Enterprise Forever

:UK => Hardware => Topic started by: Zozosoft on 2006.June.20. 12:01:53

Title: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2006.June.20. 12:01:53
I think the Spectrum Emulator Card is one of the most awaited hw for the Enterprise in Hungary.
When the user bought their Enterprise computers, there were only few programs in the shops. But the advertisments said: "the Spectrum Emulator is coming, with this, you can play hundreds of Spectrum games".
Users waiting, Emulator not coming... only articles, why not... but promising shortly coming...
After long time... yes! the Emulator in the shops!
But many users say: this is a disappointment...
The original version of the Emulator has lots of bugs. And the users did not understand why. The developers had so mcuh time...
And the developer company ('a' Studio) did not respond to the users complains.

What are the bugs?
-With the Emulator, you can use your Enterprise as Spectrum. To return to the EP mode you needed to unplug the Emulator. This is not good for the connectors...
-You can't use the Emulator with EXDOS. But who have disks, they do not want to hear tape sounds any more :-)
-Joysticks cannot be used (Internal or External) in games.
-Keyboard emulation has lots of bugs, some keys are often dead, or one key is detected as two...
-If the program uses Interrupt Mode, it will hang up... Many games the IM2 is used...
-FLASH attribute is absolutely not emulated, this cause: you cannot see the cursor in a lot of programs
 

The original Emulator has version 3.5 ROM (http://ep.homeserver.hu/Hardware/Spectruemu/zx35.zip)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2006.June.20. 12:24:21
Because the original Emulator have many bugs, I not buy it... but I get one as gift in 1993 :)
I try it... and after I totaly dismantled :)
When I understood how working it, I think the many bugs are easy corretable!
I fixed some hw bugs, and writed new ROM program, called as version 4.0 (http://ep.homeserver.hu/Hardware/Spectruemu/ZX40.zip)

The solved problems:
-The computer works as normal Enterprise, the Emulator now is a normal EXOS ROM extension, the Spectrum mode can be started with the ZX command
-If you have bus extender unit for pluging more cards to the expansion port, you can use the Emulator with the EXDOS
-keyboard emulation totaly rewriten, and works corretly
-and yes, you can use the joysticks! Internal+ALT: Cursor/AGF/Protekt, External1: Sinclar1/Interface II. Left, External2: Sinclair2/Interface II. Right
-IM2 mode detected, and handled
-FLASH emulated as inverted colors, this enought to see the cursor in the programs

And the extra features:
-the Load/Save routine use the EXOS, you can load programs from disk.
-additional SCOPY utility included in the ROM for copy the Spectrum tapes to normal EXOS files.
-snapshot Load/Save functions!
-POKE load function
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2006.June.20. 13:10:52
The operation of the Emulator is a brilliant idea!

The logical circuits in the board, verifying all bus operation. And when detecting Spectrum type operations, generating NMI.
The NMI handler in the ROM, reading the ports of the board, and select which function needed to emulatad, and run the suitable emulation routine.
The ports of the board (40H-44H), contains the data of the Address and Data Bus and some additional information, at the NMI generating moment. 40H: A15-A8, 41H:A7-A0, 42H: D7-D0 (bits are mixed), 43H: bit7=1 when memory operations, 0 when I/O operations
Spectrum type operations:
-Read or write the FEH ports. Read used by keyboard scan, write for generating sound, and setting the border color.
-write to the attributom area of the screen, this is phisicaly at the segment FEH, from 1800H-1AFFH

About the keyboard bug of the original version:
In the ZX Spectrum using the following Z80 properties: when reading from I/O ports, the upper 8 bit of the address bus contains the value of the  A or the B register. With this value can be selected which keyboard line needed to reading.
The PCB have a bug, A15 not connected to U9...
Programer bugs: at the Enterprise the A15 and A14 not directly from the Z80! The Z80 A14-15 used by the DAVE for memory paging. The A15-14 at the bus port from the DAVE, and depends of the currently used segments!
In my new program I use four segments which have unique bit combination at the lowest two bits. This bits will coming to the bus as A15-14.
After the PCB is corrected, and with the new program, the keyboard emulation works correctly.

Because the NMI generation are not EXOS compatibe, needed to put a ON/OFF switch to a NMI line. When starting the 4.0 version of program, it is say turn on emulator. And when you want to exit, turn off the emulator, and press reset. After this you exit to BASIC (or the program where you called the emulator)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2006.June.20. 14:26:24
Today we call the original version as ISS1, and the modified version as ISS2.
What is the ISS3? This is the most enhanced version from 2005 :)

In 2005 I heard, someone in UK want to build Spectrum Emulator.
I drawed the schematics of the Emulator.
And when I drawing, I found other big hw bug!
The board have capabilty for turn OFF/ON the NMI generating via software. Using write bit 7 off port 44H.
But when turn off the NMI, after few seconds automaticaly turning on.. and hanging up the EXOS...
What is the problem?
The developers not know enought how works the Z80...
At the port decoding only use the -IORQ signal, and not use the -RD or -WR. But when the Z80 accepting IRQ, then setting the -IORQ to low! (And the -RD, -WR stay a high)
Because this, the 44H port randomly overwritten when accepting IRQs!

To correct this bug, I build additional logical gates to the board for combine the port selection signals with the -RD,-WR signals.
The plus ICs called as U17, U18.

After this modification, not needed to put switch to NMI line, the emulator software can turn on or off the emulator when needed.
I put one LED to a not used pin of U15. When the LED is lighting, the NMI generating is switched ON.

For this ISS3 version, I writed new version of ROM: ZX version 4.1 (http://www.esnet.hu/~enterprise/zx41.zip)
Other additions: load support for .TAP and .TZX files. .Z80 support will coming in the 4.2 version.

On the ISS3 version the exiting from Spectrum mode is different than ISS2. The reset button is make reset on the "Spectrum". If you want to exit, hold down the STOP key, and press reset.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2006.June.21. 11:37:14
Thanks for the information,  I am currently looking at the ISS2
schematic but it may well be worth me moving over to the ISS3
and go from there. :?

regards

Russ P.
 :)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2006.June.22. 10:38:13
When you builded the PLD version of the ISS3, can you upgrade with new functions?
I have some ideas for ISS4 :-)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2006.June.22. 12:01:17
I am looking at using an 84pin PLD so I am only using about 60%
of the availble connections.

