Polar Instruments B2000 uP Bus Tester

[pamphonica]

Does anyone have one of these Polar Instruments B2000A testers?  It plugs into the uP socket on an SBC and can run simple routines to check RAM, ROM, etc.

I need to buy (or make) some extra personality modules for this tester.  I have two 8085 modules but no Z80, 6800 or 6502.

I also have a B2000A POD and have no idea how to use it or what it is for.

Are there any experts (or even just users) out there who have information or spare modules?

thanks
Jeremy

[pamphonica]

A quick update.  I designed some small PCBs to make universal personality modules for the B2000 and had them made in China.
I also laid out a spreadsheet of all the required interconnecting links for each processor type.
I put appropriate links onto a board so that my B2000 can "speak" 6502 and all is now working well.  The B2000 has been faultfinding an AIM-65.
If anyone needs universal personality boards for their B2000 drop me a line.
BTW the B2000A "pod" is just a personality board with links that swap various signals so that an 8031 system can be tested using the 8085 configuration on the B2000.  That is what gave me the idea of getting universal boards made.
thanks
Jeremy

[Stray Electron]

  I've never heard of a Polar Instruments B2000A.  How about posting up some pictures?   Otherwise it sounds a lot like a Fluke 9010 Micro System Troubleshooter.   You might want to look into those, they have some outstanding capabilities. But GOOD LUCK finding one that doesn't cost a months wages!  They're still in VERY high demand by people that repair the uProcessor based arcade games.

[pamphonica]

It's a tiny device, so sits well on the workbench.
The manual is here: http://gamearchive.askey.org/General/Test_Equipment/Polar/PolarB2000.pdf. The manual is actually very helpful, and contains a full circuit diagram.
Photos of my B2000 are attached.  Mine needed a new backup battery.  I replaced the round type with a Varta pack that fitted the holes, albeit at a slant.
I also replaced C22, the 47uF tantalum which decouples the main +5V rail with a modern 47uF electrolytic.
The cables are straightforward.  IDC40 (2x20) to an IDC 40-pin DIP header.  But in mine, the "pin1" stripe does not match pin 1 on the connectors, no idea why.
The device comes pre-configured to ONE of the available Z80/8085/6800/6502 processors, defined by a small internal personality board.
Mine came labelled Z80 but containing an 8085 board.  It also had an external pod marked B2000A.  That seems to further swap lines, so an 8031 system can be tested using the 8085 personality module.
I had to make up a spreadsheet to decode the odd pin assignments across the personality board.  That is also attached. The external pins on the ribbon cable/DIL plug do NOT match the pin numbering on the socket on the B2000 PCB that holds the personality module.  Follow the spreadsheet!
If you make up your own personality modules, use Column A "Int Bus" on the B2000 side and patch that to the pins shown as "Ext Ribbon" on the device side.
These little devices are a huge help in doing board diagnosis.  The B2000 was really designed for production line testing, where a short test suite was run on each board, with printed results.

-Jeremy
(having problems attaching lots of files - see next post for more photos)

[pamphonica]

More photos
-Jeremy

[pamphonica]

Spreadsheet for making up personality modules.
-Jeremy

[pamphonica]

And finally, photos of the B2000A pod and its internal layout.
-Jeremy

[Azure]

Late to the game.  Any chance you can post or pm an image of the EPROM?