In case you want a reminder of simply how briskly issues transfer within the tech world, look no additional than the TinyBasRV microcomputer created by GitHub consumer Stan6314. When it comes to uncooked computing energy, TinyBasRV might look extra like an 8-bit machine from the early days of non-public computing than something fashionable, however you gained’t want to put out the hundreds of {dollars} it as soon as value for that stage of efficiency. In truth, just some {dollars} is sufficient to purchase considered one of these fully-functional, standalone computer systems.
The pc is constructed across the super-cheap 32-bit, RISC-V CH32V003 microcontroller. Consumer applications are saved in a serial EEPROM chip accessed by way of I2C. Because of a PS/2 connector for a keyboard and a VGA connector for a monitor, you’ll not have to entry the machine from one other laptop by way of UART — it will possibly function fully independently. A tiny speaker even permits the TinyBasRV to play some easy musical tones.
The {hardware} design could be very minimal (📷: Stan6314)
The pc will get its identify from the working system that Stan6314 has loaded onto it — Tiny BASIC. The BASIC programming language might have been dethroned way back, however it’s nonetheless an effective way to shortly code up some easy applications, particularly if you’re within the temper for some retro computing.
Except for the elements beforehand talked about, additionally, you will have to have a small PCB manufactured that may want a handful of passive elements sprinkled round on it. The pc additionally requires a 5V energy provide in addition to a WCHLinkE programmer for programming the microcontroller.
A really appropriately retro setup! (📷: Stan6314)
Between the low value and the simplicity of the design, nearly anybody keen on electronics ought to be capable of construct their very own TinyBasRV with out an excessive amount of bother. Stan6314 has supplied loads of documentation to make the method so simple as doable, and the complete venture has been launched underneath a permissive GPL-3.0 license. Maybe the perfect a part of all is that Tiny BASIC variations of the snake recreation and Tetris have been included in a picture that may be flashed to the EEPROM.
