Minimig PCB run - interest thread

[CD32Freak]

I'm surprised that after more than 2 weeks since Dennis released the Minimig sources, no one has even produced a bare Minimig board. So what's your excuse? Amiga fatigue? :lol:

[freqmax]

How is software compability for running with a 68020, 68040 or 68060 instead of 68000 ..?  esp for games.
If there's any minor incompabilities is it realistic to let the fpga hide those from the software. As the FPGA sits in between the cpu and ram ..?

CD32Freak:
I think people want some hardware misses patched, like pin81/19 swap, or-gate for the sd/mmc interface etc..

Then there's the issue of finding an pcb maker that will assemble the boards for a reasonable price. And that you can rely on.

[jkonstan]

I have actually had two bare MiniMIG 1.0 PCBs produced for myself based on Ver1.0 gerber files/layout, and I am gathering up the parts in order to assemble them by hand.

 :-)

[freqmax]

Any particular parts that are hard to source ..?
Any tip on FPGA sources except digikey?

[maffoo]

freqmax wrote:
How is software compability for running with a 68020, 68040 or 68060 instead of 68000 ..?  esp for games.
If there's any minor incompabilities is it realistic to let the fpga hide those from the software. As the FPGA sits in between the cpu and ram ..?

It would probably be easier to implement some sort of hard drive/file support and run the games through WHDLoad.

[freqmax]

My idea was to use a "better" cpu for other purposes than to run WHDLoad.
WHDLoad is just a bonus :-)

[CD32Freak]

@jkonstan

Very good, that's more like it :-D

[jkonstan]

DigiKey is the source for a fair portion of my parts for my MiniMIG. I may also buy some parts from Mouser Electronics & Jameco. Digikey & Ebay are options for the Xilinx Spartan3 208QFPs FPGA.
 :-)

[persia]

Is it possible to use bluetooth with Minimig?  It would be nice to have a keyboard and joystick without the wires...

[humppa]

Is it possible to use bluetooth with Minimig? It would be nice to have a keyboard and joystick without the wires...

Oh please... Will this ever stop?

"Bluetooth with Minimig?"
"68060@80Mhz with Minimig?"
"4 PCI-Express slots?"
"Integrated popcorn machine?"

Shouldn't we first bother about the _basics_, i.e. getting a small production run organized somehow?

[Everblue]

So when is this happening?

My money is gathering dust

[amigadave]

jkonstan wrote:
I have actually had two bare MiniMIG 1.0 PCBs produced for myself based on Ver1.0 gerber files/layout, and I am gathering up the parts in order to assemble them by hand.

 :-)

What???  You did a production run of ONLY 2 Minimig PCBs with well over 100 members here waiting and asking for someone to produce a board, either assembled or bare, for them?

Congratulations, but I must say I am disappointed that you did not ask for the money to run more PCBs for members here.  I will gladly pay anyone that is willing to produce a Minimig for me, as I do not feel confident in taking on such a project myself, without help from those more knowledgeable and skilled than myself.  I am good with a soldering iron, but would prefer to obtain an assembled board that is an exact copy of Dennis' original v1.0 design with any v1.1 fixes that can be integrated.

So, if there is anyone else that is preparing to produce another run of Minimig boards?  I am ready to buy one or two.

[zetsurin]

Dave, organising group buys on boards is not for everyone and that sort of thing can and will lead to headaches.  Can't blame the guy for getting the boards for himself rather than worrying about people not paying/changing their minds/boards getting lost in the post/more complaints/complaints when people put theirs together and it doesn't work. etc.

Having said that, if anyone knew someone in or near London who could make and assembler a board or two for some ££ I would love to hear about it!

[jkonstan]

Amigadave,

I fabbed these two blank PCBs so that I could try to help with the development/enhancement of MiniMIG. The two Ver 1.0 blank boards were fairly pricey (over $25/each without electrical test) as compared to some of the other better efforts that were already on going to produce a bunch of cheaper blank PCBs. An AROS related individual/group was going to produce a batch of the original Ver 1.0 PCBs for sale, and the original starter of this thread had the mass production covered for Ver 1.1 of this updated PCB artwork. I thought that would have everyone pretty much covered without someone else mucking up the waters.  I really do try to stay focused on the technical side of things.

 :-)

[Stedy]

Hi,

To anyone making a PCB or updating the design I can add a few suggestions.

Disconnect the HSWAP_EN (pin 206) from 0V.
This stops the FPGA driving all I/O during configuration and should negate the need to disconnect SPI_DOUT from pin 81.

If you need any pins pulled to defined states, you can edit the UCF file and recompile.

If you are buying the XC3S400-4PQ208C FPGA, it is easier to obtainm the RoHS compliant replacement, the  XC3S400-4PQG208C!

Also the earlier rev BFQ silicon has a number of bugs that could possibly affect the design, in particular relating to the DCM (Digital Clock Manager). Newer parts are much better. Take a look at the Errata for the Spartan 3.

Adding a 6 pin header for the PIC would allow the cheap PicKIt 2 programmer to be used to program the PIC18LF252, providing you add series resistors to RB6/7.


www.pcbtrain.com 2 layer, 12cm x 12 cm, plated through hole PCB, with solder resist and silksreen on one side, quantity of 50, £9.20 each including VAT.

Hope this helps.

So where can I order my Minimig kit from?  :-)

Ian

[freqmax]

I think what is required to satisfy most people. Is a board with various fixes (or-gate to sd/fpga/mcu, fpga spi_dout pinswap etc..). And this board should have at least all large smd components assembled.

I have compiled a list of fixes that should be considered:
http://www.opencircuits.com/Minimig_Board_v1.0_documentation