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/  Forum Index
   /  Classic Amiga Hardware
      /  FPGA Amiga mobo
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smartroad 
FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 28-Mar-2017 7:18:38
#1 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 13-Feb-2005
Posts: 215
From: United Kingdom

Having recently started playing with my A1200 again it got me thinking. There seem to be many products coming out for the Amiga classic range, accelerators, flickerfixers, cases, keycaps, redesigned A1200/500 AGA chipset motherboards and probably more.

Given that the chipset (at least OCS/ECS, although I think there is an AGA core now?) have been put into FPGA form, I gots to thinking. All of these new products rely on old hardware, either old original computers or new old stock (in the case of Indivisions motherboard replacement). All of which are ageing now and could be prone to failure.

One of the thoughts I had was the idea of a replacement motherboard using an FPGA for chipset and either a real 68k (although this would probably be NOS again) or an FPGA version. Give the mobo a similar set of IO but with modern variants. Get rid of TV/Composite and replace with HDMI, replace RCA audio with 3.5mm jacks. I guess some ports would need to stay the same, parallel and serial and maybe a joystick but mouse could be USB.

Have the option for an upgrade path with things like full USB and maybe some form of 2D/3D RTG with chipset pass through if that is possible so you only need the one HDMI output.

I just see lots of disparate projects that could be brought together in one package. The chipset FPGA cores, the Vampire 68080 FPGA core, Indivisions A1200 motherboard, flickerfixers/Scan Doublers and all using modern interfaces (HDMI, USB and so forth) but maintaining compatibility with all the old software.

Maybe I am talking out my backside here, all I see though is all of these great new products are for naught if the old stuff dies :(

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g01df1sh 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 28-Mar-2017 7:43:52
#2 ]
Super Member
Joined: 16-Apr-2009
Posts: 1777
From: UK

@smartroad

Stand alone version of the Vampire is coming most likely after the A1200 version. Cant wait to see it hope it does arrive unlike the BoXer...

_________________
A1200 ACA1232 128MB Indivison MkIICr
Elbox empty Power Tower
RPi3 Emulating C64 ZX Atari PS BBC
Wii with Amiga emulation
Vampire v4 SA

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drHirudo 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 28-Mar-2017 7:52:23
#3 ]
Super Member
Joined: 26-Apr-2004
Posts: 1113
From: Sofia

@g01df1sh

The stand alone version of the Vampire is what's was going to be the Natami, only 4 years later. Which proves that in Amiga lands things get frozen, but never die.

_________________
Games, programs, reviews

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g01df1sh 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 28-Mar-2017 7:57:09
#4 ]
Super Member
Joined: 16-Apr-2009
Posts: 1777
From: UK

@drHirudo

If it really is going to be like the natami then it will be something truly special. If the price is right I'm in.

_________________
A1200 ACA1232 128MB Indivison MkIICr
Elbox empty Power Tower
RPi3 Emulating C64 ZX Atari PS BBC
Wii with Amiga emulation
Vampire v4 SA

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smartroad 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 29-Mar-2017 7:07:43
#5 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 13-Feb-2005
Posts: 215
From: United Kingdom

Quote:

g01df1sh wrote:
@drHirudo

If it really is going to be like the natami then it will be something truly special. If the price is right I'm in.


I agree, even more so if it is able to fit into a classic case and use the old keyboard. I don't want it to have it use 'normal' components, sitting in a PC type case, using a PC keyboard. For me the Amiga wasn't just about the operating system, it was the experience which includes the physical experience :P

I do wonder if there is a way to have a 'base' board which could fit into more conventional cases with some form of expander that would allow the IO ports to fit into the case it is in?

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Samurai_Crow 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 30-Mar-2017 6:22:56
#6 ]
Elite Member
Joined: 18-Jan-2003
Posts: 2320
From: Minnesota, USA

@smartroad

Gunnar has mentioned on the Apollo-Core forum that the test version of the stand-alone Vampire is 100 mm x 120 mm so it's a tiny little thing.

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g01df1sh 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 30-Mar-2017 14:18:34
#7 ]
Super Member
Joined: 16-Apr-2009
Posts: 1777
From: UK

@Samurai_Crow

why not use a standard size like mini itx ?

