Zeus68k – Accelerator/IDE/RAM for the A500/2000/CDTV and others

[Buzzfuzz]

If the price is right and it fits well in an A500, A1000 and CDTV, I will buy a few of them.

[tom256]

Originally Posted by alenppc

Question, does this use a real 68k CPU or is the CPU simulated in the FPGA? Makes me think it is a softcore one, since the real thing can't run at 50 MHz... right?

Looks like it's 20MHz overclocked to 50Mhz.

[Scrat]

Originally Posted by frank_b

I think he means it would be treated as 4 * 2 megabytes of RAM. You would still have 8 meg of fast RAM but a single allocation can't span more than 2 meg.

Ah ok, got it.

@Toni: Thanks for pointing this out, we'll investigate on this.


To answer the CPU question: The Zeus68k board is powered by the 68SEC000 CPU, which is also found on the Minimig. And yes, we're overclocking the CPU at 50MHz, basically the same way as the Minimig does in Turbo Mode.

[tom256]

Scrat

Are you going to optimize memory to have zero-waitstate cycles??

Did you try to overclock more MC68000? I'm just curious how far it can run.

50Mhz is already 250% speed of official design

[Zetr0]

@tom256

A 28Mhz 68HC000 achieves about 3 MIP's (with some FAST RAM), while not everything is an order of scales I would expect a 50Mhz 680000 to achieve somewhere in the realms of 6 MIPS - maybe a little more pending memory controller.

[Toni Wilen]

Originally Posted by robinsonb5

Is there a significant difference, besides base address?

Different base address and interrupt request register.

Simple DMA controller for IDE would be even better if FPGA has enough space
(Driver is not be a problem, AROS ata.device can be easily hacked to work with custom controllers)

[Scrat]

The current prototype delivers about 5 MIPS, SysInfo's CPU benchmark reports that the card is slightly faster than a stock A3000/25. We'll need some real world benchmarks to see how the card actually performs, personally I don't trust SysInfo a single bit

We've changed the FastMem thing a bit so that there's only one Autoconfig memory device with either 1, 2, 4 or 8 Megs. Originally we had a 6MB setting (which Autoconfig doesn't support), thats why we had implemented the 4x2MB thing. That's one big advantage of the FPGA based design - the card is almost completely reconfigurable by changing the Verilog code.

Btw... if you need a real low level debugger you'll just connect a JTAG adapter, fire up the Xilinx ISE software and use the Chipscope feature to see what's really going on:


The Zeus68k is a true hacker device

[_ThEcRoW]

Im interested in a empowering hardware like that for my 500!.

[alenppc]

Originally Posted by Scrat

To answer the CPU question: The Zeus68k board is powered by the 68SEC000 CPU, which is also found on the Minimig. And yes, we're overclocking the CPU at 50MHz, basically the same way as the Minimig does in Turbo Mode.

Isn't this gonna fry the CPU really fast? Or make its behaviour very unpredictable?

[_ThEcRoW]

So, the card doesn't use the 68000 originally in the 500?

[christianlucio]

Ah yes, finally IDE for Amiga 500; a dream comes true !

[Methanoid]

Originally Posted by Lord Aga

A600s are SMD, like A1200. You can not plug chips in and out. Also A600's 68000 CPU is physically different (it's squarish, compared to the elongated A500's CPU).

Hopefully we can end the A600 questions.

Just cos you aren't interested in A600 doesnt mean other people aren't? I've seen many asking!

Similarly STE used SMD 68000... so would be great if we could have a clip on adapter?

[Zetr0]

Originally Posted by Scrat

The current prototype delivers about 5 MIPS, SysInfo's CPU benchmark reports that the card is slightly faster than a stock A3000/25. We'll need some real world benchmarks to see how the card actually performs, personally I don't trust SysInfo a single bit

We've changed the FastMem thing a bit so that there's only one Autoconfig memory device with either 1, 2, 4 or 8 Megs. Originally we had a 6MB setting (which Autoconfig doesn't support), thats why we had implemented the 4x2MB thing. That's one big advantage of the FPGA based design - the card is almost completely reconfigurable by changing the Verilog code.

Btw... if you need a real low level debugger you'll just connect a JTAG adapter, fire up the Xilinx ISE software and use the Chipscope feature to see what's really going on:
Attachment 32116

The Zeus68k is a true hacker device

Stop tempting me with your tempting temptyness!

=)

can you say more on the IDE implementation?

[mr.vince]

Originally Posted by alenppc

Isn't this gonna fry the CPU really fast? Or make its behaviour very unpredictable?

No, this CPU was designed in 2001 by Freescale. It's not like overpowering a high end CPU which will get hot and unstable. If you try this with a Minimig you will see it stays cold and stable. We will run more tests with the final boards and I am sure we won't encounter any problems.

[Lord Aga]

Originally Posted by Methanoid

Just cos you aren't interested in A600 doesnt mean other people aren't? I've seen many asking!

Similarly STE used SMD 68000... so would be great if we could have a clip on adapter?

Don't get me wrong I have an A600, and I am interested in any way of expanding it. But this time it's tough. Clip on adapter... possible in theory, but they wont change the PCB. So something to stick the card in, and then in A600... How much space in tiny A600 ? If you are looking for A600 speed upgrade ACAs are the way to go. Alternatively you can wait a bit for kipper2k's 8 megs fast RAM cards. They will be way cheaper then ACAs for sure.

Cheers

[Methanoid]

Originally Posted by Lord Aga

Don't get me wrong I have an A600, and I am interested in any way of expanding it. But this time it's tough. Clip on adapter... possible in theory, but they wont change the PCB. So something to stick the card in, and then in A600... How much space in tiny A600 ? If you are looking for A600 speed upgrade ACAs are the way to go. Alternatively you can wait a bit for kipper2k's 8 megs fast RAM cards. They will be way cheaper then ACAs for sure.

Cheers

I am NOT suggesting they change the board, just manufacture an addon that clips on and maps to the pinout of normal 68000. Saves you soldering all those wires and instantly increases doubles market (all those A600s and STEs). How expensive would that be? Probably not a lot...

[Lord Aga]

Well... IF there is room, we have a few experts here on EAB who will make such an adapter.
But do not trust the hope.
Incidentally, in the other thread, Jens has just announced some cheaper A600 goodies So there's our chance.

[keitha1200]

I have too admit: awesome piece of engineering there

Could I suggested having a budget run maybe after the main order? or along side it! if it was technically possible. I realise you's guys will be busy and have to cover costs etc but having a 'stripped down' version (if it's possible) might allow others who are a little bit short of funds, participate and maybe reduce PCB production costs.

I'm not being tight-fisted or being a cheap-skate by suggesting this! It's just there is a depression/recession on, with high levels of unemployment or the threat of it.

PS: Just a general thought idea/opinion.

[duga]

Originally Posted by keitha1200

I have too admit: awesome piece of engineering there

Could I suggested having a budget run maybe after the main order? or along side it! if it was technically possible. I realise you's guys will be busy and have to cover costs etc but having a 'stripped down' version (if it's possible) might allow others who are a little bit short of funds, participate and maybe reduce PCB production costs.

I'm not being tight-fisted or being a cheap-skate by suggesting this! It's just there is a depression/recession on, with high levels of unemployment.

The one with an A500 and on tight budget should maybe look at the ACA500 instead.

[1time]

love this.. would buy one!