All posts by fash

C64 Cartridge

Got IC Sockets in today, together with other goodies.

So i soldered the C64 Cartridge print.

Putting a bin on the eeprom

sudo minipro -p AT28C64 -w 8kcart.bin

Welll .. allmost working.
Some strange artifacts, but is running.

The long wire … is a ‘jumper’ .. i cant find ONE (free) jumper in my lab!

6502 progress

Added second VIA chip. (For hex keyboard)

Skipped the sound setups with simple components or the Yamaha chip. Straight to the commodore SID chip. Added a amplifier and a speaker.

Added ROM functions for line printing. Picture with 2 lines, and my name in Japanese

Now I have to wait for components. I’ve made a simulation for a address decoder.

Rest I’ve put in previous posts as updates.

Meanwhile testing 6502 apps on Android


Weird things at work

From a long time ago

(two examples)

There was a place i’ve worked, they did something weird with network masks.
The cause was probably because of changes in the network, and some things had to be re-routed.
When doing routing you use a network mask, this mask is used in tcp/ip routing. When an IP is not in a local network, which boundaries are set by the mask, the protocol will use the gateway to break out of the network.

Example time!

192.168.1.2 – computer IP
192.168.1.0 – network it sees as local
255.255.255.0 – network mask
192.168.1.1 – gateway of example

in binary

11000000.10101000.00000001.00000010 – computer IP
11000000.10101000.00000001.00000000 – network
11111111.11111111.11111111.00000000 – mask (should be al 1’s until the boundary of the network)

The 1’s in the mask should work as a filter!

What i’ve seen was something like a mask
11111111.1111111.00111111.00000000 !
This gave the network a gap into another network!

This is NOT encouraged, don’t do this.
Theoretical and seen in a real live environment .. it CAN work

Another weird one

I was asked to look into a problem at the Johan Cruyff Foundation.
Btw I ran into the guy, but I didn’t know who he was, they had to explain.
(I ‘m not into football)

Some PC’s sometimes could not connect to the network. Sometimes the printer didn’t work.
A colleague of mine looked into it and could not find it.

  • The order in which powered up the PC’s and printer seems to matter.
  • From the 7-8 devices only 6 worked.

So I drove to Amsterdam, turned on a pc, and looked at its network settings.
It was getting a IP, but it was a PUBLIC one!
Looking at another machine, it was also a public one!

The router was locked inside a cabinet, but I knew the famous dutch telecom provider had done something like this! (below)

As it should be (4 ports example)

The organisation had a range of 6 public addresses, thats why not all machines could connect.
These windows pc where connected directly to the internet!
(Some virusscanning required I think!)

74 Series logic, Rom, Gal, Pal, FPGA for Address decoding

For accessing the different components in computers you have to use the Address Bus.
In most 8 bits computers there are 16 address lines.

The CPU on a 6502 can access 65536 addresses (16 bit ). But most chips in the circuit have just a few address lines.
So the chip to use has to be selected using a CE (chip Enable) signal.

Old article i found on my fileserver from 1984

74 Series logic

Above example uses A15 combined with A14 to address the 16K ROM
When using a 32k rom in the upper part of the memory, a15 can be used as CE

The 74ALS133 is a widely used decoder due to it’s many inputs.

Sometimes not all address lines are used for decoding, then you will get a repetition of the device in the memory map.

Above 6522 VIA has only 4 address lines RS0-RS3. But 2 chipselect pins (CS).
If you connect the chip as below.

A15 A14 A13 A12 A11 A10 A09 A08 A07 A06 A05 A04 A03 A02 A01 A00
CS1 CS2  NC  NC  NC  NC  NC  NC  NC  NC  NC  NC CR3 CR2 CR1 CR0
(NC - not connected, and CS2 is inverted!)

