website/content/museum/multitech-mpf-1-a-b.md

---
title: MULTITECH MPF-1 A/B
categories:
- Computers
types:
- Home Computer
origins:
- Taïwan
years:
- '1981'
cpus:
- Zilog Z80
params:
  name: MPF-1 A/B
  company: /companies/multitech
  company_name: MULTITECH
  specs:
  - label: NAME
    value: MPF-1 A/B
  - label: MANUFACTURER
    value: Multitech
  - label: TYPE
    value: Home Computer
  - label: ORIGIN
    value: Taïwan
  - label: YEAR
    value: '1981'
  - label: BUILT IN LANGUAGE
    value: Machine code
  - label: KEYBOARD
    value: |-
      Hexadecimal calculator-type keyboard\
      36 keys including, 16 hexadecimal keys, 19 function keys, and one user-definable key
  - label: CPU
    value: Zilog Z80
  - label: SPEED
    value: 1,79 Mhz
  - label: CO-PROCESSOR
    value: 8255 Programmable Peripheral Interface (used for keyboard scanning and control of seven-segment LED display)
  - label: RAM
    value: 2 KB (up to 4 KB)
  - label: ROM
    value: 2 KB (up to 8 KB)
  - label: TEXT MODES
    value: 6 digits (Six digit half-inch seven-segment red LED display)
  - label: GRAPHIC MODES
    value: None
  - label: COLORS
    value: No (red ;-) )
  - label: SOUND
    value: Beeper
  - label: SIZE / WEIGHT
    value: 1575 x 2230 x 160 mm / 1.41lb
  - label: I/O PORTS
    value: Z80 bus, PIO CPC I/O bus, cassette interface, EPROM slot
  - label: POWER SUPPLY
    value: |-
      External PSU, 9v 600mA\
      The board operates from a single 5V power supply and has a current consumption of 500mA
  - label: PRICE
    value: |-
      MPF-1A : 1295 FF (France, oct. 83)\
      MPF-1B : 1395 FF (France, oct. 83)\
      MPF-1 - Micro-Professor: $149
  tabs:
  - photos
  - adverts
  - hardware
  - emulators
  - links
  photos:
  - title: BOOK OPENED
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: ZOOM
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      Notice that casette interface on the top-left part of the board (labeled RD & WR).

      The display consits of a 7-segments LED screen (6 digits).

      The hexadecimal keyboard has quite a lot of commands available.
    image: null
  - title: CLOSED
    subtitle: ''
    text: It really looks like a book !
    image: null
  - title: 'CLOSED #2'
    subtitle: ''
    text: It really looks like a book !
    image: null
  - title: BOX
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: E&L INSTRUMENTS
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      E&L Instruments still sell (2003) a training system called FOX MT-80Z which is a MPF-1B grafted to an expansion board with a prototype area.\
      Also included is a socket for STD-Bus cards.
    image: null
  adverts:
  - title: U.S. ADVERT (1982)
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: FRENCH AD (JAN. 1984)
    subtitle: ''
    text: French advert for correspondance courses using MPF-1 computers.
    image: null
  - title: FRENCH AD (MAY 1984)
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: null
  - title: FRENCH AD (DEC. 1986)
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/pubs/multitech_mpf_pub_1.jpg
  hardware:
  - title: APPLICATIONS BOARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      The applications board has been designed to aid the teaching of microprocessor interfacing from simple switch and lamp input/output through to more complex closed-loop and open-loop control systems.

      The new board layout enables students to easily understand each experiment section as it is worked upon. The wide array of features incorporated into the board include digital switches, traffic light coloured LED displays, temperature, light, and optical position/speed sensors, a heater, a DC motor, an LED bargraph, and a potentiometer. A screw terminal is also provided for external anologue input.

      Picture and text comes from [Flite Electronics](http://www.flite.co.uk/micros/mpf-1b.html) who are still selling these systems !
    image: null
  - title: MPF-1B THERMAL PRINTER
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      This 20 column thermal printer for the MPF-1B Z80 microprocessor training system provides a permanent hard copy output. The compact unit fits neatly into the case of the MPF-1B and connects to the system via the 40 way ribbon cable provided. Its quiet printing mechanism forms clear, easy to read characters at a rate of almost one line per second.

      The monitor program contained in the printer's built-in 4Kbytes firmware contains printing routines and pre-defined alphanumeric character patterns enabling users to easily control the printer from within their own programs. The printer's firmware also contains an MPF-1B memory dump routine, as well as a Z80 disassembler allowing program listings to be produced in assembly language mnemonics as well as hexadecimal code.

      Picture and text comes from [Flite Electronics](http://www.flite.co.uk/micros/mpf-1b.html) who are still selling these systems !
    image: null
  - title: PRINTER
    subtitle: Another picture
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/multitech_mpf1_printer.jpg
  - title: PRINTER
    subtitle: Box
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/hardware/multitech_mpf1_printer_box.jpg
  - title: MPF-1B EPROM PROGRAMMER BOARD
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      This EPROM programmer board enables programs developed on the MPF-1B microprocessor training system to be stored on EPROMs up to 8Kbytes in size. The programmed EPROM may then be removed from the programmer and plugged into the MPF-1Bs memory expansion socket so acting as a permanently resident program.

      The EPROM programmer board contains its own 6Kbytes RAM buffer and also has a built in 2Kbytes monitor providing a range of easy to use commands allowing data to be read, modified and written. The programmer board fits neatly into the case of the MPF-1B and connects to the system via the 40 way ribbon cable provided.

      Picture and text comes from [Flite Electronics](http://www.flite.co.uk/micros/mpf-1b.html) who are still selling these systems !
    image: null
  - title: SWITCH & LAMP UNIT
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      This low cost board provides the ideal introduction to interfacing microprocessors. Eight large LEDs give a clear indication of output conditions, and eight lever switches enable data to be fed directly to the computer in digital form.

      This board provides an economical and useful way of simulating I/O conditions for program testing and debugging purposes, making it ideal for engineers and advanced students.

      The switch and lamp unit connects to the Peripheral Input/Output connector of the MPF-1B and so the optional Z80 PIO chip must be fitted to the system. A 40 way ribbon cable is provided with the board for its connection to the MPF-1B.

      Picture and text comes from [Flite Electronics](http://www.flite.co.uk/micros/mpf-1b.html) who are still selling these systems !
    image: null
  - title: 4MM I/O MODULE
    subtitle: ''
    text: |-
      The 4mm I/O module has been designed to allow the MPF-1B microprocessor training system to be easily interfaced to a wide range of educational control products via widely used 4mm plugs and sockets.

      Thirty-seven 4mm sockets are provided giving the user access to the input/output and control lines of the Z80 Peripheral Input/Output (PIO) chip. With the 4mm interface module, the MPF-1B may be interfaced to other manufacturers' systems that you may have already purchased.

      The I/O module connects to the Peripheral Input/Output connector of the MPF-1B and so the optional Z80 PIO chip must be fitted to the system. A 40 way ribbon cable is provided with the module for its connection to the MPF-1B.

      Picture and text comes from [Flite Electronics](http://www.flite.co.uk/micros/mpf-1b.html) who are still selling these systems !
    image: null
  emulators:
  - title: MESS
    url: http://www.mess.org
    platform: Multiplatform
    text: This popular emulator can also emulate an MPF-1 computer
  links:
  - title: ACER milestones
    url: http://global.acer.com/about/milestones.htm
    text: Multitech was the first name of ACER
  - title: Flite Electronics
    url: https://www.flite.co.uk/
    text: Flite Electronics are still producing and selling MPF-1B systems !!
  - title: Lee Davison webpages
    url: http://retro.hansotten.nl/
    text: Nice info about the training computers
  comments:
  - author: Glenn (UK)
    date: Thursday 9th April 2015
    text: I never owned an MPF-1, but I did have the EPROM programmer and the printer. I bought these as a job lot from either Bull Electrical or Greenweld in the early 90s for a few pounds. The printer was pretty useless without the MPF-1. The EEPROM programmer on the other hand was easily adapted to work with a ZX Spectrum and I was able to burn 27-series EEPROM chips using it.
  - author: Simon Lyne (England)
    date: Friday 5th September 2014
    text: |-
      Found the manual $-)

      http://www.1000bit.it/support/manuali/multitech/MPF-I-User$27s-manual.pdf

      Just got hold of one as a grad present.
  - author: David Shepherd
    date: Monday 31st March 2014
    text: |-
      No the picture is definitely not an MPF-1B I have one here:

