Clockport-Adapter for A500/A1000/A2000/CDTV

[McTrinsic]

Sorry folks,

I am after them, but they evade me

Seriously, I am in contact with one of the developers, but he is extremely busy at work and is flooded with spam.

So I am having a hard time getting through to him and get anywhere.

And another one is having the scematics.

So this really takes time, especially since I dont have much of it by myself with my little great kids.

Its so much more fun with them instead of circuits...

Anyway, I too want one of these simply because I dont want to spoil the design of the A1000 case.

I want it all in one



Have fun,
McTrinsic

[Stedy]

This design should work!!

http://www.ianstedman.co.uk/Downloads/CDTV_clockport.png

I adapted what I thought was the original design, to add an additional clockport, so this design has 2 clockports. I have not done a PCB layout yet!

TTFN

[Cyberus]

cool cool

[McTrinsic]

I'd buy one!!


McTrinsic

[Doobrey]

Nice one Ian, looks cleaner than the original version.

BTW, since you`re breaking out signals from the CPU socket, how about merging in the 14Mhz CPU hack ?

[Stedy]

To all:

What would be the interest if I got a small batch of boards made?

If I did make some PCBs, could someone sell me a cheap A500? :-D

I need to correct an error in my additional clockport address decoding but that is trivial.

to Doobrey:

PCB space with the old fashioned DIP chips is a problem with the 14 MHz hack. Going to SMT parts would help I suppose, I was trying to follow the spirit of the original design though so no SMT. I'll try laying out this PCB first!

TTFN

[Cyberus]

Hi
I'd probably be interested in two - what is the cost likely to be?
As far as the A500 goes, I don't have one spare, sorry,  but plenty turn up on ebay all the time.
The only prohibitive thing is the cost of sending it, what with the heavy PSU an' all. So in any case, you'll have to look out for one locally, otherwise it'll cost more to send than the 'puter itself

Regards

[mboehmer_e3b]

Hi, as this project seems to get ahead - if anyone is interested in getting his old Amiga upgraded with a SUBWAY USB controller (with this clockport adapter, or on a 1200 clockport, or a Zorro based clock port), please let me know by mail (mboehmere3b.de).

I may consider another production run of SUBWAY USB controller boards, if enough requests are there.

Thanks, Michael Boehmer

[Stedy]

Ball park pricing,

For quantities of 20+ PCBs they cost 17 Euro/11.3GBP/20 USD each. I may be able to lower this.
Components are about 5 Euro/3.35 GBP/6.1USD in total.

So a kit is currently 22 Euro/14.65 GBP or 26.1 USD, approximately. Prices subject to change.

I am getting some manufacturing quotes for another project of mine soon, so I will look into the costs of assembled PCBs.

I would need to build a prototype first of course, my current batch of designs (5 to date) will be made mid-september, time and travel allowing.

[McTrinsic]

As I said,

I'd buy one.

But I won't have much options in making the kit a complete board... what would an all-in-one-package cost??

Anyway... won't we need a wire to a Gary or any other chip for an interrupt? Would we need rivers?


@ m boehmer

I am interested, but it depends on the function of this new clockport...

[Stedy]

@McTrinsic

I am looking into production costs at the moment, I'll keep you posted.

A wire is needed from the board to U8 (even CIA) to connect INT6, I know an easy way to do this.

Drivers are another issue. I am starting to talk to some existing vendors about their products. If necessary, I can make developer boards available.

[cajosc]

I'm interested in buying at least one, almost certainly two. I'd prefer a complete board with already soldered components, but a kit will do if that's not possible. Just got to brush up on my soldering skills..

[McTrinsic]

Any news?

I am pretty curious ...


Besides, I think the 14-MHz-hack is not a good idea here. For the use of the most Clockport-expansions, you need a 030 anyway (I think), so you need another accelerator in any case.

Plus, making this thing SMB would *require* it to be sold as a complete board and not a DIY-kit? What do you think?

P.S.: I'd gladly test one baord ...

Have fun,
McTrinsic

[Doobrey]

It doesn`t have to stop it being a DIY kit, it just depends on the size of the parts and the skill of the person building it.
 
Using an 030 card won`t make the clockport any faster, it`ll still be limited by the 7mhz system clock, but as others have said it depends on the drivers, since most were originally written for an 020 powered A1200 ( I think the silversurfer and subway have 68000 versions for the A600 adapter).
 Wouldn`t adding a CPU card cause more problems?
If it sits in the 68k socket it`d have to have a passthrough socket for the clockport adapter to plug into (unless you stacked a couple of DIL sockets together to give clearance so the CPU card can plug into the clockport adapter).. is there enough space in an A500 to do this, or will it foul on the bottom of the keyboard?
 Or do most people interested in this have the A500 in a tower?

Anyway the 14Mhz hack was just a suggestion ,but it would probably double the cost of the adapter

[Stedy]

Hi guys,

I have been doing some 'behind the scenes' work. Enquiring about software support, manufacturing, costing the system and financing the initial builds. I am also talking to potential distributors.

I will not be adding the 14 MHz hack. It only adds maybe 2 UKP to the price but it can cause problems with the floppy drive and a few timing issues. I don't want the hassle.

The silver-surfer will work with the 68000, need to check in relation to USB cards.

The original CDTV PCB design would not work in the A500, the clockport connector would have fouled one of the custom chips, I forget which, so it needs moving. Easy done in the CAD package.

I have had some feedback on the original design, which I need to incorporate before I finalise the PCB design. I am still aiming for mid-september for prototype PCBs. Production PCBs will be a few weeks later.

The other thing I should do, is get hold of a cheap A500+ to test the design. This is work in progress.

That's all for now.

[Argus]

@Stedy

I'd buy a couple for the ole A500 if the cost is as you say.  A DIY kit is fine with me.

@mboehmer_e3b

Thanks for the USB hardware; I don't have one yet but am planning on buying a ZII or clockport version real soon, especially for my digital camera USB port (Sony). Any idea if this would work?