Cluso's RetroBlade2 Single Chip Computer (small stock available for new orders/payment)

Cluso99 · 2020-10-09 21:18

Discussion for using your RetroBlade2 starts/continues here
forums.parallax.com/discussion/172556/clusos-retroblade2-your-board-s-have-arrived-so-what-to-do-next/p1?new=1

New Orders...
New orders (boards shipped after 01-Dec-2020) will be P2 Rev C chips - I have a limited supply of Flash chips and need to verify why they don't erase with TAQOZ
Please post orders in this thread for now.

Please let me know your country, and if the Flash option is required. These are the only two options.

PayPal Payment will be via PayPal in USD (when pcbs are ready). I'll add a new post when I'm ready.
Please ensure payment is in USD as PayPal tries really hard to convert the currency so they can max their commission!
Payment to cluso -at- bluemagic -dot- biz (replace the -at- and -dot- and especially note the .biz)
Cost - Warning: Postal charges have just surged so please check with me before paying!!!
RetroBlade2 without Flash USD $45 (including postage) each
RetroBlade2 with Flash (8/16/32MB depending on my stock) USD $50 (including postage) each
Postage is by unregistered airmail post from Australia (you take the risk).
Some USA bulk shipments will go to Publison for on-posting to you.
Our nice post office has changed the rules so I need to keep the weight under 50g as otherwise it is almost 3x expensive to send up to 125g. So for multiple boards, if you don't need all the connectors, let me know and I may be able to juggle the weight to reduce the postage cost. Otherwise I'll post individually

Thru-hole parts (connectors) are not soldered, so your choice whether you solder VGA or pin headers.
I will include VGA connector as I have them anyway, unless weight becomes an issue as the VGA is 10g. The soldered pcb with VGA is ~30g plus packaging ~10g.
The first batch of boards will be have been shipped to Publison (thanks Jim) for on-shipping shortly, and other paid orders have also been shipped. and have arrived. Thanks Jim

For USB Keyboard or Mouse I suggest something similar to this on fleabay. I bought a nicer white one a while ago but don't have a link.
https://ebay.com/itm/Micro-USB-Cable-Male-Host-to-USB-Female-OTG-Adapter-Android-Tablet-Phone-PDA-PC/122327249468?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

For USB downloading I use this, but you can get the better pricing (free shipping) from other sellers. Note the pinout aligns with the RetroBlade2.
https://ebay.com/itm/6Pin-USB-2-0-to-TTL-UART-Module-Serial-Converter-CP2102-STC-Replace-Ft232-Module/401092508083?hash=item5d62f9f9b3:g:2aQAAOSw0kNXhzR7

This post and the next have been updated with the latest info. There is only one pcb as it can do VGA and brings out the I/O on 0/1" header underneath the VGA connector.

KiCad passes all the design rule checks. It's all laid out now and the gerbers look good. Just need to panelise and send off (not panelised). Let me know below who wants them.
2020-10-13: Boards ordered - should be back in ~2 weeks

2020-10-26: Boards arrived - looking good

2020-10-30: First board built and preliminary testing - recognised by pnut, Rom Monitor and TAQOZ working to PST

2020-11-01: First board boots downloads from pnut and also boots from microSD

2020-11-06: First board works with VGA, USB keyboard (garryj's code), and runs my Z80/CPM emulation (software not fully tested)

2020-11-10: Works with 4.0" LCD. Runs my OS (software not fully tested)

2020-11-26: Flash chips require a pcb modification.
2020-11-27: First boards shipped

Cluso's P2 RetroBlade2

* PCB 1.6"x2.2" 2 layer ENIG 1.6mm FR4
* P2X8C4M64P chip of course (some initial boards may use P2 RevB chips - let me know if you need RevC)
* 20MHz xtal
* Requires 5V regulated input (from one of: headers, microUSB, or USB/TTL header)
* 3V3 1A LDO SOT-89 regulator
* 1V8 generated by series 3V3 1A LDO SOT-223 to 1V8 1A LDO SOT-223
* Proper bulk and bypass capacitors
* Transistor reset circuit (as per P1) configured with solderable link
* microSD socket (microSD card not supplied) - can boot direct from microSD without Flash
* Two microUSB sockets - for power / keyboard / mouse (cables available from fleabay for ~$1.50)
* P00-15 brought out on 1x20pin 0.1" header
* P16-31 brought our on 1x16pin 0.1" header (under VGA connector)
* P32-47 brought out on 1x20pin 0.1" header
* P48-49 brought out on microUSB connector
* P50-51 brought out on microUSB connector
* P52-57 brought out on tiny 0.4mm thru-hole pads (will take single AWG30 kynar wire-wrap wire)
* P58-61 used internally for microSD and (optional) SPI Flash
* P62-63 brought out on 1x6 0.1" header (serial port) for Reset/SerialOut/SerialIn/5Vin/Gnd/nc - compatible with CP2102 USB/TTL 6pin (not supplied - fleabay ~$1.50)
* Note: P27-31 also connects to VGA socket (if fitted) for video/LCD (connector overlays the P16-31 header)
* Optional SOIC-8 footprint on underside for Flash W25Q32JVSIQ/W25Q64JVSIQ/W25Q128JVSIQ (4/8/16MB Flash)
* Through hole parts supplied but not fitted/soldered
* Can run my P2 OS and Z80/CPM emulation

