CFX-II first pictures
Posted: 20 Mar 2017 21:39
Meet the CFX-II
it Features:
80 column colour/mono/enhanced colour VGA output for CPM
Optional 512k Silicon Disc
optional 32k Ram for MTX500 to run CPM
Up to 8 8mg partitions on the CF for CPM (4 from basic using SDX extensions)
CPM boot rom
SDX Basic extension rom
The CF interface is now 8bit transfers only, so no hard drives - Sorry - but the raw speed improvement was worth it! The low level transfer rate is twice as fast as the original CFX.
The video circuit is Bill's propeller based display that he demonstrated at Memofest, coupled with his latest software which allows both a FDX style 8 colour display and an enhanced 64 colour version. There's a programming header on the board to allow for updates.
The 512k silicon disc is a single 32pin static ram, unlike the original MTX dynamic ram based boards which needed multiple memory devices. Despite the construction differences, it's fully compatible with the original Memotech type 41 drive, as shown in the central picture, and uses the original driver.
The CPLD provides all the glue as well as the level shifting to allow the MTX CPU to read back data from the propeller. That removed the need for the GAL and 74HCTxxx parts on the Prototype. The in-system programming header for that is also on the board.
Not included on the prototype, but present on final board is a 32k "skinny DIP" ram chip that Dave's somehow managed to squeeze onto the board, that could be used to upgrade the MTX500 to 64k. On the MTX512 it's not needed and would be left off.
The CPM and SDX roms are again based on the MTX sources from Andy's site to maintain as much compatibility with the originals as possible, the latest CFX enhancements such as USER DRIVE are included.
it Features:
80 column colour/mono/enhanced colour VGA output for CPM
Optional 512k Silicon Disc
optional 32k Ram for MTX500 to run CPM
Up to 8 8mg partitions on the CF for CPM (4 from basic using SDX extensions)
CPM boot rom
SDX Basic extension rom
The CF interface is now 8bit transfers only, so no hard drives - Sorry - but the raw speed improvement was worth it! The low level transfer rate is twice as fast as the original CFX.
The video circuit is Bill's propeller based display that he demonstrated at Memofest, coupled with his latest software which allows both a FDX style 8 colour display and an enhanced 64 colour version. There's a programming header on the board to allow for updates.
The 512k silicon disc is a single 32pin static ram, unlike the original MTX dynamic ram based boards which needed multiple memory devices. Despite the construction differences, it's fully compatible with the original Memotech type 41 drive, as shown in the central picture, and uses the original driver.
The CPLD provides all the glue as well as the level shifting to allow the MTX CPU to read back data from the propeller. That removed the need for the GAL and 74HCTxxx parts on the Prototype. The in-system programming header for that is also on the board.
Not included on the prototype, but present on final board is a 32k "skinny DIP" ram chip that Dave's somehow managed to squeeze onto the board, that could be used to upgrade the MTX500 to 64k. On the MTX512 it's not needed and would be left off.
The CPM and SDX roms are again based on the MTX sources from Andy's site to maintain as much compatibility with the originals as possible, the latest CFX enhancements such as USER DRIVE are included.