On Tue, Aug 01, 2006 at 10:55:14AM +0100, Dieter wrote:
>
> Here is a list of solutions, have I missed any?
>
> jumpers, dip-switches, hex (SCSI-ID) switches
>
> rs-232
>
> multisync monitor
>
> tv
>
> bootable program that sets mode
>
> a second computer with an open PCI slot
>
> pins/connector with some low level hardware interface plus a
> custom daughter board with jumpers/switches/PROM/whatever
The interesting thing is that for each of these solutions, there is
probably a system integrator or end user who would prefer it over the other
solutions. One way to potentially satisfy everybody is for the ASIC to
provide only the hook logic to interrogate an external tool plugged into the
SPI port. Then any of these solutions can be implemented on a stand-alone
board that connects to the SPI port, and the standard product isn't burdened
by the cost of any of these special features. The simpler and more generic
the hook is, the more scope people outside OGP have to exercise their
creativity and scratch their own itch.
>
> Note that the multisync monitor is not really a complete solution. Once
> you program the OGC board for a fixed-freq monitor, if that monitor then
> dies, the multisync monitor might not handle that mode. And might die
> if you drive it with that mode. (Yes, I have seen this happen.)
> So maybe we need a jumper to select between multi-sync and the mode
> programmed in nvram.
Hmmm... maybe that's the one jumper that might reside on the OGC
board. Maybe it would be a position on the external-SPI header, which isn't
installed in the first place unless the user intends to plug in an external
tool.
>
> The custom daughter board would be fine for a company developing a
> lottery ticket kiosk, but not for an end-user. I suspect that a
> company developing a lottery ticket kiosk will have some way to
> program a nvram/prom device, so they might not need the custom
> daughter board.
Daughter board? I was thinking of a free-standing board connected
by a ribbon cable. But some end users who use the switch board to configure
the system for fixed frequency might prefer to leave it plugged in, to avoid
the risk of re-flashing the EEPROM. In that case, perhaps the tool and the
graphics board might have matching mounting holes, so they could be screwed
together on plastic spacers.
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