Creating a new 020 accel board for A600 (eventually to A500 too)

rkauer · 14 May 2008, 04:06

OK, that's official. We start the project.

I'm now in the basic development of the design. The goal is a simple, albeit reliable, A600 accelerator with 4~8Mb of FAST RAM (switchable).

The project starts now (erm, almost... I need to finish the RGB>YUV inside an A520's case converter first).

ATM, I'm putting the pieces together in Express-PCB. The board will not block the HD cradle, BTW.

More details: 68EC020 (up to 28MHz, if the board runs stable). Better CPU in a future design. No PGA socket ATM, but possible in another version.

One SIMM bank to up 8Mb (better than nothing), more if a better CPU is used in the design (full 020 or any 030).

All surrounding logic will stand in a couple of CPLDs for small footprint. Dual layer board (multi-layer is very expensive!).

Less than 80 EUROS (more than this is robbery, believe me) is another main goal.

An adapter board will arise to those ppl who wants to put the accel. inside an A500/2000/CDTV. That's an easy part.

Disclaimer: no, I not will make a 060 board for A600, neither a PPC/Coldfire one. I'm will not be responsible for loosing hair, marriage breakouts, Microsoft or your cat take fire. Be warned!

Dead line: two more weeks(TM).

Fingerlickin_B · 14 May 2008, 04:19

Ooooo yeah, I can't wait for this one!

Will this be like my DKB expansion in the 1200 where you can put in a 32 meg SIMM stick, it just only sees 8 meg?

That'd be cool, since I've already got a 32 meg stick lying around.

PZ.

TjLaZer · 14 May 2008, 06:13

I would buy one and maybe two (or the full 020/030 as well)

coze · 14 May 2008, 06:31

very promising project, but I would suggest starting from the A500 first. Because 80 pin socket is more easy to work on than the PLLC socket you will have to deal with at A600 IMHO (when building the first prototypes).

rkauer · 14 May 2008, 07:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by coze

very promising project, but I would suggest starting from the A500 first. Because 80 pin socket is more easy to work on than the PLLC socket you will have to deal with at A600 IMHO (when building the first prototypes).

Good point! But the unit is intended to be internal. An external unit (for the A500 only) will be exaggerated "big" (= hard to put inside a decent case, also ruining the lovely 500's design). Even using CPLDs and the high density board planned.

Maybe the prototype will be easy to set in the side slot at first. But it will not be the goal of this project. The main goal is an accelerator for the A600! Of course other 68000 Amigas will gain from it, too.

coze · 14 May 2008, 07:56

do you have any experience in programming CPLDs ?

TheCorfiot · 14 May 2008, 10:10

@RK fantastic news,,,

I think with a little planning we can have a dual 600 / 500 single PCB, by allowing the option of either soldering the 500's 68000 socket or the A600 clip on type.

I also suggest a 4MB /8MB jumper option for both PCMCIA friendly mode and also for FastRAM compatibility with the expansion port on A500.

Onboard IDE (enable / disable) broadening the market again.

Finally a disable link to allow a switch to be connected..

The amount of time & work involved in this kind of project is really appreciated and a know i'm asking a lot above but you can see the advantage of having a single goal / project to achieve makes things easier in the long run, Single PCB layout, single PCB manufacture, single testing phase & of course mass appeal to the whole 68000 amiga brigade..

Zetro...........your comments pls.

I would like 3 or 4 of these maybe more.

Again let us know how I can help.

I'm really excited by this & wish all the best to all involved.

cane · 14 May 2008, 10:45

@rk
Great news, looking forward to see it in action. For me and my usage of mine A600 (mostly whdload) a EC020 and 8Mb of RAM is enough of juice needed. And off course I'm interested in getting one.

Hope that you won't loose hair building it

Zetr0 · 14 May 2008, 13:11

Excellent, now wee need to poke jope to move some stuff here from Fingersz Thread that we hi-jacked (sorry about that m8)

Fingerlickin_B · 14 May 2008, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zetr0

Excellent, now wee need to poke jope to move some stuff here from Fingersz Thread that we hi-jacked (sorry about that m8)

No sorry required man...this is cool & I MUST buy at least one of these when they are produced!

Hmm, so many options. If available for A500 and compatibles as well (and after saving $ a while) I could have one in the A600, one in the A1000 & one in the CDTV as well!

I'll be keeping track of this one for sure

PZ.

