Author: 0 (0)
Date: -0
I have for a long time now, been toying with the idea of making an upgrade board for the ST that would be something of an "ultimate upgrade" hardware mod. Something that 90% of all Atarians that considers upgrading/modding their ST, would be interested in.
The idea is to make a PCB with the programmable logic available at a low cost, where the end user can fit the necessary components himself, for the functions that he/she wants.
The design would require the PCB to be fitted between the motherboard and the CPU to give access to the basic options, and additional connections to the motherboard for extra functionality.
Most of the features would be controlled by jumpers, or switches if the user desires more control.
The finished PCB with the PLD(s) would have a projected cost of no more than USD $30, but probably somewhere around USD $15-20. Other necessary components (Sockets, ICs, crystals, eproms etc) would be obtained by the end user.
Preliminary features:
TOS upgrade (2.06, up to 8 different TOS depending on users choice of EPROMs, including backwards compatibility with TOS 1.00, 1.02 etc)
Overscan logic
HD Floppy logic
IDE interface
High Speed serial logic
FPU (68881/68882)
Additional features (Would require CPU to be separated from motherboard with logic)
CPU freezer
16 MHz accelerator (without cache to give ~20% performance boost)
16 MHz accelerator with cache (very ambitious)
Expansion bus (for Ethernet/graphic card/???)
All of these mods I'm suggesting, are available today as DIY projects at various sites. I've fitted a few myself in some of my STs I have and have had throughout the years (aswell as many friends STs), but fitting more than one of them has so far been a little awkward, and always given atleast me the feeling that it should be made easier.
I'm going to make a board for myself, not with all of the above features, but with some of them, and I figured that I could ask the community if there are more ppl like me that want to join forces to make something more simple, that looks better, something more... definitive...
My intentions are to make the finished design public domain freeware, in hope that someone will manufacture it. IMHO anyone that is willing to invest in manufacturing ST hardware deserves all the money he can make. OTOH a free design will also give anyone that feels it is too expensive a chance to make it cheaper.
Now, if you are interested in participating, got working designs and/or ideas for additional features for the board, drop me a message, and we'll start co-ordinating the effort.
If you are just interested in seeing this board happen, reply to this thread and show your support.
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If this works out well, an STE version is next.
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POLL - ST DIY hardware project new
