I am amazed reading all those 'TAQOZ (reloaded) console' options you posted. That board is FULL of everything we have ever dreamed during all these years (easy ethernet and display interfaces, high speed I/O, huge and cheap storage, high-level file manipulation tools, RTC/I2C/SPI ... ). The Fastest and Funniest Development Board Ever.
All that is included on the small P2D2 or is that for the big evaluation board?. In any case, it's great.
Since the delivery of these boards has been delayed, would it be possible to delay them a bit further and allow us to order the companion boards at the same time? I'm in no rush for the P2D2 and would appreciate the opportunity to be able to order the other boards at the same time.
Since the delivery of these boards has been delayed, would it be possible to delay them a bit further and allow us to order the companion boards at the same time? I'm in no rush for the P2D2 and would appreciate the opportunity to be able to order the other boards at the same time.
always being careful what we wish: there is no definition of "a bit further". So Peter, don't fell motivated to wait until Pxhot is outdated ;-)
Peter,
It has been very quiet for a while. I hope that is a good sign! Any updates on progress with the P2D2 and associated boards? An ETA?
Everything is getting back to normal here, or as normal as it can be
I'm happy with the initial units that were produced and with the UB3 chip acting as the USB serial and clkgen loader and reset control which also only resets the P2 on an actual power-up or DTR event, not just a disconnect/reconnect. Yes, I've had a lazy break from it all and feel I need to get some parts of my anatomy into gear. I just remembered that I was going to allow for a 5P35021 clkgen that can directly output up to 500MHz so that the P2 can be tested beyond the limits of its PLL. This chip will be in very close proximity to the P2 clock input. I will take a look at putting this onto the P2PAL itself since it has access to the clock pins because it is surface mounted onto the P2D2. I'm planning on making up the reset of the P2D2s this coming week, and testing and shipping (woohoo).
I note that Rayman has HyperRAM working with 16bpp VGA so this option on the P2PAL means we could have TAQOZ sitting in less than 64K, and 16bpp in HyperRAM VGA, and still have 458k hub RAM free. Even with a simple text editor I can have relatively large files sitting in RAM, and a nice GUI, and still have plenty of memory and cogs left over for application code.
cog 0 TAQOZ
cog 1 Audio (when needed)
cog 6 HyperRAM
cog 7 VGA
I'm planning on making up the reset of the P2D2s this coming week, and testing and shipping (woohoo).
Great!
I note that Rayman has HyperRAM working with 16bpp VGA so this option on the P2PAL means we could have TAQOZ sitting in less than 64K, and 16bpp in HyperRAM VGA, and still have 458k hub RAM free. Even with a simple text editor I can have relatively large files sitting in RAM, and a nice GUI, and still have plenty of memory and cogs left over for application code.
Yes the external RAM opens up a lot of new possibilities. If you can get your editor/GUI to work with file buffers obtained indirectly through a HyperRAM transfer API instead of directly reading all data purely from the hub then in theory you could have access to very large files stored in the HyperRAM, even with video running out of this HyperRAM at the same time, once you use my HyperRAM arbiter driver. I need to get back to working on that so it can be bundled with the driver.
What kind of circuit/device do you intend to use in translating 5P35021's available differential output levels ( LP-HSCL, LVDS, LVPECL) to P2-compatible LVCMOS levels, in order to be able to drive the P2 clock input towards its limits (~400 MHZ)?
What kind of circuit/device do you intend to use in translating 5P35021's available differential output levels ( LP-HSCL, LVDS, LVPECL) to P2-compatible LVCMOS levels, in order to be able to drive the P2 clock input towards its limits (~400 MHZ)?
If I use a single-ended output from the LVPECL with VDDDIFF set to around 2.7V and appropriate termination, then this can be fed to the clock input of the P2 directly which will switch around the 1.6V mark normally.
If though the P2 is set to crystal mode it will be biased about halfway and then I do not have to worry about VDDDIFF and simply use a cap to couple the "AC" clock signal. All good unless of course I am missing something and if I did miss something I will just do a new pcb
I am also looking at other clkgen parts since they list that particular one as "obsolete"
I'm planning on making up the reset of the P2D2s this coming week, and testing and shipping (woohoo).
Great!
I note that Rayman has HyperRAM working with 16bpp VGA so this option on the P2PAL means we could have TAQOZ sitting in less than 64K, and 16bpp in HyperRAM VGA, and still have 458k hub RAM free. Even with a simple text editor I can have relatively large files sitting in RAM, and a nice GUI, and still have plenty of memory and cogs left over for application code.
Yes the external RAM opens up a lot of new possibilities. If you can get your editor/GUI to work with file buffers obtained indirectly through a HyperRAM transfer API instead of directly reading all data purely from the hub then in theory you could have access to very large files stored in the HyperRAM, even with video running out of this HyperRAM at the same time, once you use my HyperRAM arbiter driver. I need to get back to working on that so it can be bundled with the driver.
Thinking about the inactive windows I would like to keep a copy of them in HR to simplify the redraw. Yes, I wouldn't need any tricks with editing large text files if I handled it in HR although most code files are relatively small anyway. My first editor will keep it simple and flat in hub RAM but I have various methods for larger files in hub RAM, and then the option of a flat file in HR. An editor ain't much of an editor either if it doesn't handle undo/redo well either.
AN-953 shows some interesting options you can try, even if you need to resort to another brand/model of differential clock generator, in order to populate your boards.
Perhaps an interesting option you can made available at your design is enabling the existence of two 50 Ohm-ready sub-micro smt connections, for differential clock inputs, so you can use one board as the master clock generator to another one (more if you choose a master clock generator that can produce, says, four fully-differential clock outputs, capable of reaching up to 400 MHz (and a bit more, if posible).
That way you can have at least two P2D2 controlled by a single clock generator mounted on a "master" pcb, while the "slave" accepts its clock source from a external source, and sure, don't needs the clk-gen chip at all.
If you use a clk-gen device that can control the phase and early/late timing of each clock output independently (in near to +- ~1nS steps), you can reach, says, four interconnected P2, whose clock inputs could be put within any timing relationship with other one(s), easing things like streamer-driven data transfers between them, as well as almost-perfect matches between P2 and HyperBus-enabled or similar devices, even if, says, the HyperBus-enabled device resides in another pcb.
Very defying scenarios, where a P2 (or HyperBus-enabled device) is acting as the data-provider (or receiver) while another P2 (in another pcb) acts as a peer for such kind of transfers can be devised/tested in a snap, turning the P2D2 a natural choice whenever teaming-up many P2 can be a solution for some intrincate P2-cluster project.
Hope my poor english didn't messed with the contents of the idea I'm trying to convey.
Never could imagine the propeller to gain so much attention, thoughtfulness, praise as I've heard of in Davos. So I'm really busy waiting for the visitation of the glorious P2D2 ...
My plans to use my friend to help fell through due to sickness. So I ordered the extra stuff I would need including a fresh tub of solder paste which got waylaid but now I have it. Busy assembling them myself at present.
Hello Peter, after you finished the initial batch of the P2D2, you should focus on further development, not on production, I feel. Replication is something, others can do better. (Not to hurt you.) My feeling is, P2D2 will be the core of many exciting products. Ones, they arrived. ..
Yes, now the advent of P2D2 is close (and hopefully the dev system will be completed) we will try our very best to replace the old P by a new P. Which will outperform the last one doubtlessly. And we hope to offer them at a price point allowing you to buy it from your tax returns (being a proud member of the <1% that admire a useful P) without increasing the household deficit ;-)
Ok, I've had all kinds of "non-technical" problems that don't normally happen, but have happened, so I am very sorry for all these setbacks. My friend who normally helps with assembly hasn't been available either. Nonetheless, I am getting these done and when I get the p2pal and p2lab boards done too I will simply supply them to Publison and ErNa first, and you can pay for them then. The payments so far have been very helpful in offsetting the parts cost which include a bit of waste in the revisions.
