AA3000+ Amiga 3000 AGA motherboard

hese · 10 June 2019, 18:00

Here is a project I've been working on for the past six months.

AA3000+ Motherboard

AA3000+ is an Amiga 3000 AGA motherboard based on the Commodore AA3000 schematics with some improvements and extra features that were missing from the original AA3000 motherboard, such as the scandoubler / flicker fixer.

The specifications of the AA3000+ motherboard are:
- Amiga 3000 motherboard with AGA chipset
- on-board 68030 PGA CPU and 68881/68882 PLCC FPU running at 25MHz
- DSP processor (AT&T DSP3210)
- CPU slot for A3000/A4000 accelerators
- 16MB Fast RAM using two SIMM modules (no expensive ZIP RAM chips needed)
- 2MB Chip RAM (no expensive ZIP RAM chips needed)
- extended Fast RAM support (up to 64MB?, work in progress)
- extended Kickstart ROM support up to 4MB
- on-board full 24bit AGA scandoubler / flicker fixer
- support for two external video inputs (for example a graphics card and another scandoubler such as Indivision AGA)
- monitor switch between the video inputs, similar to Ratte monitor switch (controllable by software or external switch)
- 23-pin DSUB port for native Amiga RGB video output
- 15-pin VGA port for graphics card or scandoubled / native Amiga RGB video output
- 2x stereo audio RCA jack
- SCSI-II controller (50-pin internal port, 50-pin DSUB external port)
- 880kB / 1.76MB Amiga floppy drive port (34-pin internal port, 23-pin DSUB external port)
- 2x 9-pin DSUB Amiga mouse/joystick ports
- 5-pin DIN Amiga keyboard port
- 25-pin DSUB serial port
- 25-pin DSUB parallel port
- battery backed up clock
- 2x power connectors for fans (1x +5V fan, 1x +12V fan)

Pictures of the motherboard PCB:

Assembled AA3000+ motherboard:

AA3000+ Firebird Daughterboard

I have also designed a daughterboard for the AA3000+, called the Firebird.
The Firebird has support for 3.3V and 5V PCI cards, the PCI support is based on the Prometheus PCI bridge by Matay.

The specifications of the Firebird daughterdboard are:
- 3x PCI slots (3.3V and 5V cards)
- 4x Zorro III slots
- 1x AGA video slot

Picture of the Firebird PCB:

Assembled Firebird daughterboard:

AA3000+ ready to use

The picture gallery.

The motherboard is working otherwise but the extended Fast RAM support is still work in progress and requires me to do another revision of the motherboard.

If you have some features that you would like to be included to the next motherboard revision, please let me know.

Locutus · 10 June 2019, 18:46

This is seriously cool

The choice of the original AT&T DSP feels a bit strange, i dont think any Amiga software using it ever existed and with a cursory look i cannot even find a assembler for it, so i fear nobody will ever write software it.

Then again, i historical reasons are cool if thats your thing

buggs · 10 June 2019, 19:31

Cool stuff, Hese. Your designs don't ever disappoint.

Do I see it correctly that you've added active Zorro bus termination on the Daughterboard? If so, a derivate of that one for the A4000 would be a welcome addition to your portfolio (assuming I didn't miss an already existing layout).

Mathesar · 10 June 2019, 19:35

In one word: FANTASTIC!

.

Seriously, you have done one hell of a job. Is this going to be open source? I really hope so as I for one would really like to build this.

I have a ton of questions/suggestions

:
- More RAM is definately desired, 64MB is a good step!
- PLEASE replace the SMT electrolytics with thru hole elco's. They have proven to withstand the test of time which cannot be said for SMT elco's (and those solid thingies don't have a lot of track record yet)
- How is the scandoubler implemented? I have not spotted an amber chip?
- Is the video DAC an R2R array? Seems like it, smart move

- Apart from the Amiga custom chips, the SCSI controller and the 23pin connectors, are the rest modern components? No antique delay lines and/ppr clock buffers and such?
- Does it work with an A3660?
- Does it fit in an A3000 desktop?

Very nice job, congrats!

Mick · 10 June 2019, 19:38

Very nice! great work.

Now we need Amiga 3000/4000 new cases!

Mrz · 10 June 2019, 19:44

connectors for fans in 2019?? for what? for a 30 w computer ?
or for a 030 cpu which don't even need a heatsink

Mick · 10 June 2019, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrz

connectors for fans in 2019?? for what? for a 30 w computer ?
or for a 030 cpu which don't even need a heatsink

A3640 with 68040 runs really hot doesn't it?

