DATAMATH  CALCULATOR  MUSEUM

Sharp PC-1500, PC-1500A, PC-1501

Date of introduction:  January 1982 Display technology:  LCD dot matrix 
New price:  $279.00 (MSRP 1982) Display size:  26 characters
Size:  3.4" x 7.7" x 1.0"
 86 x 195 x 26 mm3
   
Weight:  11.8 ounces, 336 grams Serial No:  57157417
Batteries:  4*AA Alkaline Date of manufacture:  mth 07 year 1985
AC-Adapter:  EA-150 (9V DC, 500mA) Origin of manufacture:  Japan
Precision:  12 Integrated circuits:  CPU: LH5801
 ROM: SC613128
 RAM: 2*TC5514P, HM6116
 I/O: LH5810 or LH5811
 CLOCK: uPD1990AC
 DISPLAY: 4*SC882G
Memories:  1.8k-7.8k RAM, 16k ROM    
Program steps:   Courtesy of:  Joerg Woerner

Sharp Corporation introduced in June 1980 with the PC-1210 (and its sibling PC-1211) the World's first Pocket Computer with BASIC programmability. It took only about three months and Matsushita defined with their Panasonic HHC a new category of Hand-held Computers or Portable Computers. Casio, having a long history of Programmable Pocket Calculators, entered the arena in November 1981 with their FX-702P, combining a scientific calculator with BASIC programmability in the new "landscape" form factor with wide LC-Displays and an alphanumeric keyboard.

With the three cornerstones of the emerging market defined, Sharp consequently split their portfolio into two different directions:

PC-1500 (1982): Portable Computer as a center of a
   Computer System with many peripherals
PC-1401 (1983): Hybrid of a Pocket Computer with BASIC
   Programmability and a Scientific Calculator

The main differences between the PC-1500 introduced in 1982 and the PC-1500A/PC-1501 (Japan) introduced in 1984 is the capacity of the integrated RAM. While the PC-1500 makes use of two TC5514P chips for the system memory and one HP6116 RAM with 2k Bytes capacity for the user memory, features the PC-1500A/PC-1501 one HM6264 chip with 8k Bytes capacity.

The PC-1500 architecture features not only an internal expansion slot for a memory cartridge but a 60-pin connector for peripherals on its left side. Sharp introduced a whole slew of accessories for its PC-1500 Computer System:

Product Description MSRP (1982)
CE-150 4-color Printer/Plotter & Cassette Interface  
CE-151 4k Bytes RAM module  
CE-152 Cassette recorder  
CE-155 8k Bytes RAM module  
CE-157 4k Bytes RAM module with backup battery  
CE-158 Communication dock with Serial and Parallel interface  
CE-159 8k Bytes RAM module with backup battery  
CE-160 7.6k Bytes ROM module with backup battery  
CE-161 16k Bytes RAM module with backup battery  
CE-162E Parallel Port & Cassette Interface  
CE-163 2*16k Bytes paged RAM module with backup battery  

Dismantling a Sharp PC-1500 or PC-1500A/PC-1501 reveals a complex design centered around a Sharp LH5801 8-bit microprocessor:

LH5801: 8-bit microprocessor manufactured by Sharp in a CMOS process and using a 76-pin QFP (Quad Flat Pack) package
SC613128 or LH536701: 16k Bytes ROM manufactured by Sharp in a CMOS process and using a 54-pin or 44-pin QFP (Quad Flat Pack) package
2*TC5514P: 1k*4 Bits RAM manufactured by Toshiba in a CMOS process and using an 18-pin DIP (Dual In-line Package) encapsulation
HM6116 or HM6264: 2k Bytes or 8k Bytes RAM manufactured by Hitachi in a CMOS process and using an 24-pin or 28-pin SOP (Small Outline Package) encapsulation
LH5810 or LH5811: I/O Controller with 3 parallel Ports, 1 serial port and CS logic manufactured by Sharp in a CMOS process and using a 60-pin QFP (Quad Flat Pack) package
uPD1990C: Real-time Clock manufactured by NEC in a CMOS process and using a 14-pin DIP (Dual In-line Package) encapsulation
4*SC882G: Display driver with built in RAM (128*4 Bits), manufactured by Sharp in a CMOS process and using a 62-pin QFP (Quad Flat Pack) package



horizontal rule

If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.

© Joerg Woerner, January 3, 2021. No reprints without written permission.