Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.


Author Topic: M-Slot (MSX cartridge adapter) (Read 26037 times)

Offline Zozosoft

  • Global Moderator
  • EP addict
  • *
  • Posts: 14722
  • Country: hu
    • http://enterprise.iko.hu/
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #30 on: 2018.April.16. 13:22:19 »
Yes, I know about it, but was it made at the factory or exists only a diagrams ? (someone has a manufactured bus ?)
It is existed at the company, there is some test results:
Enterprise Peripherals Test Report

Offline pear

  • EP lover
  • *
  • Posts: 825
  • Country: pl
  • Z80 only
    • Támogató Támogató
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #31 on: 2018.April.16. 13:34:12 »
OK, I will ask differently.
Someone saw it on own eyes ? Or is this like Yeti ? :ds_icon_cheesygrin:

Offline gflorez

  • EP addict
  • *
  • Posts: 3607
  • Country: es
    • Támogató Támogató
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #32 on: 2018.April.24. 10:26:09 »
This is the pin correspondence of the Enterprise expansion connector and the MSX slot.

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Hans has made some corrections.

For example, the Z80 Clock signal is not connected(SE-ONE doesn't use it) but he has recommended me to put a 3.58MHz oscillator if a cartridge needs the signal.

Another fix is to put all memory related signals to +5v through 10kOhms pullups. They are /MERQ, /RFSH, /STLS, /CS1, /CS2 and /CS12. This will avoid any use of the data bus for memory access, only for I/O.

I have used Zozo's page pin-out, but I have swapped the pins upside down to show the connector from the user point of view. The same with the MSX slot. I have used a drawing from MSX.org but turning down the connector. On my prototype the main face of the MSX cartridge is looking towards the Enterprise.

Edit: I have not specified it here, but +5v, +12v and - 12v must be created from the +9v line.

MSX slot power specifications:

-Power source +5V must be 300mA max per slot.
-Power source -/+12V must be 50mA max for all slots.
« Last Edit: 2018.April.24. 11:00:28 by gflorez »

Offline TMTLOGIC

  • Beginner
  • *
  • Posts: 42
  • Country: nl
    • www.tmtlogic.com
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #33 on: 2018.May.03. 22:58:53 »
At the moment I am still very busy for the CPC computer, I hope to make a design for an EnterDAP soon
So that you can use MSX  (and or CPC)  cartrigdes on your Enterprise.
Whether I only make a circuit diagram or release the Gerber files free, I look for another answer

I would like to receive ideas on how the EnterDAP should look like
for example:

1 msx slot
2 Enterprise IDC
1 Enterprise Edge
1 CPC slot ??
WWW.TMTLOGIC.COM

Offline gflorez

  • EP addict
  • *
  • Posts: 3607
  • Country: es
    • Támogató Támogató
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #34 on: 2018.May.04. 10:03:19 »
In my humble opinion, connecting MSX cartridges, or CPC modules now, to an Enterprise is more for risky adventurers or connection freaks(like me...).

I have another idea: what about slot converters? I mean, you can produce only one unified PCB for the three systems, and then a little board acting as a bridge to every type of slot.

On the Enterprise slot you can use the 37A and 37B pins for the +12v and - 12v lines, as was originally planned( not connected in the Hungarian design), and then the dc/dc converter can be put on the main bus expander, making the slot bridge as little as possible.

About the use of IDC or edge connectors on the Enterprise side, this aspect can be decided by the user if you put double holes on the bus expander pcb. Then, if the expansion boards are designed for edge connector, an IDC connector can still be soldered to the edge fingers. Think that there are a number of classic expansions that connect by edge connector, mainly EXDOS floppy controllers.

Offline gflorez

  • EP addict
  • *
  • Posts: 3607
  • Country: es
    • Támogató Támogató
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #35 on: 2018.May.06. 11:51:50 »
I have decided to create a MSX to Enterprise bridge connector. I think it is a better and faster solution, in only 15 or 20 days I can have the pcbs, then I add the 50 pin MSX connector, the pull-ups and the +12v - 12v DC converter, and it will be ready and cheap. It only has to be as narrow as posible to not raise excesivelly when assembled with the MSX cartridge.