The chip would be selected when A15 is 1 and A14 is 0, A13-A04 it would not listen to. So its 4 bits addresses (total 16), would be repeated in a block $8000-$BFFF (10xx xxxx xxxx aaaa) 16384 addresses for 16 addresses on the 6522

ROM

Another simple solution to get a more precise address decoder without using a lot of components is using a ROM.
But this wil only work for low speeds!
A eeprom is relative cheap

Example ROM as chip enable/select

PAL PLA GAL

With these devices you can “program” a schematic which works as above example’s of the 74 series. But now you can do it using only one component.

PALs and PLAs are fuse-programmed, some are erasable like (e)eprom.
Below a example of the code.
Most of the PAL/PLA/GAL are hard to get and obsolete

;PALASM Design Description
;---------------------------------- Declaration Segment ------------
TITLE    pRAM PC_interface Address Decoder
PATTERN  pRAM97A.pds
REVISION H
AUTHOR   Trevor Clarkson
COMPANY  EEE KCL
DATE     30/05/97

CHIP  decode  PALCE20V8

;---------------------------------- PIN Declarations ---------------
PIN  1          AEN                                   COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  2          A9                                    COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  3          A8                                    COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  4          A7                                    COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  5          A6                                    COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  6          A5                                    COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  7          A4                                    COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  8          A3                                    COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  9          A2                                    COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  10         A1                                    COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  11         IOW                                   COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  12         GND
PIN  13         IOR                                   COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  14         ACK_HALT                              COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  15         PLS_EN                                COMBINATORIAL ; OUTPUT
PIN  16         BRDW                                  COMBINATORIAL ; OUTPUT
PIN  17         MOD_CTRL                              COMBINATORIAL ; OUTPUT
PIN  18         RAM_ACCESS                            COMBINATORIAL ; OUTPUT
PIN  19         IO_16                                 COMBINATORIAL ; OUTPUT
PIN  20         LATCH_MOD                             COMBINATORIAL ; OUTPUT
PIN  21         LATCH_ADD                             COMBINATORIAL ; OUTPUT
PIN  22         P300                                  COMBINATORIAL ; OUTPUT
PIN  23         P300IN                                COMBINATORIAL ; INPUT
PIN  24         VCC

;PC address decoding functions (not all in this PAL)
;uses latched address to provide low-order address lines to pRAM/RAM
;       A3      A2      A1      R/W     Addr    Function
;       0       0       0       R       300     MFF_0
;                               W               not used
;       0       0       1       R       302     MFF_1
;                               W               not used
;       0       1       0       R       304     MFF_2
;                               W               not used
;       0       1       1       R       306     MFF_3
;                               W               Latch Module Number
;       1       0       0       R       308     PLS_Status  (pRAM status)
;                               W               PLS_Control (pRAM control)
;       1       0       1       R       30A     Weight/Connection-
;                               W                Pointer RAM access
;       1       1       0       R       30C     not used
;                               W               Latched RAM address
;       1       1       1       R       30E     not used
;                               W               pRAM_256 module control
;
; NB. IO_16 must be tri-stated when not in use

