Hello,

I'm very interested in electronics and I've built many devices from kits, including a 6502 single board computer. Now, I want to try my hand at designing one. I appreciate any pointers and insight you can give. Here is what I had in mind: A very simple single board computer with a 8052 or some variation running BASIC. The machine will have a PS/2 keyboard connector and/or a full (but small) keypad. It will have an LCD matrix screen, maybe 4x16 char or more. When the machine is powered up, the user will receive a BASIC prompt. Programs can be written and saved to a removable EEPROM chip.

I've always thought it would be fun to design a portable and programmable computer-- something I can take places with me, and something that will have a lot of flexibility and expandability. I want something I can expand on if I ever get more time and ideas. I'd love to put an assembler on it as well, but that is something I can do later down the road. I wouldn't mind writing my own. My 6502 computer has an assembler and it is FULLY programmable from itself (no external programming is required). Self-contained systems are very appealing and I like the concept of removable media, but I'm happy with a removable EEPROM for now.

The main questions I have are: Do you think this is a feasible project? Will the LCD and keyboard interfacing be tricky; is there an easy way to do this with serial? Is there one particular 8052 variant that would be best suited for this? I've started some initial research, these questions would help me out a lot. Also, if there are any suggestions about how to make this as absolutely simple as possible I would be grateful. It's not that I can't handle the complex, I just don't believe a machine has to be anymore complex than it needs to be?

Thanks,

Justin