Thank you all for your patience
P.S. talk about setbacks, my friend has been trying to get pcbs from China from different firms, but they are still closed until the end of February because of what I like to call the "WuFlu".
P.S. talk about setbacks, my friend has been trying to get pcbs from China from different firms, but they are still closed until the end of February because of what I like to call the "WuFlu".
It's probally a part of the virus outbreak containment plan( see below), hopefully it will be short term :
Bob
"ECONOMIC FALLOUT
Chinese President Xi Jinping promised tax cuts and other aid to industry as the ruling Communist Party tries to limit the mounting damage to the economy.
The country is struggling to restart its economy after the annual Lunar New Year holiday was extended to try to keep people home and contain the virus. Traffic remained light in Beijing, and many people were still working at home.
Companies are facing increasing losses because of the closing of factories, offices, shops and other businesses in the most sweeping anti-disease measures ever imposed."
@PJB, I second what @MJB said and if there's still availability I'll gladly pay for one more to EU/Italy.
BTW, I am having great fun with TAQOZ, still a lot to learn. I think shortly I'll need some help in the Taqoz thread...
Hi Peter, I'm now after some delays in urgent need for the P2D2 boards. Could you please chip them as soon and fast as possible before I get gracey? Time est money and I will run out of time before running out of money ;-)
Comments
I am amazed reading all those 'TAQOZ (reloaded) console' options you posted. That board is FULL of everything we have ever dreamed during all these years (easy ethernet and display interfaces, high speed I/O, huge and cheap storage, high-level file manipulation tools, RTC/I2C/SPI ... ). The Fastest and Funniest Development Board Ever.
All that is included on the small P2D2 or is that for the big evaluation board?. In any case, it's great.
Any updates on progress with the P2D2 and associated boards?
always being careful what we wish: there is no definition of "a bit further". So Peter, don't fell motivated to wait until Pxhot is outdated ;-)
It has been very quiet for a while. I hope that is a good sign! Any updates on progress with the P2D2 and associated boards? An ETA?
Everything is getting back to normal here, or as normal as it can be
I'm happy with the initial units that were produced and with the UB3 chip acting as the USB serial and clkgen loader and reset control which also only resets the P2 on an actual power-up or DTR event, not just a disconnect/reconnect. Yes, I've had a lazy break from it all and feel I need to get some parts of my anatomy into gear. I just remembered that I was going to allow for a 5P35021 clkgen that can directly output up to 500MHz so that the P2 can be tested beyond the limits of its PLL. This chip will be in very close proximity to the P2 clock input. I will take a look at putting this onto the P2PAL itself since it has access to the clock pins because it is surface mounted onto the P2D2. I'm planning on making up the reset of the P2D2s this coming week, and testing and shipping (woohoo).
I note that Rayman has HyperRAM working with 16bpp VGA so this option on the P2PAL means we could have TAQOZ sitting in less than 64K, and 16bpp in HyperRAM VGA, and still have 458k hub RAM free. Even with a simple text editor I can have relatively large files sitting in RAM, and a nice GUI, and still have plenty of memory and cogs left over for application code.
cog 0 TAQOZ
cog 1 Audio (when needed)
cog 6 HyperRAM
cog 7 VGA
Yes the external RAM opens up a lot of new possibilities. If you can get your editor/GUI to work with file buffers obtained indirectly through a HyperRAM transfer API instead of directly reading all data purely from the hub then in theory you could have access to very large files stored in the HyperRAM, even with video running out of this HyperRAM at the same time, once you use my HyperRAM arbiter driver. I need to get back to working on that so it can be bundled with the driver.
