8MB setup for a Tandy CoCo3
Years ago the NoCan series of add-on PCB's was developed. Now today with more resources available to use, the NoCan-8MB is back. The first go-around is a prototype unit only.
Updated: Aug/30/2018
Here is a single picture of the current setup. Since the PCB layout limits the size of any PCB, it's in two pieces currently. A memory PCB (left PCB) and a DAT PCB. It started with the 2MB setup and received some hand-added wires to use up the rest of that 16 x 4 SRAM (74LS189). The 8-wire cable at the bottom of the DAT PCB (right PCB) is the JTAG connection.
It was tested with Robert Gault's memory test software, originally designed strictly for the NoCan-8MB boards. Thanks Robert!
I used the same memory PCB and stuffed another DAT PCB to test an 8MB CPLD.
How to use the extra 6MB in a NoCan-8MB device.
The following initializes a ramdisk already named "/r0" (/rzero),
and fills it with the contents of /DD/CMDS.
<enter> Means the ENTER key is hit.
=========================================
Section 1.
For the first time usage do these items:
1. While in NitrOS-9:
a. cd /DD/CMDS <enter>
b. Type: Format /r0 R L "r0" 1 > inizR0 <enter>
c. Type: attr inizR0 e pe <enter>
d. Now type: inizR0 <enter> and answer the questions.
e. This makes a 6MB ramdisk.
i. 48 sectors per every track, 384 tracks (counts up to 00017F)
ii. This gives $006000 sectors (24,576 sectors)
iii. And lasts as long as the power stays on.
2. Type: makdir /r0/CMDS <enter>
3. Make a script file by typing:
a. cd /DD/CMDS <enter>
b. dsave -s18K -r /r0/CMDS > dsave.cmds <enter>
c, wait until dsave finishes.
d. Type: attr dsave.cmds e pe <enter>
e. This will NOT dive down further into each directory.
Type "help dsave <enter>" to see what flags are needed
to include more directories in depth.
4. Now run that script file by typing: dsave.out <enter>.
a. Watch as /r0 fills up with the contents of /DD/CMDS.
b. Type: chx /r0/CMDS <enter>
i. This makes the execution directory "/r0/CMDS".
ii. Now for funs, type dir -x <enter> and watch how fast it runs.
===========================================
Section 2.
Since the ramdisk "/r0" is created it will hold all files therein until the power is removed.
Even if a RESET occurs,
a SDC menu comes up and NitrOS-0 is rebooted,
all files will still remain intact in /r0.
After a reboot, just type: "chx /r0/CMDS <enter>".
Then type "dir -x <enter>" and it will show all /r0/CMDS files intact.
===========================================
Once all three script files are created, all is needed is to use those script files.
The next power-up all is needed is to type: "inizR0 <enter>" to format the ramdisk.
Then type: "makdir /r0/CMDS <enter>".
Finally type: "dsave.cmds <enter>".
===========================================
Also, it is possible to copy other directories using the same outline as above in Section 1,
using different directory file names. Such as: /DD/ASM becoming dsave.asm for instance.
A newer DAT PCB would look like this:
I could use the TQFP size cpld, but I still have these PLCC-84's to use up.
Or this version: (ground plane turned off)
The newer CPLD/DAT PCB.
The led in top of the CPLD is a RGB led wired underneath the CPLD and addressed at $FF96 as xxxx-xBGR.
Other LED's are
left side - fast speed indicator,
upper left - RAM accesses above 2MB,
upper right - VIDEO accesses above 2MB,
lower right - Power led.
Next to update are the DRAM pcb's as I am currently out of them.
NoCan 16MB pcb is here. Screen print from PCB layout software,
not showing the GND plane.
Maybe someday, 16/32 MB DAT.
IdeZilla
08/05/2018
Comments Welcomed
Updated: Aug/30/2018
Here is a single picture of the current setup. Since the PCB layout limits the size of any PCB, it's in two pieces currently. A memory PCB (left PCB) and a DAT PCB. It started with the 2MB setup and received some hand-added wires to use up the rest of that 16 x 4 SRAM (74LS189). The 8-wire cable at the bottom of the DAT PCB (right PCB) is the JTAG connection.
It was tested with Robert Gault's memory test software, originally designed strictly for the NoCan-8MB boards. Thanks Robert!
I used the same memory PCB and stuffed another DAT PCB to test an 8MB CPLD.
How to use the extra 6MB in a NoCan-8MB device.
The following initializes a ramdisk already named "/r0" (/rzero),
and fills it with the contents of /DD/CMDS.
<enter> Means the ENTER key is hit.
=========================================
Section 1.
For the first time usage do these items:
1. While in NitrOS-9:
a. cd /DD/CMDS <enter>
b. Type: Format /r0 R L "r0" 1 > inizR0 <enter>
c. Type: attr inizR0 e pe <enter>
d. Now type: inizR0 <enter> and answer the questions.
e. This makes a 6MB ramdisk.
i. 48 sectors per every track, 384 tracks (counts up to 00017F)
ii. This gives $006000 sectors (24,576 sectors)
iii. And lasts as long as the power stays on.
2. Type: makdir /r0/CMDS <enter>
3. Make a script file by typing:
a. cd /DD/CMDS <enter>
b. dsave -s18K -r /r0/CMDS > dsave.cmds <enter>
c, wait until dsave finishes.
d. Type: attr dsave.cmds e pe <enter>
e. This will NOT dive down further into each directory.
Type "help dsave <enter>" to see what flags are needed
to include more directories in depth.
4. Now run that script file by typing: dsave.out <enter>.
a. Watch as /r0 fills up with the contents of /DD/CMDS.
b. Type: chx /r0/CMDS <enter>
i. This makes the execution directory "/r0/CMDS".
ii. Now for funs, type dir -x <enter> and watch how fast it runs.
===========================================
Section 2.
Since the ramdisk "/r0" is created it will hold all files therein until the power is removed.
Even if a RESET occurs,
a SDC menu comes up and NitrOS-0 is rebooted,
all files will still remain intact in /r0.
After a reboot, just type: "chx /r0/CMDS <enter>".
Then type "dir -x <enter>" and it will show all /r0/CMDS files intact.
===========================================
Once all three script files are created, all is needed is to use those script files.
The next power-up all is needed is to type: "inizR0 <enter>" to format the ramdisk.
Then type: "makdir /r0/CMDS <enter>".
Finally type: "dsave.cmds <enter>".
===========================================
Also, it is possible to copy other directories using the same outline as above in Section 1,
using different directory file names. Such as: /DD/ASM becoming dsave.asm for instance.
A newer DAT PCB would look like this:
I could use the TQFP size cpld, but I still have these PLCC-84's to use up.
Or this version: (ground plane turned off)
The newer CPLD/DAT PCB.
The led in top of the CPLD is a RGB led wired underneath the CPLD and addressed at $FF96 as xxxx-xBGR.
Other LED's are
left side - fast speed indicator,
upper left - RAM accesses above 2MB,
upper right - VIDEO accesses above 2MB,
lower right - Power led.
Next to update are the DRAM pcb's as I am currently out of them.
NoCan 16MB pcb is here. Screen print from PCB layout software,
not showing the GND plane.
Maybe someday, 16/32 MB DAT.
IdeZilla
08/05/2018
Comments Welcomed
This is fantastic. Great progress. Looking forward to completion.
ReplyDelete