Whatever happend to the Coldfire project?

[Karlos]

@porneL

Ok, look at it this way. OS3.9 will be around for some time after the launch of OS4. Kitting out older systems for which PPC is not an option with a CPU capable of 300MHz 68K operation with pre-OS4 isn't a bad idea :-)

Even if I could afford an A1XE, I'd still like one of these to play with :-)

[Bodie]

Perfect for the A2000, especially considering it will have a PCI slot and so forth, making it relatively cheap to upgrade.

There may be life yet in the old bird :-) .

[jdiffend]

The Coldfire is a good low cost alternative to a PowerPC but there are a lot of software incompatibilities that Oli has to deal with.  I don't think it's quite as simple as he expects it to be... but hey... what do I know?

[xeron]

jdiffend wrote:
incompatibilities that Oli has to deal with.  I don't think it's quite as simple as he expects it to be... but hey... what do I know?

The situation is made easier by the fact that the emulation module will be loaded from flashrom before even kickstart is booted; and therefore will be invisible to the system. The fact that there are many tested solutions out there means that most of the hard work is already done for him.

[Framiga]

Quote

by porneL on 2003/6/9 1:54:34

Does this project make any sense anymore?

Now when amiga has migrated from 68k and legacy hardware coldfire doesnt seem to be attractive.

Its not as powerful as ppc and none of the new amigaos-flavor os-es will run on it.

I classify it as hardcore geek toy

i think that you have forgot to write: IMHO :-)

Ciao

[BADHead]

I classify it as hardcore geek toy

i will buying one for the A1200 if it ever happens
as my A1200 is still of some practical use

[Kronos]

@red/mdma

No need to buy a crappy 10 year old IDE-interface as there will be one on the accel (see Oli's post).

Yes I want ONE  :-D but not for the A4k (sorry, but that would NOT be cool ).

Either A500/1200 (in kbd-case), or even better in my old A2000 if Oli adds 1 PCI-slot and P96(or CGX) driver fo Voodoo3).

[BADHead]

or even a interface for bvision

[bloodline]

Wow!!! I didn;t realise I was going to start such a big thread!

/me Proud  :-D

Still looks really cool.... Sure makes me want to get one for my A1200... The sheer number of features make it worth it... AC97, USB, IDE... if all that can fit inside my A1200 Case I'll be a happy boy. It would certainly be more use than my BlizzPPC.
Did Oli say something about PCI? how about a Cheap integrated VGA on there aswell... damn!!! that would be one serious geek toy!!!

I would have to say though it would have to be some serious speed to make it worth my while... I've got my fingers crossed for 500Mhz...  :-D

PS. I would like to try one in an A600 too, but I can't afford two (if any!?!?!), maybe a one size fits all? :-)

[Kronos]

@BADHead

Now that would be a stupid idea.

Adding such a special PCI-connector would be just as hard (if not harder) than adding a normal PCI-slot, and would force
you down to one option, even one inferior option.

Even if it was just one PCI-slot, it would still allow for other drivers than Voodoo3 to be added.

[Kronos]

@bloodline

The A600 is the only Amiga, that doesn't have a slot which allowes CPU-cards. Those accels that do exist are slapped
ontop of the 68000, a far from perfect solution, and since the A600 is also the only one to use a SMD-68000 it would
need a special version.

An A500-version could fit into an CDTV or A2000, maybe even an A1000, but the A3k/4k would need another version, and
even one more for the A1200.

[Oli_hd]

Hi,

Anyhoo, I meant hopefully the emulation works like ocypatcher - ie patching instructions rather than trapping them every time

Opps  :-)
Answer: Traps, as I read it anyway.

A little bit from the emulators website:
"CF68KLib is a 680x0 emulation library which enables you to run 680x0 binaries either unmodified, or very slightly modified, on a ColdFire processor (Version 3 cores onwards). It achieves this by catching exceptions caused by unimplemented 680x0 instructions, performing the equivalent operation, and adjusting the stacked program counter to continue at the next instruction."

