[Coco] Re: CoCo video? (CoCo4)

[jdaggett at gate.net]

Xilinx Webpack 8.1 is 778 MBs uncompressed. Another 1.4 MBs for 
the update file and the IP update is another 207 MBs compressed. 

Yes writing code for CPDL/FPGA is now easier than ever. In most 
applications in industry you almost don't need to know anything 
about hardware. Verilog is so much like C that a software engineer 
can cut and paste black box libraries and wire them up and they 
have an IC. NO real knowledge of how the internals work. Just that 
a signal in generates the desired signal out. Also with 5 million gate 
equivalent FPGAs there is also no real need to design code that 
generates compact hardware. As long as it meets the desired 
specification that is good enough. 

I am somewhat old fashion. I like to see and visualize the actual 
gate level of the IC and not just black box hook up. Guess that the 
hardware engineer in me. Yeah it is slower but I like to generate as 
small and compact as possible. Code for FPGAs is now becoming a 
lot like software from Bill the Borg. IF it don't fit just go out and buy 
a bigger FPGA. For hobby use those big FPGAs approach $1000+ 
in single unit pricing and that is way out of my league.

james

On 4 Mar 2006 at 15:15, Mark Marlette wrote:

> Roy,
> 
> Did you not pick up on the AVR? :)
> 
> You can also learn the CPLD/FPGA tools.
> 
> I have both Altera and Xilinx. ChipScope is pretty neat.
> 
> I'll have my laptop loaded for the fest and I'll show you how easy it 
> is. Don't be scared of the downloads. Last check Altera's was 228MB 
> compressed .exe. At work we are exclusive Xilinx and I have written 
> Visual Basic JTAG routines to interface their IMPACT tool to our ATE 
> tester. Fun stuff, simple......One of my many projects at work is to 
> make a JTAG programmer that allows the flying leads to be longer than 
> 6 inches. We need to be about 8 feet. They already sell these devices 
> but are over $5k in price. Not bad when it has less than $10 in parts in it. :)
> 
> Don't try and learn everything at once, just what you need to get 
> what you need done. Then add something, a feature, what ever and go 
> to the next level. You will get there.....
> 
> Then you will find yourself with ZERO free time! :)
> 
> Mark
> 
> At 3/4/2006 02:54 PM, you wrote:
> 
> >In a message dated 3/4/06 3:19:33 P.M. Eastern  Standard Time,
> >jdaggett at gate.net writes:
> > >Roy
> >
> > >All that you and  Frank have mentioned is fantastic. None fit the
> > >needs that I require. So  that is why I have taken the avenue that I
> > >have. It has been slow but it  has been a great learning experience.
> >
> > >james
> >
> >The only part of  the idea I was interested in doing was the
> >emulation part.   I  think it would be fun to do a coco4 that
> >way and give everybody the  experience of it.   But I know
> >nothing about the programmable logic  you and Mark
> >mention.   It may well be true that producing a  real
> >seperate machine that way is more trouble than it's worth.
> >I don't  know.  I accept that the super board is probably the
> >closest we will  ever get to a real next generation machine.
> >IN the mean time a little  tinkering on the side couldn't
> >hurt.  We'll see what happens.   :)
> >
> >Roy
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
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