A set of stacked modules	PIC16F84 I2C 16CHR LCD Use a CHR LCD for Graphics ?!?	Parallax Propeller VGA >> Link <<
PHT Protoboard Arkanoid, with protoboard	Another Set of Stacked Module	SMD Protoboard

Bare Metal Interpreters: eLua and Hempl

At its core, Mizar32 supports two powerful bare metal interpreters:

• eLua (embedded Lua): Brings the simplicity and power of Lua to the embedded world.
• Hempl (PicoLisp): Offers the expressiveness of Lisp for embedded applications.

These interpreters allow Mizar32 to run programs written in high-level scripting languages, with embedded extensions tailored for hardware control. The board is designed for field-programmability: typically, user programs in Lua or Lisp reside on a micro SD card, while the 128/256/512KB flash memory houses the interpreter. This setup allows for easy reprogramming over USB, offering flexibility for rapid prototyping and development.

Real-Time Operating Systems and More

To expand its capabilities and support, we've ported leading real-time operating systems (RTOS) to the platform:

• Apache NuttX: Often dubbed the "Linux of microcontrollers" for its POSIX compliance and directives.
• RT-Thread: A powerful RTOS, though not fully POSIX compliant.

These RTOS options come with various drivers, protocols, multiple interpreters, filesystems, and networking stacks, making Mizar32 a versatile platform for a wide range of embedded applications.

Libre/Open Hardware Philosophy

The hardware design of Mizar32 is offered as Free Specification under the GPLv3 License. All project files and manufacturing documentation are freely available for use, study, and modification using FLOSS (Free/Libre/Open Source Software) tools. This commitment to Freedom extends the spirit of FLOSS to hardware design.

Accessibility and Rapid Development

Both the software and hardware aspects of Mizar32 are designed with accessibility in mind. It caters to:

• Newcomers to the embedded world seeking an easy yet powerful environment for rapid application development.
• Hardware enthusiasts looking for a platform for quick prototyping.
• Developers needing a robust solution for swift production deployment.
• Hobbyists aiming to create custom devices with minimal barriers.

These efforts underscore our deep appreciation for these compact yet powerful machines, whether of our own design or received with appreciation through donations. The journey of Mizar32, from its roots in the pioneering Sim.One project to its current role as a versatile and future-proof development platform, reflects the evolving landscape of open hardware. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking in the open-source community.

| Alcor6L | Mizar32 Book | Downloads | Goat IDE (Go@) | eLua |

Mizar32: Bridging Present and Future

Why We Still Develop with Mizar32

It is mostly a affection issue for something special, born as special and evolved as special. Our commitment to Mizar32 as our primary development platform is far from a quixotic endeavor. It's a testament to our passion for a truly unique creation that has grown and adapted over time, maintaining its special place in our hearts and our development ecosystem.

This emotional connection is backed by solid technical reasoning. By leveraging a common base of wide multiplatform RTOS, we've created a development environment that remains surprisingly forward-looking. While Mizar32's specifications - 32MB of RAM and processing speeds of 66MHz (81MHz in overclock) - might seem modest by today's standards, they closely align with our anticipations for future RISC-V microcontrollers.

In about a decade, we expect to see RISC-V chips with 4, 8, 16, or even 32MB of on-die memory, available at a mere $1-5 price point. This foresight means that the software and systems we develop today on Mizar32 will transition smoothly to these future platforms, ensuring our work remains relevant and adaptable. Our strategy is not just about current capabilities, but about preparing for the future landscape of embedded systems while honoring the special nature of our beloved Mizar32.

Long Term Vision: Towards the Stars of Distributed Automation

The names Mizar and Alcor, chosen for our projects, are not mere coincidence. They reflect our long-term commitment and vision, drawing inspiration from one of the most visible binary star systems in our night sky.

Mizar and Alcor: More Than Just Names

• Mizar, meaning "Horse" in Arabic, represents our current platform - the workhorse of our embedded systems development.
• Alcor, meaning "Knight" or "Rider", symbolizes our future aspirations - the next leap in our technological journey.

Just as Mizar and Alcor are intimately connected in the night sky, our vision intertwines current and future technologies in a seamless continuum.

Key Elements of Our Long-Term Vision

1. Distributed Automation That Works: Our ultimate goal is to create a robust, efficient, and scalable system for distributed automation. This system will leverage the power of our embedded platforms to create interconnected, intelligent networks of devices.
2. Intimate RTOS Fusion with Interpreters: We envision a deep integration between real-time operating systems and high-level interpreters. This fusion aims to combine the deterministic performance of RTOS with the flexibility and ease of use of scripting languages, creating a powerful and accessible development environment.
3. 1-Fiber Standard: A revolutionary concept revisiting the 1-Wire protocol for fiber optics. This standard aims to simplify connectivity while vastly increasing data transmission capabilities, opening new possibilities for long-distance, high-speed communication in embedded systems.
4. AlcorOS - NuttX Distribution: Building upon the robust foundation of the NuttX Real-Time OS, AlcorOS will be our tailored distribution. It will incorporate our advancements in RTOS-interpreter fusion and support for the 1-Fiber standard, creating a comprehensive platform for next-generation embedded systems and IoT devices.

Flexibility and Adaptability: The Knight's Many Steeds

While Mizar32 remains our preferred and primary development platform - our trusted steed - our vision extends beyond a single hardware implementation. The Alcor project, symbolized by the Knight, is designed with adaptability in mind:

• Multi-Platform Support: The Knight (Alcor) will be capable of riding on various "horses" - different hardware platforms with sufficient resources to support our vision.
• Mizar32 as the Gold Standard: Among these platforms, Mizar32 continues to be our reference design and preferred development board.
• NuttX Integration: All supported platforms, including Mizar32, will be integrated into the NuttX ecosystem, ensuring a consistent development experience across different hardware.

This approach allows us to leverage the strengths of various hardware platforms while maintaining Mizar32 as our core development environment. It ensures that our distributed automation vision can be realized across a spectrum of devices, from our custom-designed boards to other compatible hardware solutions.

Conclusion: A Bridge to the Future

As we continue our journey from Mizar32 towards the realization of AlcorOS and our broader vision, we remain committed to the principles of Freedom and by Loving what we are realizing/trying to do for the others. Our goal is to create not just products, but an ecosystem where innovation thrives through collaboration and shared knowledge, adaptable to a wide range of embedded systems challenges.

By maintaining our focus on Mizar32 while looking ahead to future technologies, we're building a bridge between current capabilities and future possibilities. This strategy ensures that our developments today will remain relevant and easily adaptable to the embedded systems of tomorrow, positioning us at the forefront of the next generation of distributed automation and IoT solutions.