RamBlade - Any interest in a through hole version pcb??

Cluso99

Now that the RamBlade (SMT) is done and awaiting pcbs/parts, is there any interest in a through-hole version (microSD is SMT) ??

Specs would be similar to the RamBlade...
·RamBlade: Prop+SRAM+microSD addon to run ZiCog/CPM/PropDos/Catalina, etc
·http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=849265


RamBlade T/H

• Propeller (80MHz) - also designed for overclocking (96MHz/104MHz/114MHz/120MHz???)
• 512Kx8 55nS SRAM
• microSD socket
• AT24C256/AT24C512/AT24C1024 (32/64/128Kx8) EEPROM (optional - prop can be downloaded)
• Designed to run ZiCog & CPM, and/or other Propeller hosted operating systems.
• 2 pin serial interface to the outside world (see below)
• Designed to either....
  • plug into another (host)·Propeller board (Proto, Demo, etc) or another micro based processor
  • plug into the Prop ProtoBoard (USB or non-USB), DemoBoard, SpinStudio,·and other cpu boards·
  • plug into a PropPlug and PC
• Optimised for speed - No latches
• Connector the same as RamBlade SMT (but SI & SO are the same as prSI & prSO)
• PCB size about 2"x3" (50mmx75mm)

There·are a few differences to the RamBlade SMT version...

• Slightly slower ram access because of simpler·circuit
• Uses P30 & P31 as the serial and programming pins (more standard)
• Eeprom does not require disabling

Possible·options...

• Bare pcb
• PCB + pre-soldered SMT microSD
• SRAM chip 512Kx8 (not soldered)
• AT24C512 preloaded with SD boot code (boots from microSD card) (not soldered)
• microSD card preloaded with ZiCog/CPM2.2
• maybe xtal and prop chip (unsoldered) ??

Estimated prices US$ ...

• PCB $5, soldered microSD $5, SRAM $5, AT24C512 preloaded $5, microSD 1GB/2GB card $20
• Shipping would be by unregistered airmail and cost US$5

So, the questions are...

• Is there enough interest for me to do the pcb ?
• Are parts required ? It costs me a lot for shipping and I don't want to be a shop - it's a hobby.
• Would this allow more of you to get into CPM or other external memory programs ?

The reason I ask is there are a lot of people following these types of·threads. The TriBlade pcb was very expensive to produce so at $25+shipping it was a loss to me. I still have a few pcbs but I do not expect to get any more done.

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Links to other interesting threads:

· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBlade,·RamBlade,·SixBlade, website
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: CPUs Z80 etc; Micros Altair etc;· Terminals·VT100 etc; (Index) ZiCog (Z80) , MoCog (6809)
· Search the Propeller forums·(uses advanced Google search)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm

Post Edited (Cluso99) : 11/19/2009 5:04:57 AM GMT

Mike Huselton

Why not swap a Winbond for the SD? No connector to wear out and 8mb + future capacities is adequate for code. I know, flame city - maybe SD and Winbond?

Naah - forget it. Too much work.

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JMH

Cluso99

The winbond has the same wear issue, but worse because you have to handle the wear levelling issue. Easier to swap a card than a chip.

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Links to other interesting threads:

· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBlade,·RamBlade,·SixBlade, website
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: CPUs Z80 etc; Micros Altair etc;· Terminals·VT100 etc; (Index) ZiCog (Z80) , MoCog (6809)
· Search the Propeller forums·(uses advanced Google search)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm

Mike Huselton

Noted. The viable alternative, FRAM, is way too expensive. Your carefully reasoned decision stands.

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JMH

Tubular

Frankly your assembled smt version at $30-40 seems very good value. I'm not sure if I could be bothered with a through hole kit.

I'm shipping some stuff (including parallax stuff) from my Texas mailbox in the next week or two . Your parts can hitch a free ride if you like

cheers
tubular

Cluso99 said...
<UL>
<LI>PCB $5, soldered microSD $5, SRAM $5, AT24C512 preloaded $5, microSD 1GB/2GB card $20
* Shipping would be by unregistered airmail and cost US$5
</UL>
So, the questions are...

<UL>
<LI>Is there enough interest for me to do the pcb ?
<LI>Are parts required ? It costs me a lot for shipping and I don't want to be a shop - it's a hobby.
* Would this allow more of you to get into CPM or other external memory programs ?
</UL>
The reason I ask is there are a lot of people following these types of threads. The TriBlade pcb was very expensive to produce so at $25+shipping it was a loss to me. I still have a few pcbs but I do not expect to get any more done.

Cluso99

Thanks Lachlan. I will be in touch shortly.

Thanks. It seems that everyone likes the preassembled SMT version. So I will give this a miss for now.

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Links to other interesting threads:

· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBlade,·RamBlade,·SixBlade, website
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: CPUs Z80 etc; Micros Altair etc;· Terminals·VT100 etc; (Index) ZiCog (Z80) , MoCog (6809)
· Search the Propeller forums·(uses advanced Google search)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm