TriBladeProp PCB: 3 Propeller ICs for a Single Board Computer (SBC)
Cluso99
Posts: 18,071
ANNOUNCEMENT:
The TriBladeProp PCB is available as a bare PCB without components. It measures 74mmx203mm (2.9"x8.0"). They may be purchased individually or in panels of up to 5 "V-Grooved" but unbroken. Multiples·can be stacked.
The TriBladeProp has all the required hardware for a single board computer. It has 3 propellers on board (called Blades), plus connectors for VGA, TV, PS2 Keyboard, PS2 Mouse, microSD, and 2 Spin-Studio or 40pin. Also on-board are Static RAMs, Flash and EEPROMs plus a built-in PropPlug and Power Supply (5V and 3V3)·for an external plugpack (walwart?) 7-9V DC (center positive).
The·TriBladeProp PCB has been designed for the hobbyist to assemble (soldering skills required). All components are through-hole·except for the microSD connector (fairly easy) and the FT232RL (difficult) although you can use an external PropPlug instead. The 5V and 3V3 regulators can be either through-hole or surface mount (fairly easy).
So, my concept here is to separate the "Processor", the "Terminal",·and the other "I/O" into self-contained propellers. This is a relatively cheap and simple solution·and the whole project is of course·propeller based.
The TriBladeProp concept is...
* One prop/blade·handles the "computing functions" with on-board external Static RAM and microSD card (PropDOS or emulation software such as the Z80 ZiCog)
* One prop/blade·handles the "Terminal functions" VGA/TV/Keyboard/Mouse for·a self-contained·color (or graphics) terminal
* One prop/blade·handles any extra "I/O functions" including 2 Spin-Studio connectors
* plus a USB serial interface to the PC (via·the inbuilt or an·external PropPlug or equivalent)
* plus the power supply regulators
Software for the SBC (native Prop code)...
* PropDOS has been done by OBC so just needs to be·tailored·for the board
* PropCMD is a modified and extended version of PropDOS and runs·· http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=796034
* A Prop Editor has been done by mpark and OBC
* Just need a native spin/pasm compiler and we are ready to put it all together
* Terminal software has been·done thanks to OBC and others
Software for the SBC (various·microcomputer emulations)...
*·ZiCog (Z80 & CP/M) emulation by heater is almost running··· ·http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788511
*·PropAltair emulation·by heater is almost or done
* Other emulations are work-in-progress
Full Specifications, PCB photos,·Schematics,·BOM (Bill of Materials)·have been posted to the·
TriBladeProp forum thread http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=786418
More photos and information is on my website www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
or you can email me cluso@bluemagic.biz
TriBladeProp PCB (single board, no parts)·is US$25 + $4.50 postage AirMail unregistered (plus any taxes and duty).
This is currently discounted for forum members from·US$30 + shipping on my website, so mention this fact when ordering. Payment is by PayPal.
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Links to other interesting threads:
· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, SixBladeProp, website (Multiple propeller pcbs)
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index)
· Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
The TriBladeProp PCB is available as a bare PCB without components. It measures 74mmx203mm (2.9"x8.0"). They may be purchased individually or in panels of up to 5 "V-Grooved" but unbroken. Multiples·can be stacked.
The TriBladeProp has all the required hardware for a single board computer. It has 3 propellers on board (called Blades), plus connectors for VGA, TV, PS2 Keyboard, PS2 Mouse, microSD, and 2 Spin-Studio or 40pin. Also on-board are Static RAMs, Flash and EEPROMs plus a built-in PropPlug and Power Supply (5V and 3V3)·for an external plugpack (walwart?) 7-9V DC (center positive).
The·TriBladeProp PCB has been designed for the hobbyist to assemble (soldering skills required). All components are through-hole·except for the microSD connector (fairly easy) and the FT232RL (difficult) although you can use an external PropPlug instead. The 5V and 3V3 regulators can be either through-hole or surface mount (fairly easy).
So, my concept here is to separate the "Processor", the "Terminal",·and the other "I/O" into self-contained propellers. This is a relatively cheap and simple solution·and the whole project is of course·propeller based.