      http://www.agerweb.co.uk/oldcomputers/OCIndex.htm
  - author: Tom (Germany)
    date: Friday 4th May 2012
    text: 'Update to street prices: The Micro Professor I is still built and sold by Flite electronics. Their actual price is £225.- (ca. €275). Considering what the prices of Arduinos or even professional prototyping kits are, I wonder how many they have been selling, lately $)'
  - author: Polymike (South Africa)
    date: Friday 6th January 2012
    text: |-
      Dave Shepard''s comment that the picture on this mini-forum is perhaps not accurate. Partly true. The picture refers to, i believe is the MPF-1B. For a picture of the MPF-1A go to Wikipedia under Multitech MPF-1.\
      I have technical questions but will post them on the main forum.
  - author: Maarten (The Netherlands)
    date: Monday 29th June 2009
    text: I have a MPF with a Bardehle Electronic video board. Thanks to Elco''s post I found the manual for it, but it turns out that I also need an eprom (called the VIDMON monitor according to the manual) to replace the usual MPF monitor rom. Does anyone know where I can find a dump of this rom? All of my searches have come up empty and I am very curious to see what this video board does. Thanks!
  - author: elco (The Netherlands)
    date: Sunday 14th June 2009
    text: |-
      here are manuals for the mpf-1

      http://electrickery.xs4all.nl/comp/mfp1/doc/info.html
  - author: bob weir (colorado USA)
    date: Sunday 6th February 2005
    text: Hi , my MPF was bought new in '85. the one w/ a fluorescent display. also have the printer, the BASIC chip and the IOM board and a radio shack tape recorder for storing the programs. and a stack of manuals. what i am up to at present is working on serial rs-232 code for i/o. if you have had some luck in this area please let me know. or if you know of another forum for MPF users where code and experimental results are shared please let me know that too. thanks to you all. bw
  - author: Paul Schenkels (Belgium)
    date: Thursday 20th January 2005
    text: Does somebody know where I could find copies of the manual for the MPF printer and the MPF Eprom Programmer? Thanks .
  - author: MooglyGuy (USA)
    date: Wednesday 1st December 2004
    text: Just so you know, the MPF1 board is currently emulated in MESS, thanks to my own efforts in emulating it.
  - author: Sergio gimenez (Spain) (SPAIN)
    date: Friday 24th September 2004
    text: |-
      Please I need how to use SBR and CBR keys .\
      Thanks !
  related:
  - /museum/multitech-mpf-1-65
  - /museum/multitech-mpf-1-plus
  - /museum/multitech-mpf-i-88
  oc_id: 479
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20221205012039/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=479
    date: '2022-12-05'
---

The MPF-1 (MicroProFessor 1) was a computer system specifically designed by Multitech (now known as Acer!) as a learning tool for use in the teaching of microprocessor, microelectronics, and control technology. In the 80's it was sold as an Z80 CPU learning and initiation system, and believe it or not, it is still in production and sold by www.flite.co.uk !! at the time this article is written.

The capacities of the system were quite poor. The standard model could be programmed only in machine code through the small hexadecimal keyboard. When sold in it's original package it had the particularity to look like a book when closed.

There was an EPROM socket which can be compared to a cartridge slot. A mini-Basic EPROM and some other utilities and languages were available as options.

There are in fact two models : **MPF-1** (later called MPF-1A) and **MPF-1B**. The MPF-1(A) is machine code programmed only whereas the MPF-1B offers a really crude version of BASIC (one button = 1 command, as per the early TRS-80) in addition to the machine code capabilities.

---

**Chris** remembers:\
After teaching myself 6510 machine code on the C64 (well Commodore Basic was useless) aged 15, I 'formally' learnt machine code programming at college (aged 16) on one of these things when I was aged 16\~18 during my Ordinary National Diploma in Electronics Engineering.\
I can remember the abject frustration of typing in Machine Code in Hex, I suppose it could of been worse - ie binary\
It was an excellent teaching tool though. No distractions in the way of fancy GUIs and you had to concentrate on the job in hand.\
Everyone should be made to learn machine code programming first before high level languages. It makes you break problems down into the lowest level possible. It certainly makes you more concious that you are writing sloppy code in hll's such as C.

**David Shepherd** reports:\
The picture you have is not of this board as it was in 1979-84. I suspect that this is of the modern version which was clearly re-designed at what point in time I do not know. Although, the specification does appear to be identical; hopefully they have replaced the power regulator, which on the originals heated up to 70°C and you were advised not to touch it!

<table> <tr> <td></td> <td>We need more info about this computer ! If you designed, used, or have more info about this system, please send us pictures or anything you might find useful.</td> <td></td> </tr> </table>