> > > ...the normal ports on the ASIC are going to > > > be used as "transfer ports" -- ie they don't access the chips direct > > > any more, but get stuffed into latches for the appropriate other > > > > Good stuff. I was wondering how you were intending to cope with that without > > any s/w traps. > > *winks* well, now you know :) >
This will slow down I/O in SAM mode very slightly tho, won't it? Not noticeably, maybe, but anything which is extremely timing critical or very heavy on I/O might suffer slightly (?) > > > z80's to handle it.. only in SAM emulation mode though. The OS will > > > be a DOS, with extension files on disc to hook it and bodge it if > > > necessary -- if we can, we'll use EEPROMs so that upgrades can be > > > freebies.. > > Yeah, sounds like the best bet, especially if you're not mass- > producing. > > Mmmm.. that's what we thought... nicer too, if you want to put the > DOS in ROM -- just in case... I think DOS in ROM is essential, it's uncontended, can't be accidentally (or deliberately) overwritten so it's much more stable (provided the program itself is stable in the first place, of course) and doesn't use up any RAM. Simple patches can be done without replacing the chip, provided it's written nicely enough and only a major overhaul requires a replacement chip. > > With standard sound outputs, instead of a DIN plug? (please...) > > Well... both probably... in the PC case version, that is... we're > thinking of doing a version that you can plug your SAM into the back > of (note the way I mean that :) :) :) ) Hmm. Interesting. Why would you want to, tho? > > Si Nige
