H4 FPGA Board

Progress on our FPGA cores.
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Icky
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H4 FPGA Board

Post by Icky »

As mentioned in other threads we have been experimenting with an FPGA board for the H4 to replace the three original MMU, GLUE and BLITTER chips. As part of this all three PLCC sockets on the H4 would need to be replaced with headers to be able to plug the board in, see locations of chips in red that would need replacing.

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To enable the H4 to go back to stock we have first designed a plug in board that would have sockets for the original three chips. The board currently looks like this.

Screenshot 2020-03-07 at 18.38.13.png
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I am currently working not the H4 FPGA board and will update on this thread soon.
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Icky
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Re: H4 FPGA Board

Post by Icky »

The Three Amigos arrived today. This board is really if you want to use your H4 as a DEV / Test board for the FPGA board. It will enable you to put back in place the original BLITTER, GLUE & MMU. Once you go down this route your PSU won't sit nicely in its intended location.

Possibly now is the time to build my second H4 specifically for this purpose.

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Re: H4 FPGA Board

Post by exxos »

:bravo: :girldance: :girldance: :girldance: :coolpics:
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JezC
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Re: H4 FPGA Board

Post by JezC »

Also looks like it might foul on a Falcon RAM card if one were installed...?
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Re: H4 FPGA Board

Post by Icky »

JezC wrote: Thu Apr 02, 2020 4:29 pm Also looks like it might foul on a Falcon RAM card if one were installed...?
Definitely does look like it will @JezC. SIMM socket boards only then :)

EDIT: Of course this will not work with the GLUE, MMU SMT versions of a board
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Re: H4 FPGA Board

Post by PhilC »

Good job I got those extra Simms then :D

Does look good @Icky , will he looking forward to seeing it in action.
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Re: H4 FPGA Board

Post by rubber_jonnie »

Awesome, looking forward to seeing more progress :bravo:
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Re: H4 FPGA Board

Post by JezC »

Icky wrote: Thu Apr 02, 2020 5:13 pm
JezC wrote: Thu Apr 02, 2020 4:29 pm Also looks like it might foul on a Falcon RAM card if one were installed...?
Definitely does look like it will @JezC. SIMM socket boards only then :)

EDIT: Of course this will not work with the GLUE, MMU SMT versions of a board
@Icky Fair enough - at least that helps me decide how I want to populate my second H4...though fortunately the part-built one has the SIMM and PLCC sockets for those custom chips already :D
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Re: H4 FPGA Board

Post by Icky »

Board has been built. Now I need to build the H4 to go round it.

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Re: H4 FPGA Board

Post by exxos »

Looking good . cool name as always :thumbup:
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.
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