The possibility of upgrading later will be available as long as we
do not use all of the pins.

The other option would be to use a bigger device later, depending
on what was required.

Russ.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2006.June.22. 12:08:26
Ok, when the ISS3 version is working, start talking about the ideas for ISS4 :-)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2007.April.24. 11:56:23
Z,

Sorry about the delay in everything but I am now looking at the Spectrum Emulator again.
The hardware engineer who was designing the new board has moved on so I am
starting to get it sorted myself. :ds_icon_cheesygrin:

Question:  Have you looked at adding a ROM port to the Spectrum Emulator?  I was wondering
if it was possible to play the ROM cartridges.........

Russ.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2007.May.14. 11:57:17
Just to let you know that the Spectrum Emulator hardware
design is currently being finished off  :razz:  :razz:

This is going to consist of a single CPLD and a PROM.

Have had major issues getting the hardware design sorted as
engineers here are hard to get time from, but we are getting
there.....

Regards

Russ P.
 :lol:
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: jackleather on 2007.May.14. 21:58:41
Just to let you know that the Spectrum Emulator hardware
design is currently being finished off  :razz:  :razz:

This is going to consist of a single CPLD and a PROM.

Have had major issues getting the hardware design sorted as
engineers here are hard to get time from, but we are getting
there.....

Regards

Russ P.
 :lol:

Hi Russ!

This is good news!

how many boards will you make?

p.s. the QWERTY keyboard is still working well - thanks again!
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2007.May.14. 23:20:02
Hopefully a batch of 20 to start but it depends on how many
we can fit on a standard Eurocard.   :|

At present the board measures about 5cm by 5cm with a CPLD
on one side and a surface mount PROM on the other.

The hardware design and CPLD code will hopefully be complete by the
end of the month.

Z,  wa are using the Issue 2 design for the moment.  Once we are
happy then we can do the mods.     :)


Regards

Russ P.
 :lol:

Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2007.May.15. 20:26:12
Z,  wa are using the Issue 2 design for the moment.
Ok, but when using this version, then needed to put switch on a NMI line.
ISS3 is a more comfortable, because it's can be switched on/off by the sw. (The hw bug of the original emulator fixed in the ISS3)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2007.May.17. 10:35:12
Z,

On the ISS3 circuit diagram you are using 27512 PROM, is there a reason for this?

Can a 27256 be used in plac of this, as I have a surplus of these PROMs?

If they can then I may try and change to ISS£ with a 256..


Russ. :)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2007.May.17. 11:12:44
On the ISS3 circuit diagram you are using 27512 PROM, is there a reason for this?
More space for future expansions. Currently not important. (But you can use the free 32K for any ROM programs, if you use EXOS 2.3)
Can a 27256 be used in plac of this, as I have a surplus of these PROMs?
Yes 27256 can be used at 27512 socket.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2012.July.20. 12:47:31
Zozo,

Do you have any high res pictures of the Sprectrum Emulator PCB without components?

Just wanted to see the scope of getting cards if I cannot get PLD/FPGA work done.

regards

Russ
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2012.July.20. 12:54:56
Do you have any high res pictures of the Sprectrum Emulator PCB without components?
No, I never removed all components from a card.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2012.July.20. 13:08:40
No, I never removed all components from a card.

OK thanks....
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.April.16. 10:20:32
Somebody did it :-D (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efR8KkI9Kn8)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: ssr86 on 2015.April.16. 17:08:30
Attached pictures "stolen" from http://speccy.pl/forum/index.php/topic,1891.0.html (you have to be registered to see attachements... I hope the author doesn't mind...).  He wrote that for the price of the one on ebay he could make himself about five of these...

This man also works on/finished a "compact exdos interface": http://speccy.pl/forum/index.php/topic,1997.0.html.
(the forum is polish).
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Tuby128 on 2015.April.16. 18:45:48
I don't understand the power supply of the system bus bridge. Which voltage comes in at the DC-connector of the system bus bridge? If I connect this, do I need the normal 9V supply of the EP? I mean, when the system bus bridge is shared with the mainboard, thus the EP has to be switched on as well. Am I right?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.April.16. 18:53:56
9V come from Enterprise and the Bridge made a 5V for EXDOS or Spectrum emulator.
But the Bridge have a external power connector, if it is connected then use it instead the 9V from the machine.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Tuby128 on 2015.April.16. 19:11:03
And what happens, when I connect the bridge DC-connector without the EP supply? Doesn't go back the supply to the mainboard? If you say, no, I think that makes the Graetz-bridge.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.April.16. 20:25:50
From the Bridge no go back to the motherboard. The powersocket mechanical switch the two power source.

The original bridge use 7805 regulator. I think this one using some switching power circuit for the 9V -> 5V conversion.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.19. 18:15:53
Hi,
Well, "This man" is me :)
Simulator built using the documentation I found in you :)
I also made the bridge (fourth and fifth image from a post above).
I only have a problem with getting the appropriate edge connectors. Either they are too short or very expensive ($ 6 each).
Instead of the original system, in my bridge is a pulse stabilizer.
It can work without a huge heat sink :)

In addition to running the emulator I also EXDOS card. Completely rebuilt the original (there are only 6 ICs).
I am now working on their own version of the bridge. For now, uphill, but don't give up ;)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.19. 18:52:21
He wrote that for the price of the one on ebay he could make himself about five of these...
After taking the work out exactly 9 pieces for the price of that one. :)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.April.19. 19:26:29
Great work all!

The Emulator can also work with own power converter? I see the space for it.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.19. 20:15:45
Yes, it can. The PCB is designed variants. In the other variant emulator may be connected indirect, without bridge. You need to reconfigure the jumpers and add a few elements.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.April.19. 20:49:17
Hello Pear, your cards are impressive...

I want to do you two questions:

Has your Spectrum emulator the fixes made by Zozo?

and,

How about doing a Microteam (http://gafz.enterpriseforever.com/Hardware/PCB/Picture/MICROTEAM-EXDOS-1.jpg) clone, EXDOS+RAM+ROM+possibility for a real time clock(thanks to Zozo), and more?

I say that because my Microteam has all that possibilities plus still a spare expansion bus(may be for a new Spectrum emulator...).
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.19. 21:15:09
First:
Yes, it's fixed version.

