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RamBladeII & IOBlade (SBC & Retro MicroComputers) — Parallax Forums

RamBladeII & IOBlade (SBC & Retro MicroComputers)

Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
edited 2010-06-19 15:50 in Propeller 1
I am in the final stages of pcb layout.·The specifications are detailed below.

The RamBladeII is designed to be a minimal Retro MicroComputer or Standalone MicroComputer with 512KB of 55ns SRAM, a microSD, plus an external Keyboard and TV (B&W). Color and/or Audio can be added by reducing the available SRAM. Alternately, the RamBlade can be plugged into the IOBlade, to build a more powerful (more peripherals) Retro MicroComputer or Standalone MicroComputer.

The IOBlade is designed to be a Standalone MicroComputer with a microSD plus an external·Keyboard, TV, VGA, Stereo (out). A PC connection can be made with an external PropPlug. An additional 8 I/O expansion connector is provided for other peripherals such as NES Game Controllers, Ethernet modules, etc. Additionally, the IOBlade can plug into the RamBladeII (by replacing the onboard microSD connection) to provide a seperate Propeller processor with 512KB of 55ns SRAM and a microSD, for the ultimate Retro/Standalon MicroComputer.

Both RamBladeII & IOBlade will fit into tiny 2x2x1.8" (50x50x20mm) Hammond Boxes which are available in the fabulous looking Translucent Blue. The boxes require user modifications to fit the connectors.

IOBlade:
  • PCB 1.75"x1.75" (44x44mm)
  • Fits inside·a Hammond 1551R box 50x50x20mm (Translucent Blue available)
  • P8X32A-Q44 Propeller chip, 64KB EEPROM, XTAL
    • PCB designed for overclocking 6.5MHz xtal (104MHz)
  • External Connections
    • Power Input 5V Regulated via miniUSB
    • PropPlug via 4 pins
    • Keyboard via USB-A (in PS2 mode)
    • VGA via 15pin VGA connector
    • TV (color 3-pin composite NTSC/PAL) & Stereo via 4pin AV socket (requires AV cable)
      • Video & Gnd may be swapped to suit two types of AV cables
      • AV cable as used by camcorders and iPod (4pin 3.5mm to 3 RCA connectors)
    • 8 I/O Expansion connector for external devices
      • Compatible with Parallax's Dual NES Controller
    • Designed to plug into RamBladeII (or RamBlade)
  • microSD socket (not usable if·RamBladeII connected)
  • RamBladeII connector
    • uses the microSD connections to the prop so this microSD cannot be used
    • The RamBladeII has it's own microSD
    • The original RamBlade can be connected instead
    • uses 2-pin high speed serial interface
    • reset pin (IOBlade can reset RamBlade)
    • 5V supplied to the RamBlade
    • see the RamBladeII specifications below
  • Onboard 3V3 Regulation

RamBladeII:
  • PCB 1.75"x1.75" (44x44mm)
  • Fits inside·a Hammond 1551R box 50x50x20mm (Translucent Blue available)
  • P8X32A-Q44 Propeller chip, 64KB EEPROM, XTAL
    • PCB designed for overclocking 6.5MHz xtal (104MHz)
    • EEPROM protected by write enable jumper
  • SRAM 512KB 55ns direct connection to Propeller chip (no latches)
    • maybe downgraded to 256/128/64KB (see note below)
  • External Connections
    • Power Input 5V Regulated via miniUSB (or via IOBlade)
    • PropPlug via 4 pins (for optional EEPROM programming only)
    • Designed to plug into IOBlade
    • --OR--
      • Keyboard via USB-A (in PS2 mode
        • uses 1-pin Keyboard driver
      • TV (B&W 1-pin composite NTSC/PAL)·via 4pin AV socket (requires AV/stereo/mono cable)
        • Requires AV/Stereo/Mono 3.5mm to RCA connector(s) cable or adapter
      • Note: Up to 3 pins may be redirected from the SRAM (making only 256/128/64KB available) for...
        • Adding sound (mono or stereo using 1 or 2 pins)
        • Adding color by TV using 2 or 3 pins
  • microSD socket
  • IOBlade connector
    • uses the microSD connections on the IOBlade
    • uses 2-pin high speed serial interface
    • reset pin (IOBlade can reset RamBlade)
  • Onboard 3V3 Regulation

Both PCBs will be available assembled, without boxes. Pricing will be around US$50-60 each assembled without cases or microSD cards.

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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)·
· Prop OS: SphinxOS·, PropDos , PropCmd··· Search the Propeller forums·(uses advanced Google search)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBlade Props: www.cluso.bluemagic.biz

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