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Amiga computer related discussion => Amiga Hardware Issues and discussion => Topic started by: Iggy on November 04, 2013, 05:27:08 PM

Title: 68K SBC designs?
Post by: Iggy on November 04, 2013, 05:27:08 PM
I know this isn't strictly an Amiga hardware question.

But with the price of lower end 68K processors like the MC68HC000 and the  MC68030 bottoming out, I have not been able to resist buying a few parts to play with.

What SBC designs are there that might be worth building?
Title: Re: 68K SBC designs?
Post by: bloodline on November 04, 2013, 07:05:38 PM
Technically, I would say the Minimig is a68k SBC :)
Title: Re: 68K SBC designs?
Post by: Iggy on November 04, 2013, 09:10:58 PM
Quote from: bloodline;751806
Technically, I would say the Minimig is a68k SBC :)

Actually not a bad idea.
I hadn't considered FPGA components except as glue logic (which, I guess, places me behind the times).
This is only ECS at this point (except for larger boards like the Replay), isn't it?

BTW - I found a supplier that claims to have Lisa chips.
While the operation of this component is intimately tied to the other parts of the AGA chipset, I'm wondering if this might be useful.
Title: Re: 68K SBC designs?
Post by: Iggy on November 04, 2013, 10:04:28 PM
Oh, since no one asked, the reason I'm interested in this is I can now get a 20MHz 68HC000 for less than a 3MHz 6309.
So my interest in 8 bit machines finally wanes.

Then again, if it was all about economics, I'd be using nothing but ARM based hardware.
I was low on cash yesterday and passed on a chance to buy 70 ARM9 based mcus for $30.
Title: Re: 68K SBC designs?
Post by: xyzzy on November 04, 2013, 10:43:29 PM
Not qute 68000 but this is pretty interesting:

http://wandel.ca/homepage/mc68008/
Title: Re: 68K SBC designs?
Post by: Iggy on November 04, 2013, 11:23:42 PM
Quote from: xyzzy;751834
Not qute 68000 but this is pretty interesting:

http://wandel.ca/homepage/mc68008/

Close.
An MC68HC001 can be substituted for the MC68008 in most designs (and it can be clocked faster).
Thanks.
And btw, everybody, I'd be interested to hear about 68030 designs as well.
Title: Re: 68K SBC designs?
Post by: bloodline on November 04, 2013, 11:52:49 PM
Quote from: Iggy;751831
Oh, since no one asked, the reason I'm interested in this is I can now get a 20MHz 68HC000 for less than a 3MHz 6309.
So my interest in 8 bit machines finally wanes.

Then again, if it was all about economics, I'd be using nothing but ARM based hardware.
I was low on cash yesterday and passed on a chance to buy 70 ARM9 based mcus for $30.
I have a natural love of the pure 68K architecture, but I would suggest it is insanity to even think about anything other than ARM for your 32Bit uc needs... And with boards like the teensy 3.0 it is hard to justify using 8bit devices now!
Title: Re: 68K SBC designs?
Post by: nicholas on November 04, 2013, 11:57:43 PM
Quote from: xyzzy;751834
Not qute 68000 but this is pretty interesting:

http://wandel.ca/homepage/mc68008/

Nice.  Have you seen this 68008 homebrew computer?

http://www.ist-schlau.de/

https://www.youtube.com/user/Bogog75?feature=watch
Title: Re: 68K SBC designs?
Post by: Iggy on November 05, 2013, 03:04:16 AM
Quote from: bloodline;751840
I have a natural love of the pure 68K architecture, but I would suggest it is insanity to even think about anything other than ARM for your 32Bit uc needs... And with boards like the teensy 3.0 it is hard to justify using 8bit devices now!

Actually, and I may have already  mentioned this here, I missed out on a chance to buy 70 ARM9 mcus last night for $30.
I'm still kicking myself in the ass over that.

As to 8bit cpus, I just like to 6809 and am almost as fascinated with the 6309 as I am with the 68000. The 6309? Its got 16 and 32 bit capabilities that are surprising for such and old design.

But yeah, ARM is kind of hard to beat. When I recently decided I had to have something tied to my entertainment system, an ARM Cortex A9 quad core appliance seemed like a natural.
After all, for about $100 I have a 2GB system that wouls slap all my legacy hardware silly in comparison.

But we aren't talking practical bloodline, we're talking hobbyist pursuits.
Yes I can get an ARM that will greatly out perform a $4.00 20MHz 68000.
But damn man, I can get 20 MHz 68000 processors for $4 or less now!
Title: Re: 68K SBC designs?
Post by: Iggy on November 05, 2013, 03:07:01 AM
Oh, and thanks Nik.
I've seen the Kiwi.
Just out of practicality, I'd probably go with a V9958 VDP rather than a V9990 (it costs about $40 less), but the specs are close to what I was thinking about (except that I would prefer a full 68000).


Edit - Actually, after looking back over the Kiwi, this may be a good start.
Title: Re: 68K SBC designs?
Post by: Iggy on November 05, 2013, 03:03:36 PM
BTW - Researching this has given me a new appreciation for the ECS and AGA chipsets.
While there is still a lot of appeal in following through with this, its interesting that it still won't be as integrated as an Amiga's circuitry is.