gregallenwarner

Very handy! Did not know about this graphics mode! Edit: I'm reading, and I'm trying to understand this address mask notion, and I'm not really getting it. Can someone explain what that is and how it works?

Is there only one tileset in VRAM? Or do you duplicate the one tileset three times?

Thanks for the heads up, Tursi. Seems it may not be a good idea to try and provide DSR's via the cartridge slot.

What's the difference between half-bitmap and full-bitmap? Is it like running in bitmap mode, but using tilesets like in graphics mode?

I like Gazoo's idea of using GPL only to branch to some Assembly routine, which could be located in the >6000 block. I actually had that same thought between my last post and now. That actually works a lot better, because I'm a lot better at Assembly programming than I am GPL.

We have A3-A15 at the cartridge port, however, that's insufficient to decode the >4000 DSR ROM space. We only have ROMS* and GS* select lines, which are pre-decoded in the console to >6000 and the GROM ports, respectively. That's why I figured any DSR's provided by a cartridge have to be written in GPL, as I'm pretty sure the monitor's DSR search routine doesn't check the >6000 ROM space for a DSR header. If I am incorrect in that assumption, please, somebody correct me.

I'm having trouble locating those exact documents by name. Do you have a direct path to those handy by any chance? Edit: I think I found the Software Specifications one, but I'm still not sure which one is the GPL Specifications.

Thanks, I'll check them out.

I have a quick question about the cartridge slot. I noticed in the pinout the CRU lines are made available, however, I don't believe the >4000 DSR space is decoded and routed to this slot. So how can cartridges provide DSR's like the SPEECH DSR in Terminal Emulator II? If I took a wild guess, I'd say those DSR's have to be written in GPL, but I don't know anything about how DSR's work in GPL. If my assumption is correct, does anybody have any information or programming resources on how DSR's operate within GROM? I'm looking for some basic theory on the subject. Thanks.

Hmm, a lot of characters moving around? I'll offer a guess based on what I'd like to see. Is it Starcraft for the TI?

Necessity is the mother of invention, so as I see it, a better question than, "What features do you think should be in the next TI?" would be, "What is it you wish you could do on the current TI but can't?" Then we can hone in on the most critically needed upgrades.

Just an update: Yesterday I received the components from Mouser for the first 3 prototypes, and this morning I got an email saying the solder paste stencil has shipped. Now all I'm waiting on is the PCB's, which normally does take quite a while. But we're making progress!

I've gotcha down! Wow! I gotta say, I'm overwhelmed at the response to this! Thanks to everyone for your interest! I only wish I could get the parts here sooner so I can get started on assembly! (Although we already did get an upgrade in the PCB fabrication, which is awesome!)

That was my plan. I've got to get the boards in first before I can lay it against a full size card and take measurements for the drawing, but yes, these will be available for everyone to download.

Oh well, I guess we'll have to do the GenMod-compatible speech adapter later. Either that or manually tack on 2 extra wires and reprogram the CPLD. Actually, what pins correspond with AMD and AME, and what are their values expected to be? I can go ahead and begin thinking about how to work those into the next design before we do the big run. Edit: Nevermind, found this information in the resource mizapf game me.

Thanks, misapf, that's a handy resource for me to have for my future projects. Anybody out there using the 21-bit GenMod? Any reason I should be concerned about AMD and AME?

Ok, the parts for the first three prototypes are on order. You guys can officially start getting excited about this! Edit: I literally JUST got this email: Seems the wind is definitely in our sails on this one! Free upgrade! Woo hoo!

So I take it then that the Geneve is internally set up to assert 1/1/1 on these extra lines when it means to address the speech synth, is that correct?

Great! It will be great to get that valuable feedback, Ksarul, on all your different systems. Just re-ran the VHDL compilation with those new signals. The great thing about using programmable logic is that it can always be changed after the fact! The parts for the 3 initial prototypes should be on order here shortly.

Ok, I'm about to place my order, and I just want to make absolutely sure I'm correct about a few things before I go ahead. Is it correct that for the Geneve, I need to decode the AMA, AMB, and AMC signals as 1/1/1? And those values should also still be present on a TI, since the Flex Cable Interface card pulls all these lines up? Is there anything else at all that's tricky about using cards with the Geneve that I need to know?

Sounds good. I just tested my prototype (the one that's hanging out of the PEB on an umbilical cord of wires) using the Terminal Emulator II cart and the Text to Speech DSR. Worked flawlessly. So now it's been tested under XB (CALL SAY), TE2, and Parsec! I get paid tomorrow, so I'll have the funds to place the initial order. Hope you guys are ready! EDIT: Just saw your post, Darryl. Just steal one of the ground pins off the JTAG connector next to the LED pin. Those pins won't be used after the initial programming of the CPLD, so you're safe snagging one of it's grounds.

Ok, I've attached a render of what the finished board will look like from OSHPark. I think I'm ready to order 3 of them and build some initial prototypes. Here's the thing: Since I've never sold anything on here before, I want to make absolutely sure it's it perfect working order before I go ahead with a big run. Even though my breadboarded prototype works, I'd like to build 3 of these new boards and send 2 of them out to two lucky people to help me field test them. Once I get word back that it's working well for them, I'll do the big run for the ten or so people here who indicated their interest. Now then, that leaves the question, which two lucky dudes will be picked to get the first prototypes? If I had to pick my recommendations, I'd ask Ksarul to take the first one, since he has experience building cards for the TI, and could give valuable feedback for any last minute tweaks I may need to make before the big run. As for the 2nd person, I would choose --- Ω ---, as the one who started this thread, and thus brought my attention to the matter. Does that sound like an acceptable plan? Also, last chance to comment on the attached board design before I submit the order. Also, I was thinking of pricing the finished board at around $30. That would give me just over $10 for the assembly after you take out the costs for materials. How does that sound to everyone? Thanks again for all the input so far. It's helped me refine this project tremendously.

Thanks! I'm also going to be drawing up a CAD file for a mounting bracket that will interface with the slots in the PEB, along with matching screw holes for this card. I don't think I'll be manufacturing these, but I'll offer the file on my website for download if you want to use it as a template for making your own bracket. That should suffice for securing the card in place in the PEB, since I don't have the capability to design a bigger PCB in Eagle. Plus, with the small form factor, the cards end up being a lot cheaper for you guys! Strictly speaking, the bracket won't be necessary for it to work, but it's a good idea to take the stress away from the electrical connections in the card slot connector.

I can definitely add a pad for an optional LED. It'll have to be attached with jumpers so you can position the LED off-board to reach the PEB window. Edit: Ok, here's the latest update with my name and website, the mounting holes, and the LED anode pad added. You can steal one of the ground pads off the JTAG header for the LED's cathode. I included a current limiting resistor for the LED so you don't have to add that. The LED will be optional, however, so you won't be required to install it if all you want is just the speech functionality. It just mirrors the output of the SBE decoded signal. The attached screenshot shows the current state of the card. Last chance to get in any last minute requests before it goes to production! :-)

Are you asking about my board or the image Gazoo posted? I don't have an LED on my board. The board is too small to reach the front of the case, so it wouldn't be able to position the LED properly to reach the window in the front of the PEB.