for F38E70 single-chip EPROM microcomputers.
Programming socket for 2716-type EPROMs.
Crystal-controlled system clock.
2K bytes of executable static RAM (2114's).
Sockets for an additional 2K bytes of static RAM (2114's).
Sockets for 6K of executable EPROM (2716-type)
Separate 128-byte static memory for monitor workspace.
Flexible memory map strapping options.
Serial I/0 circuits for 20 mA current loop or EIA RS-232-C interfaces.
LED indicators for STORE and PROMPT modes of keyboard operation.
The F387X PEP is based on the 1975 Fairchild F8 microprocessor system
- a multi-chip solution comprised of the Fairchild F3850 (Arithmetic Logic Unit), with either the F3851/F3856 (Program Storage Unit), F3852 (Dynamic Memory Interface),
or F3853 (Static Memory Interface) to decode the instructions. Basically, ALU + PSU = CPU.
The F8 was Fairchild's first processor - an inexpensive processor for service and control applications, like gas pumps, vending machines, and cash registers.
It included 64 bytes of "scratchpad" RAM to enable two chip implementations (2nd chip being a ROM such as the 3851).
(www.antiquetech.com/)
So what's the F3870 that this system can emulate? In 1977, Mostek released a greatly
improved single-chip implementation, the Mostek 3870. It merged the F3850
and F3851 and reduced the number of power supply voltages.
Fairchild had a 10-year agreement with Mostek which allowed both companies
to continue independent development of the design.
More advanced example include Fairchild's own Channel F video game system (SABA Videoplay 20 in Germany) from 1976,
and the VideoBrain Family Computer from 1977.
The features of the PEP System include:
