Tindie

Name: Backplane Pro for RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer
SKU: 9212
Price: 66.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.50 (7 reviews)

Backplane Pro for RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer

(7 Reviews)

12 slot RC2014 backplane with enhanced bus support

Designed by RFC2795 Ltd in United Kingdom

Backplane Pro for RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer 1

Backplane Pro for RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer 2

Backplane Pro for RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer 3

Backplane Pro for RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer 4

Backplane Pro for RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer 5

Backplane Pro for RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer 6

Backplane Pro for RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer 7

Backplane Pro for RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer 8

Backplane Pro for RC2014 - Z80 Homebrew Computer 9

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12 slot RC2014 backplane with enhanced bus support

What is RC2014? RC2014 is a simple 8 bit Z80 based modular computer. It is inspired by the home built computers of the late 70s and computer revolution of the early 80s. It is not a clone of anything…

What is RC2014?

RC2014 is a simple 8 bit Z80 based modular computer. It is inspired by the home built computers of the late 70s and computer revolution of the early 80s. It is not a clone of anything specific, but there are suggestions of the ZX81, UK101, S100, Superboard II and Apple I in here. It nominally has 8K ROM, 32K RAM, runs at 7.3728MHz and communicates over serial at 115,200 baud.

The original RC2014 was designed such that standard stripboard could be used as the backplane with all the essential signals fitting within a 36 pin bus. The Backplane 8, with 8 slots of 40 pins is ideal for this.

For more advanced uses, however, a 40 pin bus is insufficient and 8 slots can be limiting. For a while, new modules such as the SD Memory Dump Module, 64K RAM Module and the Pageable ROM Module have been designed with the Enhanced Bus in mind. Whilst these modules can easily be connected on the standard Backplane 8 or Backplane 5 with jumper cables for the additional signals, this backplane gives a neater, more professional solution.

Why would I want the Backplane Pro?

If you are using regular modules, and you haven't run out of slots on your Backplane 8 then, probably, you don't need to upgrade. However, this does open the door to a much more advanced RC2014, if that's what you're looking for. Features include;

12 standard slots, compatible with all your existing modules
Up to 12 enhanced slots (sockets provided for 4, but can be added to as required)
Extra pins include the Z80 signals not on standard bus, as well as secondary clock, serial and 8 more data lines. (I have no plans to introduce a 16 bit CPU any time soon - but the pins are there if YOU want to make one!)
Reset button
Power LED
On/Off switch
Direct 5v supply from USB power source
LM7805 (or compatible switchmode PSU option) footprint for powering from higher voltage
5v output via screw terminals
5v auxiliary output
6 mounting holes
6 rubber feet supplied
All slots electrically connected (no need to solder links for outer slots like Backplane 8)
Easily isolate standard slot 1,2,3 or 11,12 with easy to cut tracks. Pads to fit resistors to join if required

What do I get?

Full kit Everything you need for a 12 slot backplane, of which 8 are standard slots and 4 enhanced slots, including power connectors, switches, LED, USB power cable and rubber feet
PCB Only Go on, take a guess what this option includes ;-)

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RFC2795 Ltd Shipping Policy:

Products are normally shipped next working day, however during busy periods this may extend slightly.

Tracked or Tracked & Signed options are available to most locations. This may not get your kit to you any quicker, but it adds peace of mind that you know where it has got to.

It is your responsibility to pay any import duty or other taxes where appropriate.

Important note for European Union customers Tindie is unable to comply with new EU tax regulations, so unfortunately I am no longer shipping to the EU via Tindie, but do sell them through a website which is does handle the VAT and tax payments.

Review Breakdown

Average Ratings

Product: (4.71)

Documentation: (4.00)

Shipping: (4.86)

Communication: (4.43)

Maurice | June 13, 2020

Best basis for any Z80 (or Z180) project

Now I think I never will fill all 12 slots, but I now that will change in a few months when I gathered all my ideas :-) I created a 3D printed case for it (see https://gitlab.com/z80a/rc2014-module-cases) which is sad because you cannot see the beautiful designed PCB anymore...

Shipping was very quick

Dave | Dec. 19, 2018

Perfect for more advanced RC2104 setups

I just built up the Backplane Pro I received. All the parts were well packed and went together fine. This backplane has all pins connected through and the extra headers for more complex configurations. The PCB is top quality.

Lavonne | Sept. 14, 2017

Overall a very great board!

The enhanced capabilities to expand to 12 boards is profound. Also, the secondary bus is great except for the limited number of 5 provided. I love the external power and the on-off switch. I also think the idea of providing wires that can be cut or left in place should be done with the 8 position back plane. Overall it is a great back plane and when I plugged in all the boards for CPM it came up nicely.
LaVonne Hodgson

Mr C | Aug. 16, 2017

The real heart of the system

As usual the PCB is of good quality with decent solder resist.

I'd have preferred to have had enough of the extended connectors to fully populate the board just to give as much flexibility as possible.

This could be a fault with my assembly but if I leave plugged into USB power but switched off, the cpu stops but the RAM seems to retain its contents - I need to investigate this further!

By the time you have soldered all the connector sockets to this board you will have had *lots* of soldering experience :)

Tom | July 18, 2017

It is a great product!

I just finished soldering the sockets and am in the process of checking continuity. I think that it has been well designed and well made.

Eric | June 14, 2017

Great retro computer for hardware development

The quality is top.
Worked on first power-up (once you remember to hit reset ! )
Modularity is maximum.
I'll be using it for learning hardware development, drawing schematics, routing PCBs, and such.

Richard | April 18, 2017

All round a great product

The Backplane Pro is a great edition to the RC3014 and will allow me to expand my RC2014 into a full blown CP/M computer when completed, which has always been my ultimate aim. Like the rest of the RC2014 products it is well made and looks the part. I am relatively new to building computers completely from scratch so plenty of information is needed by the likes of myself. There are a lot of details that I do not really understand and it would be great if there were tutorials on the hardware and software aspect; for example when attempting to install software on a CP/M computer which looks quite complex. This is a great learning tool and an enjoyable experience for me. I just hope I don't screw it up as my soldering leaves much to be desired!

Best regards RHG

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