Second:
I thought about it, but I have some other ideas. Ultimately, I want to replace the original edge connectors more reliable and cheaper connectors. My choice for now is IDC64.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.April.19. 22:41:30
It is a good idea to change the connector, even putting a flat cable can be?.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.20. 07:21:22
That's the plan :)
Cards will be installed in tiers. At the top of the tower floppy drive (or two).

FlexiBridge yet turned in FrankenBridge ;)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.21. 14:46:49
I have a question concerning the rights of ownership ZX Spectrum Emulator.
As long as I'm doing something for myself it's no problem.
Whom possibly I need to ask for permission to disseminate the project ?
Because it's not my work - it's just a clone.
Does anyone here is able to answer this question ?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.April.21. 15:45:51
Probably you can sell the emulator out of legal problems if it lacks the Spectrum Rom. Once purchased the customer is able to put it inside if he owns a real Spectrum.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.21. 16:52:57
This is not the original ROM from ZX Spectrum.
But a good idea :)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.April.21. 20:02:28
From this view the original Emulator are also illegal :-) Especially because removed the original copyright message.
In the 4.x ROM I put back the original message, just because I more like it :-)
As I see the original Spectrum ROMs are available in the net, and also included in all Spectrum emulator softwares. I guess the Amstrad are allowed it if you keep the original copyrights.

Anyway possible to put Flash ROM to the card, and user can upload the ROM what he want to use.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.April.27. 21:46:08
I got the Emulator, and it is working, loading games from SD Card :-D
I very like it, it is much better looking than the original!

Only one note: RB0 don't needed, with original Bridge are don't care, but with with other sockets (for example the Hungarian Bus Extension card) make short circuit with 9V and GND :oops:
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.28. 06:10:49
Therefore, there is RB0, not a permanent connection.
This configuration is for a standard single bus bridge.
Have fun :)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2015.April.28. 10:29:25
With regards the ZX Spectrum ROM, from what I can remember, AMSTRAD made this freely distributable.

As long as you are not profiting from the ROM then you should be fine as you would ONLY be charging
people for the board, your design and construction time and then supplying the ROM free on top.

Hopefully you will get some more of these made because, I agree with Zozo, they do look good without a
case and I would be interested..

Russ
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.28. 10:51:44
Now I have 3 pieces for sale by 50 EUR per unit. Shipping to all European country 5 EUR.
And I still have number 1, my first launched. Maybe someday I'll do the bidding ;)
If there are more people willing, I can order additional PCBs.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2015.April.28. 11:02:27
Hi there,

I would be happy to take one of these off you. If you message me your payment details.

Russ
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.28. 11:06:43
Price, of course, with a clear EPROM ;) Content of the EPROM for free :)
I sent PM.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.28. 19:42:36
The twins ready and tested :)
Tomorrow shipping.

As suggested by Zozo no jumper RB0.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Jungsi on 2015.April.28. 21:19:17
I'am also interested in flexi bridge and  Spectrum Emulator Card as big Speccy fan ;-)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.28. 21:34:14
Flexi and expansion cards are still in the testing and design.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2015.April.29. 00:13:14
The twins ready and tested :)
Tomorrow shipping.

As suggested by Zozo no jumper RB0.

Looking good! 

What issues does RB0 cause?  I plan to use this with an original bridge.

Russ
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.April.29. 00:18:15
On the original Bridge the 9V replaced by GND. At this situation the RB0 connect GND to GND. No problem if missing.
On Hungarian Bus extenders the 9V still present on the sockets, then RB0 make a short circuit if present.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2015.April.29. 09:01:55
On the original Bridge the 9V replaced by GND. At this situation the RB0 connect GND to GND. No problem if missing.
On Hungarian Bus extenders the 9V still present on the sockets, then RB0 make a short circuit if present.

Ok Zozo, thanks for the info.... :smt023
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.April.29. 09:37:24
Where can I buy some 80 way edge connectors? I need two of them to make a bridge expansion...
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.April.29. 09:48:31
On eBay.
This is my proven supplier. Computer side (http://www.ebay.com/itm/140888585264?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) and bridge (expensive) (http://www.ebay.com/itm/130827403269?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT).
Both need to crop.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2015.May.01. 00:16:34
I got the Emulator, and it is working, loading games from SD Card :-D

Zozo,

Are you loading Spectrum games from the SD Card?  How are you doing that?

Russ
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.May.01. 00:20:50
Are you loading Spectrum games from the SD Card?  How are you doing that?
:ZX game.TAP

Or when enter LOAD "" in Spectrum mode, window displayed at bottom, then enter the filename (game.TAP). EXDOS commands (DIR, CD, etc) possible with :

.TZX also possible if the game using standard ROM calls for loading.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2015.May.01. 00:23:07
:ZX game.TAP

Or when enter LOAD "" in Spectrum mode, window displayed at bottom, then enter the filename (game.TAP). EXDOS commands (DIR, CD, etc) possible with :

.TZX also possible if the game using standard ROM calls for loading.

Zozo,

Thanks for the info, will give that a try when mine arrives....

Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.May.01. 13:43:50
Is to emulate ZX128 will be required changes in the circuit, whether it's just a matter of changes in the software ?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.May.05. 15:14:18
Now I got the connectors. 86 pins.

Still I don't have the flat cable. 64 leads is the max I've found. No problem, it can go splitted.

I will test drawing the 5 volts from main board.


