FPGA Replay Board

[joemango]

Hey MikeJ,

Congrats on getting so far with the boards.  I've been following this thread since way back.  I'm probably going to order one, but cash is tight.  I tend to like to go with a 1.2 rev with new tech just so I can get some help using it from the early early adopters.  I do have a question/idea which never got addressed in this thread:

Would it be possible to add another FPGA thru the expansion port?  Does the expansion bus have direct i/o lines to the spartan, or is it like a FSB setup?  (I'm only a little versed in hardware tech talk, enough to get myself in trouble)  I'm thinking you could expand this board without having to do a rev. C no?

Just some thoughts to keep you busy...

Keep up the great work man!  All my friends want a replay when they become widely available, I talk about it so much.

[joemango]

I'm thinking a PCI-E x1 or x4 interface would be nice.  Shouldn't be impossible to implement on a daughtercard.  Opens up myriad possibilities for expansion and interconnect.

I don't think we all realize just what mikej has on his hands here.  The idea now that we can have a compact computer that can mimic nearly any computer that preceded it, and indeed enable the resurrection of such platforms as viable consumer products, even for novelty's sake, is simply amazing.  For sure he isn't the first to come up with the idea, but the implementation of this board configuration with its expansion bus and virtually all needed connectors to coexist in the current device arena is just what such a product needs to become something people want for Christmas - especially budget-minded nostalgia-addled middle aged men like myself  CUSA can offer a cheap PC-based emulator stuffed in an impressively made case, but he can offer a single-board compact solution that behaves faithfully like any old PC (generic term implied) in a box smaller than a mac mini.

I know this will raise some hackles, but I personally would love to run Android on it.  If it'll run Linux it'll happen. It has an ARM core.  Why not?

[joemango]

How about MHL (Mobile High-definition Link) through microUSB?  My EVO 3D cellphone has it. They (legally) sell adapters that output HDMI 1080p/7.1 plus the spec provides power from the display (or adapter).  It uses a microUSB 4-wire port to do all that.  I suppose there's a chip to buy but you don't have to put HDMI compliance on the box.  Their website seems to have completely forgotten the acronym HDMI and it seems like cost of entry is cheap(er).  Perhaps they don't want to pay the cartel.

MikeJ, check this link out: http://www.mhlconsortium.org/adopters/adopter_information.aspx

...Although I'm sure you're familiar with the spec already.  Looks like they'd like to get some more little gadgets on board that hook up to TV sets via MHL.  In the application form they have a check box for "Home game console" which I think is what you should tick  

Can't wait.  Buona fortuna!

[joemango]

MHL might be workable IF:
 * MHL to HDMI adapters are cheap enough (remember DVI is very straightforward!)
 * MHL is open and free
 * Chips implementing the TMDS interface can be bought in <100 qty for a fair price.

- I paid $40 retail for my MHL MicroUSB>HDMI adapter.  They're $20 on Amazon.
- MHL doesn't look so open or free. Maybe just cheaper.  You have to pay $100 just to look at the draft specs.  But I don't know how much it costs to actually implement it or license it.  It looks like there's a deal to be struck there.
- The chips are always cheap. The royalties are what you have to worry about.

The MHL spec calls for 1080p + 7.1 plus inbound power and remote control abilities over a standard USB cable..  Eventually it will be available on a lot of TV sets as the connectors are everywhere and cheap (unlike HDMI), being bog standard USB plugs.  More and more people use smartphones, and the CTIA (cell phone cartel) set the standard for all new cell phones (Except a certain fruity phone who shall remain iNameless) to have a microUSB 2.0 port for power and sync to make interconnection with peripherals easier.  So if all cell phones have that connection, make a spec that will use it and poof... no barrier to entry.  The phone manufacturer doesn't have to put a special connector on their already crowded device (driving build costs up, a no-no), and they get to have HD Video out.

As for the 68060 additional board. I hope it will be fitted with a connector to make it possible to stack additional cards. Ie base fpga arcade + addon 68060 board + addon fpga booster + other..

MMMM stacking expansion boards... The only thing that would make that more delicious would be some cheese on top.  And maybe some chocolate.

SO how long until someone builds a mediator-type bus board for the Arcade Replay?

You have no idea what you've started Mike

[joemango]

I wonder what Mick Tinker is thinking about all this....

[joemango]

Yeah an ATX panel with a color plastic label would be worth $20 if it looked tits. $25 even. Hell I'll make my own label.  Just a tin cutout panel is enough.

Just more idle ramblings--- could a ppc daughtercard be made for this sucker?  They gotta be cheaper than 060's.  How about a standard a1200 expansion interface?  Possibilities... om nom nom.

[joemango]

Brings back memories of tripping and watching fairlight demos in college. :/

[joemango]

Sweet!  Should be just around tax refund time.  Keep on truckin' MikeJ!

[joemango]

how hard would it be to make an expansion card for FPGAReplay with an A1200 trapdoor connector or a 4000D bus connector?  I'm thinking mediator.

[joemango]

doesn't the 060 need a heatsink?  What kind of cooling is necessary in a unit like this?