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DragonBall?

Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 11:31 pm
by arf
Hi,

has anyone ever seen an ST-accelerator based on the DragonBall VZ? It’s an 68EC000 core with additions, running at up to 66 MHz and ~10 MIPS.

Or is the signalling adaption too troublesome?

Re: DragonBall?

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 6:54 am
by rpineau
It can't work as it's missing the bus arbitration pins (needed for DMA and Blitter) as well as the 6800 family interface (ACIA).
Also the MC68SZ328 (aka DragonBall VZ) is going to be EOL soon (the NXP page says "No longer recommended for new designs" (aka no longer manufactured).
Add to this that it's only available in BGA package (MC68SZ328 for the 66MHz) .. the MC68VZ328 come in a TQFP144
So even if it's close to a 68000 it unfortunately can't be use in place of a 68000.

Re: DragonBall?

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 9:42 pm
by arf
Thanks for your explanation.

Re: DragonBall?

Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 3:55 am
by rpineau
No problem. I wish we could use something like this (I even looked into this not long after the Palm Pilot was released as I knew it was a 68338 in it).