The Universal Trainer (UT) is an 8085 based training tool specifically designed for teaching all aspects of microprocessor programming, interfacing, and trouble- shooting. The Universal Trainer utilizes the 8085 microprocessor which is similar to the 8088 microprocessor used in the PC, but much simpler to understand and program. In addition to using the 8085, the Universal Trainer also utilizes the 8255 PPI, the 8253 Timer/Counter, the 8259 Interrupt Controller, the 8279 Display Controller, and the 8251 Serial UART Controller. Most of these peripheral ICs can also be found in the PC.

EMAC chose the use of these peripheral ICs because of their popularity and wide spread use. These ICs can be found not only in PCs, but products like machine controls, video games, and robots to mention just a few. There is however, more to this trainer than simply including these ICs on the circuit board. The UT provides easy access to the use of these ICs with a simple and straight forward interface. Users can write their own programs or use the built in device drivers and services to effortlessly access these complex ICs. Fully commented source code listings provide insight and ease in using these devices.

Fault jumpers are a unique feature of the Universal Trainer. Using these fault jumpers, system errors as simple as loss of supply power to as difficult as shorted data bus lines can be simulated. These jumpers provide the user with real world trouble-shooting experience.

Another unique feature of the Universal Trainer are the four 8/10 bit analog inputs and the 8 bit analog output with an LED bargraph. The four A/D inputs can be used with four on board pots to simulate temperatures, pressures, etc. or using EMAC's signal conditioning cards, temperatures and pressures can actually be measured. Programs can access these analog values and make decisions based on them just like industrial controllers. In fact even sophisticated control functions like PID loops can be implemented.

The Universal Trainer can be used stand alone with its keypad and LED display, allowing it to be quite portable. It can also be used in conjunction with a PC/Terminal, for a more elaborate training environment. PC communication software (included) allows uploading and downloading of Assembler or Machine Language programs. In addition to Assembler, optional BASIC and Forth high level languages can be used.

The Universal Trainer comes complete with all the features necessary to analyze this microprocessor system from the inside out, one step at a time. The Universal Trainer is equipped with status LEDs and test points for the address bus, data bus, and control bus.
Also included is the ability to hardware/software single step, and to set hardware/software breakpoints. These features allow the user to debug both software and hardware components.

The Universal Trainer can be used in many different ways within a curriculum. This system can be used to teach hardware microprocessor design and trouble-shooting concepts. It can also be used to teach software design and debug concepts in Machine Language up through BASIC. It can be used equally well to teach hardware and software interfacing techniques. If your curriculum features any of the above topics the Universal Trainer is the right tool for the job.