I know it is expensive, but at least it was fast....
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.May.05. 20:12:37
I made a replacement of the BusBridge, but I'm still waiting for edge connectors.
Today I've reached information they are stopped by customs office. Another week of delay. :(
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.May.05. 21:29:57
Not mine,  they had come from Nebraska(USA) (https://www.surplussales.com/ComputerAccess/con_edge.html). I ordered the 29 of March and arrived today in the morning.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.May.06. 10:58:22
Is to emulate ZX128 will be required changes in the circuit, whether it's just a matter of changes in the software ?
Does the lack of an answer to my question is that it was not noticed, is that a secret ? ;)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.May.06. 11:06:11
Does the lack of an answer to my question is that it was not noticed, is that a secret ? ;)
Not noticed :oops:

Need a little change, for generate NMIs for ZX128 I/O ports.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.May.06. 11:12:44
All right, I understand.
You mentioned it before, and I have the appetite for more emulator in emulator ;)

EDIT:
Will be probably needed on board AY-3-8912 (?)
Dave is too much different.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.May.06. 16:19:05
Will be probably needed on board AY-3-8912 (?)
Yes it is will make the emulation more easy :-)

Quote
Dave is too much different.
Yes, but exist a AY emulatioun routines. Not everything can be emulated, but at most of time are usable solution.
For example this used in my PT3 Player. (http://enterpriseforever.com/programming/symbos-106/?action=dlattach;attach=11210) Try it :-)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.May.06. 18:42:12
This is an emulation of AY for CPC, or for the ZX ?
In each of these computers is another clock frequency for AY and you can not easily transfer music between these platforms.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: geco on 2015.May.06. 19:02:17
This is an emulation of AY for CPC, or for the ZX ?
In each of these computers is another clock frequency for AY and you can not easily transfer music between these platforms.
As I remember PT3 Player is for ZX, but the code do not change too much for CPC either.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.May.06. 19:06:42
It's not about code (very similar) but only sound parameters.
And another question: Are the outputs of the AY can be connected to the inputs Audio In Enterprise ?
What should be the voltage levels at these inputs (or I need to measure it myself)?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2015.May.07. 21:14:28
Zozo, 

The v4.1 rom used on this spectrum emulator, is
there a version with English menus etc?  Just
wondered as it might help me a little. Lol.

Russ
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.May.09. 22:51:51
The v4.1 rom used on this spectrum emulator, is
there a version with English menus etc?
Currently no :oops: but will do it!
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.May.09. 23:24:27
I can do a Spanish version of the menus if you give me texts.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: szipucsu on 2015.May.10. 11:44:29
Currently no :oops: but will do it!
You can put the Hungarian words here, or in the Hungarian forum to translate them into English together.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.May.10. 14:02:09
I can do a Spanish version of the menus if you give me texts.
And I can do a Polish version :)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: szipucsu on 2015.May.10. 14:54:35
And I can do a Polish version :)
You could have problems with some letters on the Enterprise, e.g. ą, ę, ł :D
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.May.10. 15:15:25
So there will be no "tails" ;)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: lgb on 2015.May.10. 16:14:28
So there will be no "tails" ;)

Well, I use letters without the "extra decoration" even in my mother language, Hungarian, so almost never write correctly on computer :-P
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Bagpuss22 on 2015.May.10. 23:44:05
Currently no :oops: but will do it!


Zozo, your a star! :bow:
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.May.17. 01:02:55
I've just finished my ugly flexybridge- It works but I must put some Spectrum games in the SD tomorrow to test it fully.

More than 70 weldings... by two.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.December.23. 13:40:37
I've been thinking....

Can be Enterprise Z80 ports be greater than 255?

AY chips on the Spectrum (http://www.sinclair.hu/hardver/otletek/ay_doc/AY-3-8912.htm) use ports 65533 and 49149(1111111111111101b and 1011111111111101b, or FFFDh and BFFDh).

As you can see, the difference is only on the 14th bit, but on LGB's ports list (http://ep.lgb.hu/doc/ports.html) it is said:"full 16 bit is impossible since the highest two bits are "messed up" by Dave".

I say this because interfacing an AY chip to a Spectrum 48k or Timex seems to be "fairly easy" (http://8bit.yarek.pl/upgrade/zx.ay/ay_8910_schematic.png) and compatible with a long list of existing games. And, what about putting it on an Enterprise? AY chips had been used on a variety of 8 and 16 bit computers, also widely on arcade machines.

We even doesn't need a real AY chip, as they are scarcer by time passes. On the AY wiki (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Instrument_AY-3-8910) they  say:

"A VHDL equivalent description has been written, for use in FPGA recreations of arcade machines and others like those mentioned above. The VHDL source code is available on the Internet, and compiles to fill about 10% of a Xilinx XC2S300 FPGA"

On the other side, this can be the fist step to develop a 128K Spectrum emulator card... but not limited to that as there are a huge amount of AY songs out there waiting to be played. One of the incompatibilities the EP has with SymbOS is the lack of that chip.

And the EP doesn't need a mixer or external amplifier as its expansion port has two unused audio input pins that can be used to mix the AY sound with the internal DAVE one.

May be adding it to the "All in one interface"?

I only was dreaming.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.December.23. 14:51:51
The question what Dave was doing, when it use 16-bit addressing I/O ?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.December.23. 14:56:07
The question what Dave was doing, when it use 16-bit addressing I/O ?
It is go through the page registers, then the results depending from the current page in segments.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.December.23. 15:03:33
Can a port be redirected to other one?

If not, a Spectrum emulator can do a first pass over the code to change the calls.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: lgb on 2015.December.23. 15:09:47
Can a port be redirected to other one?

How do you mean this? If I understand well enough, Dave has a "bug" (or at least it's a "don't care" situation as EP was not designed to handle 16 bit I/O too much) that both on memory and I/O request, the address is translated according to the value of the given B0..B3 ports. That is, if I/O address is - let's say - 0x7FFF, Dave interprets this as some address on page 1, thus the I/O address will be then the lower 14 bits of the original address, and for the two high bits, it's the two lowest bits of port B1, as 0x7FFF would be page 1, port 0xB1. On the EP bus, the address is still 6 bit wider so the actual address on the motherboard address bus will be 22 bit wide constructed from the lower 14 bits of the original CPU address and the given B0...B3 port (14+8=22). This is really the same as BOTH for I/O and memory addresses! But Zozo will correct me hopefully if I was wrong somewhere ....

The other problem: since devices usually decodes only the lower 8 bits of I/O address, it would be problematic (in addition of the behaviour of Dave described above!) to use an address where the lower 8 bit of the address corresponds to any device assigned to that I/O port ...
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.December.23. 15:18:12
the actual address on the motherboard address bus will be 22 bit wide constructed from the lower 14 bits of the original CPU address and the given B0...B3 port (14+8=22). This is really the same as BOTH for I/O and memory addresses!
Yes.
This is the one of the big failures of the original version of the Spectrum Emulator. In my fixed ROM version, page in four segments, each have a different lower 2 bits at segment number. Then possible calculate back the original 16 bit port address.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.December.23. 15:31:30
In this document (http://www.sinclair.hu/hardver/otletek/ay_doc/AY-3-8912.htm) it is said that Timex-Sinclair use ports 245 and 246. There must be a few or none Spectrum games accessing the AY at that direction ports, but are free for use on the EP.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.December.23. 16:06:19
And, what about the one or two 8 bit I/O ports? On the MSX computers they are involved on joysticks(and mouse....) reading tasks, but on the EP can be used to implement some form of sound digitiser-player....