The TriBladeProp concept is...
* One prop/blade·handles the "computing functions" with on-board external Static RAM and microSD card (PropDOS or emulation software such as the Z80 ZiCog)
* One prop/blade·handles the "Terminal functions" VGA/TV/Keyboard/Mouse for·a self-contained·color (or graphics) terminal
* One prop/blade·handles any extra "I/O functions" including 2 Spin-Studio connectors
* plus a USB serial interface to the PC (via·the inbuilt or an·external PropPlug or equivalent)
* plus the power supply regulators
Software for the SBC (native Prop code)...
* PropDOS has been done by OBC so just needs to be·tailored·for the board
* PropCMD is a modified and extended version of PropDOS and runs·· http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=796034
* A Prop Editor has been done by mpark and OBC
* Just need a native spin/pasm compiler and we are ready to put it all together
* Terminal software has been·done thanks to OBC and others
Software for the SBC (various·microcomputer emulations)...
*·ZiCog (Z80 & CP/M) emulation by heater is almost running··· ·http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=788511
*·PropAltair emulation·by heater is almost or done
* Other emulations are work-in-progress
Full Specifications, PCB photos,·Schematics,·BOM (Bill of Materials)·have been posted to the·
TriBladeProp forum thread http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=786418
More photos and information is on my website www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
or you can email me cluso@bluemagic.biz
TriBladeProp PCB (single board, no parts)·is US$25 + $4.50 postage AirMail unregistered (plus any taxes and duty).
This is currently discounted for forum members from·US$30 + shipping on my website, so mention this fact when ordering. Payment is by PayPal.
▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
Links to other interesting threads:
· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, SixBladeProp, website (Multiple propeller pcbs)
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index)
· Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm
Comments
This is a tremendous value... by any stretch of the imagination or by any reasonable standard of value...
Even for a person that would simply like to have two Prop projects going at the same time... your design... at the bare minimum... has the advantage of decreasing the clutter factor... and it will facilitate all kinds of specialized development. Is it possible to order a parts kit from you... minus some of the obvious... like eeproms and props, which lots of guys have in surplus?
I do not use PayPal... could you please PM instructions for paying by check... whether personal or certified?
I have a particular interest in using a single clock... this is not an absolute requirement and if it is not reasonable with your design, I really could care less. But I would appreciate your thoughts about it... and if you can come up with a mod for it... then I would appreciate it.
I believe that your board would be very interesting in the education market. It is certainly cost competitive. The range of options and applications is significantly greater than any other single board solution that I have seen... and at the same price point. I believe that a natural place for you board is in the education market ... exactly where I believe a natural market exists for ImageCraft. You might want to have a free ranging discussion to see if you can combine your marketing efforts with ImageCraft's in that direction.
Great work...
Rich
Sorry I have taken so long to reply - I don't monitor the sandbox very often.
To use a single clock it is simply a matter of using a spare pin on one of the props (probably #3, but if no sram on #1 could be from it as well). You will need to add a wire from this pin to both the XI pins on the other 2 props. There is a thread on outputting a clock on one of the pins exactly for this purpose. It depends on why you need clocks to be absolutely synchronised - are you thinking about vga synchronisation?
I am in Australia, which is why I use PayPal. Within Australia is it easy but overseas is expensive to do transfers and depositing cheques with overseas funds is also expensive. Best to discuss this via email cluso@bluemagic.biz
Currently I am not doing a kit because there is not enough interest and I am really doing this as a hobby, so I cannot jsutify the cost of carrying stock.
I do talk to Richard at Imagecraft.
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Links to other interesting threads:
· Home of the MultiBladeProps: TriBladeProp, SixBladeProp, website (Multiple propeller pcbs)
· Single Board Computer:·3 Propeller ICs·and a·TriBladeProp board (ZiCog Z80 Emulator)
· Prop Tools under Development or Completed (Index)
· Emulators: Micros eg Altair, and Terminals eg VT100 (Index)
· Search the Propeller forums (via Google)
My cruising website is: ·www.bluemagic.biz·· MultiBladeProp is: www.bluemagic.biz/cluso.htm