Notes:
* The regulators will likely self-limit to somewhere in excess of 500mA. Switchers are not used.
* The 3d image shows the wrong microSD and microUSB connectors. Peter showed the ones I'm using on his P2D2 thread the other day.
* A 1x2pin 0.050" header/link enables the 10K pullup resistor (fitted as standard) for booting from the (optional) Flash chip

Flash problem
In my rush to add the Flash footprint to the RetroBlade2 at the last minute, I forgot to connect the WP and HOLD pins to 3V3.

This is going to require a tiny wire mod when fitting the Flash part.

Cost will be via PayPal in USD, US$40 without Flash, US$45 with W25Q128JVSIQ (16MB) Flash 8MB or 16MB brand TBA, and US$5 unregistered airmail post from Australia (you take the risk). Some USA bulk shipments will go to Publison for on-posting to you.

I have moved the pics to the next post

Cluso99 · 2020-10-09 21:19

Board pics

Schematic

Cluso99 · 2020-10-09 23:48

Here is what gets shipped (without flash) - The VGA connector is not soldered and easily removed.

And thanks to Ramon here is a nice pic of the board he received

Previously...
Gerbers looking good as are the paste pads under the P2

Peter Jakacki · 2020-10-09 23:57

Since you are not using the other I/O near the VGA why don't you hook up the I2C PnP on the VGA just for the fun of it? Also the SD pulldown value should be 1M since the card's pullup is fairly weak.
(my pcbs were just a tad behind my parts shipment and will be here Monday)

Cluso99 · 2020-10-10 03:20

Peter Jakacki wrote: »

Since you are not using the other I/O near the VGA why don't you hook up the I2C PnP on the VGA just for the fun of it? Also the SD pulldown value should be 1M since the card's pullup is fairly weak.
(my pcbs were just a tad behind my parts shipment and will be here Monday)

I am not certain that I am going to fit that resistor anyway but thanks for the value info. 100K 0603 is the largest value I have in stock. The ROM code just checks for a pullup (ie a floating or pulldown is detected as not a pullup).
Probably would have been useful to put I2C (and maybe other connections) on the VGA connector but it might be too late as I would have to check everything again as I'm not comfortable to rely on KiCad yet.
BTW I checked the drill files for the slots - nice and simple

Peter Jakacki · 2020-10-10 04:03

Let me know which components you need as I will also send 1M 0603s

Ahle2 · 2020-10-10 06:32

Cluso99,

I really like the RetroBlade and would want one when it becomes available. Could you do a variant with HDMI and two RCA audio connectors?

Cluso99 · 2020-10-10 07:00

Ahle2 wrote: »

Cluso99,

I really like the RetroBlade and would want one when it becomes available. Could you do a variant with HDMI and two RCA audio connectors?

Depends how this board goes. HDMI can be done with a fleabay cable (with the conversion chip).
I presume the audio is the same as P2 (ie RC plus isolation cap)? Presume a 4u7F or 10uF MLCC will work for the DC isolation and an RC of 1K and 100nF IIRC. Is more than one channel required?

I think an addon board that the RetroBlade could plug into might be better for these extras.

Of course it will plug into Peter’s 0.050” protoboard which i plan to offer too

Honestly don’t know why this hasn’t been done years ago. Probably it’s too obvious - haha.

Mickster · 2020-10-10 18:08

Heck, I'm gonna want every variant out there. This and KISS, without a doubt

Peter Jakacki · 2020-10-11 00:56

Cluso99 wrote: »

Of course it will plug into Peter’s 0.050” protoboard which i plan to offer too Honestly don’t know why this hasn’t been done years ago. Probably it’s too obvious - haha.

Probably because it was far too expensive and we always had the dilemma of mixing thicker 100mil pins etc. I wasn't charged anything extra to get 3,996 holes drilled on each board.

DaveJenson · 2020-10-12 15:05

Cluso99 wrote: »

Cluso's P2-RetroBlade and P2-MaxiBlade

Cluso's P2-RetroBlade

Cost will be US$40 without Flash, US$45 with W25Q128JVSIQ (16MB) and US$5 unregistered airmail post from Australia (you take the risk).