Zetr0 · 14 May 2008, 13:45

I have here, which i will post later, plans working 16 / 21mhz 020 on a 68k 64pin socket (A500/A1000) which is the LUCAS project... i have reworked a few diagrams for use with the PC

I also (thanks to RK) have the build your own 8mb ram interface for the A1200, combining these two... (and using a lot less line propagation by using a CLPD(s) instead of multiple Logic IC's) i rekong we could we go as high as 28mhz and not only build on for any 68k 64pin socket amiga but also for the CD32 as well

I will post my reasearch later

TheCorfiot · 14 May 2008, 14:04

Wow Zetro

forgot about LUCAS...... Great start...

BTW do you agree with the combined A500/ 68K & A600 / PLCC on 1 board design, I sure the size of the 68000 socket would fit snuggly away under the A600 Keyboard (unpopulated), When fitted to the A500 of course size is less of an issue.

Thanks Mate

musojon74 · 14 May 2008, 14:11

Nice work! i'd love one of these in my 600.

Smiley · 14 May 2008, 14:12

Awesome. This might be the thing that gets me back into Amigas and indeed my A600.

rkauer · 14 May 2008, 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by coze

do you have any experience in programming CPLDs ?

Nope, only in PAL/GAL and PIC chips. I know they are different, but the basis is the same. The main difference is no "CPU" inside a CPLD (only if build one inside). Plus, the chip will only emulate "discrete" TTL chips (they are a lot in accelerators and memory expansions!).

And Zetr0 had offered me his talented skills in this matter, anyway. So I can concentrate myself in porting old designs to a more up-to-date (and costless

) solution.

Remember all: less than 80 Pounds for the complete board! Not more than this!

Zetr0 · 14 May 2008, 16:14

@rkauer

my friend.... i belive we could get an 020 with 8mb ram for around £25, $50, 40 euro

Amiga-Digital has a large source of TQPF EC020's and is willing to help from our last conversation, the rest is quite cheap

I have a QPF 030 from an old MAC board that i could use as a prototype down the line, there is an add on (with code and gal) for the PAK68 020 project to have an 030..

so its all there..... just needs cleaning... putting together, and a little experimentation

.

mfletcher · 14 May 2008, 20:12

If it fits in the A500 trapdoor slot, Im all over it! Where do I send the money?

Zetr0 · 14 May 2008, 20:23

@mfletcher

It will fit on the 68k moto socket

and will have an FPU too

Merlin · 14 May 2008, 22:02

@ Zetr0

Is that CPU you mention the old Apple one I sent you a while back, I wonder...???

mfletcher · 14 May 2008, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zetr0

@mfletcher

It will fit on the 68k moto socket

and will have an FPU too

Very, Very Nice!

I like the idea of having WHDLoad running on my A500+ with HD... the extra memory will come in handy!

14 May 2008, 04:06	#1
rkauer I hate potatos and shirts Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sao Leopoldo / Brazil Age: 47 Posts: 3,477	Creating a new 020 accel board for A600 (eventually to A500 too) OK, that's official. We start the project. I'm now in the basic development of the design. The goal is a simple, albeit reliable, A600 accelerator with 4~8Mb of FAST RAM (switchable). The project starts now (erm, almost... I need to finish the RGB>YUV inside an A520's case converter first). ATM, I'm putting the pieces together in Express-PCB. The board will not block the HD cradle, BTW. More details: 68EC020 (up to 28MHz, if the board runs stable). Better CPU in a future design. No PGA socket ATM, but possible in another version. One SIMM bank to up 8Mb (better than nothing), more if a better CPU is used in the design (full 020 or any 030). All surrounding logic will stand in a couple of CPLDs for small footprint. Dual layer board (multi-layer is very expensive!). Less than 80 EUROS (more than this is robbery, believe me) is another main goal. An adapter board will arise to those ppl who wants to put the accel. inside an A500/2000/CDTV. That's an easy part. Disclaimer: no, I not will make a 060 board for A600, neither a PPC/Coldfire one. I'm will not be responsible for loosing hair, marriage breakouts, Microsoft or your cat take fire. Be warned! Dead line: two more weeks(TM). __________________ Amigan since 1989 Known drunk since 1982 (don't know quite well, I was drunk) 13 Amigas at home Finally a Z3 one! I'll stick with 'Cachaça do Inter' for this week: Chivas gives headaches! :D Last edited by rkauer; 14 May 2008 at 07:51.

14 May 2008, 04:19	#2
Fingerlickin_B Amiga Nut Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Belco, Australia Posts: 2,116	Ooooo yeah, I can't wait for this one! Will this be like my DKB expansion in the 1200 where you can put in a 32 meg SIMM stick, it just only sees 8 meg? That'd be cool, since I've already got a 32 meg stick lying around. PZ. Last edited by Fingerlickin_B; 14 May 2008 at 04:39.