;----------------------------------- Boolean Equation Segment ------
EQUATIONS

/P300 = A9*A8*/A7*/A6*/A5*/A4*/IOR + A9*A8*/A7*/A6*/A5*/A4*/IOW

/BRDW = /P300IN * /IOW

/PLS_EN = /P300IN*/A3*/IOR + /P300IN*A3*/A2*/A1

; MOD_CTRL is active HIGH
MOD_CTRL = ACK_HALT * /BRDW * A3 * A2 * A1 * /IOW

; RAM_ACCESS is active HIGH
RAM_ACCESS = ACK_HALT * /P300IN * A3 * /A2 * A1

IO_16 = GND
IO_16.TRST = /P300IN
; enable 16-bit transfers

; LATCH_MOD is active HIGH
LATCH_MOD = /BRDW * /A3 * A2 * A1

; LATCH_ADD is active HIGH
LATCH_ADD = /BRDW * A3 * A2 * /A1

;----------------------------------- Simulation Segment ------------
SIMULATION
TRACE_ON A9 A8 A7 A6 A5 A4 IOR /IOW /BRDW /PLS_EN MOD_CTRL RAM_ACCESS IO_16 LATCH_MOD LATCH_ADD ACK_HALT /P300 /P300IN
SETF /A9 /A8 /A7 /A6 /A5 /A4 /A3 /A2 /A1 IOR IOW /ACK_HALT /P300IN
SETF /IOW ; test P300 doesn't respond
SETF IOW /IOR ; test P300 doesn't respond
SETF IOR
SETF A9 A8 /A7 /A6 /A5 /A4 /IOR /P300IN
SETF A1
SETF A2 /A1
SETF A1 ; read mff0-3
SETF IOR /IOW ; test P300 and BRDW
SETF /A3 A2 A1 ; test Latch Module No
SETF IOW A3 A2 A1 ; MOD-CTRL not active until ACK_HALT
SETF ACK_HALT /IOW
SETF IOW /ACK_HALT
SETF A3 /A2 A1 ; check RAM_ACCESS
SETF ACK_HALT /IOW
SETF /ACK_HALT IOW
SETF ACK_HALT /IOR ; check READ and WRITE to RAM
SETF IOR P300IN
SETF /A3 A2 A1
SETF /ACK_HALT /P300IN
SETF IOW
SETF /A3 A2 A1 /IOW ; check LATCH_MOD 
SETF IOW
SETF A3 A2 /A1
SETF /IOW       ; check LATCH_ADD
SETF /A3 /A2 /A1 ; shouldn't happen normally

TRACE_OFF
;-------------------------------------------------------------------

FPGA

Example FPGA code. A solution which is too fancy for my 6502.
// Verilog code for decoder 
// 5-input AND gate 
module AND_5_input(g,a,b,c,d,e);
  output g;
  input a,b,c,d,e;
  and #(50) and1(f1,a,b,c,d),
            and2(g,f1,e);
endmodule
// fpga4student.com: FPGA projects, Verilog projects, VHDL projects 
// Verilog code for decoder 
// Decoder top level Verilog code using 5-input AND gates 
module dec5to32(Out,Adr);
input [4:0] Adr; // Adr=Address of register
output [31:0] Out;
not #(50) Inv4(Nota, Adr[4]);
not #(50) Inv3(Notb, Adr[3]);
not #(50) Inv2(Notc, Adr[2]);
not #(50) Inv1(Notd, Adr[1]);
not #(50) Inv0(Note, Adr[0]);

AND_5_input a0(Out[0],  Nota,Notb,Notc,Notd,Note); // 00000
AND_5_input a1(Out[1],  Nota,Notb,Notc,Notd,Adr[0]); // 00001
AND_5_input a2(Out[2],  Nota,Notb,Notc,Adr[1],Note); //00010
AND_5_input a3(Out[3],  Nota,Notb,Notc,Adr[1],Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a4(Out[4],  Nota,Notb,Adr[2],Notd,Note);
AND_5_input a5(Out[5],  Nota,Notb,Adr[2],Notd,Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a6(Out[6],  Nota,Notb,Adr[2],Adr[1],Note);
AND_5_input a7(Out[7],  Nota,Notb,Adr[2],Adr[1],Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a8(Out[8],    Nota,Adr[3],Notc,Notd,Note);
AND_5_input a9(Out[9],    Nota,Adr[3],Notc,Notd,Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a10(Out[10],  Nota,Adr[3],Notc,Adr[1],Note);
AND_5_input a11(Out[11],  Nota,Adr[3],Notc,Adr[1],Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a12(Out[12],  Nota,Adr[3],Adr[2],Notd,Note);
AND_5_input a13(Out[13],  Nota,Adr[3],Adr[2],Notd,Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a14(Out[14],  Nota,Adr[3],Adr[2],Adr[1],Note);
AND_5_input a15(Out[15],  Nota,Adr[3],Adr[2],Adr[1],Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a16(Out[16],  Adr[4],Notb,Notc,Notd,Note);
AND_5_input a17(Out[17],  Adr[4],Notb,Notc,Notd,Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a18(Out[18],  Adr[4],Notb,Notc,Adr[1],Note);
AND_5_input a19(Out[19],  Adr[4],Notb,Notc,Adr[1],Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a20(Out[20],  Adr[4],Notb,Adr[2],Notd,Note);
AND_5_input a21(Out[21],  Adr[4],Notb,Adr[2],Notd,Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a22(Out[22],  Adr[4],Notb,Adr[2],Adr[1],Note);
AND_5_input a23(Out[23],  Adr[4],Notb,Adr[2],Adr[1],Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a24(Out[24],  Adr[4],Adr[3],Notc,Notd,Note);
AND_5_input a25(Out[25],  Adr[4],Adr[3],Notc,Notd,Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a26(Out[26],  Adr[4],Adr[3],Notc,Adr[1],Note);
AND_5_input a27(Out[27],  Adr[4],Adr[3],Notc,Adr[1],Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a28(Out[28],  Adr[4],Adr[3],Adr[2],Notd,Note);
AND_5_input a29(Out[29],  Adr[4],Adr[3],Adr[2],Notd,Adr[0]);
AND_5_input a30(Out[30],  Adr[4],Adr[3],Adr[2],Adr[1],Note);
AND_5_input a31(Out[31],  Adr[4],Adr[3],Adr[2],Adr[1],Adr[0]); // 11111
endmodule

