Of course I talk about doing away with the TTL chips in favour for tiny logic, generally using more SMT stuff... Also I found there is a PLCC 68901 (MFP) So that could be used to save space.. Video circuit is of course on track to using less bits... I already condensed the RS232 circuit and other parts...
Though if anyone else has any ideas then post here... I mean things which are possible, not putting everything in one FPGA, because that is suska
Making things smaller
Making things smaller
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viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
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viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
Re: Making things smaller
One other minor step might be to replace the 6850s with equivalent logic in an FPGA - IIRC there is a register-level replacement for a 6850 as part of one of the existing 8 bit retro-computer designs - and even a small FPGA should still have lots of resource left to mop up lots of other simple bits of logic.
I'm not sure of the etiquette for linking to an external site but I can PM the link if it would help?
I'm not sure of the etiquette for linking to an external site but I can PM the link if it would help?
Re: Making things smaller
You can link here...
FPGA main problem is 3.3V or lower IO voltages...
If they would fit in a 5V PLD then it could be possible...
I need to try the FPGA core to see if its small enough to fit in a PLD actually..
FPGA main problem is 3.3V or lower IO voltages...
If they would fit in a 5V PLD then it could be possible...
I need to try the FPGA core to see if its small enough to fit in a PLD actually..
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viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
Re: Making things smaller
Again this question also depends on what your ultimate goal is. Anything can be made smaller but what do you sacrifice in doing so? Is 100% compatibility and ports being all in the right place a necessity? As I mention a lot, you can always fit one board on top of another similar to the Ram board and that's instantly reduced the motherboard footprint.
I think you could save a lot of room if you either cabled the ports to headers on the boards or moved them, even placing some above the others.
Just a tbought again but it's juggling compatibility with future goals.
Good luck
I think you could save a lot of room if you either cabled the ports to headers on the boards or moved them, even placing some above the others.
Just a tbought again but it's juggling compatibility with future goals.
Good luck
If it ain't broke, test it to Destruction.
Re: Making things smaller
What about the SEC you are using in your booster. Replacing the PLCC 68k with that directly on the board should gain some space?
Re: Making things smaller
If the main ASICs could be converted to FPGA models, then the possibility of running nearly the entire system (apart from the IO ports) at 3.3v is there.
Re: Making things smaller
The SEC isn't the same as the 68000.. it has some missing pins which have to be emulated by a PLD...
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... =110#p5938
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/ All my hardware guides - mods - games - STOS
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
Re: Making things smaller
Right so not a direct replacement.exxos wrote: ↑Thu Nov 01, 2018 10:21 amThe SEC isn't the same as the 68000.. it has some missing pins which have to be emulated by a PLD...
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/forum/viewt ... =110#p5938
With SEC and PLD this would not reduce size very much or even at all I guess. Interesting project though (SEC Booster) and following intently.
Re: Making things smaller
My plan is to add the DIP 68000 socket on the next remake board, this way the SEC booster can be used on the STFM and remake boards.
Ultimately the PLCC 68000 which is currently on the remake board, will likely be removed once the SEC design is proven to have no issues with anything... Possibly be integrated, but I think having the CPU on a expansion card makes it easy to remove and upgrade in the future. Plus of course, I only have two design one booster for two different machines.
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/ All my hardware guides - mods - games - STOS
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.
https://www.exxosforum.co.uk/atari/store2/ - All my hardware mods for sale - Please help support by making a purchase.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1585 Have you done the Mandatory Fixes ?
Just because a lot of people agree on something, doesn't make it a fact. ~exxos ~
People should find solutions to problems, not find problems with solutions.