Only dreaming again....
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: lgb on 2015.December.23. 20:27:41
Yes.
This is the one of the big failures of the original version of the Spectrum Emulator. In my fixed ROM version, page in four segments, each have a different lower 2 bits at segment number. Then possible calculate back the original 16 bit port address.

Funny enough, but in fact, EP would make it possible to use not 16 but 22 bit I/O addressing with the help of Dave :) :) Only the conflict on the lower 8 bits can be problematic.

But seriosly: I am a bit unsure if it's really a bug of Dave. If only 8 bit I/O addressing is planned, this situation is simple "don't care" so it cannot be called a "bug" too much ...
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2015.December.23. 21:09:54
But seriosly: I am a bit unsure if it's really a bug of Dave. If only 8 bit I/O addressing is planned, this situation is simple "don't care"
And probably intentional? The continous working of paging registers make less delays on the high address lines. If it is wait for the MREQ signal, then can't be a ready when the MREQ will active.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.December.27. 00:59:50
An AY chip connected to an EP can be a must, but.... Why not fit an AY compatible chip with more options?

Based on the AY's General Instrument series of sound chips, Yamaha released its own series of chips oriented to the Arcade and PCs markets.

First they launched the YM2149, a forty pin exactly clone with the option of working with selectable single/double frequency, putting pin 26 free or to ground.

Secondly they released the YM2203, YM2610 and YM2608, adding 3, 4 and 6 FM channels to the AY architecture. But, in order to play analogue that digital sound, the adition of a companion external DAC chip(YM3014) was needed.

The YM2203 is exactly an AY 40 pin clone(YM2149) with the added mono FM synthesis. YM2610 and YM2608 are still signal compatible(TTL), but have 64 pin packages because they add ADPCM mono synthesis and stereo output on the FM side.

Sadly, further development of the Yamaha sound chip series lacks the AY compatibility.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.December.27. 10:26:25
Another nice MSX project that could be ported to Enterprise: Mp3 player on a cartridge.


http://www.pa4den.nl/MP3opMSX.html

It is supported by Prodatron SymbOS:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaY4zL7WR7k
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.December.27. 10:33:05
For ZX Spectrum already exists card that uses two chips YM2203. It's called Turbosound FM. If necessary, it can be customized.
Pictured here is the card version with additional chip SAA1099 from Sam Coupe.
(http://images53.fotosik.pl/515/6f487d305cce4cb1.jpg)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.December.27. 11:25:19
Maybe it's better in the new version of the ZX Emulator Card to make the edge connector compatible with the original ZX Spectrum ?
Why duplicate existing ZX interfaces ? These are not the cheap stuff.
Just give them proper connection. It can even buffer for full 16-bit I/O address ?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.December.27. 13:23:40
Maybe putting one extra z80, only for the emulation. Then it can freely address all the I/O range and the ZX port....

 I'm good at  wondering...
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2015.December.27. 13:52:43
Now that you fancy bear :) So that you can build the evil twin ;)
I think that you strive for full symmetry and ultimately get a 2-in-1.
Depending on how you turn, you get a ZX Spectrum Emulator on the Enterprise or an Enterprise Emulator on the ZX Spectrum ;)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.December.28. 22:18:09
Also exist a minimum AY clone chip from Yamaha named YMZ284-D with only 16 pins, because the I/O ports have been stripped out from the architecture.

There are on Ebay for about 9$ P.&P. included per unit.  From China of course, but new.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2015.December.29. 23:37:00
The CPC series of computers acccess the AY with an intermediate 8255 PPI chip, but the MSX do it directly  by Z80 port like the Spectrum.


http://www.cpcwiki.eu/index.php/How_to_access_the_PSG_via_PPI.

http://map.grauw.nl/resources/msx_io_ports.php
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2016.October.06. 16:55:08
There will be new PCBs (https://enterpriseforever.com/hardware/spectrum-emulator-1424/msg58673/#msg58673). Who wants to ?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2016.October.09. 11:34:11
In the production are 10 pieces of PCB for ZX Spectrum Emulator and 10 pieces of PCB for BusBridge.
More I do not plan.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2016.October.11. 18:57:52
My ZX Spectrum Emulator will have a cover :)
Over a 7 hours of printing :shock:
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: geco on 2016.October.12. 08:37:41
looks cool :)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2016.October.13. 17:32:02
New PCBs on the way.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2016.October.14. 15:23:44
After many hours of printing ...
Housing fits both for the original Busbridge, and to my clone.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2016.October.15. 17:21:27
Great!

I've put the images on the Spanish Retrowiki web page,
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2016.October.17. 15:18:38
Pear asked it: version 4.1 ROM with english messages.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2016.October.17. 17:03:44
It would be great if mixed with the Gosh Wonderful ZX Spectrum ROM, at least the keyboard parsing.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2016.October.17. 17:15:08
Thank you so much :ds_icon_cheesygrin:
You're the best :smt026
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2016.October.17. 17:27:45
Yes, the "beast"...
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2016.October.17. 17:30:55
That's what I meant :razz:
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2016.October.17. 17:48:12
It would be great if mixed with the Gosh Wonderful ZX Spectrum ROM, at least the keyboard parsing.
It is on my (very long :oops: ) to do list :-)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2016.December.01. 20:58:48
Next week they will be ready for shipping.
On the request in the housing.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2016.December.15. 08:27:48
You can be ordered :)
Just send me a message on the PM.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: sinclair200 on 2016.December.18. 17:50:52
You can be ordered :)
Just send me a message on the PM.
I arrive in time to order a card and its 3D box?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: sinclair200 on 2016.December.18. 19:37:17
Bought to Pear Spectrum emulator and box ....
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2016.December.18. 19:45:25
Emulators are still available, but another orders (if they will) I can realize after 28th December.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: sinclair200 on 2017.January.19. 02:37:48
Pear, I have not received anything yet, will it take long?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2017.January.19. 09:28:40
I am also starting to worry. The status (http://emonitoring.poczta-polska.pl/?numer=RR019653826PL&lang=en) of the consignment has not changed for several weeks.
We have already had this situation with gflorez. I sent him another package and arrived earlier than the first. The first reached after a month and 20 days.
It probably also was around the Christmas and New Year too.

