Internal Falcon Ethernet controller

[wongck]

- Litchi tries to download/upload the file entirely in RAM to avoid writing on the disk during the transfer. It warns you in the console window if it can't allocate the required memory and will have to do it by parts.

This is a good way of optimising by buffering to the max and reducing slow disk writes.

[mghodge]

An unhappy update on this project:

While probing around to work out interrupts the scope lead connected to EXPAND on the expansion header grazed the fuse clip on the PSU sending 120v into the Falcon. This incredibly stupid cockup on my part instantly fried the U63 GAL and the 1k pullup resistor on that line (at least). I've replaced both these components but the Falcon will no longer boot. If I can repair the Falcon I'll continue. If not, I'll have to put aside this project and post the design files for someone else to continue. I can't afford to buy another Falcon.

[mghodge]

Needless to say, there is no longer line voltage anywhere near my workbench ATM. Also, a moderator may want to move this thread from the "Professionals" forum to the "Blithering idiots" forum...

[dml]

Ouch! I suppose it's time to sit with the schematic and follow everything back from that pin

You'll probably find it easier if you have a 2nd Falcon nearby (loan?) to compare signals with and maybe do some swaps for tests...

[mghodge]

Fortunately "EXPAND" only goes to U63 (GAL) and the 1K pullup on the mobo, and the CPLD on my board. I replaced the 1K and CPLD and ordered a new GAL from Best Electronics. The GAL, being NOS, was completely blank when it arrived and did not work. So I had to buy a GAL programmer and reprogram it from a .JDC file I found on the net.

Everything is fixed and working as it did before. I am very happy.

cart-rd.png

[dbsys]

Fortunately "EXPAND" only goes to U63 (GAL) and the 1K pullup on the mobo, and the CPLD on my board. I replaced the 1K and CPLD and ordered a new GAL from Best Electronics. The GAL, being NOS, was completely blank when it arrived and did not work. So I had to buy a GAL programmer and reprogram it from a .JDC file I found on the net.

Everything is fixed and working as it did before. I am very happy.

cart-rd.png

That´s great news. I am glad you were able to fix your Falcon. It would have been a huge loss, considering Falcon´s prices out there.

[Atari030]

Phew, another one saved. Good work.

[wongck]

Great to see another bird flying again

[tuxie]

Any news ?

[Dal]

Also, a moderator may want to move this thread from the "Professionals" forum to the "Blithering idiots" forum...

*Snigger*

[Rustynutt]

Wow, Brilliant, as they say across the pond
See the oscillator, is there any other timing taken from the expansion bus, or all independent?
That's about the cleanest board ever.

[mghodge]

The RTL uses a 20MHz crystal, but all communication with the Falcon is asynchronous through the Altera CPLD.

I have a second revision of the board built and tested. I was going to see about adding support for the "Boot ROM" function of the chip, but I can't think of a useful application for cumbersome, 8-bit, paged Flash chip access.

[mghodge]

Quick update:

It looks like there will need to be one more revision on the PCB. The mag pack needs to be moved to the bottom of the board in order to clear the Falcon's RF shielding.

[dbsys]

Quick update:

It looks like there will need to be one more revision on the PCB. The mag pack needs to be moved to the bottom of the board in order to clear the Falcon's RF shielding.

Thanks for your continuous work on this very sophisticated project!

I am looking forward to owning at least one of these devices when the time is right!

[mghodge]

I have two of these ready to sell. Anyone still interested?
Price is $200 ea.

[mghodge]

These are now going to eBay for buyer protection: http://www.ebay.com/itm/331882395421

[catmando]

You've made a really nice job of these but I think unfortunately the production cost is not competitive enough with existing solutions out there. Good luck with your sale though and I hope you get what you want for them.

[mghodge]

Here are the design files. The STING driver and source, DipTrace PCB design files and schematic, and Quartus 13 project folder for the CPLD.

[Greenious]

Most impressive, and great job!

An idea would be to have the ethernet-connector internally, and use a flat TP-cable to extend it out where one wants it with a female-female TP adapter, then you would not need to remove Joy-B port for it.

[mghodge]

Let's try this. One is now up for auction. Interested to see just what the level of interest is.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331887908127

[Greenious]

As much as I would like to bid on this, ebay is not an attractive trading platform anymore for many europeans.

The global shipping program has more or less killed it, since anything more than like $30 dollars or so get's taxed and fee'd the hell out of the buyer.

Current bid is $51, with all the fees, taxes and shipping it's already $100 for me.

[rpineau]

Well.. it's my bid ($51) and I'm in the US,.
But I agree that for European buyer it's a pain.

[mghodge]

I would support someone in EU manufacturing them for sale in EU. You can buy blank PCBs from OSH Park (https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/lxwCvpHJ) or use the attached Gerbers. You would then buy ISA Ethernet cards off eBay and transfer the parts. Adding the programmed CPLD is the only custom part.

[mikro]

Happy to announce that I've built in and tested the card by myself, too. Neat piece of hardware. Will try to improve a few things, make a FreeMiNT driver and support for Sqwards uIP tool.

[calimero]

Is it possible to bring price down?