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RamBlade3R : A cost reduced RamBlade addon (Prop 104MHz, 512KB SRAM, microSD) — Parallax Forums

RamBlade3R : A cost reduced RamBlade addon (Prop 104MHz, 512KB SRAM, microSD)

Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
edited 2012-06-01 18:37 in Propeller 1
I am about to send to manufacture a cost reduced RamBlade3R. Here are the specifications...
  1. Propeller overclocked to 104MHz (socketed 6.5MHz xtal)
  2. 24LC64 (yes only 8KB to boot from microSD card) ;)
  3. 512KB 55ns SRAM (512KBytes)
  4. microSD socket
  5. 6pin header (3V3, GND, /RST, SI, SO, nc) - center 4 pins are PropPlug compatible
  6. PCB size 1"x1.4"
  7. The 6pin header is at one 1" end and the microSD is faces the other 1" end.
  8. Available fully assembled (smt) except the pin headers (both straight and rightangled pins will be provided, and a socket).
  9. Bare pcb also available.
This pcb does not have the reset transistor circuit (that I normally add), nor the 3V3 regulator to regulate from 5V (that I normally add). So /Reset, P31 & P30 are directly connected to the Propeller chip.

The RamBlade3 is designed to run large XMM programs such as Catalina and presumably PropGCC and PropForth). Catalina already runs on my other RamBlade3 boards. ZiCog (CPM2.2) also runs as does my propeller OS version. All propeller pins are used, and only the standard P30/P31 are available for external serial communications to another propeller (or other micro) for peripherals. Catalina is designed for multiple propeller processors.

Note the use of a cheap 24LC64 EEPROM (8KByte). I have tested this and have confirmed that it works. It requires a special spin program to program the EEPROM. It will come preprogrammed to boot from a microSD card formatted in FAT16 or FAT32. (cat's out of the bag tubular)

Initially I am not going to produce this pcb in large volumes. The bare pcbs will cost me $2.33 ea plus $5 shipping and takes almost 4 weeks.
So, I am interested to know how many will be interested so I know how many pcbs to order initially. I have not yet worked out a price.

I am also considering a small daughter pcb that would add an RTC to the mix (my ClockBlade 1"sq may also work). Is there any interest in this???

Ramblade (RamBlade1) and RamBlade3 - Main Difference
RamBlade is a little faster because the serial pins used are different to the download pins. The download pins are reassigned as the data pins and permits the SHR to operate as an AND as well, saving an instruction on reading. However, it meant that downloading on pins P30/31 and running on P22/23 was a PITA for development.
So RamBlade3 uses different pins for the data bus to keep the download pins and running pins both as P30/31. This requires an extra instruction when accessing the SRAM so it is slightly slower than the original RamBlade.
The original RamBlade will continue to be available.

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2012-06-01 16:17
    I'd be interested in a fully assembled unit. I'd also be interested in the RTC daughterboard.. I "bricked" my existing RamBlade trying to repackage it.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2012-06-01 16:46
    What did you do Mike? Perhaps it only needs reprogramming???

    Postedit: I just posted the eeprom code on the RamBlade thread for you.
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2012-06-01 16:55
    I had to carefully (well I thought so) pry it off some strong adhesive. I desoldered the power and 1-pin interface wires then re-connected it to a C3 Expansion Board. It seems to output some signal on the serial output line, maybe still runs the Zicog code that was in the EEPROM, but I can't reprogram it. I tried several PropPlugs (and the equivalent from 4D Systems), tried BST on the Mac, tried the Propeller Tool under Parallels Desktop on the Mac, tried the Propeller Tool on a Windows XP netbook, all of which work with other Propeller boards, but won't identify or download to the Ramblade. I suspect that I broke a trace on the board somewhere where I can't see it or get to it. I haven't given up on it completely, but ...
  • David BetzDavid Betz Posts: 14,516
    edited 2012-06-01 17:08
    Hmmm... Looks like I ordered my board too soon. :-)
    Is this the single board RamBlade you've said you were working on?
    Anyway, it looks nice!
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2012-06-01 17:11
    I'll answer on the RamBlade thread Mike.
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2012-06-01 17:23
    Got a schematic?
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2012-06-01 17:24
    David: No. This is just a simpler and cheaper solution. If you want to wait, thats fine. Just let me know.

    I have a standalone boxed RamBlade3 that also has keyboard and TV connectors (1pin versions) in the works, It will be more expensive because it is designed to be able to be standalone. It will also plug into another boxed standalone Propeller Board I am designing, but this has taken much longer than I wanted.
  • David BetzDavid Betz Posts: 14,516
    edited 2012-06-01 17:31
    Cluso99 wrote: »
    David: No. This is just a simpler and cheaper solution. If you want to wait, thats fine. Just let me know.

    I have a standalone boxed RamBlade3 that also has keyboard and TV connectors (1pin versions) in the works, It will be more expensive because it is designed to be able to be standalone. It will also plug into another boxed standalone Propeller Board I am designing, but this has taken much longer than I wanted.
    No, I'm happy with the one I ordered. I'm looking forward to it actually.

    Thanks,
    David
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2012-06-01 17:51
    No problems David.

    jazzed: Not yet. But the schematic is really the combo of the CpuBlade and MemBlade without the transistor reset circuit and regulators, and substituting the 24LC64 for the 24LC512.
    See http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?134134-Cluso-s-new-Propeller-stackable-and-pluggable-boards-(MultiProps-too) post #16 for the CpuBlade.
    Seems I have not posted the MemBlade (nor done) schematic. Here is the definition of the pins... 
    P0-18 = A0-18 'sram
P19-26= D0-7 'sram
P27=/CS 'sram
P28=SCL & /OE
P29=SDA & /WE

  _rb3DO    = 20                '\ RamBlade3 microSD
  _rb3Clk   = 21                '|
  _rb3DI    = 22                '|
  _rb3CS    = 23                '|
  _rb3PU    = $3880_0000        '/ pullups
  • jazzedjazzed Posts: 11,803
    edited 2012-06-01 18:24
    Cluso99 wrote: »
    ... Here is the definition of the pins... 
    P0-18 = A0-18 'sram
P19-26= D0-7 'sram
P27=/CS 'sram
P28=SCL & /OE
P29=SDA & /WE

  _rb3DO    = 20                '\ RamBlade3 microSD
  _rb3Clk   = 21                '|
  _rb3DI    = 22                '|
  _rb3CS    = 23                '|
  _rb3PU    = $3880_0000        '/ pullups

    Thanks. Pins and pull ups make it easy to visualize a schematic.
  • Cluso99Cluso99 Posts: 18,069
    edited 2012-06-01 18:37
    jazzed: Yes, sometimes even easier. Unfortunately I cannot post the schematic I have because it is part of a commercial design. But usually I design my pcbs before I do the schematic anyways - its in my head and I just code the netlist as I go.
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