Hedeon · 10 June 2019, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

A3640 with 68040 runs really hot doesn't it?

And my 15000 RPM SCSI drive and the Voodoo3 to name a few.

Great stuff, Hese!

Which firmware is the Prometheus based PCI bridge using? The original one? Can it be used connected to an original A3000 MB?

Where does it get its 3.3V from? From some converter (i see something to the left between PCI slot 2 and 3)? How much can it handle? I think the mediators which use 10A are a little under-powered IMO.

kneehighspy · 10 June 2019, 20:31

awesome! **hands over money**

intric8 · 10 June 2019, 20:43

Daaaamn that's impressive!

Since you're taking requests, maybe take a page from the Ultimate64 and get some LED light strip support.

And an SD Micro slot built into the board somewhere.

I mean, you asked. :P

Amazing work, hese. Wow! If ever there was a need for an A3000 clear case... Too bad the 3000 motherboards won't fit in the new Checkmate cases (iirc).

Jope · 10 June 2019, 20:49

Pretty cool! :-)

Magic · 10 June 2019, 21:14

This is Awesome

4pLaY · 10 June 2019, 21:14

Super work again Hese

.

Lorfarius · 10 June 2019, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

Very nice! great work.

Now we need Amiga 3000/4000 new cases!

Like this?

https://www.checkmate1500plus.com/

Hedeon · 10 June 2019, 21:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorfarius

Like this?

https://www.checkmate1500plus.com/

Yeah! But then for A3000 and A4000 which this isn't as far as I can see.

Wrangler · 10 June 2019, 21:30

Oh man! I want one... where do I sign up?

@hedeon: can your PPC lib work with this PCI bridge?

NorthWay · 10 June 2019, 21:34

Wasn't the DSP meant to have some input/output connectors? At least sound?
And perhaps a connector for sound mixing with a CD-ROM.

(Ahem... and make it an ATX form factor? Shut up and take my money! (But I'm not greedy, it'll fit fine in my A3000D!))

Wrangler · 10 June 2019, 21:47

At least an ATX power socket would help avoid having adapters for the PSU and give 3.3v direct to the MB...

trixster · 10 June 2019, 21:52

Sold! Amazing work

amigo-mexicano · 10 June 2019, 22:42

WOW it looks so good! I want one!

10 June 2019, 18:00	#1
hese Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Somewhere Posts: 223	AA3000+ Amiga 3000 AGA motherboard Here is a project I've been working on for the past six months. AA3000+ Motherboard AA3000+ is an Amiga 3000 AGA motherboard based on the Commodore AA3000 schematics with some improvements and extra features that were missing from the original AA3000 motherboard, such as the scandoubler / flicker fixer. The specifications of the AA3000+ motherboard are: - Amiga 3000 motherboard with AGA chipset - on-board 68030 PGA CPU and 68881/68882 PLCC FPU running at 25MHz - DSP processor (AT&T DSP3210) - CPU slot for A3000/A4000 accelerators - 16MB Fast RAM using two SIMM modules (no expensive ZIP RAM chips needed) - 2MB Chip RAM (no expensive ZIP RAM chips needed) - extended Fast RAM support (up to 64MB?, work in progress) - extended Kickstart ROM support up to 4MB - on-board full 24bit AGA scandoubler / flicker fixer - support for two external video inputs (for example a graphics card and another scandoubler such as Indivision AGA) - monitor switch between the video inputs, similar to Ratte monitor switch (controllable by software or external switch) - 23-pin DSUB port for native Amiga RGB video output - 15-pin VGA port for graphics card or scandoubled / native Amiga RGB video output - 2x stereo audio RCA jack - SCSI-II controller (50-pin internal port, 50-pin DSUB external port) - 880kB / 1.76MB Amiga floppy drive port (34-pin internal port, 23-pin DSUB external port) - 2x 9-pin DSUB Amiga mouse/joystick ports - 5-pin DIN Amiga keyboard port - 25-pin DSUB serial port - 25-pin DSUB parallel port - battery backed up clock - 2x power connectors for fans (1x +5V fan, 1x +12V fan) Pictures of the motherboard PCB: Assembled AA3000+ motherboard: AA3000+ Firebird Daughterboard I have also designed a daughterboard for the AA3000+, called the Firebird. The Firebird has support for 3.3V and 5V PCI cards, the PCI support is based on the Prometheus PCI bridge by Matay. The specifications of the Firebird daughterdboard are: - 3x PCI slots (3.3V and 5V cards) - 4x Zorro III slots - 1x AGA video slot Picture of the Firebird PCB: Assembled Firebird daughterboard: AA3000+ ready to use The picture gallery. The motherboard is working otherwise but the extended Fast RAM support is still work in progress and requires me to do another revision of the motherboard. If you have some features that you would like to be included to the next motherboard revision, please let me know.

