So what is the Maximite? It is a small computer that DOES STUFF!
If your first computer is a multi-core, multi-gigabyte PC like the new ones sold today, or if your first computer was a “Home Computer” back in the 1980s, you might be aching to have your computer do something “real” around you.
The desktop PC that I'm typing this document on certainly does a lot - word processing, surfing the internet, and video editing. In fact compared to the Sinclair ZX81, TRS-80, Apple II, and Commodore 64 of the 1980s it is really a phenomenal machine.
Ever since I had a Sinclair, TI 99/4A, TRS-80, and Apple II computer back in the 1980s I have wanted to use the machines to interface to the real world and write a BASIC program to control my hardware. That could be done if you found some unique interface hardware to do the job. But even if you did that, you were converting the only personal computer that you had into a very expensive controller.
Wouldn't it have been nice to have several multi-thousand dollar computer setups to play with? Several Sinclair ZX81 computers set up that you could conveniently wire your circuits to? I couldn't do that in the 1980s. Not on my budget.
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CGMMSTICK1 controlling LCD displays. |
That is exactly what the Maximite can do for you. The Maximite has more power than an Apple II or Sinclair ZX81 on a single small circuit board WITH the ability to interface to your own hardware easily. The original Maximite was the clever invention of Geoff Graham (http://geoffg.net) and on a small printed circuit board he included power that rivals the 1980s Home Computer.
The Maximite that Geoff designed runs BASIC like the 1980s Home Computers did, but has a keyboard interface, a VGA connection, and an SD card. The SD card and internal (FLASH) drives take the place of the “floppy drives” of the 1980s – they are significantly better. The Maximite runs the BASIC code from these and can also store data on them. The Maximite also has a USB port that connects to your PC and (because of the driver) appears on the PC as a serial port.
There are 20 input/output lines on the Maximite that let you control LEDs, LCDs, motors, relays, and other output devices. You can measure voltages, connect to switches and buttons, and interface to sensors. These 20 lines let you connect to serial devices, I2C chips, and SPI circuits. Don't know how to do that? That is exactly what this document will teach you.
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CGMMSTICK1 in a solderless breadboard. |
The Maximite covered in this document is the Maximite made by CircuitGizmos, the CGMMSTICK1. The unique feature of the CGMMSTICK1 is that it can plug directly into a solderless breadboard for easy circuit prototyping. The CGMMSTICK1 is also easy to use in projects that are more permanent than solderless breadboard projects.
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CGMMSTICK1 and a 30 pin header. A straight header or a right-angle header lets you use the 'stick' in a solderless breadboard. |
On a printed circuit board that is only 3.5 inches long and 1 inch wide, the CGMMSTICK1 gives you much more than the power of an Sinclair ZX81 to run your hobby and engineering projects.
Purchase a CGMMSTICK1
Download of Maximite Integrated Development Environment: MMIDE
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