FDD+IDE controller and Universal Flash ROM cartridge projects + future Multi-soundcard cartridge

Van Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3650)

24-04-2017, 23:03

Tools have been updated - 48kb ROM loading glitch fixed, more RCP files added.

Van hardwaremaker

Master (247)

24-04-2017, 23:13

Great work Alexey !!!!!

Van Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3650)

27-04-2017, 09:54

I used a similar soldering technique for big chips that is shown in this video starting from 10:00 when assembling the cartridge:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VihgDVlgBY0

As the gaps between the pins are very small, I would recommend to wash away the flux with spirit.

Van hardwaremaker

Master (247)

27-04-2017, 12:40

Alexey wrote:

I used a similar soldering technique for big chips that is shown in this video starting from 10:00 when assembling the cartridge:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VihgDVlgBY0

As the gaps between the pins are very small, I would recommend to wash away the flux with spirit.

I use a similar technique, but putting the board in vertical, and the gravity force, makes part of the work with the excess of solder material.

Van hardwaremaker

Master (247)

29-04-2017, 14:06

What are the functions of the two optional parts of the circuit?

Van Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3650)

30-04-2017, 02:16

hardwaremaker wrote:

What are the functions of the two optional parts of the circuit?

Three actually - 2 transistors and EEPROM. The transistors are for supplying 12V to the flash chip for faster IO, but it's not needed or used in the firmware. The EEPROM can be used for something useful if someone has an idea what could be put there...

Crap, today I assembled another cartridge, but my Altera is f*cked - the HD3 signal on pin 207 is shorted to the ground inside Altera chip. So CF cards are not identified and IDE doesn't work properly. I will ask our engineer whether it's possible to get that signal from one of the unused pins. If not, I will probably still keep this cartridge as FlashROM + RAM + FMPAC + SCC. IDE can be disabled by using a configuration entry.

Van hardwaremaker

Master (247)

30-04-2017, 02:25

Alexey wrote:

Three actually - 2 transistors and EEPROM. The transistors are for supplying 12V to the flash chip for faster IO, but it's not needed or used in the firmware. The EEPROM can be used for something useful if someone has an idea what could be put there...

Crap, today I assembled another cartridge, but my Altera is f*cked - the HD3 signal on pin 207 is shorted to the ground inside Altera chip. So CF cards are not identified and IDE doesn't work properly. I will ask our engineer whether it's possible to get that signal from one of the unused pins. If not, I will probably still keep this cartridge as FlashROM + RAM + FMPAC + SCC. IDE can be disabled by using a configuration entry.

OK. The cartridge, works fine mounting all this optional components?

Van Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3650)

30-04-2017, 03:10

hardwaremaker wrote:

OK. The cartridge, works fine mounting all this optional components?

Sure. What's the point of soldering them if they are not used? Waste of parts. So don't solder them.

Van Wierzbowsky

Guardian (3650)

30-04-2017, 05:43

Thanks to Altera's flexible design and our engineer's great work, the HD3 signal has been re-arranged to a different pin and with a small thin piece of wire the fix resulted in a working IDE.

Van hardwaremaker

Master (247)

30-04-2017, 09:27

Alexey wrote:

hardwaremaker wrote:

OK. The cartridge, works fine mounting all this optional components?

Sure. What's the point of soldering them if they are not used? Waste of parts. So don't solder them.

I buyed the parts, and I don't will use this parts in another circuit. I will solder them in case they use in the future.