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Re: MFX mass-storage add-on

Posted: 09 Jun 2022 12:18
by Dave
gunrock wrote: 09 Jun 2022 08:19 Its only Martina at the weekends, Dave, ffs! :lol:
In the privacy of your own home, any time of the week is OK :lol:

Re: MFX mass-storage add-on

Posted: 22 Jun 2022 15:25
by Dave
It's been a little quiet, so here's a bit of an update for you . . . .

I don't have a few parts that I need to fully test the first version of the PCB, but here you can see probably the largest (by area) memory only upgrade board ever installed in an MTX !

Image

Re: MFX mass-storage add-on

Posted: 22 Jun 2022 22:44
by Potholepete
looking good, am looking forward to the finished version :-)

Re: MFX mass-storage add-on

Posted: 22 Jun 2022 22:50
by Dave
Thanks Jim,

IT'S ALIVE !

Well, at least the memory expansion part is

Image

Re: MFX mass-storage add-on

Posted: 23 Jun 2022 10:47
by Martin A
So much better looking than the prototype too!

Re: MFX mass-storage add-on

Posted: 23 Jun 2022 19:17
by Dave
The "smarts" all come from that prototype though ;)

Re: MFX mass-storage add-on

Posted: 25 Jun 2022 00:13
by Potholepete
Retro Mode?

Re: MFX mass-storage add-on

Posted: 25 Jun 2022 15:29
by Martin A
Potholepete wrote: 25 Jun 2022 00:13Retro Mode?
http://primrosebank.net/computers/mtx/p ... fx-dev.htm
Down near the bottom of the page there's an explanation and an example.

Basically make the crisp clean VGA image look more like a noisy RF signal on a TV.

Re: MFX mass-storage add-on

Posted: 25 Jun 2022 16:41
by Potholepete
and now I know :lol:

Re: MFX mass-storage add-on

Posted: 08 Jul 2022 18:54
by Martin A
To add to Dave's photo of a part completed board, this is what it looks like in all its completed glory!
full board.jpg
full board.jpg (114.62 KiB) Viewed 9130 times
The FPGA board is on risers to allow easy access to the programming header, so I'm running externally powered. In it's proper position there is a power supply from the board and the external supply becomes optional. That would be done using the connector on the end.

The FPGA can be personalised, so my board carries serial number MA00 as shown on the CPM boot screen. Dave's would show DS01 instead
CPM Latest.jpg
CPM Latest.jpg (72.79 KiB) Viewed 9130 times
.

The Wiznet module in the photo is tested and working as both FTP client and web server. Transferring new software for testing is now a breeze!

There are other things that could possibly be added, but basically it's done, it's meeting all of the design goals.

3D printed end plate is still to be done. That won't be until any niggles arising from testing are sorted and the risers are removed alowing the case to close.