Retro computing µPF--2, the first real start.

The implementation of the peripherals being different on this board, I had to modify the VHDL code of the system that was working on the generic FPGA board. It took me much less time than I expected to achieve a functional result:

For the moment I have only tested the displays. The next step will consist of checking the operation of the USB serial com port as well as the communication with the keyboard. But for now, the new µPF--2 board will be able to replace the generic FPGA board on my desk and it feels good because it's been a few months now since I started porting µPF--1 to an FPGA board:

OMEGA MSX COMPUTER : A USB keyboard converter

I am currently very busy developing the µPF--2 kit. However, I continue other development in parallel, including a USB keyboard converter for the MSX Omega computer:

More information here.

Retro computing : µPF--2, a µPF--1 clone.

The project to recreate the µPF--1 kit is progressing. I now have a complete hardware system that will allow me to implement the FPGA code emulating the µPF--1:

More info here!

µPF--2 : The printed circuit board

 I like to receive the printed circuit board of a study. This makes tangible what was then only a concept :

Everything looks fine. Even the FPGA module sits correctly!

In fact, it is sometimes quite curious to see the result of an idea that we had formed a few months earlier. I didn't think the final design would look like this.

It only remains to build the circuit step by step, hoping to avoid the 'magic smoke'...

µPF--2 : Final Beta Version

By reworking the layout of the components, I finally had enough room to implement all of the extension connector signals. All I have to do now is to create the printed circuit board:

The final circuit is quite large in the end, given all the elements that are implemented.

Eventually, I hope to be able to operate these various original expansion boards knowing that they are intended for a µPF1P and not a µPF1 or 1B :

Printer & I/O boards.

Interesting informations on this subject are available on this site: https://fjkraan.home.xs4all.nl/comp/mpf1/

µPF--2 : Finally it should look like this!

As I mentioned in a previous post, it is not always easy to arbitrate between the capacities of a system and the difficulty of its material realization, especially if in addition the final price must be as tight as possible.

For this uPF--2 I considered several possibilities before arriving at a system which I believe to be sufficiently simple but efficient for the envisaged use.

Here in 3D what should look like the system :

Due to the FPGA used, I reduced the expansion bus to only addressing peripherals. This should be more than enough to create I / O expansion boards of all kinds.

This system takes all the characteristics of the original board of Wichit Schirichotte, but largely improved in terms of capacities and speed of execution.

http://www.kswichit.com/Z80/Z80.html

µPF--2 : Argh!!!

Studying an electronic board is, like many things, a matter of compromise. You have to make a choice between what you want to offer, the complexity of the schematic, and ultimately, the material feasibility.

The result of my previous study resulted in a fairly complex system. In fact, too complex for this type of subject. So I decided to deport all the FPGA part on a pre-fabricated board.

This brings as a result not only that the most delicate parts of the study are now on a circuit very easy to integrate, but in addition, offers a higher end FPGA. This still greatly simplifies the final board.

The result is now much simpler:

And voila! It should be easier to route now.