What can you do with Core64 and Core64c?
Stock Kit
Gain hands-on experience with authentic core memory in an interactive way
64 Core Memory bits matched 1:1 with 64 RGB LEDs
Drive circuit and transistors discretely controllable through Teensy® 3.2 (32-bit NXP Cortex-M4 72 MHz) digital pins with the Arduino IDE
Four magnetic hall sensor programmable buttons
Option to create your own drive logic and user applications, or use pre-installed firmware
No tuning required
Magnetic stylus included
Ambient Light Sensor built-in
Lanyard included for the #BadgeLife
Battery voltage monitoring
Core matrix drive wire voltage monitor (one row/col)
Batteries and battery pack included (4x “AAA”)
“LiPo and charger” ready
Expansion Options
Core64 is designed to be accessible and expandable
Convert stock alkaline to LiPo battery pack and USB-C power input
Add monochrome or color OLED screens (64x128, 128x128…)
Swap the LED Matrix for a TFT screen
Add an SD Card
Ready for I2C SparkFun QWIIC® and Adafruit STEMMA QT ports
SPI port access on three different headers
Accessible GPIO, analog IN (ADC) and OUT (DAC), 5V, 3V3, and Battery
Add communication capability with IR, NFMI, RFID, NFC (consider Adafruit 364)
Includes the SAO (Simple Add On) standard with I2C and 2 GPIO pins
Add an inductive charger (consider Adafruit 1407)
Hackable
Open source
Code whatever you can imagine through the Arduino IDE
Spare IO available for creative use
Create interactive games
Enable communication between multiple Core64s
Many I2C device options, such as gyros/accelerometer
Stack up to 8 core planes
Substitute the LEDs with Neon Pixels or Flip Dots or ???
Pins available for mikroBUS™ devices
What can you think of for a Low Poly Magnetic Touch Screen?
Who will be the first to convert this into a cartridge to plug directly into a Commodore 64?
How does Core64c compare to Core64?
The Core64 and Core64c kits are very similar. After assembly, they have the same stock functionality. Both kits use the same core Memory Board and LED Matrix but the Logic Board and microcontroller are slightly different. The "c" is for "compact." The Core64c Logic Board is half the size of the Core64 Logic Board and fits completely behind the Core Board and LED Matrix.
The Core64 uses a Teensy 3.2, but the Core64c uses a Raspberry Pi Pico. This means the Core64c has slightly less spare IO available, but still enough for a couple digital/analog pins, I2C, and SPI. Since the Pico has fewer IO pins, it drives the 20 transistors which power the core memory through Shift Registers instead of directly driving each transistor.
Both use MicroUSB connectors and have the same battery options.
Comparison table of features:
