Here is my latest ZiCog code on Blade #2 of the TriBladeProp. I thought it more relevant to post here than the ZiCog thread.

I have attached the zipped source files. The ZiCog Z80 code is not heaters latest (I am still using v005). There is an issue I need to fix by updating the TBP (TriBladeProp) driver. Currently I am resetting the cog to overcome this until I get time to fix (add a simple routine). All software to compile is in the demo zip file including the homespun compiler and the batch file to compile. There are 3 or 4 warnings about missing '#' in the jmp/ret instructions but this is in fact correct.

I have also attached the zipped disk files for the microSD card. It is a large file. Expand it first on your pc and then copy DRIVE__C.DSK to files A through H. This is a blank CPM2.2 disk which can be used for 1MB drives A...H. Expand DRIVE_1MB.RAM. This file is used to load the CPM boot information into the RAM (sram) by the spin program. DRVCPM_2.DSK is the disk file containing all the CPM2 files, formatted as a 1MB drive. It is best to leave this untouched and just copy it over the DRIVE__A.DSK you have made above. This way anything you do will overwrite/add to the A CPM drive and you will still have an original. And CPM will boot to the A drive.

Once these files are ready, format your microSD card with FAT16 and preferably 32KB clusters. Then copy these files one by one. They will then be contiguous (using successive clusters) because we access them using physical addresses once the starting point is found under FAT16.

SURVEY is the CPM program that shows the disk drives and memory map. It will not display drives until you have done a DIR command.

As I haven't included the CPM3 disk file, edit the spin demo file to change the H drive to use DRIVE__H.DSK and recompile.

This version only uses Blade #2 and the PropPlug connected to your PC and PropTerminal.

I edit and save using PropTool (dont forget to save), then go to a dos box and run z.bat from the source folder (set the path etc - ensure there are no blanks in the path/file names). Check the compile produced an output binary file with no errors (other than the warnings mentioned above). Go back to PropTool and load the binary file to the prop ram. The switch to PropTerminal. You will have about 3 seconds to do this before the software starts on the prop. If you miss this, just type "y" to load the ram and continue.

If you have any questions just ask. I am a bit tied up for a couple of days (in case I am slow to respond).

Enjoy

PS. Later I will publish the entire code you require to boot from an SD card without the PC.

Post Edited (SRLM) : 4/25/2009 4:52:36 AM GMT

Answers to SRLM questions....

1. The resistor network is soldered on the underside of the pcb and the usual "dot" indicating the common connection on the part goes to the square box end.

2. None of the pads at the back of the microSD connector are used in my design. They just provide stability for the connector in this application. Normally these back pads could be used for write protect and card inserted functions.

LK3, LK4 & LK5 are designed to connect Blade #2 to Blade #3 together via the serial bus mentioned in LK1 & LK2. It can route the PropPlug to Blade #3 as well, including the reset line. See the schematic. Note these shunts can be all horizontal or all vertical for different pins

13. I have not fitted the FLASH although I understand Mike Green is doing this.

Good luck and I await to hear you are running... If you have any questions, please ask.  

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Links to other interesting threads:

1. Yes you can use a 36 pin socket and you could remove the modified pin (-OE) from the socket first. Both the 512KB and 2MB SRAMs are pin compatible, so no resoldering wil be required.

2. No problems if these pins are bridged as long as they are not shorting to the power plane underneath. Just meter the connection to verify this. (I presume you are not referring to the holes (vias) on the left side of the microSD connector near U26 - these cannot be shorted.)

3. No they will not cause any issues if installed. They just provide better decoupling and storage reservoir (in laymans terms). You can always solder these later by bending the legs slightly and soldering on the underside. Unless you want to significantly overclock, don't bother with them.

4. I am unsure. It will affect the colors not sure about the actual display.

5. C91 needs to be corrected. C11 (electrolytic) and C12 & C13 all require to be correctly (polarity) inserted.

6. Since you are asking about polarity, I presume you have fitted the diode D4 correctly - the small block is the white bar end on the diode.

Sorry my replies have been sporadic - I have other work to do, then a design to finish (see new thread).

My Blade #2 and #1 communicate without RS232 drivers, so I expect to get >> 115200 baud running (more like 8Mbits as Beau posted).

Here is the PropDos/PropCmd I loaded into Blade #2 Eeprom to boot from the microSD card.

If you want to run ZiCog on the TriBladeProp from this, copy the attachd binary to the SD and do

SD>ZICOG072.BIN

I have placed delays in the code for switching windows to PropTerminal which runs at 115200 baud on the PC.

SLRM:

1. There is no actual prototyping area for Blade #3. You can however use the holes for the different connectors for this if you want. The circuit diagram is published which will show you which pins are connected. I have not published the complete board layout.

2.  I am not aware of the PN2222 transistor but presume it is a shorthand way of describing the P2N2222 transistor. The P2N2222 has a different pinout to the 2N2222 transistor of some years ago. Just ensure that it is the same pinout and an NPN transistor - it is general purpose, nothing special.

3.  Tantalum capacitors give better response than electrolytic, but should be acceptable.

4.  The latch chips are required for storing the additional addresses on Blade #1. I have suggested on the thread to not fit the SRAM and Latch to Blade #1 at this time since there is no software to actually use it. The Latch is required for Blade #2 for most things such as storing the chip select of the SRAMs, microSD, Flash and EEprom, etc.

Don't forget to do the modifications according to the errata A1 which I published here before. This is a wire between the SRAMs and Prop on Blade #2 and the orientation of the P2N2222.