Another consignment (http://emonitoring.poczta-polska.pl/?numer=RR019653812PL&lang=en), which I was sent to Italy on the same day, it has not yet reached its destination.

For southern European countries shipping is always going longer. Why ? Is it the high mountains ?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: geco on 2017.January.19. 09:55:21
For southern European countries shipping is always going longer. Why ? Is it the high mountains ?
Or the transporter takes siesta :D
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: ergoGnomik on 2017.January.19. 11:02:29
Or the transporter takes siesta :D
Hey, have you ever seen Mr. Frank Martin (http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0007426/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t1) taking a siesta? :D
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: sinclair200 on 2017.January.19. 14:15:49
RECEIVED

(https://www.dropbox.com/s/ykolnyon3qj7ixr/IMG_3408.JPG?raw=1)

(https://www.dropbox.com/s/pqahoi9wwldyi80/IMG_3409.JPG?raw=1)

(https://www.dropbox.com/s/hvltv9a32wa44hf/IMG_3410.JPG?raw=1)

Congratulations on your work, partner ...
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2017.January.19. 16:41:49
I'm afraid of you. You called the shipment by thoughts :shock:
Have a nice fun :ds_icon_cheesygrin:

Emulator starts by the :zx command.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: sinclair200 on 2017.January.21. 19:35:30
I'm afraid of you. You called the shipment by thoughts :shock:
Have a nice fun :ds_icon_cheesygrin:

Emulator starts by the :zx command.

Ja,ja,ja,ja........
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.January.31. 23:16:38
My Spanish friend Sinclair200 received corrupt the Eprom inside the Hardware Spectrum Emulator from Pear, probably erased by an aggressive  security system in the post.

Then, I have translated the Rom to Spanish for him, and called it ....: ZX41ES.ROM, of course....

It has been very easy, because it has only a few messages and benefits largely of the language ESP.ROM.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.February.01. 10:13:38
The EPROM is a ST M27C256B. It seems to work on the programmer, but it is slighty incompatible with the Enterprise, much the same like the Winbond Flash-Roms. The ZX41.Rom is only detected one of every ten resets.

It must be replaced.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.February.01. 10:32:09
Your programmer can read the manufacturer ID from the chip?
Is possible the chip are "fake new" chip from China. If the manufacturer ID don't match with the printed ID then it is 100% fake.
If same ID then you can't sure about it.

The problem: at the "fake new" chips you can't sure about the access time. Too slow chip can make problem with Enterprise.

What is the chip size in the EPROM window? The modern (max 20 years old :-) EPROMs are very small. Older ones are about half size of the windows, more older about full size.

I used many M27C256B with Enterprise, without problem.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.February.01. 10:52:12
The chip seems to be very little on the screen, compared with other Eproms that I have seen. Then this means it is a "modern" one.

I have not it with me at this time. Later I will put here the manufacturer ID.

May be it simply is defective.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.February.01. 11:01:47
May be it simply is defective.
Yes, it is also possible.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2017.February.01. 12:43:25
Interesting.
I checked the emulator before packed it to send.
Everything was fine.
Perhaps, indeed, they treated parcel by X-rays :(

@weirdocollector: Is your emulator is working properly ? A very long time was on the way.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.February.01. 13:26:20
The chip ID manufacturer is 20 8D.


I have a possible replacement, a chip marked with a big "i" and B027C256, with ID 89 8C.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.February.01. 14:04:55
The chip ID manufacturer is 20 8D.
Correct.

Quote
I have a possible replacement, a chip marked with a big "i" and B027C256, with ID 89 8C.
It is a Intel.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.February.01. 14:24:17
Ok, then it appears only as 27C256 on my programmer.

I will try it this night. I don't have the eraser here.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.February.01. 22:50:00
The Intel Eprom works as it should be.   Problem solved.....
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Jungsi on 2017.March.26. 19:30:01
@Zozo
I'am using the SD-Card interface together with the spectrum emulator made by Pear.
When I try to load a Spectrum tap file from C: with the command :zx test.tap the emulator starts and
shows "Tap-Read-Error".
When I start the emulator with :zx and then in the emulator load "" I also can't load a file
Pear thought you might have an idea whats happening?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.March.26. 22:24:30
I have the same error, some incompatibility with the SD-reader, as the emulator works with floppies(I can't actually test this).

My solution is to create a Ramdisk and load there the games. The Hardware emulator will work perfectly loading the games from E:.

The only problem is, you need  more memory than 128K to load on the Ramdisk more than two games.

Maybe Zozo can fix soon  the Emulator Rom.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Jungsi on 2017.March.27. 12:45:23
@gflorenz
Thanks for the info! I have the 1MB expansion in my Enterprise.
Silly question: what is the command for creating a ramdisk? :-)
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: geco on 2017.March.27. 13:18:57
@gflorenz
Thanks for the info! I have the 1MB expansion in my Enterprise.
Silly question: what is the command for creating a ramdisk? :-)
If I remember well:        :RAMDISK /n
Where n is a number of 16Kb blocks, :RAMDISK /4 will define a 64Kb RAMDISK.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.March.27. 13:20:39
Yes, without /
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.March.27. 15:27:57
Yes, RAMDISK N /D

Where n= number of 16KB chunks, and /D is an option to destroy a Ramdisk created previously.

[attach=1]
Extracted from the EXDOS manual (http://enterprise.iko.hu/books/EXDOS-UserManual.pdf).

I usually create a batch file, an ascii text file named something like this: NAME.BAT

Then, inside the file you can put something like this text:

:cls                                                  ;erases the screen
:echo Creating Ramdisk E:                    ;this is printed on the screen for your information
:ramdisk 2 /d                                      ;change the 2 for the number of chunks you need
:vol e: SP Ramdisk                              ;this is only if you want to name the volume
:copy F:\SPGAMES\*.* E:\                   ;this copies all the games on the previously created directory SPGAMES to E:
:E:                                                   ;this selects the Ramdisk as the current drive

Batch files can be created with WP, but to save the file you use F3, PRINT, then write the name of the file adding the .BAT tag. Press Enter and it is saved.

