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From: sxnahm@ubvax.UUCP (Stephen Nahm)
Newsgroups: net.micro
Subject: Cypher IV MicroController kit
Message-ID: <176@ubvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 6-Nov-84 18:01:38 EST
Article-I.D.: ubvax.176
Posted: Tue Nov  6 18:01:38 1984
Date-Received: Sat, 10-Nov-84 05:03:50 EST
Organization: Ungermann-Bass, Inc., Santa Clara, Ca.
Lines: 37

I just came across a blurb for a computer kit which sounds interesting.  The
"Cypher IV" is designed as a "MicroController."  The blurb lists typical
applications as home and building security system, furnace, hot water and
heating control, etc.  

The main features are 24 flexible I/O lines (8255 control), small size (4.5"
by 6.5" PC board), a complete system (RS232 and Centronics ports, "Control"
BASIC in the CPU's ROM, clock, and even a EPROM programmer (requires Vpp
voltage to be supplied)), and simplicity (5 volt supply @ 400ma, plus 13
chips: National INS8073 8 bit CPU, 8255, 2 PROMs (2716 or 2764), 2 RAM (up
to 16K), MM58174 clock (optional), and 6 others).  Um, the 'RS232' port sez:
utilizes 3 lines, xmit data, rcv data, gnd; TTL compatible output with
optional -5 volt connection (?).

Has anybody had any experience with this kit?  If so, I'd like to hear 
about it.  

This sounds like a fun toy for experimenting with computer control.  It's
cheap ($129.50 list), and the only other thing you really need is a
terminal that can handle the sort-of RS232 port.  Here's the summary
paragraph for the kit:

    The Cypher IV Kit includes a screened and solder masked printed
    circuit board with plated through holes, plus all the components
    necessary to build a functional controller.  Along with the Control
    BASIC unit, the kit includes 2K bytes of RAM, a built-in EPROM
    programmer, I/O interfaces for parallel and serial operation, a parallel
    printer port and a comprehensive Assembly/Operation manual.

I picked up the blurb at Advanced Components Electronics, Santa Clara,
(408)730-4660.

-- 
Steve Nahm
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