15 open source boards using the 6551
Real designs built with the 6551, from public GitHub projects: a quick way to see how others power, decouple and connect it. Each board comes with its KiCad files, full parts list and a render — and you can simulate its firmware on HardLabs.
Dragon64
danwerner21
333.2 × 205.9 mm220 parts2LNo license34
AVR/Arduino6502-Computer
The-Invent0r
188.3 × 114.3 mm34 parts2LNo license31
Commodore-Plus4
StormTrooper
284.7 × 158.9 mm212 parts2LNo license20
UMMF
nils-eilers
105 × 100 mm63 parts2LNo license10
PICTELESTRAT II
Fred72z
170 × 170 mm149 parts2LGPL-2.05
AVR/ArduinoC128-link232
ytmytm
86.4 × 69.9 mm22 parts2LMIT4
FellaPC
agkaminski
284.9 × 96.5 mm107 parts2LCC0-1.02
AVR/Arduino6502 Computer
DomAtTheShack
216.6 × 144 mm74 parts2LNo license0
Commodore Plus 4
baldengineer
284.7 × 158.9 mm212 parts2LCC-BY-4.0442
Backup
333.2 × 205.9 mm218 parts2LNo license34
ACIA2
Synthron
83.3 × 68.2 mm44 parts4LNo license2
AVR/Arduino6502 DebugBoard
199.6 × 114.2 mm64 parts2LNo license0
Backup1
333.2 × 205.9 mm218 parts2LNo license34
ACIA RS232
76.2 × 49.5 mm17 parts2LGPL-2.05
GIMIX intelligent 3 port Serial
roberto314
149.9 × 139.7 mm69 parts2LBSD-2-Clause1
The 6551 in open source designs
The gallery holds 15 open source boards using the 6551 from 11 GitHub repositories; a typical one measures about 199.6 × 139.7 mm and carries around 74 components.
93% are two-layer designs, the rest use four layers or more, and 40% carry an open source license.
The most starred is Commodore Plus 4 by baldengineer.
Parts used alongside the 6551
Microcontrollers on boards using the 6551
What boards using the 6551 are built for
6551: common questions
Where can I find a 6551 reference design?
Each of the 15 boards on this page is a real design using the 6551. Open one to see how it is wired up, with the full BOM, a render of the layout and links to its KiCad files.
What parts are used alongside the 6551?
The MAX232, 74LS04, 4164, 74HC00 and 74HC166 appear in the most repositories here.
Which microcontrollers do boards using the 6551 use?
Most are built on AVR/Arduino (4) and PIC (1).
How big is a typical board using the 6551?
The median is 199.6 × 139.7 mm, and 93% are two-layer designs.
What is the most popular open source board using the 6551?
By GitHub stars, Commodore Plus 4 by baldengineer, with 442 stars.
Can I simulate one of these boards using the 6551 before building it?
Yes. HardLabs turns a board's netlist and BOM into a working simulation, so you can boot and test firmware against it with no hardware on your desk.