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This report presents techniques for modifying and extending Zilog Z8 FORTH microcontroller system software to improve its suitability for rapid prototyping, an increasingly popular method of developing new products and services. Rapid prototyping requires special product development methods and tools because it often mandates short term, radical changes in the concept being developed. Use of a high-performance, easily adaptable microcontroller can greatly facilitate a laboratory evaluation of Smart House product prototypes. Such a device can meet numerous sensing and testing needs, including the important function of simulating the operation of Smart House components associated with the one being tested. The techniques described in this report improve Z8 execution rates up to 300% by replacing selected parts of the vendor-supplied FORTH software with routines optimized for speed rather than program size. Also, the report shows how to exploit an unusual Z8 FORTH system feature to simulate a multitasking environment (concurrent execution of several tasks). This information is provided to project participants to help them select development and test equipment for Smart House products. The material is technical in nature and assumes considerable experience in microcontroller technology and microcomputer programming. 6 refs. (ERA citation 13:005344)