_________________
A1200 ACA1232 128MB Indivison MkIICr
Elbox empty Power Tower
RPi3 Emulating C64 ZX Atari PS BBC
Wii with Amiga emulation
Vampire v4 SA

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smartroad 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 30-Mar-2017 18:15:18
#8 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 13-Feb-2005
Posts: 215
From: United Kingdom

@g01df1sh

Wont fit in an A1200 case heh

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g01df1sh 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 30-Mar-2017 20:32:33
#9 ]
Super Member
Joined: 16-Apr-2009
Posts: 1777
From: UK

@smartroad

Be nice if they made a case like this for it.

https://m.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.128463753887673.20233.128459627221419

_________________
A1200 ACA1232 128MB Indivison MkIICr
Elbox empty Power Tower
RPi3 Emulating C64 ZX Atari PS BBC
Wii with Amiga emulation
Vampire v4 SA

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OneTimer1 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 30-Mar-2017 21:56:13
#10 ]
Cult Member
Joined: 3-Aug-2015
Posts: 962
From: Unknown

@smartroad

There are some people that did great case mods with FPGA Amigaoids:




Source: http://eab.abime.net/showthread.php?t=60937

But an original case will make it harder because of the keyboards

Therefore some people thought about a low cost A1200 like Amiga case and a version for mini itx boards, with a possibility for a modern ultra slim keyboard on top.

http://www.amibay.com/showthread.php?78367-AMIGA-CASE-Crowdfunding-project-New-computer-case-for-classic-Amiga-1200-Thin-Mini-ITX-Raspberry-PI

But they campaign failed.

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

Some other case mods:
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9b/79/cc/9b79ccd48e3ac5a9ffc709128c938bf9.jpg

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PR 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 30-Mar-2017 23:32:47
#11 ]
Super Member
Joined: 1-Sep-2004
Posts: 1961
From: Suomi-Finland

Nice but no kb. Luckily have even with the Nokia and no screen touch. (Was going to the Blackberry side but Nokia replica makes them again)

No need as the 6-years old dropped from the roof etc. works just fine.

Just like the A500 or 1200. (Not dropped anywhere)

New A1200 if some need. I think it's the Best Amiga was ever to expand. And even better now.

No Hurry. Stored In a very safe place. Just for professionals only. Mint white.

Ask sometimes and make an offer. Specially tested once and back in the original box. Works.


Edit: Must practice more English in AmigaWorld et all.




Last edited by PR on 30-Mar-2017 at 11:46 PM.
Last edited by PR on 30-Mar-2017 at 11:44 PM.
Last edited by PR on 30-Mar-2017 at 11:43 PM.
Last edited by PR on 30-Mar-2017 at 11:42 PM.
Last edited by PR on 30-Mar-2017 at 11:41 PM.

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ne_one 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 31-Mar-2017 0:53:58
#12 ]
Cult Member
Joined: 13-Jun-2005
Posts: 905
From: Unknown

@g01df1sh

Quote:

g01df1sh wrote:
Stand alone version of the Vampire is coming most likely after the A1200 version...


Based on comments from the Vampire team, it looks like the standalone will actually appear first.

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smartroad 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 31-Mar-2017 7:19:33
#13 ]
Regular Member
Joined: 13-Feb-2005
Posts: 215
From: United Kingdom

@OneTimer1

In terms of using a keyboard with an A1200 case I was thinking something like the Keyrah to interface to the original keyboard. Another thought, if finding connectors for the original keyboard is difficult, maybe a new membrane that uses a more conventional and readily available connector. Adds cost but hobbies cost money hehe :D

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g01df1sh 
Re: FPGA Amiga mobo
Posted on 31-Mar-2017 7:53:31
#14 ]
Super Member
Joined: 16-Apr-2009
Posts: 1777
From: UK

@ne_one

Oh I do hope so that would be well cool.

_________________
A1200 ACA1232 128MB Indivison MkIICr
Elbox empty Power Tower
RPi3 Emulating C64 ZX Atari PS BBC
Wii with Amiga emulation
Vampire v4 SA

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