Every time you want to play with the emulator, previously you must type ":EXDOS NAME.BAT".

The games are copied, when finished, you only type ":ZX".

Edit: some commands corrected, sorry...
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.March.27. 21:40:31
Loading from SD working for me without problems :oops: I tested about 10 games.
I tested Pear card in Bus extension card and original Bus Bridge.
Also tested :ZX game.TAP and LOAD "" then enter game.TAP modes.

Anyway I found one strange thing: the ZX mode LED are mostly ligthing (even in EP mode) or randomly blinking :shock:
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.March.27. 22:13:00
I have the same error, some incompatibility with the SD-reader, as the emulator works with floppies(I can't actually test this).

My solution is to create a Ramdisk and load there the games. The Hardware emulator will work perfectly loading the games from E:.
Can you upload some games which are don't run from SD (but working from RAMDISK)?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.March.28. 01:02:27
This error was documented when I received the Spectrum emulator card, now at least more than a year back.

I made by myself a bridge with two edge connectors and a flat cable, following the official schematics.

Once all connected I powered on the computer. I had some games on a directory, so first I did a CD to it. Then I invoked  the emulator with :ZX.


Not knowing very much how it worked, I typed LOAD "" in Spectrum style...

At the prompt, I understood that instead a name, I could type an EXDOS command, so a :DIR or :BASIC could work.

With only a few lines the list of a DIR passed very fast. The selected game name loaded perfectly, but I'm not a gamer, so tried to load a second one. Then the first error happened, "File not found".

I tried another :DIR, but this time it returned garbage.

I typed :BASIC, and tried another :DIR from there. The same garbage.

I blamed my homely made bridge, and made some connection tests. Even I ordered a clone bridge from Pear. The same results.

Only that first time game load worked for me. You know I don't have a way to load from floppy, but I tested from Ramdisk and discovered the way to make the Emulator work.

Then I talked with Pear about another user problem like mine, but he didn't know more instances.

Then I bought another EP just to test  this and another problems, just to discard my old EP, but my tests returned the same results.



Basically, accessing the SD from the Spectrum emulator corrupts its lecture, not the content, that is preserved. The corrupted lecture, once produced, persist on Basic, EXDOS or ISDOS. Only a hard reset fix it.

I have tried a number of different SD cards and formats, always  the same.

It seems to me like a software error, but the first perfectly loaded game annoys me.

They aren't the games, only from where they are loaded.

Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.March.28. 09:27:17
It is very strange! I afraid something hw problem with your Emulator.
My both Emulator (modified original, and new from Pear) works normaly with SD.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.March.28. 09:58:54
Ok, I will talk with Pear.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: SzörG on 2017.April.02. 12:50:50
Hi All! I'm looking for solution :-)

Short result of the test of Pear's Zx Spectrum Emulator card on video, but i writting what you see here:

- test with and without external PSU, not affect the operation.
- The first and bigest problem, i test with a six Ep128 machines, the emulator working only with two machines.
The reason is, the additional ROM content does not seems.
- I pin up the System Bus Bridge - the machine speed is reduced to 3,04Mhz.
- I pin up the Emulator too - if the speed is not reduced even less, then the emulation can not started.
- If the speed reduce to 2,97 - 2,96 Mhz then the emulation can strated.
- The red LED of the Emulator card flashes to rhythm of keyboald pressing, and any graphics changes.

https://youtu.be/wMVZ1uSuaWE
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.April.02. 15:55:33
Very strange!

It is only my emulator card works normally? :oops:
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2017.April.03. 17:24:45
I have several pieces of these emulators yet.
How should the LED behave ?
How does the emulator affect the processor frequency ?
Maybe it only affects the measurement ?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.April.06. 19:06:21
I'm very sorry! :oops: :oops: :oops:

The strange works of the LED are my fault! :oops: :oops: :oops:

In the schematic (http://gafz.enterpriseforever.com/Hardware/PCB/Picture/Emulatorjav.jpg) I draw it to wrong 74LS74 gate :-(
In the text and on the photos (http://gafz.enterpriseforever.com/Hardware/Spectruemu/ISS3.htm) are the right gate used. U11 pin 8 are the right instead the U15 pin 8.

I corrected on my Pear type Emulator, and now it is 100% working like as the modified original.

For the other strange problems I not have too much idea :oops:
The CPU speed test of my memory test is counting in infinite loop between two video IRQ-s.
Code: ZiLOG Z80 Assembler
  1.                 LD HL,0
  2.                 LD IX,IRQ1
  3.                 LD BC,30B4H
  4.                 OUT (C),B
  5.                 EI
  6.                 HALT
  7. IRQ1            LD IX,IRQ2
  8.                 OUT (C),B
  9.                 EI
  10. IRQW            INC HL
  11.                 JP IRQW
  12. IRQ2            DI
At 0038h are JP (IX) instruction.

If this measure detect lower CPU speed, then probably false IRQ generated by the Emulator. Or generating WAIT signal which is slow down the execution.
Normaly the IRQ line and WAIT don't used. Probably PCB production problem, and there is some short circuit on SzörG's card?

At Gflorez's card: if the card also react to segment 07h writes as Spectrum attribute write, then it is can destroy the system areas of the SDEXT. This is can make SD card unreadable until the next cold reset.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2017.April.07. 11:26:49
Thanks for the checks and informations :)
WAIT signal is not connected in the ZX Spectrum Emulator.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.April.08. 02:27:23
I have also fixed the LED, thanks.



Now that I have a third EP (128KB) from a friend, I have made some test with the SD-reader+SpectrumCard combination.

At first the same problems with the SD access on two of them and surprisingly the emulator not starting on my new EP without apparent cause. 


But suddenly, on one of the hundreds of swaps(I only have a SD-reader and a Spectrum card), my old EP started to work without errors, making DIRs or loading games. After half an hour without problems, I have continued testing the other EPs.

Another swap and the next EP returned to fail miserably.... But sometimes disconnecting the devices and re-connecting them again, the miracle happened...

At the end I have made work the combination on the three EPs at least one time.


----------------------------------

Conclusion.... I think this is again a problem with the damned edge connectors.

Sorry for creating a false issue.

Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2017.April.08. 07:10:38
Easy. By the way, I corrected the bug on the emulator schema.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.April.09. 07:01:28
I have in my hands the Spectrum emulator card from Sinclair200. I will also fix it the led.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.April.15. 21:01:58
At today Enterprise Club we tested SzörG's Emulator (from Pear):
Very interesting results! The Bridge from Pear do the machine slow down effect! :shock:
Not only the MHz display in EXOS 2.4 affected, the machine speed noticeably slower when this bridge connected.
On SzörG's machine the emulator don't detected (no ZX in the HELP list), both with the new and the original bridge. Original EXDOS card worked on this machine.

On another machine we got same results as Gflorez: can't load Spectrum programs form SD card, got a Cassette CRC error, and SD card still unreadable until cold restart. From RAMDISK it is working.
It is tested with both Bridge.

Very strange... :shock:

Now I got the SzörG's Emulator and the new Bridge, and will test on my machines, and comparing with my working Emulator.

Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.April.15. 22:34:58
I have the  clone Bridge from Pear, it works very good for me. I don't have any noticeable slowdowns, it even works very well at 10Mhz with the emulator card.

But I don't have an original Bridge to compare. May be Sinclair200 can help me with that.

I still have my homely made Bridge done with a wide strip cable and two female edge connectors(and a lot of soldering). It worked for me the very first time, but I have to look for it.

All the old file errors have gone now, surely the edge connectors have been polished and cleaned with all the extractions and insertions I have made.

I have plans to buy a can of a good contact-cleaner spray just to solve this annoying problem.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2017.April.16. 15:32:50
Very strange. The bridge does nothing. They have only a step-down power converter.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.April.16. 20:49:04
Very strange. The bridge does nothing. They have only a step-down power converter.
Probably the switching power converter do some signal interference?

I will look it with scope.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2017.April.18. 17:50:39
First quick tests with SzörG's emulator:
The strange slow down problem with the new Bridge are also present with my machines.

Then tested the Emulator with original bridge.
Firstly the loading from SD error are also presented. Next I cleaned the Emulator pins then problem solved :ds_icon_cheesygrin:
Now only the strange Brige problem remaining...
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2017.April.18. 19:10:21
I am very curious about what is going on :smt107
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.April.20. 21:27:22
My hand made bridge works.

Edit: The bridge is almost seen on the video....
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2017.April.21. 07:19:56
May be this has nothing in common with the clock bridge problem but, I discovered two weeks ago a tiny hole on the Sinclair200 Spectrum Emulator plate.

It affected  one of the Eprom address lines, probably the original problem with the faulty chip. Do you remember?

I have heard something similar made on baggages at customs when returning from Colombia. Little holes made on all the content of the travel bag.

Please Zozo, check the tracks of Szôrg bridge for millimetric drill holes.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2017.April.21. 12:59:39
What a time ?
Permanent surveillance >:(
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: pear on 2020.October.11. 13:28:32
Did you know that the ZX Spectrum Emulator 4.1 does not work without 64KB RAM in the F8-FB banks ?
It doesn't work with EP64, for example.
But it also doesn't work when you mount additional RAM banks in areas other than the F8-FB.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2020.October.11. 16:03:48
Yes, the Spectrum Emulator code use hard wired segment numbers. 3.5 just start without verify the want-to-use segments are exist and free? In a ver 4 I added allocation routine, which is check it.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2020.October.11. 18:48:28
Maybe it is time to also move the Z80 ports....

And also to adapt the Gohs Rom would be great.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Allf on 2021.April.08. 12:09:59
Segítségre szorulok Specrum emulátor kártya hibaelhárításában. Bekapcsolásakor a mellékelt kép szerinti képernyő jelenik meg. Az alkalmazott eprom M5L27256K. ROM címzések jumper áthelyezésénél semmilyen változás.

I need help troubleshooting a Specrum emulator card. When turned on, the screen shown in the attached image appears. The eprom used is M5L27256K. No change when moving ROM addresses jumper.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Zozosoft on 2021.April.09. 07:16:32
Pontosan milyen kiadású kártyáról van szó?

Ha rögtön bekapcsoláskor ez jön be, azaz a memória teszt sem indul el, az azt jelenti, hogy valami zárlat van a buszon, esetleg olyankor is ad ki adatot a kártya amikor nem kéne, és ezzel összeütközik az alaplapi dolgokkal. A képen az látszik, hogy a gép nem jut el a Nick chip inicializálásáig, az a bekapcsoláskori véletlen (de az adott gépre jellemző) adatokkal fut.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Allf on 2021.April.09. 10:56:31
Kedves Zozo!
Az eredeti emulátor kapcsolási rajza, valamint az általad végrehajtott módosítások alapján próbáltam egybegyúrt rajzot készíteni. Az is lehet hogy valamit rosszul értelmeztem.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Allf on 2021.April.09. 17:03:57
Egy hibát megtaláltam. Javítottam. A képernyőkép nem véltozott. (IC12 13 lába (Z80CLK) és a BUS A22 lába (-EXP) mivel két néven szerepeltek nem lettek összekötve). A csatlakozk lábai között nincs zárlat (ellenőriztem).
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Allf on 2021.April.21. 12:12:51
Summary of attempts:
Started emulator hardware, but not work properly. The text displayed "Kapcsold be az emulátort". I cannot move on from here. when I press the stop key "*** Insufficient memory" displayed.
Idea?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: jakoa on 2021.April.22. 15:35:01
This means only that the EPROM can be read and running.
In that state the system is waiting for NMIs. (in my experience, waiting for NMIs, generated by the interrupt - the signal IORQ and M1 signals active at the same time). Maybe a connection of theses signals should be checked again.
Do you have the LED showing the actual state of the NMI enabling flip-flop?
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Allf on 2021.May.07. 10:02:05
Based on the suggestions, I continued the audit. I found several bugs, so the PCB is under redesign.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Allf on 2021.June.20. 08:43:08

The bug-fixed PCB has arrived. After the implantation, the first attempt failed. After cleaning the connector - emulator works. Pictures of the operation are in the appendix.
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: gflorez on 2021.June.20. 11:01:25
Great!  Good work!


These EDGE connectors....
Title: Re: ZX Spectrum Emulator Card
Post by: Allf on 2021.June.20. 12:33:13
Only for testing.