MC Minimal Computer

PROPELLER POWERED BIG BRAIN
THE MC MINIMAL COMPUTER RISES FROM THE ASHES

Restored MC Computer

Fully restored, Humanoido's MC Minimal Computer project is fully functional. What happened to the original disappearing MC?

THE GRINCH THAT STOLE CHRISTMAS
Not entirely without heart, the Propeller Powered Big Brain has returned the original Propeller chip, taken from the MC Computer project over a half year ago. Enter a new age of Big Brain - the ERA of Exploration, and the MC is now a child. What will it lead to? We may have some ideas...

First the Big Brain was in Assimilation Era and took out the MC Computer, assimilating it completely right down to the Propeller chip. If that wasn't enough, a hard drive crash from a "program and file eating virus" took out PC software, schematics and text files. Working over a half year to restore some files, a small amount of success was achieved, in particular, some of the original MC files were resurrected from the ashes.

Expand with a reset switch & EEPROM

The MC Computer is designed for RETRO Minimal Computing and schools - an entire science is built around one Propeller chip designed to fully function as an experimental and educational computer, ideal for learning binary and programming. The base model is of binary flavor with front panel binary display LED lights and bit toggle switches for setting an 8-bit Byte. A push button is for stepping through programs and entering commands and an extra toggle switch is for add subtract function. The front panel has power on off and banana jacks for hooking up a 3 volts DC power supply. Internally the one chip MC can run on batteries for a very long time. Expansion is rather easy by following the Propeller Demo Board schematic from Parallax. The back is open for easy access to such amenities as adding a crystal, TV, VGA Monitor, keyboard, mouse, EEPROM, speaker, and batteries. But if you do all that, will it still be minimal and low power? The MC will even work on Virtual modules such as TV and keyboard by using software available from the Parallax Forum.

Schematics to build the MC Computer

The first MC

Construction

Add a Piezo speaker

Constructing the MC Computer is very basic and easy to accomplish by following the photos and schematic. The schematic shows one Propeller chip, a few lights and switches and power connections. Building it is a cinch.


Software
There's 25 programs that run on the MC Computer programmed in SPIN language and as noted, which may follow under the MIT Licensing for building your own MC. Software demonstrates examples of programming the front panel LEDs and switches, and various features. See the list below.

The MC is a good programming language machine. The upgraded version can run multiple languages like SPIN, PASM, Prop BASIC, FemtoBASIC, and others.

Check this ULTIMATE LIST BIG BRAIN PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES for almost 200 potential languages.

http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.com/2012/03/ultimate-list-of-big-brain-languages.html

MC01.spin  set entire LED pin group output, slow blink, Pushbutton increases blink frequency to several times a second
MC02.spin  Slow blink all LEDs continuously, toggle in SUB, fast blink all LEDs continuously toggle switch in ADD
MC04.spin  Slow blink all LEDs continuously or fast blink all LEDs continuously when toggle B7 is on (up)
MC05.spin  slow blink all LEDs, fast blink all LEDs if B0 toggle is on (up)
MC06.spin  Blinks LED B4 nine times and stops
MC07.spin  slow blink LED B0 on port pin 0 and repeat 10 times
MC08.spin  Blink third LED B2 on pin 2 continuously
MC09.spin  Blink LED B4 nine times and stop
MC10.spin  LED pattern shift left right, variable speed controlled by pushbutton
MC11.spin  Led mirrors toggle switch state, example - B0 switch lights LED
MC12.spin  Blinks LED B4 constantly
MC13.spin  The LED on pin 3 will blink every second, five times.
MC14.spin  All LEDs are turned on
MC15.spin  Incrementally lights LEDs in a pattern
MC16.spin  Increment Until Condition
MC17.spin  LED B4 is on continuously
MC18.spin  Leds alternate on/off 50% of the time.
MC19.spin  Leds alternate on/off 50% of the time with the ! operator.
MC20.spin  All LEDS on for 1/4 s and off for 3/4 s continuously
MC21.spin  All LEDS on for 1/4 s and off for 3/4 s with post set/clear
MC22.spin  All LEDs flicker until pushbutton then flash
MC23.spin  Demonstrate right shift operator & if, LEDs flash right/left, repeat
MC24.spin  Square Wave, LEDs B5, B6, B7 flicker different rates/illumination
MC25.spin  When the pushbutton is pressed, it will light LED B6 on pin 6