Example of Ice studio FPGA programming

Conslusion:

For now i will use the 74 logic. But i definitely will revisit FPGA’s

G1200 Microscope

Another good suggestion by Bigred.

We are all getting older and electronics smaller. It’s hard to see if your soldering blobs are okay!
Those blobs can reflect the light in a way that it’s not visible anymore to check them.

So i took Bigreds advice, and bought a G1200 Microscope.
It’s a cheap but helpfull little gadget.

  • 1-1200 times zoom
  • 7inch screen (720p)
  • SDcard
  • Lipo battery
  • Recording on micro sdcard in 12 mega pixels pictures and 1080P Video.
    (even got a timer)
  • Focus button, and extra lights (There is a light source in de camera head, which can be adjusted by a knob)
  • When connecting to your pc, you get 3 options
    • PC Camera ( … so you can record using your pc with for example OBS)
    • Mass Storage, to read the SDCARD
    • Rec_mode ?!? – No idea yet

Below some examples:

Picture example
Video example

SDCard Access:

Access to the sdcard is a little hard. Connecting via Mass Storage is a solution. But i’ve put a little piece of tape to get the card in or out of the slot.

You can view the recordings on the Microscope itself. So i was wondering, can it play any other movie files?

I placed different MOV files on the sdcard, but the microscope skipped the ones i places on the sdcard myself.

I started to look at the metadata, and saw a Codec ID
“qt 2016.04.21 (qt )”

 mediainfo VID_001.MOV
General
Complete name                            : VID_001.MOV
Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : QuickTime
Codec ID                                 : qt   2016.04.21 (qt  )
File size                                : 551 MiB
Duration                                 : 12s 0ms
Overall bit rate                         : 385 Mbps
Encoded date                             : UTC 1904-01-01 00:00:00
Tagged date                              : UTC 1904-01-01 00:00:00

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : Main@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames                : 1 frame
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 12s 0ms
Source duration                          : 12s 360ms
Bit rate                                 : 14.5 Mbps
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 25.000 fps
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.280
Stream size                              : 20.8 MiB (4%)
Source stream size                       : 21.3 MiB (4%)
Language                                 : 33
Encoded date                             : UTC 1904-01-01 00:00:00
Tagged date                              : UTC 1904-01-01 00:00:00
mdhd_Duration                            : 12000

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : PCM
Format settings, Endianness              : Little
Format settings, Sign                    : Signed
Codec ID                                 : sowt
Duration                                 : 12s 0ms
Source duration                          : 12s 288ms
Bit rate mode                            : Constant
Bit rate                                 : 128 Kbps
Channel(s)                               : 1 channel
Channel positions                        : Front: C
Sampling rate                            : 8 000 Hz
Bit depth                                : 16 bits
Stream size                              : 188 KiB (0%)
Source stream size                       : 192 KiB (0%)
Language                                 : 33
Default                                  : Yes
Alternate group                          : 1
Encoded date                             : UTC 1904-01-01 00:00:00
Tagged date                              : UTC 1904-01-01 00:00:00