14 May 2008, 14:11	#13
musojon74 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Dereham, United Kingdom Age: 39 Posts: 410	Nice work! i'd love one of these in my 600. __________________ Jon www.jonmusic.co.uk Amigas currently owned: Amiga A1200, 130mb RAM, 060/66mhz, 4gb HDD Amiga 1200, 6Mb RAM, 030/42mhz, 4gb HDD Amiga A600, 2Mb Chip, 6gb HDD

14 May 2008, 20:12	#17
mfletcher Bawbag. Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 343	If it fits in the A500 trapdoor slot, Im all over it! Where do I send the money? __________________ A4000/060 w OS 3.9

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14 May 2008, 06:13	#3
TjLaZer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Tacoma, WA USA Age: 41 Posts: 628	I would buy one and maybe two (or the full 020/030 as well)

14 May 2008, 06:31	#4
coze hastala vista winny vista Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: mt fuji Age: 35 Posts: 1,333	very promising project, but I would suggest starting from the A500 first. Because 80 pin socket is more easy to work on than the PLLC socket you will have to deal with at A600 IMHO (when building the first prototypes).

14 May 2008, 07:56	#6
coze hastala vista winny vista Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: mt fuji Age: 35 Posts: 1,333	do you have any experience in programming CPLDs ?

14 May 2008, 10:10	#7
TheCorfiot Amibay Senior Staff Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cardiff / Wales Posts: 1,296	@RK fantastic news,,, I think with a little planning we can have a dual 600 / 500 single PCB, by allowing the option of either soldering the 500's 68000 socket or the A600 clip on type. I also suggest a 4MB /8MB jumper option for both PCMCIA friendly mode and also for FastRAM compatibility with the expansion port on A500. Onboard IDE (enable / disable) broadening the market again. Finally a disable link to allow a switch to be connected.. The amount of time & work involved in this kind of project is really appreciated and a know i'm asking a lot above but you can see the advantage of having a single goal / project to achieve makes things easier in the long run, Single PCB layout, single PCB manufacture, single testing phase & of course mass appeal to the whole 68000 amiga brigade.. Zetro...........your comments pls. I would like 3 or 4 of these maybe more. Again let us know how I can help. I'm really excited by this & wish all the best to all involved.

14 May 2008, 10:45	#8
cane Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: .hr Age: 34 Posts: 538	@rk Great news, looking forward to see it in action. For me and my usage of mine A600 (mostly whdload) a EC020 and 8Mb of RAM is enough of juice needed. And off course I'm interested in getting one. Hope that you won't loose hair building it

14 May 2008, 13:11	#9
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 38 Posts: 9,185	Excellent, now wee need to poke jope to move some stuff here from Fingersz Thread that we hi-jacked (sorry about that m8)

14 May 2008, 13:45	#11
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 38 Posts: 9,185	I have here, which i will post later, plans working 16 / 21mhz 020 on a 68k 64pin socket (A500/A1000) which is the LUCAS project... i have reworked a few diagrams for use with the PC I also (thanks to RK) have the build your own 8mb ram interface for the A1200, combining these two... (and using a lot less line propagation by using a CLPD(s) instead of multiple Logic IC's) i rekong we could we go as high as 28mhz and not only build on for any 68k 64pin socket amiga but also for the CD32 as well I will post my reasearch later

14 May 2008, 14:04	#12
TheCorfiot Amibay Senior Staff Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cardiff / Wales Posts: 1,296	Wow Zetro forgot about LUCAS...... Great start... BTW do you agree with the combined A500/ 68K & A600 / PLCC on 1 board design, I sure the size of the 68000 socket would fit snuggly away under the A600 Keyboard (unpopulated), When fitted to the A500 of course size is less of an issue. Thanks Mate

14 May 2008, 14:12	#14
Smiley Amiga-less! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,346	Awesome. This might be the thing that gets me back into Amigas and indeed my A600.

14 May 2008, 16:14	#16
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 38 Posts: 9,185	@rkauer my friend.... i belive we could get an 020 with 8mb ram for around £25, $50, 40 euro Amiga-Digital has a large source of TQPF EC020's and is willing to help from our last conversation, the rest is quite cheap I have a QPF 030 from an old MAC board that i could use as a prototype down the line, there is an add on (with code and gal) for the PAK68 020 project to have an 030.. so its all there..... just needs cleaning... putting together, and a little experimentation .

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14 May 2008, 20:23	#18
Zetr0 Ya' like it Retr0? Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom Age: 38 Posts: 9,185	@mfletcher It will fit on the 68k moto socket and will have an FPU too

14 May 2008, 22:02	#19
Merlin AmiBay MegaMod Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Age: 51 Posts: 1,122	@ Zetr0 Is that CPU you mention the old Apple one I sent you a while back, I wonder...???