A 6502 emulator operating within an 8052 system? That's an interesting idea. But I suspect it probably complicates the project and the emulated system would probably be better emulated on a PC. A PC-based emulator might already even exist for running 6502 on a PC. In this case doing the same thing on an 8052 would be reinventing the wheel--though for the challenge it might be something to consider.

I personally think an 8052 microcomputer with its own architecture but able to interface with a monitor/TV and a hard drive would be a project in and of itself.

Alternatively, once the hardware was designed perhaps an alternative OS could be loaded that would emulate the 6502. But you're going to run into having to convert calls that the old 6502 made to external sound and video chips which I doubt are still available (though I haven't checked).

Regards,
Craig Steiner