Tried to change this with ffmpeg, but it would not change the way i want.

ffmpeg -i VID_002.MOV -c copy -map 0 -brand 'qt   2016.04.21 (qt  )' VID_007.MOV

mediainfo VID_007.MOV
General
Complete name                            : VID_007.MOV
Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : QuickTime
Codec ID                                 : qt   0000.02 (qt  )  <--------------- nope

Header of the movie clip
maybe i have to look into this … later

00000000  00 00 00 14 66 74 79 70  71 74 20 20 20 16 04 21  |....ftypqt   ..!|
00000010  71 74 20 20 00 00 00 08  77 69 64 65 01 57 c7 e4  |qt  ....wide.W..|
00000020  6d 64 61 74 00 00 01 d8  0c 00 00 00 4a 4b 4c 4a  |mdat........JKLJ|
00000030  19 00 00 00 80 07 00 00  38 04 00 00 01 00 00 00  |........8.......|
00000040  10 00 00 00 40 1f 00 00  00 20 00 00 01 00 00 00  |....@.... ......|
00000050  0c 00 00 00 73 6f 77 74  00 02 00 00 00 00 00 00  |....sowt........|
00000060  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00  |................|

Memory map generator

Started to write a program to generate a memory map like this

It will be a python script which generates a ascii table.

| a15 | a14 | a13 | a12 | a11 | a10 | a09 | a08 | a07 | a06 | a05 | a04 | a03 | a02 | a01 | a00 |
|  1  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  | ROM
|  0  |  0  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  | RAM
|  0  |  1  |  1  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  x  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  | VIA
|  0  |  0  |  0  |  0  |  0  |  0  |  0  |  1  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  |  a  | PS

Above example shows:

  • Rom – $8000 and up
  • Ram – $0000 till $3FFF
  • Via chip – $6xxx-$7xxxx 16 addresses repeating in this block.
    This will be the interesting/hard part
  • Program stack – in RAM – $0100-$01FF

Generated output

| 0000 | ram |     |     |      |      |
| 00ff | ram |     |     |      |      |
| 0100 | ram |     | ps  |      |      |
| 01ff | ram |     | ps  |      |      |
| 0200 | ram |     |     |      |      |
| 3fff | ram |     |     |      |      |
| 4000 |     |     |     |      |      |
| 5fff |     |     |     |      |      |
| 6000 |     |     |     | via1 |      |
| 6fff |     |     |     | via1 |      |
| 7000 |     |     |     |      | via2 |
| 7fff |     |     |     |      | via2 |
| 8000 |     | rom |     |      |      |
| ffff |     | rom |     |      |      |
#!/bin/python

# 0 = address should be 0 .. Duh
# 1 = address should be 1 .. Duh
# a = address 0 or 1
# x = not connected, future function

# try
#via1 = ["0","1","1","0","x","x","x","x","x","x","0","x","a","a","a","a"]

rom = ["1","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a"]
ram = ["0","0","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a"]
via1 = ["0","1","1","0","x","x","x","x","x","x","x","x","a","a","a","a"]
via2 = ["0","1","1","1","x","x","x","x","x","x","x","x","a","a","a","a"]
ps  = ["0","0","0","0","0","0","0","1","a","a","a","a","a","a","a","a"]

counter = 0
prevhexw = f"{0:04x}"

prevram = "nix"
prevrom = "nix"
prevps = "nix"
prevvia1 = "nix"
prevvia2 = "nix"

while counter < 65536:
    binw = f"{counter:016b}"
    hexw = f"{counter:04x}"
    binint = bin(int(counter))
    address=0

