PI/Arduino Processor Emulator
- Thread starter andrewsm
- Start date
Im going to do some more videos soon demonstrating more features and tricks that the tester and emulator can do. Im also in the process of building three more testers to ship later this month, one to the USA. This means Im down to 2 boards in the current batch if anybody is interested before the next batch are ordered.
andrewsm2017-05-09 00:59:11
andrewsm2017-05-09 00:59:11
Hey. Seems ages since I posted on this. Just to let you know things are still moving forward on the tester. Z80 emulator boards are imminent now and should be available soon. Shorty after that the eprom programmer boards will be available too. Im currently working on a 6809 adapter and also a emulator. Keep you posted.
Nice progress Mark. Will my version 1 be able to use these updates?
If work calms down I may get time to use this
If work calms down I may get time to use this
Thanks for the update Mark, I've been getting familiar with my Mk1 unit using the ADT function for an old board I'm trying to repair.
Looking forward to emulator support, especially when 6502 support is added.
To confirm will we need a pod to connect at the tester end and then the emulator to plug into the pod, and will this be the same for each CPU type, or will we need a pod and emulator for each CPU type.
Thanks.
Looking forward to emulator support, especially when 6502 support is added.
To confirm will we need a pod to connect at the tester end and then the emulator to plug into the pod, and will this be the same for each CPU type, or will we need a pod and emulator for each CPU type.
Thanks.
Looking at the video, it appears to plug into the z80 pod.
My preference is that there would be another ribbon cable that plugs into the CPU socket. It's hard to tell from the video if that's the way it works or not. A big board that would plug into the CPU with headers would be a bit awkward especially if the board has components in the way.
EDIT: Just re-watched his first video on the Emulator and he did mention a short cable. If it's just a board with no case, then I'll have to design and 3D print a case for it
Arcadenut2017-07-07 01:04:24
My preference is that there would be another ribbon cable that plugs into the CPU socket. It's hard to tell from the video if that's the way it works or not. A big board that would plug into the CPU with headers would be a bit awkward especially if the board has components in the way.
EDIT: Just re-watched his first video on the Emulator and he did mention a short cable. If it's just a board with no case, then I'll have to design and 3D print a case for it
Arcadenut2017-07-07 01:04:24
All emulators will work with all model testers. Ive had mine running on a Mark 1 and its fine.
The emulators will be a pcb that plugs in at the PCB you are testing end. There is a ribbon cable to link it to a universal adapter at the tester end. That means that one adapter works with all pods and emulators.
Hope this helps clear it up a bit. The 6502 is waiting on new boards at the moment as there was a problem with the first batch. I have also just got a partially working 6809 emulator working so will get that fully built soon and do a video hopefully.
The emulators will be a pcb that plugs in at the PCB you are testing end. There is a ribbon cable to link it to a universal adapter at the tester end. That means that one adapter works with all pods and emulators.
Hope this helps clear it up a bit. The 6502 is waiting on new boards at the moment as there was a problem with the first batch. I have also just got a partially working 6809 emulator working so will get that fully built soon and do a video hopefully.
Sorry for long delay in updating this. I went down with an infection which rendered me useless but now after many doctor visits and penicillin Im now on mend.
Anyhow.
Z80 Emulators - Boards are due within week all going well and will then be available.
Eprom programmer - This will be following shortly afterwards as boards due again.
6809 emulator - This is now getting past design stage and onto prototype testing.
8085 emulator - Still at design stage. Will follow after 6809 is finalised.
Universal memory board - At design stage. This will be a user selectable memory block which can be shifted around any memory map.
Mark 2.1 testers are now onto batch 2 if any interest.
68000 tester - Started work on specification then to design. Will be 68000 compatible and expandable.
There will also be new software released soon once the 6809 has been proved.
Well hopefully you can see that work is progressing and Im constantly striving to improve and expand the tester systems I have developed.
Also if anybody is interested Im going to be on the chat section around 11PM tonight if anyone wants any support or questions answered regading the AR81 etc.
Thanks
Mark
Anyhow.
Z80 Emulators - Boards are due within week all going well and will then be available.
Eprom programmer - This will be following shortly afterwards as boards due again.
6809 emulator - This is now getting past design stage and onto prototype testing.
8085 emulator - Still at design stage. Will follow after 6809 is finalised.
Universal memory board - At design stage. This will be a user selectable memory block which can be shifted around any memory map.
Mark 2.1 testers are now onto batch 2 if any interest.
68000 tester - Started work on specification then to design. Will be 68000 compatible and expandable.
There will also be new software released soon once the 6809 has been proved.
Well hopefully you can see that work is progressing and Im constantly striving to improve and expand the tester systems I have developed.
