[Coco] An FPGA GIME project, and CoCo FPGA Experimenter's Board

[Kip Koon]

Hi Ed,
I like both of your ideas.  I say go for it!

Kip Koon
computerdoc at sc.rr.com
http://www.cocopedia.com/wiki/index.php/Kip_Koon



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Coco [mailto:coco-bounces at maltedmedia.com] On Behalf Of Zippster
> Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2015 9:28 PM
> To: CoCoList for Color Computer Enthusiasts
> Subject: [Coco] An FPGA GIME project, and CoCo FPGA Experimenter's Board
> 
> Hi guys, these are a couple of cross posts from the Facebook group for people on the mailing list that don’t use Facebook.
> I’m planning another project to follow the MC6847 FPG VGA boards, and there’s been a little discussion over there.
> 
> 
> FPGA GIME PROJECT
> 
> I've started doing some of the prep work for an FPGA GIME chip replacement project. This is a stepping stone toward a CoCo4 project.
> 
> What I'm planning on is to develop a drop in board for the CoCo3 that will implement a GIME in FPGA, with 2MB of static RAM, and
> direct VGA out.
> 
> I'll be using an Altera Cyclone IV FPGA for the project. Since more I/O pins will be needed than are available on Cyclone IV QFP
> packages, this is going to require me to use a BGA256 packaged FPGA and a four layer PCB. Toward this end I have a reflow oven on
> the way, and I'm entering the needed parts into Eagle. This will give us quite a few pins to work with in implementing new features
> later.
> 
> This is going to be a very interesting and challenging project in several ways, but it's the big missing part of the puzzle hardware-wise
> to a fully CoCo3 compatible CoCo4, so hopefully it will be worth the effort.  :)
> 
> 
> COCO FPGA EXPERIMENTER’S BOARD
> 
> As I've been entering parts preparing for the FPGA GIME project, I had an idea. With the work I'm having to do for that project, it
> would be relatively easy to develop an "FPGA Experimenter's Board" that would plug into the CoCo cartridge port along the way.
> 
> Kind of an FPGA development board that could be used for interfacing projects. With an Altera device, some bi-directional level
> shifters, maybe an ADC chip, a couple of resistor DACs, and some other support circuitry, we could have a pretty cool board for
> people interested in CoCo/FPGA projects. Maybe help get some more hardware developed.  :)
> 
> Is there enough interest in something like this for me to pursue it on the way to doing the GIME replacement?
> 
> What do you guys think?
> 
> 
> - Ed
> 
> 
> 
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