dml attempts a Raven

[PhilC]

Looks good to me @dml. Did Agranlund sort out that simm firmware change for you?

[dml]

This is the point where I figure out the main 48MHz can is 3.3v, not 5v. I didn't even know those came in 3.3v o_O

One of several things I noticed while buzzing out rails to pins. Checked the BOM again... yep.

It also means that's another item I thought I already had, but don't. \o/

[dml]

Looks good to me @dml. Did Agranlund sort out that simm firmware change for you?

I'm not sure yet - didn't want to bother him until I was at least close to testing things and made an effort to set up the software and stuff. I'm still a bit behind with that. :)

(I did leave out the nearest 2 SIMM slots for now though)

[dml]

So far everything has gone ok - except for a mini drama with one of the MFPs.

Twice I tried to put YM-side MFP in the socket and one of the pins bent - same one both times.

Decided to swap the ICs over and the same pin bent on the other MFP - the socket hole was partly obscured :( had to decide if to remove that one pin from the top or drill it out. Decided to drill it out. Now they are both seated ok.

Turned pins might not have been the best choice for those 48pin DIPs. Very difficult to insert/remove new ICs if there's a problem, until the pins wear down a bit after few swaps.

[PhilC]

Good luck with the tests and with those sockets, I really dislike turn pin sockets and will only use them as a last resort.

[dml]

Good luck with the tests and with those sockets, I really dislike turn pin sockets and will only use them as a last resort.

:thumbsup:

This evening I programmed some ICs (the two ATF22V10, the PIC16) and installed them on the board. I figured why not.

I also built a RAM card - only one but it's hopefully enough to test with. I already had the PLCC ROM card ready.

So the next steps I think would be:
- fit the missing oscillator (which will take a few days now)
- power testing, maybe with some ICs removed (?)
- checking the oscillators are running with power, esp. the 24MHz one which I'm still not sure about
- flashing the ROMs (also not arrived yet)
- setting up the PLD programming board & software + programming the ATF1508
- fitting the RAM board & 060
- some tests over serial

[dml]

This morning I mapped out the CPU socket EVSS/IVSS & EVDD/IVDD pins to GND/+3.3v and everything looks correct.

It should be safe to plug in a CPU, after I confirm 3.3v on the rail.

I could maybe start powering the board already and try programming the ATF1508 but I'm not sure if that works without the CPU clock installed and I wouldn't be able to test anything beyond that - so it's probably better to just wait until the board is in a more testable state.

[dml]

Have installed the WinCUPL and ATMISP7+FTDI software.

Tried to download the ATF1508 BSDL archive from Microchip PLD resources - but apparently the 1504 and 1508 links both point at the same 1504 zip.... so the 1508 isn't linked on the page......

o_O

Fortunately for those of us used to h4x0ring around stupid problems, there's a way to find the 1508 archive if you know how to count in decimal :p

[dml]

The ROMs arrived this morning but I'm still missing the main oscillator. Hoping to see it before the end of the week otherwise I might have to put in a single-part order with digikey - and I'd rather not :( I don't even have other parts I need right now to be worth batching it up with something.

So I suppose I can build the ROM related bits and just be patient for now.

[agranlund]

The ROMs arrived this morning but I'm still missing the main oscillator. Hoping to see it before the end of the week otherwise I might have to put in a single-part order with digikey - and I'd rather not :( I don't even have other parts I need right now to be worth batching it up with something.
So I suppose I can build the ROM related bits and just be patient for now.

I'll see to reversing the ram slot order in the ATF1508 firmware until then.
(If you end up ordering oscillator then it could be worth grabbing a couple of more while at it, perhaps a 25 and a 40 for the sake of testing)