Hi Peter,
I was looking at the QL schematics a few weeks back and noticed the
Microdrives use a serial bus. I guess this is bit banged by the software
to transfer data. Could this be connected to the SD SPI serial interface
using level shifters (5V - 3.3V)?. It would be neat to have drop in
replacement drives.
Cheers
Malcolm
On 11/01/2011 11:15, Peter wrote:
Hi all,
what would be your favorite style for an SD/MMC card "harddisk" for the
QL?
I can _not_ promise to really make a piece of hardware available, but it
would be nice to know, just in case...
A) External interface, plugs into parallel port of SuperGoldCard
Pro:
- Interface also works on Q40 and Q60
- QL Case doesn't need to be openened
- Easy reconnect from one machine to another
- Hot-plugging might work
- ROM-Port remains usable
Con:
- Slow data transfer through parallel port handshake lines
B) External interface, plugs into QL ROM port
Pro:
- QL Case doesn't need to be openened
- Faster data transfer
- Onboard Driver ROM
- Works on QL without GoldCard / SuperGoldCard
Con:
- ROM-Port occupied
- Complex hardware
C) Internal interface, plugs into CPU socket
Pro:
- Fastest data transfer
- ROM-Port remains usable
Con:
- QL Case needs to be openened
- Only GoldCard/SuperGoldCard machines
D) Internal interface, replacing a microdrive(!)
Can easily be bolted inside the case, after a microdrive was removed
Plugs into CPU socket or maybe other place
Pro:
- SD/MMC-card can be plugged in like a cartridge
- Looks cool
- Very "QL-style"
- ROM-Port remains usable
Con:
- QL Case needs to be openened
All the best,
Peter
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