Wishing for mainboard with new component layout for A1200

[arnljot]

Piru wrote:
Even if ignoring every other unrealistic bit in this thread:

Who would write the drivers for the PCI and/or AGP cards? They don't just magically work once plugged in.

LOL, we're hoping for you Piru

I must admit that I also catch myself dreaming for a new A1200-like machine.

But I think that Natami and MiniMig are our two best chances so for of producing such a machine.

MiniMig:
As I understand part of it is based on the UAE code. Now I seem to have read that the FPGA doesn't have enough umph or gates to do AGA. But this could change. Maybe a rev. design could put another FPGA on it, or another clever solution might fall into place. I think that if the MiniMig get's enough time to mature, it'll have both USB, IDE and AGA. But it will take time, lots of time.

Natami:
Now, this kit will give you PCI. And a new AGA dubbed "SUPERAGA". Now alexh says that it doesn't exists. Well, it's perhaps a bit harsh. If we agree that Natami exists, then it follows that the new AGA chipset exists, because Natami doesn't use any of the Amigas original custom chips.

The hard thing for us who are impatient, is that a Natami is probably just as far away as a "Minimig v2". The difference between the two projects is monumental: Minimig started out small and has delivered, Natami has huge ambitions and is still in development. What people hold against Natami is it's ambitions and that there has only been one demo.

But back to the question of dreaming of a new A1200. I think that if you want a new A1200, side with either of these two excellent efforts. Can you code, then look into what you can contribute with. If you're a user, give encouragement and voice your support, and most importantly in our small community: Buy the products, and support the few remaining vendors.

[arnljot]

@Piru
Yes, scope creep. I can´t believe that it hasn´t dawned on me before. But with the 070 and all. It seems like they are/he is engeneering towards a moving target.

@alexh
I more or less agree with all of what you wrote, even the part of the Natami "not existing", because I can´t buy one. To my knowledge there existed boxer boards, but they were perhaps not working? But even if it ever did, it does not exist. Much like Clone-A...

But,

alexh wrote:
I hope not. Native USB and Amiga are not a good combination.

As a person who is not a hardware engineer, and neither knows the AmigaOS insides or APIs, but as a user I must disagree on this one. Just a mouse and keyboard alone almost justifies this one to me, and then add mass storage and it´s perfectly clear to me that this is a very important feature.

Yes, one can have PS2. And yes it´s probably cheaper to implement. But isn´t the point to always move forwards

There should however be a prioritized list of features, so that it´s constantly evolving. Features don´t need to incubate for years before they appear.

slightly off topic:
It seems that the 68040 are abundant, in speeds 25mhz, 33mhz and 40mhz. Would it be a suitable choice for a "power minimig"? Which one of the 68 series is most common, except for the 68000?

[arnljot]

@alexh
Yup, I know about PS2 and USB and that most peripherals include chips that operate on both.

And perhaps it's over engineering to map usb->ps2->amiga inside the minimig. And also allow a usb stack to access the usb ports... But:

Yes, it takes CPU to run a USB stack, but it can be done on the Amiga1000, and on OS classic with Poseidon. So it should be doable on the Minimig, but certainly hardly usable with a 7mhz 68000.

And yes, IDE will give us mass storage. But how cool would it not be to be able to boot of a memstick which you also use at work with WinUAE? Hmm...

Any way, if the SD card could be used as a IDE drive, I'd be happy as a clam

When it comes to form factor and the A1200 plastics, I'm sure a 17x17cm Minimig will fit

[arnljot]

Maybe Dimlow of EAB will donate his Apollo1240/60 regulator design to the Minimig?

Could it be done with out too much redesign to theMinimig hardware and firmware?

[arnljot]

@alexh
Just goes to show how little I understand about hardware

MiniMig is twolayer, so much I've caught on. But are you saying that BLizzard, Cyberstorm and Apollo 060 cards are singlelayer, or much more (4++)?

What would these "good bits" of such a card be? The basic good bits that is, baring the interfacing with the Amiga side.

[arnljot]

So a fair recap then for an Amiga1200-like MiniMig:

1) It must have more memory.
alexh: Is it true that a challenge with with the current design is that they must reimplement a memory controller for newer more common memory?

2) It must have a better processor than a 68000, the 68060 is best because it's 3.3v just like the MiniMig.
alexh: Are there FPGAs around that can handle a 68020 if Tobiflex's FPGA 68000 gets reimplemented as a 020?

3) Some rerouting needs to be done. Either to make it ITX (industry standard, easy to get a case) or A1200 like so that it goes right into our old boxes

4) Mass storage needs to be implemented. IDE is on the wishlist for many people.

This could end up then with an AGA A1200-like machine with either an expensive 060 or an FPGA implemented 020. PS2 ports for mouse and keyboard.

alexh: If this is done, do you think that the board would need two FPGAs? If so, what would that do to the cost of the board? If we would wait for the semiconductor industry, is it likely that we in the next year would get a cheap FPGA that hold AGA+020?

Many questions, but I'm trying to get a picture of this so that my expectations to who ever is working on the MiniMig is reasonable

Both in terms of costs (to end user), features and time scale for advances

Of course I know that you're not working on it, but you certainly understands these issues better than me.