MC Computer Links & Sources
MC Computer Restoration
http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.com/2012/04/mc-computer.html

MC Minimal Computer Reborn
http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.com/2012/02/mc-minimal-computer-reborn.html

MC Photo Gallery
http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.com/2012/02/mc-photo-gallery.html

Propeller Elf II
http://humanoidolabs.blogspot.com/2012/03/propeller-elf-ii.html 

MC Photo Gallery

PHOTO A

LOST TREASURE VAULT PHOTOS MC MINIMAL COMPUTER GALLERY

Here's the beginning of photo posting for the MC Computer, a slowly growing cache. These are original photos restored from the hard drive.

PHOTO A - Preparing to close the lid on the MC Computer with wires bundled and positioned

PHOTO B

PHOTO B - Completing the final wiring, note the inclusion of a Parallax Prop Plug at the rear right side and the attached recoil USB cable for downloading code

PHOTO C - The completed MC, running tests and verifying functions, banana jacks deliver 3 volts DC power

PHOTO D - Front panel showing computer printed overlay

PHOTO C

PHOTO D

MC Minimal Computer Reborn

Minimal Computer for Schools

MC COMPUTER REBIRTH

This week, the MC Minimal Computer is reborn. Arising from the ashes of a hard drive crash, the resurrected MC is designed as a school machine and a construction project for Parallax Propeller chip enthusiasts, or anyone interested in building their own simple computer.

The battery driven Minimal Computer, also part of the Big Brain Clan, uses one prop chip and a series of panel toggle switches and LEDs. The MC is the forerunner of the new and upcoming projects: the Shrunken Computer, and the all new Propeller COSMAC Elf II.

MC is designed as a Learning System for schools. It's the tool needed for learning the BINARY language and exploring computer programming. In minimal configs and standby, the MC can of course run for months... approaching a year's time on the internal battery. The front panel has inputs for 3 volts DC using banana jacks. Toggle inputs B0 through B7 are designed for input of binary programs and to regulate SPIN language code. Equivalent LEDs are panel mounted for display readout. Additionally the MC has an Enter/Step pushbutton, a power on/off switch, and AUX toggle.

The MC is very portable and extremely light weight. It school back packs, fits luggage, and has a great all around appearance. It's fun and easy to work with, and it interfaces to PC, Mac or LINUX. MC is built on one solderless breadboard affixed to cabinet floor with sticky tape. The solderless design allows for changes in the minimal configurations, i.e. working with LEDs, ports, control projects, etc. More information will follow.

MC Computer Restoration

MC COMPUTER RESTORATION PROJECT

The MC Computer - Sequence of construction steps

We found the long lost Propeller MC Minimal Computer! It's discovery now makes it one of the foremost Big Brain projects of all time!

Since the advent of the MC Computer, a computer designed for minimal computing, the Big Brain was born and developed in a time span lasting over one year. During this era, several things happened. A hard drive crash destroyed the MC Computer material including the story about MC development, Text Manual, schematics, photos and software with numerous programs. It was like a flesh eating virus and it ate all HD content. Over a half year later, the recovery process continues and emergence of some files has led to the ongoing restoration of the MC Computer. The new knowledge and technology created by the Big Brain will enable more rapid development of the MC.

Original

MC is now another offspring of the Big Brain and is designed with only one Propeller chip. The MC computer is the foundation project that will lead to several more interesting projects, including the Shrunken Computer (SC) and the Propeller Elf II (the Propeller-based emulator of the original retro Netronics Elf II microcomputer from the 1970s).

MC Assembly Parts & Tools

During the temporary demise of the MC (the HW always remained intact, except its one Propeller chip was assimilated by the Big Brain), new projects emerged based based on its design, therefore knowledge exists of the development of these new projects. Also utilizing one Propeller, the two new reincarnations will reside within the Big Brain's offspring family. During the original post, a teaser showed small images of the emerging project, step by step. Stay tuned for more information about the MC Minimal Computer, the SC Shrunken Computer and the New Propeller Elf II.