H5A Phoenix Platform Edition - A platform for the future

[Icky]

:logo:- 3V3 BUS more details

Here is a more detailed view of the 3V3 bus. We are still working on this area so things may change.

The reasoning behind the bus is to future proof designing add-on boards by saving on adding 3V3 to 5V translators onto these boards. In effect an add-on board to the Phoenix platform using 3V3 technology will not require these translators enabling us to fit more onto these boards and use cheaper 3V3 chips.

The 3V3 bus has two 64 DIL sockets which have all the lines in the 68000 placement but at 3V3 levels. In addition there are two pins used by Flashy Clock - CPU Reset and AUX ROM Drive at the top-middle of the socket and further more 8x IO lines at the right hand side of the socket. These lines currently have 3V3 to 5V translators and end up on the IO1-8 jumper the right of the 3V3 bus area. As we identify more lines to add to the bus we will route to these spare line. We expect there to be some spare so if there is any need to send a line down to the sockets it will be available.

Screenshot 2020-06-10 at 14.03.19.png

[WiseGreasyBastard]

Will this (or a future revision) evolve into something with an ATX/ITX form factor?
Something in a PC case with a processor riser and VME or IO risers would be nice to play with.

WGB

[exxos]

Will this (or a future revision) evolve into something with an ATX/ITX form factor?
Something in a PC case with a processor riser and VME or IO risers would be nice to play with.

*could* yes, but only when we have a final design finished with all the addons done. This will take some years to complete before considering other form factors.

[terriblefire]

So whats left to do before we get a new PCB? :)

EDIT: Also is there any appetite for the TF536 to be integrated in to the H6 when it appears? I know some purists dont want the 030 but i just want to know what the appetite would be.

[WiseGreasyBastard]

So whats left to do before we get a new PCB? :)

EDIT: Also is there any appetite for the TF536 to be integrated in to the H6 when it appears? I know some purists dont want the 030 but i just want to know what the appetite would be.

This is the reason i'd like to see a processor riser. Unplug default processor card and insert upgrade X. I know nothing of the big box amiga pinouts, but if that processor card interface could be replicated you get two birds with one stone.

[exxos]

This is the reason i'd like to see a processor riser. Unplug default processor card and insert upgrade X. I know nothing of the big box amiga pinouts, but if that processor card interface could be replicated you get two birds with one stone.

You can do this already with the H4. Remove the cpu and plug in a TF536 like others have done.

[terriblefire]

You can do this already with the H4. Remove the cpu and plug in a TF536 like others have done.

Agreed. My question was that if everyone is already going to grab a TF536 and put them in these boards then its probably worth integrating... its not like it would be lots of work.

[WiseGreasyBastard]

You can do this already with the H4. Remove the cpu and plug in a TF536 like others have done.

You stuck with 24 bit address with a 68k socket. Designing in a processor card bus would allow for full 32 bit and other I/O without additional jumper wires.

[exxos]

So whats left to do before we get a new PCB? :)

EDIT: Also is there any appetite for the TF536 to be integrated in to the H6 when it appears? I know some purists dont want the 030 but i just want to know what the appetite would be.

It would be nice to have a dual CPU setup like a 50mhz 68000 & 030 built on at some point. Though I'm reluctant to start bolting piles of hardware on the board anytime soon. When the thing doesn't boot, its best to have a simple stock machine to diagnose faults on. If stuff can be unplugged it makes life easier to diagnose whats faulty. It also gives the users a option to configure what addons they want or can afford rather than forcing a all bells and whistles machine which nobody can afford or diagnose easily.

[exxos]

You can do this already with the H4. Remove the cpu and plug in a TF536 like others have done.

You stuck with 24 bit address with a 68k socket. Designing in a processor card bus would allow for full 32 bit and other I/O without additional jumper wires.

Only the CPU can use 32bit address, so 24bit on the sockets is irrelevant,