OCM "Clone" works!!!

Expert (75)

22-02-2007, 01:48

Yah!

This morning I managed to get the OCM booting on my hardware. It was a useful exercise because a learnt a few things about Quartus and serial configuration devices which I didn't know a few days ago.

I've got some experimenting and some cleaning up to do, but I'll post some more detailed information and a "how to" on my website in a few days. In a nutshell, unless you're porting to a platform with a Cyclone(/II), an EPCS4(/8/16??) and some SDRAM, then you're SOL...

Some eye-candy...
<members.iinet.net.au/~msmcdoug/pace/platforms/pace-p2/ocm.jpg>

(The picture's a little dark... didn't look that dark on my PC at home...)

Regards,
Mark

By dvik

Paragon (1517)

22-02-2007, 01:51

Very cool Mark

Will be interesting to read the how to when you have it ready

By realpeterjack

Guardian (39)

22-02-2007, 08:36

(The picture's a little dark... didn't look that dark on my PC at home...)
I artificially enhanced the picture contrast. Here it is:

http://eggerland.googlepages.com/ocmalt.jpg

Feel free to take a copy.

By Latok

msx guru (2045)

22-02-2007, 09:40

Hahaha, pretty cool

By legacy

Hero (545)

22-02-2007, 09:50

Very very interesting.
Are you using a standard Altera or Xilinx developmentboard?

By tcdev

Expert (75)

22-02-2007, 11:02

No, not a standard board. It's proprietary hardware, for which I designed an add-on board with video and PS/2 input.
But basically any (Altera) platform with the features I mentioned in my OP will do.

By cax

Scribe (1720)

22-02-2007, 11:21

What is the lowest price of the simplest board with SD,PS/2,sound and any modern video connector on it, on which the clone can be implemented ?

By tcdev

Expert (75)

22-02-2007, 16:01

I've put together a few quick notes on how the OCM works and what is required to port it to another platform.
<members.iinet.net.au/~msmcdoug/pace/platforms/ocm_howto.txt>, or
<members.iinet.net.au/~msmcdoug/pace/platforms/ocm_howto.htm>

Note that it's not a comprehensive tutorial for VHDL newbies. You will need some experience with Altera devices to get it working. Having said that, I'm happy to answer any OCM-specific questions if you're attempting a port.

Would like to hear from anyone that manages to get it going on another platform!

Regards,
Mark

By cax

Scribe (1720)

22-02-2007, 17:04

Amazing !!!

Do you have any sound output on your board ?

By cax

Scribe (1720)

22-02-2007, 19:21

By timbr

Rookie (30)

22-02-2007, 19:36

I just found the following dev board that can be bought for 99$ (not including shipping). They say it has headers to which you can connect various extentions, available from 3rd parties. I think this means SD-drive can be connected as well.

Is it possible to port OCM to it ?
Theoretically it seems possible, but there are some essential components missing, like SD-RAM. It has 1MB SRAM however, so with a smaller mapper and a lot of effort it can work. Also I can't find a flash component.

A better choice would be:
http://www.altera.com/products/devkits/altera/kit-cyc2-2C20N.html

It has everything required, including VGA, SD/MMC card slot, SD-RAM (only 8MB, but should be okay), EPCS4, bigger CycloneII FPGA, USB-Blaster download cable on-board.... And it only costs $150.-

The only thing missing compared to the real OCM is the MSX card slot and the beautifull casing.

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