The whole computer was designed around the LH5801, an 8-bitCPU similar to the ZilogZ80, but all laid-out in power-saving CMOS circuits. Equipped with 2 KB of on-board RAM, the programming language is BASIC. Later, German engineers provided an assembler for the machine.[1] Later even a C compiler followed.
An external slot is available and accepts memory (from 4 KB to 32 KB) and ROM modules.
Eight versions of this pocket computer with 2 KB memory:[2]
Sharp PC-1500 - Japanese version (1981)
Sharp PC-1500 - Japanese version with blue paint around LCD. CE-157 Kana module bundle model. Known as PC-1500D (1984)
Sharp PC-1500 - European, Australasian and North American version (1982)
CE-157 4 KB memory module with CR2032 battery data backup and Katakana chars ROM
CE-158 Communication dock with RS-232C and parallel interface with (4 rechargeable, shrink-wrapped, permanently built-in) NiCd battery (AA) as additional power supply for the computer.
CE-159 8 KB memory module with CR2032 battery data backup
CE-160 7.6 KB read only memory module with CR2032 battery data backup
CE-161 16 KB memory module with CR2032 battery data backup
CE-162E Tape and parallel port interface
CE-163 32 KB (2x16 KB) dual-page memory module with CR2032 battery data backup. Only one page (16 KB) can be accessed at a time, switchable via the following command in PROG mode:
The PC-1500 allows special abbreviations, and the syntax can also look as follows:
20PRINTP;" ";PV;" ";PVM
Usage of variables
P = Purchase Price
V = VAT (%/100) - To be input by hand before calculation begins, e.g.: V=1.14 (Enter)
M = Markup (%/100) - To be input by hand before calculation begins, e.g.: M=1.15 (Enter)
The ARUN command executes every time the computer is switched on and jumps to line 10.
Line 5
This is the REMARK statement (used to include remarks into the source code).
Line 10
The INPUT command asks for input from the user and stores the values in the variable "P".
Line 20
The PRINT command shows the calculated result as follows: 100 114 142.5. The abbreviated form is special to the PC-1500, as it can only make use of single letter variables and matrixes. This also saves valuable storage space!
Line 30
The GOTO command lets the program jump back to line 10, to continue the program over
Line 40
The END statement is to be placed on the last line of the code to terminate execution, however in this case it can be omitted, as it is not really necessary.
Significance
The design of initial prototypes of EMKE series of public transport cash registers were built around customized versions of the PC-1500 and its Hungarian clone PTA-4000. The series production models used almost exclusively in Hungarian regional and national bus services up to present day, are built around a version designed by EMKE and are heavily influenced by the PC-1500 design.[5]
Emulation
With the SHARP PC-1500A emulator and the PockEmul you can emulate a PC-1500A.
