Reverse engineering circuitry in a Spacelab computer from 1980
elpocko
96 points
20 comments
May 23, 2026
Related Discussions
Found 5 related stories in 93.6ms across 8,303 title embeddings via pgvector HNSW
- Reverse engineering Gemini's SynthID detection _tk_ · 129 pts · April 09, 2026 · 54% similar
- Reverse-engineering the 1998 Ultima Online demo server notsentient · 235 pts · May 06, 2026 · 51% similar
- Running Tesla Model 3's computer on my desk using parts from crashed cars driesdep · 499 pts · March 25, 2026 · 51% similar
- Circuit-level PDP-11/34 emulator elvis70 · 48 pts · March 28, 2026 · 50% similar
- 80386 microcode disassembled nand2mario · 237 pts · May 23, 2026 · 50% similar
Discussion Highlights (3 comments)
kens
Author here if anyone has questions...
GlibMonkeyDeath
The PCB construction is curious (which you say is multi-layer) - why use a grid of 0.1" holes? Is that so it could be easily jumpered? Can you tell if the traces run through the holes or between them? I don't have the patience to reverse-engineer these types of boards, but I do find them really interesting to think about. CAD was just getting started (I just looked up that Gerber format was released in 1980) so I wonder if the masks were hand-drawn.
pickleballcourt
Did not expect such an insanely detailed blog, crazy how even the computers for Spacelabs had such history.