Introducing the one (and as far as I know, the only) COSMAC Elf microcomputer simulator!  (Tah-dah!)

elf-nopix.gif (67166 bytes)

 

Download version 1.0 of the simulator, which now includes the CDP 1861 "Pixie Graphics" chip for high-resolution (okay, okay, 128x64) graphics.  COSMAC.ZIP  There's only one file in the ZIP.   Just unzip it into a directory of your choice and run it.  Comprehensive instructions, as well as links to more ELF and 1802 facts and trivia are included in the built-in help menu.  Compatible with Windows 3.1, 95, and NT, as well as WABI (Sun), WINE (X-windows), SoftWindows (Mac), and other Windows emulators.  (And if you don't find it ironic to run a simulation of a 15-year-old microprocessor under an emulator of an 8-year-old operating system. written for a 17-year-old CPU, running on a state-of-the-art personal computer, then your sense of irony is obviously in need of a tune-up! ;-)


I'm also proud to present the on-line, HTML-ized version of the original Popular Electronics construction article (complete with schematics, program listings, and photographs), translated from the original paper version by Kenneth W. Melvin.  I have checked the schematics to the best of my ability, but neither Kenneth nor I nor anyone else is to be held responsible for any errors or omissions which cause frustration, financial loss, bodily harm, etc., etc.

Elf-small.jpg (2183 bytes)Build The COSMAC "ELF" - A Low-Cost Experimenter's Microcomputer BY JOSEPH WEISBECKER

 


3rd Party Elf Software:

"Meistermind" by Klaus Ernst - A classic guessing game for the Elf

    meister.cos - Program file; load using the simulator's "File, Open" option

    meister.txt - Instructions for playing the game

    meister.lst - Assembler source code listing


Simulators by Claus Giloi:

I have to give credit to Claus' Altair and IMSAI simulators for inspiring me to write the Elf simulator.  Every so often when I need a quick hit of nostalgia, I fire up the Elf, the IMSAI, and the Altair all at the same time and just sit and watch the lights blink. 

Click below to download the simulators

Altair-sim.GIF (668 bytes)  Altair 8800b Simulator 

Imsai-sim.GIF (520 bytes)  IMSAI 8080 Simulator


A Brief Introduction to Programming the IMSAI 8080

Imsai-Guide.GIF (1070 bytes)

home-button.GIF (1054 bytes)