Cluso's P2-MaxiBlade

Identical to the RetroBlade except...
* VGA connector removed, and in its' place...
* 2x10 0.1" header with P17-31 plus 3V3 and GND

Cost will be US$40 without Flash, US$45 with W25Q128JVSIQ (16MB) and US$5 unregistered airmail post from Australia (you take the risk).

Will you be offering these up on your website when they are ready?

Tharkun · 2020-10-12 15:33

Looks great ! P2-MaxiBlade for me please.

Cluso99 · 2020-10-12 20:51

Revised update - thanks for pushing this Peter

* pcb now 2.2"x1.6" (was 2.0"x1.5")
* single pcb does both VGA and P16-31 on 0.1" header under the VGA connector
* adjusted the pitch of P0-15 and P32-47 to 1.5"
* VGA now uses the top pins P27-31 of the group with P27=VS

Now, you can solder the P16-31 header to just be on the underside of the pcb if you want to have both VGA and the header

Of course now I have to adjust the tracks and fills so this will take day(s)?
Same price - I'll ship both the 0.1" headers and the VGA connector. Through-hole parts will not be soldered.

R3 should be 1M

2020-10-13: First and second post updated with latest

Cluso99 · 2020-10-13 06:52

Updated the first two posts with the latest design

BTW It’s been really quiet on the forums. What are you all up to?

Cluso99 · 2020-10-13 12:18

PCBs ordered - should be ~2 weeks

Cluso99 · 2020-10-22 21:12

PCBs are in the air and hopefully may arrive Monday

BTW It’s been really quiet on the forums lately. What have you all been up to?

Tubular · 2020-10-22 21:20

Documentation

Publison · 2020-10-22 21:33

Cluso99 wrote: »

PCBs are in the air and hopefully may arrive Monday

BTW It’s been really quiet on the forums lately. What have you all been up to?

Can't wait to see.

I have noticed the crickets, but spammers behind the scene have not stopped. Off course Van and I shield you guys from all that noise.

doggiedoc · 2020-10-22 21:40

I got your spam.

avsa242 · 2020-10-22 22:04

Nice looking board Ray! Would love to order one
Been busy with day job (bittersweet that...finally back into a rhythm, but less time for Prop play...isolation was good for that

) but still trying to chisel away at a new driver or fix bugs in existing ones, here and there...

Cheers

Publison · 2020-10-22 23:46

I actually like SPAM every 3-4 years for one day. Then I think why did I do that. My 5 year anniversary is coming up. If I post again it didn't poison me.

Cluso99 · 2020-10-26 02:13

PCBs arrived. Looking good

Cluso99 · 2020-10-26 05:21

Size comparisons.
My pcb is 0.1” wider and 0.1” longer than the original P2D2.

Peter Jakacki · 2020-10-26 06:08

Hey Ray, there is still that bug in the forum software when you insert an image and it repeats the link many times, and I always have to go and cut all the extra links manually. But if you are doing it on purpose just to show off, then fair enough

Cluso99 · 2020-10-26 11:25

I posted it from my iPhone. It’s much harder to check for the multiple images bug. I’ll fix it when I’m on my computer in the morning:(

Cluso99 · 2020-10-27 04:15

Here is what the board will look like with connectors (microSD, 2x microUSB, optional VGA)

Tubular · 2020-10-27 04:32

Nice, Cluso!

Cluso99 · 2020-10-27 05:52

Finished 3d printing my pcb frame for holding the pcb while screen printing the paste.

Printing the paste frame now - holds the paste screen. I have printed a hinge too. Then i will need to align them both and mount on a bread board (for cutting bread).

Peter Jakacki · 2020-10-27 06:26

Well done, I will have to try something similar.

Cluso99 · 2020-10-27 07:33

This is the idea. The frame has a hinge to the piece fastened to a board. Then the pcb frame is mounted to the board in the exact position.
Here is the frame with the hinge at the top (on the left here as the pic is rotated left). The stainless screen is mounted in the frame.
I’ve used these hinges before in my LCD to VGA screen and they work nicely.

Cluso99 · 2020-10-27 07:46

Peter,
Do you have a 3d printer? If not, what is your panel size(s) to 0.1mm accuracy and I'll make you the pcb mounting.
Your screen is already in a frame so will need to make some corners for positioning it.

The main problem is getting the pcb to fit snug in the frame when printed. The printer is not perfectly calibrated so some tweeking is necessary. The forth one I made finally fit perfectly. I'm printing my second screen frame now - expanded 100.1% and it's looking still a shade under-sized

Cluso's RetroBlade2 Single Chip Computer (small stock available for new orders/payment)

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