    ramcheck=0    
    romcheck=0    
    pscheck=0
    via1check=0
    via2check=0

    printram = "   "
    printrom = "   "
    printps = "   "
    printvia1 = "    "
    printvia2 = "    "
    myram=ram.copy()
    myrom=rom.copy()
    myps=ps.copy()
    myvia1=via1.copy()
    myvia2=via2.copy()
    while address < 16:

        if myram[address] == "a":
            myram[address]=binw[address]
        if myram[address] == "x":
            myram[address]=binw[address]
        if myram[address] != binw[address]:
            ramcheck=1

        if myrom[address] == "a":
            myrom[address]=binw[address]
        if myrom[address] == "x":
            myrom[address]=binw[address]
        if myrom[address] != binw[address]:
            romcheck=1

        if myps[address] == "a":
            myps[address]=binw[address]
        if myps[address] == "x":
            myps[address]=binw[address]
        if myps[address] != binw[address]:
            pscheck=1

        if myvia1[address] == "a":
            myvia1[address]=binw[address]
        if myvia1[address] == "x":
            myvia1[address]=binw[address]
        if myvia1[address] != binw[address]:
            via1check=1

        if myvia2[address] == "a":
            myvia2[address]=binw[address]
        if myvia2[address] == "x":
            myvia2[address]=binw[address]
        if myvia2[address] != binw[address]:
            via2check=1


        address=address+1

    if ramcheck==0:
        printram="ram"
    if romcheck==0:
        printrom="rom"
    if pscheck==0:
        printps="ps "
    if via1check==0:
        printvia1="via1"
    if via2check==0:
        printvia2="via2"


    if prevram != printram or prevrom != printrom or prevps != printps or prevvia1 != printvia1 or prevvia2 != printvia2:
        printlinep = f"| {prevhexw} | {prevram} | {prevrom} | {prevps} | {prevvia1} | {prevvia2} |"
        printline = f"| {hexw} | {printram} | {printrom} | {printps} | {printvia1} | {printvia2} |"
        if prevram != "nix":
            print(printlinep)
        print(printline)
    prevram=printram
    prevrom=printrom
    prevps=printps
    prevvia1=printvia1
    prevvia2=printvia2
    prevhexw=hexw
    counter=counter+1;
printline = f"| {hexw} | {printram} | {printrom} | {printps} | {printvia1} | {printvia2} |"
print(printline)

Scavenging parts and schematics

Searching for parts .. from other projects

I want to make a new clock module using a bare ATmega328 running on a 16mhz crystal. This to provide a clock for my 6502 computer.

Using a display and a rotary encoder I want to create a clock module which generates a 50/50 duty cycle clock 1Hz – 1 MHz.

Input module for my 6502 will be 5 buttons. (For now) that’s what’s left on the VIA on port A. (Rest is used by the display). The display i’m going to place directly on the bus. But I already ordered a second VIA.  Matrix keyboard will be next. Then I will use the buttons in the picture for shift/alternate buttons. Because I’ll need about 25 keys. (See other posts) . I’ll probably end up making that one myself.

Badge picture plus sound in micropython

python mch2022-tools/webusb_fat_dir.py /flash/apps/python/easy
for f in easy.mp3 easy.png icon.png __init__.py ; do python  mch2022-tools/webusb_fat_push.py $f /flash/apps/python/easy/$f ; done

Micropython code __init__.py

mport display
import mch22
from audio import play
import buttons
from time import sleep
from machine import Pin
from neopixel import NeoPixel

powerPin = Pin(19, Pin.OUT)
dataPin = Pin(5, Pin.OUT)
np = NeoPixel(dataPin, 5)
powerPin.on()


def on_home_btn(pressed):
  if pressed:
    mch22.exit_python()


display.drawPng(0,0,"/apps/python/easy/easy.png")
display.flush()



# Led setup
#   2   3    
#      1
#     0     4

np[0] = (23,5,15)
np[1] = (3,15,22)
np[2] = (25,24,1)
np[3] = (25,24,1)
np[4] = (23,4,15)
np.write()


buttons.attach(buttons.BTN_HOME, on_home_btn)
# playing with volume 0 to wakeup sound device, else it is going to clip
play('/apps/python/easy/easy.mp3', volume=0)
sleep(7)
while True:
    play('/apps/python/easy/easy.mp3', volume=100)
    sleep(30)

Wire wrap

The lost ancient art of wire wrapping.

