NEW OR UPDATED ARCADE CORES

[slingshot]

Ok, I'll post the pictures.

MIST01.jpg
MIST02.jpg
MIST03.jpg

I have the same SDRAM chip, it's surely not because of that particular model. Maybe it has some weaker parameters, or who knows. I would try to re-solder the pads, it's not a hard job to do who can handle a soldering iron and has good eyes.

[slingshot]

The new firmware (201220) supports .RAM files, which can be used to store small non-volatile data if the core requires it. I've updated the Midway MCR2, MCR3, Spy Hunter and the Williams Defender/Robotron cores to support that. Now you can save service mode settings/high scores from those games.

[DanyPPC]

I have the same SDRAM chip, it's surely not because of that particular model. Maybe it has some weaker parameters, or who knows. I would try to re-solder the pads, it's not a hard job to do who can handle a soldering iron and has good eyes.

I'm not a technician, all other cores work properly, never a problem.
I can play CPS1 and CPS15 on MiSTICA, but thanks a lot for the suggestion and for your help.

[vebxenon]

The new firmware (201220) supports .RAM files, which can be used to store small non-volatile data if the core requires it. I've updated the Midway MCR2, MCR3, Spy Hunter and the Williams Defender/Robotron cores to support that. Now you can save service mode settings/high scores from those games.

[squid4]

dannyppc, exact same board here and same problem I reported back here https://www.atari-forum.com/viewtopic.p ... 66#p404566

I've moved to the Mister now but can do some more testing on my MiST and I'll try resoldering the RAM chip. Did you try PC Engine (Bonk) game to reset? I'm wondering if I damaged mine in the past when using the USB Blaster when developing.

[DanyPPC]

Thanks for report squid4.

Never used USB Blaster on my MiST, only SanDisk SD Cards.

Bonk's Adventure (TGFX16) seems to work properly. Never a problem on this Core.

[squid4]

Tried the resolder but it made no different.

[slingshot]

Tried the resolder but it made no different.

But if you can compile cores, maybe you can play with the phase shift of the SDRAM_CLK, and see if there's working value.

[DanyPPC]

@Slingshot, I have Altera Quartus II Programmer 13.1.

is this version suitable for compiling a core ?
Have you any suggestion on how to proceed ?

Many thanks for your help.

[slingshot]

@Slingshot, I have Altera Quartus II Programmer 13.1.

is this version suitable for compiling a core ?
Have you any suggestion on how to proceed ?

Many thanks for your help.

Yes, 13.1 is OK. Sorry, I don't think I can explain easily how to adjust the SDRAM_CLK's phase shift, and jotego's cores are even a bit more tricky, as the QSF is setup by a (Linux) script. There are instructions in his repo how to compile cores, try to follow them, if you have a problem in a specific step, then ask.

[robinsonb5]

Yes, 13.1 is OK. Sorry, I don't think I can explain easily how to adjust the SDRAM_CLK's phase shift, and jotego's cores are even a bit more tricky, as the QSF is setup by a (Linux) script. There are instructions in his repo how to compile cores, try to follow them, if you have a problem in a specific step, then ask.

You'll need a fairly recent GCC to build the utilities in jtframe.
Once you've built the core using the scripts, you can then open the jtcps1.qpf file in the Quartus IDE and make changes - those changes will be overwritten if you re-run the framework scripts, but that doesn't matter for testing.

From the IDE, in the Entity hierarchy view top left, double-click the line reading jtframe_pll96:u_pll_game and you should see the megafunction wizard appear. Click "Next" a few times to get to the "C<n> - Core/External Output Clock" pages - by default the core uses C2 to drive the SDRAM, so on the C2 page adjust the phase shift a little - start with 1ns either way (take care of the units - it might be set to degrees instead).

Hope that helps.

[slingshot]

.. page adjust the phase shift a little - start with 1ns either way (take care of the units - it might be set to degrees instead).

I would say go in -200 ps steps, -1ns is even enough for 128 MHz (or it's already too much, for SNES, -800ps turned to be the sweet spot which works on most boards, any less doesn't work with slower (75ns) SDRAMs, any more doesn't work with the fast 60ns Alliance ones). At 96 MHz, probably -100 or 200ps should do if 0 is not.

[vebxenon]

Centipede source is being updated by Slingshot!

https://github.com/gyurco/Mist_FPGA/tre ... 20Hardware

[vebxenon]

The new firmware (201220) supports .RAM files, which can be used to store small non-volatile data if the core requires it. I've updated the Midway MCR2, MCR3, Spy Hunter and the Williams Defender/Robotron cores to support that. Now you can save service mode settings/high scores from those games.

When I use the save NVRAM option, I always get a "Can't create config file" error

[vebxenon]

I'm the only one with this issue?

[retrofun]

Works for me. Tested with Spy Hunter and Robotron cores.

[slingshot]

When I use the save NVRAM option, I always get a "Can't create config file" error

Something still wrong in the file creation routine in the firmware, just move files around in the root directory, and probably it'll solve itself.

[vebxenon]

I'll try it. Thanks!

[DanyPPC]

https://github.com/jotego/jtbin/blob/ma ... 210101.rbf

New CPS1 48Mhz Core solves freeze/reset problems on my MiST !!!!!!!!!



Also CPS15 now works !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RealLarry]

New CPS1 48Mhz Core solves freeze/reset problems on my MiST !!!!!!!!!
Also CPS15 now works !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great news, congrats that it's working again for you and welcome back to the show!

[vebxenon]

https://github.com/jotego/jtbin/blob/ma ... 210101.rbf

New CPS1 48Mhz Core solves freeze/reset problems on my MiST !!!!!!!!!



Also CPS15 now works !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great news!!

[retrofun]

New cores by slingshot:

• Donkey Kong
• Donkey Kong Jr.
• Donkey Kong 3
• Pest Place
• Radar Scope

https://github.com/Gehstock/Mist_FPGA_C ... 20Hardware

Thanks!

[DanyPPC]

They work well

[retrofun]

Updated cores 20210115 by Jotego: Sound update

• 1942
• 1943
• Bionic Commando
• Black Tiger
• Bubble Bobble
• Commando
• Contra
• CPS1
• Double Dragon
• Double Dragon II
• F1 Dream
• Ghosts 'n Goblins
• Gun Smoke
• Pirate Ship Higemaru
• Side Arms
• Street Fighter
• Section Z
• Tiger Road
• Trojan
• Vulgus

Thanks!

[vebxenon]

Good good news on arcade side