The only problem? Every Enterprise user interested has to have a bus expander to connect the adapters. But that was already required for the discarded MSX slot.  All the classic bus-expander owners already have all the necessary to enjoy the new range of MSX devices.

I think this approach adds less confusion, because the adapter will convert the MSX cartridges effectively on full length Enterprise extension cards. Also, we don't have to wait for an Enterprise tailored card with exactly the same characteristics, and Hans will have more time to create really specific Enterprise  projects.

Offline gflorez

  • EP addict
  • *
  • Posts: 3607
  • Country: es
    • Támogató Támogató
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #36 on: 2018.May.29. 00:37:57 »
This is the final aspect of the adapter card:

[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

Observe, the sound-input jack hole is inside the card, so  it is needed a very narrow male jack connector like in this picture:



Only the external connector of the cartridge will be used, I deliberately have omitted connecting the MSX pin 49. We Enterprisers only want stereo sound....
« Last Edit: 2018.May.29. 00:53:12 by gflorez »

Offline geco

  • EP addict
  • *
  • Posts: 7082
  • Country: hu
    • Támogató Támogató
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #37 on: 2018.May.29. 08:50:46 »
If it goes to the production, I would buy one, and an Enterprise bus expander also :)

Offline gflorez

  • EP addict
  • *
  • Posts: 3607
  • Country: es
    • Támogató Támogató
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #38 on: 2018.May.29. 09:35:28 »
No problem, but I am still on the prototype phase...

Offline Tutus

  • EP lover
  • *
  • Posts: 679
  • Country: hu
    • Enterprise 128
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #39 on: 2018.May.29. 14:49:55 »
No problem, but I am still on the prototype phase...
Then if I understand:
This adapter can be used directly with the MSX MP3 player?

Offline gflorez

  • EP addict
  • *
  • Posts: 3607
  • Country: es
    • Támogató Támogató
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #40 on: 2018.May.29. 15:14:25 »
YES!!!, and all other MSX I/O cartridges, like the future GFX_NINE from TMTLogic(GFX9000 clone).

The Enterprise will be able to manage a lot of hardware made for the MSX range of computers, the most interesting to us, these supported by SymbOS because, with minors corrections from Prodatron, they will work straight.  

But remember, the Enterprise will not benefit from any RAM or Rom(Games,OS) installed on the MSX cartridges, the memory pagination of the two systems is very different, and they will be disabled by the adapter.
« Last Edit: 2018.May.29. 15:20:05 by gflorez »

Offline Tutus

  • EP lover
  • *
  • Posts: 679
  • Country: hu
    • Enterprise 128
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #41 on: 2018.May.29. 15:51:04 »
Thanks for the info.
When done, I'm a buyer for a piece :)

Offline gflorez

  • EP addict
  • *
  • Posts: 3607
  • Country: es
    • Támogató Támogató
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #42 on: 2018.May.30. 10:24:09 »
I have shortened the name:


[ Guests cannot view attachments ]

(Modified from one of SlashNet's logos)
« Last Edit: 2018.May.30. 10:28:49 by gflorez »

Offline pear

  • EP lover
  • *
  • Posts: 825
  • Country: pl
  • Z80 only
    • Támogató Támogató
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #43 on: 2018.May.30. 10:29:06 »
Or maybe MSXpander ? ;)

Offline gflorez

  • EP addict
  • *
  • Posts: 3607
  • Country: es
    • Támogató Támogató
Re: MSX slot
« Reply #44 on: 2018.May.30. 11:03:32 »
I don't like completely to put MSX visible on the name... May be the cartridges are made for MSX, but  the adapter converts them on full genuine Enterprise expansions.... We will make ours the cartridges.