{funny story]
In 2019 i wanted to make a simple probe, which could detect 0 or 1 or a pulse. I wanted to make this on a little print using wirewrap wires and IC sockets. (I still have the tool which i used in the 90s.)
When going to a well-known electronics shop in Den Hague. A great shop to get all kinds of oldskool electronics. But i’m getting ahead of the story.
This shop has a lot of components for all kinds of electronics. New and what it looked like de-soldered component from boards or bought from old going-out-of-business shops or factories. Stuff you needed for 60s equipment.
Well i was at the counter, asking a old guy.
“Do you have wire-wrap wire”
He said: ” No that’s old skool” ….
{/funny story]

The wirewrap tool has a cable stripper. After stripping you would put a short part in the tool, place the tool over a IC pin and turning would wrap the wire on the pins.
You could stack multiple connections on one pin.
Removing could be done by turning the tool counterclockwise.
Sometimes you had to remove the one closest to the print, replacing all wires. (Or cut the wrong/not needed wire and leave it in place … )

I’m thinking of moving my breadboard 6502 to a wirewrapped version.
All my old boards are gone .. before i got a digital camera .. 🙁

Example from a 8031 setup of a friend of mine

6502 progress

UPDATE: 20220815, 20220814, 20220815, 20230202

Flashing ROMs .. (eeproms). It used to be a pain in the *$$.
Burning took a looong time. But clearing one with UV took .. 20 minutes or so. Using one of these:

Altered clock module

  • Changed button press
  • Dipswitches for more speed control (red .. upper left)

Changed Rom/Ram

  • Changed addressing
  • Added RAM
  • ZIF Socket for ROM

VIC 6522

  • Fixed clock
  • Added buttons for interrupt

Display

  • Display works now
  • To test: Create Address logic to access display without VIA
    Can work, but not at high speed clock. Stays behind VIA
  • To buy: st7920 lcd 128×64

Generic improvements

  • Rewired most parts, using color codes
    (Blue data, Yellow Address and so on)
  • Added leds on data and address bus using ULN2803 darlington arrays
  • 100nF Decoupling capacitors on the power rails

To do’s or ‘have to look into’s’

  • For sound i planned to use a General Instrument AY-3-8910, it is somewhere in my Lab, i know it is.
    I saved this chip and a SID for my Amiga addon soundcard.
    Where are my plans for the simple v1 setup? (FOUND IT)

  • I have to start writing rom functions for display usage. Like
    JSR $ff00 – Clear screen subroutine .. etc
  • I’m scraping information from websites, to get started on my clock controller.
    ATmega328 with ssd1306 display and rotary encoder/dip switches

Notes about the movie:
Left side is Arduino IDE monitor reading Addressbus and Databus.
(I’m going to try to rewrite this to realtime disassemble)
Resetting system.
Stepping CPU with manual clock pulses.
Start vector being read at $FFFC/$FFFD.
Program being run from $8000.
Set clock on automatic ( ~ about 150 Hz )
Last opcodes you see a JMP loop 4C 2F 80, that is JMP $802F
Display enlarged on video, was not visible on movie i took on mobile.
(Wrong angle?)

Breadboard overview

Clock moduleReset module + Crystal
CPU + nmi/int buttonsRAM and ROM
Address decode + Bus divideAddres/Data bus leds
6522 VIA + Display2nd via + Buttons
?(sound board)

TIL: 6502 can run without ram only rom,expect when using JSR … which uses a program stack in RAM

TODO:

  • Make Clock module and 1Mhz Crystal switchable
  • NMI and INT debounce maken
  • Software buttons
  • Buy new darlingtons, for controlbus!
    • r/w, int, chip enables, etc
  • Labels on chips/breadboards