Re: [Ql-Users] QLwIP
On 15 Sep 2013 at 17:29, Mark Martin wrote: Having a full fledge ethernet interface without the socket limitations of the WIZnet type of chips is an intriguing notion. I wonder if it will have any impact on the amount of work the get a working uIP type stack -- uIP doing things like packet reassembly/fragmentation/etc vs. acting more like a pass-through. In either case, I don't think Posix sockets interface are a requirement so uIP is just as good an API as anything else. Regardless of whether it's communicating with a CP2200 or a WIZnet (or similar). It looks like I need to look into card edge connectors for native QL and a breadboard. How to get connected to the CPU bus is always the biggest problem with the original QL, as using extension bus makes things big and ugly. Using ROM slot takes away write access. And simulating writes with address lines is not something one would want while debugging an ethernet device. Maybe the best approach is to make something big and ugly first, get things working, and then go for the more difficult ROM slot approach, if there is still time and interest left. Should you (or anyone else) decide to actually use the CP2200, I could contribute a little PCB design with the complete ethernet circuitry und RJ45 connector, bringing address and data bus lines to an easy to solder connector. I have designed that already for the Q68, it would take only a few hours, as long as I don't have to buy anything or give explanations. (Warning: The CP2200 comes in a TQFP package with 0.5 mm pitch. Not impossible to solder, but not easy.) I don't have a GC or SGC, but I do have a QXL I could use for compilation and I'll look into putting together a build/test station. For compilation you could also use Jonathan Hudson's XTC68 cross compiler for the PC. Peter ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] Q68
- Original Message - From: Peter Graf pg...@q40.de To: ql-us...@q-v-d.com Sent: Saturday, September 14, 2013 3:41 PM Subject: [Ql-Users] Q68 Malcolm Lear wrote: I really like the idea of the Q68. Of all these options its the only one I'd go out and buy. What sort of CPU speed are talking about and will the FPGA design files be available to modify? If I find the time to design suitable caches, I expect CPU core speed between 32 and 40 MHz. At 20 MHz, the Dhrystone benchmark gave something between SuperGoldCard and Q40. For the general public, I might hold back some design files until expenses for manufacturing have been covered. On a personal basis, I can be asked for more. I'm also considering to release the board schematics at some point. In this case, a person with FPGA skills could use the board for general purposes. For example, I have successfully tried two different RISC CPUs on the Q68, but I did not design any memory or video controllers for those. Peter Of all the options, the Q68 interests me most, subject to final price of course. I am already considering 'retiring' my Q40 - a big ugly box which makes a noise like a vacuum cleaner compared to modern hardware (especially my silent Raspberry Pi), with no USB support and a dodgy image on an LCD screen it's just become clutter. My only worry is that by the time the Q68 becomes a product it will already be obsolete, i.e. restricted to old type/speed/capacity of SD memory or whatever removable media type is adopted. What about support for other essential peripherals, i.e. keyboard (USB or PS/2?), mouse, monitor - HDMI, DVI or just old VGA? If it was right up to date when released I would be interested. Oh, and the filesystem would have to support any size of SD card the hardware supports. 200 euros? Maybe if the exchange rate improved to make it a lot less in sterling. Ian. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] OT: Free Online UK PhoneAddress directory?
WILLIAM WAUGH wrote: Not sure what bit of BT you tried, I usually use this http://www.thephonebook.bt.com/publisha.content/en/search/residential /search.publisha Thanks, Bill. I've tried that before but it seems that not all residents are listed in their directory. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] OT: Free Online UK PhoneAddress directory?
Dilwyn Jones wrote: try www.thephonebook.bt.com gives phone numbers and addresses unless ex-directory. Thanks, Dilwyn. That's the same service as suggested by Bill. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] A seat in the lifeboat?
Peter Graf wrote: Life has changed, time has become even shorter nowadays. It is absolutely unrealistic that all my projects can be released someday. But maybe I can rescue at least *one* of them, before all work is lost forever. Peter, there's a quite experienced and very active group (tied together by a forum) of Sinclair related hardware hackers in Germany. Their members recently developed and produced - among other projects - a very well done ZX80 replica and some other nice hardware. See: http://forum.tlienhard.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2t=978 What impresses me most is their speed of development. Often it takes only weeks until projects develop dramatically. Amazing. Their QLers are currently working on an Microdrive emulator supporting SD-cards as storage. See: http://forum.tlienhard.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9t=991 Why not post in their QL Forum. Should be an easy task in your mother tongue and may evolve some new possibilities. Even meeting some guys would probably be next door. Cheers, Urs ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
Re: [Ql-Users] QLwIP
On Mon, Sep 16, 2013 at 4:01 AM, Peter pg...@q40.de wrote: How to get connected to the CPU bus is always the biggest problem with the original QL, as using extension bus makes things big and ugly. Using ROM slot takes away write access. And simulating writes with address lines is not something one would want while debugging an ethernet device. I gathered something was wonky with that ROM slot after following Adrian's progress. Now I know, thanks. Is a socketed approach possible? I'm thinking the AdIDE and AdSpeed stuff so common for Amigas and Atari ST back in the day. I honestly don't know off the top of my head whether the CPU was always socketed so pardon me if it usually isn't. Maybe the best approach is to make something big and ugly first, get things working, and then go for the more difficult ROM slot approach, if there is still time and interest left. Especially if big and ugly means less complicated for someone with my meager hardware skills. Should you (or anyone else) decide to actually use the CP2200, I could contribute a little PCB design with the complete ethernet circuitry und RJ45 connector, bringing address and data bus lines to an easy to solder connector. I have designed that already for the Q68, it would take only a few hours, as long as I don't have to buy anything or give explanations. (Warning: The CP2200 comes in a TQFP package with 0.5 mm pitch. Not impossible to solder, but not easy.) If you could share that that would be great and probably save me 10x the time since I can *maybe* solve the logic and bus issues but not the physical and line quality issues (e.g. filtering and the discretes). I don't have a GC or SGC, but I do have a QXL I could use for compilation and I'll look into putting together a build/test station. For compilation you could also use Jonathan Hudson's XTC68 cross compiler for the PC. Looking into that now, thanks. ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
[Ql-Users] Sinclair hardware hackers forum in Germany
Hi Urs, Peter, there's a quite experienced and very active group (tied together by a forum) of Sinclair related hardware hackers in Germany. Their members recently developed and produced - among other projects - a very well done ZX80 replica and some other nice hardware. See: http://forum.tlienhard.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2t=978 Thanks for the good hint, Urs. To Rich Mellor: Your post regarding QL-SD in that forum seems to require a little correction. 1. The cable between the two QL-SD boards does *not* pass over the TV output, if folded correctly. 2. There are *no* known issues with the cables between the two boards, as two termination resistors were added in the final design. (Consequently, usage of the external ROM socket can not help.) 3. There still are instabilities with my SuperGoldCard, but *not* with original QL and GoldCard. These instabilities are *not* related to the ribbon cable, and also occur if the SD card socket is directly soldered to the base board. 4. My offer for a ROM port redesign was only to keep Adrian involved in production, which would have saved me a lot of work. I have no plans to do such a redesign without him. What impresses me most is their speed of development. Often it takes only weeks until projects develop dramatically. Amazing. They do not seem to work at the level of miniaturization required for devices like QL-SD, Q68, etc. That makes development a lot easier for them. Peter ___ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.q-v-d.demon.co.uk/smsqe.htm
