Let's build a CTPCI!

[foft]

PLX. I used to work for them designing PCIe chips

Cool, I wanted to work in IC design but never working in the industry after my microelectronics degree.

So, if I wanted to design a simple PCIexpress interface for the Falcon, could you recommend a suitable chip?

[foft]

@foft

Oh, and by the way, if you later want to sell your surplus, I'm in for one CTPCI (in kit or built).

Sure, if this works. It seems impossible to order <5 PCBs these days so I always have 4 spare - subject to not messing any up!

[iluvator]

HI, I am also in for one of your surplus CTPCIs, if you decide to sell.
Good luck with the project.

[HigashiJun]

@foft

Oh, and by the way, if you later want to sell your surplus, I'm in for one CTPCI (in kit or built).

Sure, if this works. It seems impossible to order <5 PCBs these days so I always have 4 spare - subject to not messing any up!

Yes, I always order the required minimum of 5 PCBS from JLCPCB for my projects.

I keep one for my and sell the rest (already built), but I don't have too much time these days to get involved in another making, hence my request.

[foft]

OK, here it is, fully soldered and (mostly) cleaned:

CTPCI_complete_top.JPG (419.55 KiB) Viewed 2111 times

CTPCI_complete_bottom.JPG (454.15 KiB) Viewed 2111 times

I should probably program it and check it works now. The only annoying thing I didn't notice before is on the installation instructions it says you should cut the power connector to fit the CTPCI IDE (See http://pmandin.atari.org/en/index.php?p ... stallation). So much for fitting a proper plug to the CT63 to avoid the floppy 'backwards power' mess:

Falcon_power_clash.JPG (281.48 KiB) Viewed 2111 times

[HigashiJun]

Could this be avoided with a CTEX, since it relocates the CT60 upwards ?

[foft]

Hmmm, might be worse if it shifts the whole CT60 back.

Anyway I just bent the whole power connector 45 degrees right for now.

The good news:
1. CPLD seem on the JTAG
2. CPLD programmed/verified ok.
3. Neither CPLD or PLX are hot.
4. 33MHz clock seen

Now going to flash the CT63 CPLDs then give it a spin... Actually its a bit late and its a school night. Perhaps Tuesday since I have to do my French homework tomorrow night! Cliffhanger!

So... firmware and tos:
On the CTPCI I put on 1N the dev archive.
Then for the CPLDs on the CT63 I believe I need to upgrade from : ABE_V5M ; SDR_V5E to ABE_V7F ; SDR_V7D.

For tos I gather I need a 2.x ct60tos. I see on Didier's site the 1.03 archive http://didier.mequignon.free.fr/files/ct60_404.lzh and the CTPCI drivers http://didier.mequignon.free.fr/files/tos_drivers.lzh. Is the one @mikro has hosted here the latest? https://github.com/mikrosk/ct60tos/tree/2.01. ie I should use this? https://github.com/mikrosk/ct60tos/blob ... t60tos.bin

[mikro]

I'd recommend to stick with the official binaries for everything for now:

- CT60: https://mikrosk.github.io/ct60tos/ct60/ABE_V7F.jed, https://mikrosk.github.io/ct60tos/ct60/SDR_V7D.jed
- CTPCI: https://mikrosk.github.io/ct60tos/ctpci/CTPCI_1M.jed
- CTPCI TOS: https://github.com/mikrosk/ct60tos/tree/2.01 (not sure why he didn't publish it on his page...)
- CTPCI drivers: https://github.com/mikrosk/ct60tos/tree/1.01 (although yes, these should be the same as on Didier's page)

IIRC you even swapped the flash chip on CT60 to be compatible with the old flash tool, right? So you should be good.

I wanted to write something like "if this works on the first try, I'll eat my shorts" but luckily for me and my shorts, I already know your great soldering/electronics skills so nope, not writing it.

Actually I think your biggest problem will be to find a Radeon which works on the first try, I remember it was quite a detective work and lot of back-and-forths with Didier who was recommending which models to buy and why.

[HigashiJun]

Actually I think your biggest problem will be to find a Radeon which works on the first try, I remember it was quite a detective work and lot of back-and-forths with Didier who was recommending which models to buy and why.

So not every Radeon works ? I thought you could plug any 9250 and enjoy high resolutions...

I know USB was picky, but not Radeon.

[mikro]

There's many kinds of Radeon cards. Starting with PCI/AGP, 5V/3.3V, PC/Mac etc.