FPGAARCADE minimig compatible board, comments?

[NovaCoder]

mikej wrote:
Exactly. The aim is to get cycle accurate 68000 & 68020 cores. Not sure what the limits are yet but 30-40MHz should be possible.

I think it is unlikely we can clone the 68060 exactly, and I also don't think it is the right way forward. It is much easier to design a software compatible processor with the implementation targeted to the FPGAs architecture.

I am all for adding new video modes etc which can be used easily. Adding new processor instructions is less useful, who is going to code for it now? Anybody fancy doing the compiler backend work?

/Mike

I would like to see it with just a 'real' 030 + FPU on a daughter board as planned and the extra effort spent on new video modes instead.  We all know that the AGA implementation was a bit of a bodge and was also hampered by slow and limited chipram + a slow blitter and copper.  What I would like to see is something closer to what the AAA chipset would have been (new screen modes, better performance, more chipram....and some chunky VGA displays).

I've already got a classic 1200 running an 030 so to replace it I want something that's going to not only be 100% compatible but also something that's a bit quicker (eg can actually run in 256 colours @ 1024x768 without dying in the ass).

[NovaCoder]

When I'm happy with the board design (and hopefully got the new website with forums up) I'll open a list of all those who wish to pre-order. Aiming to push the order button mid to end August.

/MikeJ

Awesome work Mike, can't wait for this puppy to be on sale

For us Amiga user's what can we expect, for example what will it support when first released (OCS/ECS 030...060)?   What about the future, any ideas on timescales for AGA, AGA+?

I guess you'll be looking to external developers to come up with softcores to support AGA?  I think Jens has already cracked that one but he might not be willing to share as your product *may* end up as a competitor to CloneA depending on how it is marketed.  Hey, maybe you should talk to him to see how he feels about some kind of collaboration.

[NovaCoder]

You can expect initially the board to behave like an ARM enhanced MiniMig with more RAM and DVI, but the short term aim is to get a 68020/30 softcore and enhanced video so ECS level at least. AGA may not be the best way to go, the hardware can do much better but the problem is driver/software compatibility.
/Mike

Jens (who is also working on an FPGA OCS/ECS implementation) was quoted as saying that it wouldn't be much extra effort to go to AGA once you have ECS cracked.

Anway, best of luck with this one