6510compatible

6510-compatible, sometimes written as 6510compatible, refers to hardware or software that can execute code intended for the Commodore 6510 CPU, or to CPU cores that emulate its behavior. The term is commonly used in the context of emulation, FPGA recreations, and cross-platform development where Commodore 64 software or similar 6510-based software must run accurately.

The 6510 is a variant of the MOS Technology 6502 used in the Commodore 64 and related machines. It is functionally very similar to the 6502 but includes an integrated 8-bit I/O port and minor hardware differences that affect I/O handling and timing. Because of these additions, a 6510-compatible implementation strives to reproduce not only the core instruction set and addressing modes of the 6502 but also the special I/O features unique to the 6510 environment.

In practice, 6510-compatible cores aim to mirror the timing and behavior of the original processor closely enough to run software designed for the Commodore 64 without behavioral discrepancies. This includes accurate instruction execution, interrupt handling, and access to the onboard I/O port behavior, to the extent possible in a given implementation. Some projects offer configurable modes to switch between 6510-compatible operation and cleaner 6502-compatible operation, depending on the target software.

Applications of 6510-compatible implementations include Commodore 64 emulators, retrocomputer FPGA cores, and development tools that target 6510-based systems. The term signals compatibility with the 6510’s features and timing, ensuring software written for the C64 can run with faithful hardware or software emulation.