10 June 2019, 19:38	#5
Mick Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 710	Very nice! great work. Now we need Amiga 3000/4000 new cases! Last edited by Mick; 10 June 2019 at 19:46.

10 June 2019, 21:34	#17
NorthWay Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Grimstad / Norway Posts: 839	Wasn't the DSP meant to have some input/output connectors? At least sound? And perhaps a connector for sound mixing with a CD-ROM. (Ahem... and make it an ATX form factor? Shut up and take my money! (But I'm not greedy, it'll fit fine in my A3000D!)) Last edited by NorthWay; 10 June 2019 at 22:02.

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10 June 2019, 18:46	#2
Locutus Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Finland Posts: 1,176	This is seriously cool The choice of the original AT&T DSP feels a bit strange, i dont think any Amiga software using it ever existed and with a cursory look i cannot even find a assembler for it, so i fear nobody will ever write software it. Then again, i historical reasons are cool if thats your thing

10 June 2019, 19:31	#3
buggs Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Rostock/Germany Posts: 132	Cool stuff, Hese. Your designs don't ever disappoint. Do I see it correctly that you've added active Zorro bus termination on the Daughterboard? If so, a derivate of that one for the A4000 would be a welcome addition to your portfolio (assuming I didn't miss an already existing layout).

10 June 2019, 19:35	#4
Mathesar Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Netherlands Posts: 695	In one word: FANTASTIC! . Seriously, you have done one hell of a job. Is this going to be open source? I really hope so as I for one would really like to build this. I have a ton of questions/suggestions : - More RAM is definately desired, 64MB is a good step! - PLEASE replace the SMT electrolytics with thru hole elco's. They have proven to withstand the test of time which cannot be said for SMT elco's (and those solid thingies don't have a lot of track record yet) - How is the scandoubler implemented? I have not spotted an amber chip? - Is the video DAC an R2R array? Seems like it, smart move - Apart from the Amiga custom chips, the SCSI controller and the 23pin connectors, are the rest modern components? No antique delay lines and/ppr clock buffers and such? - Does it work with an A3660? - Does it fit in an A3000 desktop? Very nice job, congrats!

10 June 2019, 19:44	#6
Mrz Banned Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: I Posts: 338	connectors for fans in 2019?? for what? for a 30 w computer ? or for a 030 cpu which don't even need a heatsink

10 June 2019, 20:31	#9
kneehighspy Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: cerulean / usa Posts: 75	awesome! hands over money

10 June 2019, 20:43	#10
intric8 AmigaLover Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Seattle, WA USA Posts: 75	Daaaamn that's impressive! Since you're taking requests, maybe take a page from the Ultimate64 and get some LED light strip support. And an SD Micro slot built into the board somewhere. I mean, you asked. :P Amazing work, hese. Wow! If ever there was a need for an A3000 clear case... Too bad the 3000 motherboards won't fit in the new Checkmate cases (iirc).

10 June 2019, 20:49	#11
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,861	Pretty cool! :-)

10 June 2019, 21:14	#12
Magic Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA Posts: 359	This is Awesome

10 June 2019, 21:14	#13
4pLaY www.resistance.no Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Norway Age: 43 Posts: 200	Super work again Hese .

10 June 2019, 21:30	#16
Wrangler Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: London, UK Posts: 414	Oh man! I want one... where do I sign up? @hedeon: can your PPC lib work with this PCI bridge?

10 June 2019, 21:47	#18
Wrangler Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: London, UK Posts: 414	At least an ATX power socket would help avoid having adapters for the PSU and give 3.3v direct to the MB...

10 June 2019, 21:52	#19
trixster Guru Meditating Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: England Posts: 2,337	Sold! Amazing work

10 June 2019, 22:42	#20
amigo-mexicano Amiga's Power! Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Mexico City Posts: 53	WOW it looks so good! I want one!

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