"the library takes over all ColdFire exceptions, and simulates a complete virtual 680x0 machine. As a result, your RTOS will behave as though it were running on a real 680x0 processor."

[bloodline]

Kronos wrote:
@bloodline

The A600 is the only Amiga, that doesn't have a slot which allowes CPU-cards. Those accels that do exist are slapped
ontop of the 68000, a far from perfect solution, and since the A600 is also the only one to use a SMD-68000 it would
need a special version.

An A500-version could fit into an CDTV or A2000, maybe even an A1000, but the A3k/4k would need another version, and
even one more for the A1200.

Right yeah, fair play. Forget my A600 comments then. But I stand by my VGA idea, even a cheap Blade3D chip would be better than any Amiga gfx card. Though a GF2 MX would be better :-)

[Oli_hd]

Hi,

Does this project make any sense anymore?

Yep,  Coldfire's are getting faster all the time so it will make sense for a long time to come too.  :-D

Now when amiga has migrated from 68k

It hasnt fully migrated yet, we are still using a 68K OS and loads of 68K programs.

Most new programs come in 68K and PPC versions, there are more 68K/Coldfire developers tools than PPC tools, There are more 68K games than PPC games, there are more people with 68K Amiga's than PPC Amiga's.

and legacy hardware coldfire doesnt seem to be attractive

 :-o  A few words... Prometheus, Vlab Motion, Toaster,  Emplant (well, I like it), IOBlix, Picasso IV.
Some great cards, With drivers!!!
Look at what drivers are available for PCI cards, you will have a basic system (a fast basic system mind) compared to lots of standard A4000's

Plus do you want to scrap  your Amiga as you move to the A1? Leave it to rot? Let a bunch of spiders take up residence (And I aint talking about USB cards here)

I love Zorro slots, clock ports and side expansion ports, give me more, I want more (I only have  Zorro slot free, I wonder if there is a 14 slot Zorro bus board?)
I like the idea you can just extend and extend the slots, 36 Zorro slots anyone?

Its not as powerful as ppc

Its more powerful than any PPC your going to have on an A3/4000 or A1200. (assuming the Shark isnt launched running OS4.0)
The built in SDRam interface will give a massive speed increase compared to the shared 72pin Sims on the PPC cards.

and none of the new amigaos-flavor os-es will run on it.

But they are ports of the 68K version, yes they have better icons and cleaner interfaces but these can be patched even on OS3.1 (Birdie, Newicons or OS3.5+)

It appears a fair bit of OS4.0 has been done on the 68K, maybe a port would be possible if enough Coldfire's sold (Although I dont think that will happen you never know)

I classify it as hardcore geek toy

Hehe, well Im just a hardcore geek.

[Oli_hd]

Hi,

Did Oli say something about PCI?

Yes but for 16 bit miggys only, The A2000 mainly.
The developers card I got (Motorola 5407C3) has PCI on it (And the designs on how its connected) and the chip is easy to get so it looks easy enough.
The A3/4K and 1200 versions wont have that option as they already have PCI board available and the PCI chip isnt small (Its the size of the Coldfire).

how about a Cheap integrated VGA on there aswell... damn!!! that would be one serious geek toy!!!

Hehe, sorry but nope.  :-(
although... if you port Aros to the Coldfire when its out maybe I could make a one off. ;-)

I've got my fingers crossed for 500Mhz...  

Well I will use the fastest available at the time but that looks like its going to be a 220Mhz V4.
V5 is planned and will be launched by the end of the year (Motorola says) but chances are I wont be able to get them for a long time.

Anyhow just sent an e-mail to the PCB company to give them the hurry up  :-)

[BADHead]

@Kronos
Bvision is not a stupid idea some of us want to retain
there Amigas (A1200) in there original case (or try too)

My A1200 stands a inch high with a flat panel on top