For those interested in the things I've been discussing, here are some links:

Tang Nano 9k (FPGA)
wiki: https://wiki.sipeed.com/hardware/en/tang/Tang-Nano-9K/Nano-9K.html
to buy: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256803617679773.html
Note that there are different "kits" with different peripherals. The educational version of the IDE only works with certain boards. The non-edicational version of the IDE requires a yearly license, but that
license is free. I haven't gotten the IDE's oscilloscope to work yet, but the next item is a cheap USB logic analyzer that works with PulseView.

Cheap 8-Channel USB Logic Analyzer: https://www.amazon.com/KeeYees-Analyzer-Device-Channel-Arduino/dp/B07K6HXDH1

MAX232 module: https://www.amazon.com/MAX3232-Serial-Converter-Module-Connector/dp/B07VL7GNG3

ESP-12 module: https://www.amazon.com/Dorhea-ESP8266-Internet-Development-Compatible/dp/B07PF3 NK12

Jeff.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Raspberry Pi/32)
* Origin: Cold War Computing BBS (1:387/26)