FPGA Replay Board

[mikej]

The /dev/drupal is a development site, please use the main page for now.
The schematics are a few posts down.

Im having some trouble getting commitment from my assembler. I'm talking to another guy, but what will probably happen is I'll take the parts back to China on Tuesday next week and drop them off with the company which is doing the volume production.
This will actually speed up the volume deployment, but is more risky as I wanted to test the boards before paying for the set up and production stencils (which is kinda expensive).

Either way, I will have boards available by the end of the month.

The 68060 board is still being defined, although the prototype is running well.
It is unlikely to have pass-through connectors for SI reasons, but there are other IO pins on the main board which can be used. I will add a breakout connector for any spare pins.
/MikeJ

[mikej]

we will have some boards 1st week October.

[mikej]

"That bad with assemblers nearby?

Otherwise try at least to get one express mailed back for verification. And send som test-jig so the manufacturer can verify.Though anything "Chinese" should be heavily quality controlled "

They will build the boards while I'm out there, and I will bring them back with me.
I can repair most build errors with the rework equipment I have here, but the assembly is normally pretty reliable.
Best,
/MikeJ

[mikej]

Just inked the deal with the manufacturing company. Stencil production has started.
/MikeJ

[mikej]

I hope they have enough capacity for us
/MikeJ

[mikej]

We have hardware, boards delivered to my sticky hands.

We had a meeting to discuss the next larger run, all the setup work for volume manufacture is now in place.

I'll will take these first 44 home and test next week. I'll start taking orders for these shortly when I know how many are working.
Cheers,
MikeJ

[mikej]

Here's an idea: Manually label them with the serial number. It's cool

Just wondering, the card I got. Do you remember which serial# it is ?

Yup - it's B01-ESPSKOG

[mikej]

I put a quick snap of 16 of the new boards on the website.

http://www.fpgaarcade.com

/MikeJ

[mikej]

I put a quick snap of 16 of the new boards on the website.

http://www.fpgaarcade.com

Is that plastic anti-static ?

Yes, in general the pink-stuff is anti-static.
/Mike

[mikej]

Anybody who'd read this thread would probably know that about 200 people have already indicated some months ago that they wanted a board. But Mike won't confirm who is "on the list" so we get another hundred odd posts of people having to ask if they are "on the list".

Come on Mike, publish the list or at least email people to tell them what number they are on the list

I have around 42 boards available. I am not sure how many are working yet.
I also want to make sure the software/firmware is completely ready - it isn't yet but it's good enough for techy people who are happy to do future upgrades.

I have a list of people who have expressed an interest.
I'll start emailing people shortly - in the order people expressed an interest - and see who actually wants one.

I realize it is frustrating, and it is taking too long.

The good news is these were made at a volume factory in China, so I can order more at any point now.
Cheers,
MikeJ

[mikej]

The changes to b02 over b01 have been verified.
You can plug the DVI connector in at the same time as the audio.
The board powers off correctly even when back-powered from the TV.

Audio, DVI, Analog, Composite (with selectable luma trap), SVHS are all performing very well - in fact the analog picture and sound quality are excellent.

Memory testing on-going....
/MikeJ

[mikej]

Excellent news Mike! Can't wait!

Back-powered? Can the TV supply power to the board over HDMI/DVI so we don't need a separate power brick?

Actually pretty much so, but by accident. The Chrontel DAC has, what I would consider a bug, in that the DVI termination voltage can pass back through the DAC and keep the 3.3V supply alive enough such that the card does not power down.
I have fixed it now.
/MikeJ

[mikej]

Nice!!!
Which steps are needed to make my B01 a B02 (apart from the audioconnector which is ok since you moved it a few clicks to the right already), and can they be done by ourselves or will they require some new parts ?

Espen

None, the boards are completely compatible for firmware.
The only difference is the luma trap on composite out is driven from an extra line on the ARM controller (so turning it off will have no affect on B1). The trap can be disabled by removing a component if required.

The power-on control has been improved, but this is only an issue when you use DVI later.

All the other changes are layout related to improve production.
Best,
Mike

[mikej]

When will the new firmware be available for download ?
>> when it works...


What will the lumatrap do for the image if I disable it ?
>> For composite only, disabling luma trap can give slightly sharper picture but at risk of additional color distortion.

My board tends to now power-off when i physically switch it off with the on/off switch. As this is not a problem for me, I am just curious what the cause is and what the fix was on the B02 board to handle it.

> backfeed from DVI receiver through DAC to 3V3 supply rail. Addition of reset generator from main 5V supply line feeding DCDC enable.
/Mike

[mikej]

It looks like I can hit the pricing I wanted for these boards.

The base option (no SVHS/Composite) will be 199Euro and with SVHS/Composite is 219 Euro.

Including VAT the price will be 249Euro and 274Euro for this batch.

It is possible the price of any future run will be ~20 Euro lower - that's what volume does.

My VAT registration is not complete yet, and I have paid VAT on components and assembly, so I need to charge the VAT inclusive price even to US customers for these "samples".

I am not ready to collect cash just yet
/MikeJ

[mikej]

No, but he has confirmed that he will be shipping it any time now and I have no doubt that it will arrive in time to take to the AmiWest 2011 Show with me.

I shipped it yesterday, standard mail but should arrive in 5 days they said.
/MikeJ