TF536 + 68000 relocator and ROM board project.

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stephen_usher
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TF536 + 68000 relocator and ROM board project.

Post by stephen_usher »

OK, seeing as I've decided to try to build this thing I thought a separate thread for the progress would be a good idea.

So, the primary aim of the project is to fit a TF536 into a 520STFM case and allow the top shield to be fitted normally.

In addition, it will have on-board a socket for an Exxos dual TOS ROM with a jumper to switch between the two ROMs, decode circuitry and jumpers to say whether the ROM image needs to be placed in the TOS 1.0{2,4} address range or the TOS 2.06 range. (I envisage that you'd use a jumper to set the ROM address range for each half of the ROM and then have trailing wires going to an external switch on the case.)

And yet more... use @derkom 's relocator design to also have the 68000 on the board so that you can switch between that and the TF536.

Having this all on one board makes things simpler for users as they "merely" have to replace the CPU with a socket, remove the ROMS, re-fit the CPU on the board along with a DualTOS ROM and they're away. They can then add the TF536 (or anything else) later.

From my initial investigation it looks feasible, at least space-wise.

(This next bit is for my own reference really)

With regards to the ROM decoding, due to the dual ROM switching I can't use exactly the decode system @DoG referenced, instead the address line decode can easily be done with a 16V8 GAL, outputting either one or another output high if one of the address ranges is being accessed, then a modified version of the circuitry DoG referenced can be used to do /CE and /DTACK.

For the old TOS, the line would be high if the top byte of the address is 11111101 or 11111110.
For TOS 2.x it's simpler as you just look for 111000xx, so you can ignore the bottom two lines.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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derkom
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Re: TF536 + 68000 relocator and ROM board project.

Post by derkom »

stephen_usher wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 10:55 am And yet more... use @derkom 's relocator design to also have the 68000 on the board so that you can switch between that and the TF536.
You might want to ponder using a PLCC 68k for this, depending on how tight space gets. On my Stacy switcher, I had to use the DIP 68K because of needing to fit the other expansion boards, but a PLCC would have permitted a considerably more compact design.
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Re: TF536 + 68000 relocator and ROM board project.

Post by stephen_usher »

I'll be going for the DIP package for two reasons:

(a) I was envisaging people reusing their original CPU.
(b) Not only do I have the original but I have three spare ones, including a spiffing ceramic and gold one. :)
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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derkom
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Re: TF536 + 68000 relocator and ROM board project.

Post by derkom »

stephen_usher wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 12:24 pm (b) Not only do I have the original but I have three spare ones, including a spiffing ceramic and gold one. :)
Can't argue with that logic. :lol:
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chue
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Re: TF536 + 68000 relocator and ROM board project.

Post by chue »

stephen_usher wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 12:24 pm I have three spare ones, including a spiffing ceramic and gold one. :)
Don’t ever recall seeing a gold 68k. My google-fu didn’t show anything. Photos please!
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Re: TF536 + 68000 relocator and ROM board project.

Post by stephen_usher »

chue wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:31 pm
stephen_usher wrote: Thu Sep 24, 2020 12:24 pm I have three spare ones, including a spiffing ceramic and gold one. :)
Don’t ever recall seeing a gold 68k. My google-fu didn’t show anything. Photos please!
Here's a picture of one. It's merely the ceramic package.
68000_possibilities_by_celgen_d1tgbjs-fullview.jpg
68000_possibilities_by_celgen_d1tgbjs-fullview.jpg (184.58 KiB) Viewed 7272 times
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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chue
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Re: TF536 + 68000 relocator and ROM board project.

Post by chue »

I am envious! That is indeed, very "spiffing". :)
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stephen_usher
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Re: TF536 + 68000 relocator and ROM board project.

Post by stephen_usher »

The TF536 from @PhilC arrived today, allowing me to look at a good location for it.

This seems to be the best place. There's definitely no room for ROMs in the normal location so bringing the ROM and decoder onto the relocator board is a must.
IMG_2028.jpg
IMG_2028.jpg (93.15 KiB) Viewed 7218 times
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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stephen_usher
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Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:19 pm
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Re: TF536 + 68000 relocator and ROM board project.

Post by stephen_usher »

OK, not strictly the project, but I decided that my dev machine needed a bit of a sprucing up, so I gave the case a good clean and then a quick, light spray job.
IMG_2032.jpg
IMG_2032.jpg (62.05 KiB) Viewed 7171 times
Before
IMG_2034.jpg
IMG_2034.jpg (85.19 KiB) Viewed 7171 times
During
IMG_2035.jpg
IMG_2035.jpg (73.91 KiB) Viewed 7171 times
After

OK, now the keyboard looks awful, but the retr-brightening of that will have to wait until next Spring now.

Anyway, on the project front, now I have the TF536 and been able to put the machine together again it's clear that there's no way to get the TF underneath the shield, the 68030 is just too tall. The board will have to go in the orientation shown in the previous posting otherwise the IDE header will interfere with the bottom of the keyboard.
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
User avatar
stephen_usher
Posts: 5578
Joined: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:19 pm
Location: Oxford, UK.
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Re: TF536 + 68000 relocator and ROM board project.

Post by stephen_usher »

@exxos What model eeprom do you use for your dualtos?
Intro retro computers since before they were retro...
ZX81->Spectrum->Memotech MTX->Sinclair QL->520STM->BBC Micro->TT030->PCs & Sun Workstations.
Added code to the MiNT kernel (still there the last time I checked) + put together MiNTOS.
Collection now with added Macs, Amigas, Suns and Acorns.
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