What kind of circuit/device do you intend to use in translating 5P35021's available differential output levels ( LP-HSCL, LVDS, LVPECL) to P2-compatible LVCMOS levels, in order to be able to drive the P2 clock input towards its limits (~400 MHZ)?
If I use a single-ended output from the LVPECL with VDDDIFF set to around 2.7V and appropriate termination, then this can be fed to the clock input of the P2 directly which will switch around the 1.6V mark normally.
If though the P2 is set to crystal mode it will be biased about halfway and then I do not have to worry about VDDDIFF and simply use a cap to couple the "AC" clock signal. All good unless of course I am missing something and if I did miss something I will just do a new pcb
I am also looking at other clkgen parts since they list that particular one as "obsolete"
Thinking about the inactive windows I would like to keep a copy of them in HR to simplify the redraw. Yes, I wouldn't need any tricks with editing large text files if I handled it in HR although most code files are relatively small anyway. My first editor will keep it simple and flat in hub RAM but I have various methods for larger files in hub RAM, and then the option of a flat file in HR. An editor ain't much of an editor either if it doesn't handle undo/redo well either.
I believe you are aware of the existence of Renesas AN=953 and/or other similar documents:
https://idt.com/br/en/document/apn/953-quick-guide-output-terminations
AN-953 shows some interesting options you can try, even if you need to resort to another brand/model of differential clock generator, in order to populate your boards.
Perhaps an interesting option you can made available at your design is enabling the existence of two 50 Ohm-ready sub-micro smt connections, for differential clock inputs, so you can use one board as the master clock generator to another one (more if you choose a master clock generator that can produce, says, four fully-differential clock outputs, capable of reaching up to 400 MHz (and a bit more, if posible).
That way you can have at least two P2D2 controlled by a single clock generator mounted on a "master" pcb, while the "slave" accepts its clock source from a external source, and sure, don't needs the clk-gen chip at all.
If you use a clk-gen device that can control the phase and early/late timing of each clock output independently (in near to +- ~1nS steps), you can reach, says, four interconnected P2, whose clock inputs could be put within any timing relationship with other one(s), easing things like streamer-driven data transfers between them, as well as almost-perfect matches between P2 and HyperBus-enabled or similar devices, even if, says, the HyperBus-enabled device resides in another pcb.
Very defying scenarios, where a P2 (or HyperBus-enabled device) is acting as the data-provider (or receiver) while another P2 (in another pcb) acts as a peer for such kind of transfers can be devised/tested in a snap, turning the P2D2 a natural choice whenever teaming-up many P2 can be a solution for some intrincate P2-cluster project.
Hope my poor english didn't messed with the contents of the idea I'm trying to convey.
It's been a couple of weeks since this update, so how have things been progressing with the P2D2's? Any updated ETA's?
Hope everything is going well for the P2D2!
Would be nice to be able to get the Dev-Board and the P2D2 with all the goodies
in one mailing to Europe. At the hefty shipping cost.
you want a dev board as well @ErNa ?
I suppose the european delivery will be to you?
And you can forward it inside Germany/Europe?
I would also like to know what extra money above and beyond what I PayPal'd already would be required for the dev board.
Thank you all for your patience
P.S. talk about setbacks, my friend has been trying to get pcbs from China from different firms, but they are still closed until the end of February because of what I like to call the "WuFlu".
It's probally a part of the virus outbreak containment plan( see below), hopefully it will be short term :
Bob
"ECONOMIC FALLOUT
Chinese President Xi Jinping promised tax cuts and other aid to industry as the ruling Communist Party tries to limit the mounting damage to the economy.
The country is struggling to restart its economy after the annual Lunar New Year holiday was extended to try to keep people home and contain the virus. Traffic remained light in Beijing, and many people were still working at home.
Companies are facing increasing losses because of the closing of factories, offices, shops and other businesses in the most sweeping anti-disease measures ever imposed."
BTW, I am having great fun with TAQOZ, still a lot to learn. I think shortly I'll need some help in the Taqoz thread...