Hello jez smith
my solution is only for price, in Altera you can also use 8051 core like Xilink, example
http://www.digitalcoredesign.com/?&preload=1
supply also or they insert core in Verilog or VHDL the name not change, and I can modify any I whant, the
HDL I use like C, i'ts my job, the problem is only the price, somes chips are not more of 1,8 $ for 10.000 Pc.
one chip from athers customer with all I need is more of 8 $, in somes parts you are rigth, but when we have to save money, the first i'ts to find solutions, at end of the year somebody look only the result number of balance, and if somes number is not related a good solution, you can image the jump I can do...
I normaly include in max7000 or flex8000 Altera, any kind of project, and if you whant maybe also a coffe,
but never microprocessor core.
So, I have started my research from where?? 8052.com, where there are more experts in internet
Regards
M. Andrei