DigicoolThings Forum

Just a query regarding the ACIA location ... should it be $E008? In the text you refer to $F008.

Suffice it to say that I don't actually have the card yet (but the board and components have been ordered) ... I was just looking at getting myself prepared In particular, I wanted to see if I could get SMON (https://github.com/dhansel/smon6502) compiled for the board - it's a bit big for a monitor but hopefully will still work. The other option is some derivative of Wozmon.

epaell wrote: ↑Mon Jun 10, 2024 3:53 am Just a query regarding the ACIA location ... should it be $E008? In the text you refer to $F008.

Well spottted! It should indeed be $E008. I've now updated the Blog to correct this. It's correct in the screenshot, and I think the video was correct. Thanks for pointing this out.

epaell wrote: ↑Mon Jun 10, 2024 4:05 am Suffice it to say that I don't actually have the card yet (but the board and components have been ordered) ... I was just looking at getting myself prepared In particular, I wanted to see if I could get SMON (https://github.com/dhansel/smon6502) compiled for the board - it's a bit big for a monitor but hopefully will still work. The other option is some derivative of Wozmon.

Awesome. My first plan, to give me a simple monitor, was to fire up a Wozmon derivative. Since it's so small, it would be relatively trivial. I've grabbed some Wozmon source code to modify, but so far I've been temporarily side-tracked working on another project.

My second plan for the 6502 CPU Card, was to get some CreatiVision code up and running.

I'll look forward to hearing how you go with SMON. It's not one I've seen before, but Wozmon is pretty basic (especially after using ASSIST09!).

I managed to get SMON to compile (with the 6850 adaptation) but can't really do anything until I get the 6502 parts/board and put it together. I'm also still working on the storage device - I managed to get the updated SD module and it works well and the real-time clock also works ... just waiting for a board to plug in the Arduino so I can get the computer-side of the interface done (which is basically just lots of wires between the Arduindo and the PIA port on the MECB). Too many things, so little time

Ah, after looking at the code for SMON I noted that it requires a 6522 VIA to do tracing (this VIA differs from the Motorola PIA in that it has an in-built timer). Another project (in time) might be to adapt it to the 6840 (much like ASSIST09 does) but that might have to wait for a while as I'm not that familiar with 6502 programming and would probably do an absolute bodge job of it (despite the similarities to Motorola it has a lot more restrictions). I think even without this it should still be a good monitor to have available as most of the other functionality should still be available.

epaell wrote: ↑Tue Jun 11, 2024 12:25 am Ah, after looking at the code for SMON I noted that it requires a 6522 VIA to do tracing (this VIA differs from the Motorola PIA in that it has an in-built timer). Another project (in time) might be to adapt it to the 6840 (much like ASSIST09 does) but that might have to wait for a while as I'm not that familiar with 6502 programming and would probably do an absolute bodge job of it (despite the similarities to Motorola it has a lot more restrictions). I think even without this it should still be a good monitor to have available as most of the other functionality should still be available.

Sounds like you've made good progress! You should have a go at the 6840 timer use (instead of VIA timer), borrowing from the ASSIS09 code. It might be a good oportunity to increase your familiarity with both the VIA and the PTM? (and more 6502 practise),

I had originally intended to add a VIA as part of a WDC I/O Card. But the W65C51 ACIA bug had me re-thinking the best way to add a VIA based I/O Card. Perhaps it will end up being teamed up with the MC6850 ACIA, so that you end up with a sort of WDC / Motorola mash-up, with the VIA just replacing the PIA + PTM? Still undecided, but I do want to add a VIA to play with!

In the meantime, I've been busy routing PCB's for the last couple of days. It always takes me a long time, as I'm too much of a perfectionist. I have to be happy with every trace route, even trace spacing, and carefully aligned pad positioning etc., before I'm happy to call it done! LOL

You should have a go at the 6840 timer use (instead of VIA timer), borrowing from the ASSIS09 code. It might be a good oportunity to increase your familiarity with both the VIA and the PTM? (and more 6502 practise)

Ha ha, that's a point. I did have a quick check through the code of both and there really is very little code associated with the two implementations but I will need to try and understand how it works in principle. I believe, on my quick read, that the PTM should be able to do everything that the VIA is being used for. I'll probably wait until I can get the card/components before I take it too far though.

I've been busy routing PCB's for the last couple of days.

Oh, it's been a very long time since I last did any PCB routing (back in my University days). But now you've piqued my curiosity ... what's next in the production line?

epaell wrote: ↑Tue Jun 11, 2024 4:42 am ... I believe, on my quick read, that the PTM should be able to do everything that the VIA is being used for. I'll probably wait until I can get the card/components before I take it too far though.

Yes, of course. I was a bit too eager. Getting the hardware up and running would definately be the first thing on the agenda!

epaell wrote: ↑Tue Jun 11, 2024 4:42 am

I've been busy routing PCB's for the last couple of days.

Oh, it's been a very long time since I last did any PCB routing (back in my University days). But now you've piqued my curiosity ... what's next in the production line?

I love PCB routing. Perhaps because it gets me into the Zone, in a similar way to a good software project. But the difference being that it's more a form of visual art, rather than solving a challenge (with coding).

However, if you have perfectionist tendancies, PCB routing can be a very time consuming activity, as you continually tweak and re-route etc.

Long ago, I made a rule that you never submit a PCB design to manufacture, on the same day you complete it. You need to sleep on it first, as you undoubtably wake-up with a further tweak you want to do!

Having said that, I've just now submitted 2 new MECB Card PCB designs for manufacture.

What they are will have to wait, as, at the moment, I'm about 5 videos behind where I should be. I have all the scripts mostly done, I just need to get on with making my next video / blog. But, tomorrow is another day (and it's now time to work on some dinner).

Sounds like a sensible approach i.e. sleeping on it before submitting (LOL, dinner is also important). Thankfully getting boards made now is so much easier than when I was in Uni - back then even single-sided boards were a hassle and double-sided with plated through vias prohibitively expensive in small numbers. Anyway, I shall look forward to seeing your artwork when it is complete