Also if anybody is interested Im going to be on the chat section around 11PM tonight if anyone wants any support or questions answered regading the AR81 etc.
Thanks
Mark
Thanks. the 6502 did work but the boards had a major error on the layouts which have been corrected and are now on order. I will revisit the emulator idea for them when I get a minute. There is also the 8080 which the tester originally did do but has not been used for a while so the code will need revamped and checked.
As you can appreciate there is a lot of work in this and im fitting it all in as best as I can but it does take time. My aim is to address all the areas that most guys want out of a board test system. This is pulling in my 20 plus years of design and test knowledge in the industry so Im confident whatever I tackle will be cracked.
As you can appreciate there is a lot of work in this and im fitting it all in as best as I can but it does take time. My aim is to address all the areas that most guys want out of a board test system. This is pulling in my 20 plus years of design and test knowledge in the industry so Im confident whatever I tackle will be cracked.
Hey, Quick update again.
Just uploaded video for working 6809E emulator and adapter on you tube. Next stage is PCBS then ready.
The Z80 emulator is now on pcbs and awaiting final testing.
Eprom programmer is same as Z80 emulator
Plus just about to order another batch of tester ver 2.1 if anybody is interested. Currently there are two orders received from foreign customers. Estimating there will be another 4 boards from the batch lefts after this,
Cheers
Just uploaded video for working 6809E emulator and adapter on you tube. Next stage is PCBS then ready.
The Z80 emulator is now on pcbs and awaiting final testing.
Eprom programmer is same as Z80 emulator
Plus just about to order another batch of tester ver 2.1 if anybody is interested. Currently there are two orders received from foreign customers. Estimating there will be another 4 boards from the batch lefts after this,
Cheers
Another update.
1) new 6502 adapter boards are now available via Silverfox. Anybody wanting one of these please get in touch direct with him on silverfox0786@hotmail.com
2) The Z80 emulator is now available on a new pcb with cables etc. Again go via Silverfox or myself on this.
3) I have currently 4 spare AR81 MK2.1 testers ready for build if anybody is interested.
4) 6809E emulator is working in prototype form.
5) 8085 emulator is prototyped but awaiting test.
6) 68000 work has started but will be a next year thing the way everything is going.
7) 6502 emulator work will start in next few weeks.
Thanks
Mark
1) new 6502 adapter boards are now available via Silverfox. Anybody wanting one of these please get in touch direct with him on silverfox0786@hotmail.com
2) The Z80 emulator is now available on a new pcb with cables etc. Again go via Silverfox or myself on this.
3) I have currently 4 spare AR81 MK2.1 testers ready for build if anybody is interested.
4) 6809E emulator is working in prototype form.
5) 8085 emulator is prototyped but awaiting test.
6) 68000 work has started but will be a next year thing the way everything is going.
7) 6502 emulator work will start in next few weeks.
Thanks
Mark
Awesome update mark. Need to retire
Hi, due to various personal things going on I have been rather quiet. Anyhow I have two AR81 version 2.1 motherboards spare from last batch so if anybody fancies one before Christmas, let me know as I am doing a pre Christmas deal on these. PM if interested.
Thanks Mark
Thanks Mark
Just a bump for this thread. Anyone else actively using the tester to fix PCB's?
I've used the ADT for check some TTL in a running game, didn't find anything faulty but was interesting to see how it worked.
I'm just about to make a 6502 test pod... How long can I make the cable from the 40pin CPU socket to the DB25's? Was thinking 60cm or so
Also as I've a MK1 tester need to make the VRAM mo, has anyone hacked this mod inside a Mk1 tester, I'm just thinking about how to best go about adding it to the tester.
I've used the ADT for check some TTL in a running game, didn't find anything faulty but was interesting to see how it worked.
I'm just about to make a 6502 test pod... How long can I make the cable from the 40pin CPU socket to the DB25's? Was thinking 60cm or so
Also as I've a MK1 tester need to make the VRAM mo, has anyone hacked this mod inside a Mk1 tester, I'm just thinking about how to best go about adding it to the tester.
Cheers Smarty for this, I have been a very quiet recently for a variety of reasons (flat move etc..etc) Anyhow I will drop you a PM later on mate.
The cable I would not make longer that 300mm. This is the length that I send as standard. The reason is that when the cable gets too long, then transmission losses start to come into play and and standing waves get affected. This will usually show up as a clock skew etc. Nasty stuff to correct when it happens.
The Mk1 doesnt have any VRAM circuit inside so to add it might be a little complicated but not impossible. Im sure the lastest circuit is on the website. The MK1 also uses a slight variation of the AOS code for the arduino as some pins are different. Also the MK1 does route the clock to the arduino internally so you would need to add a wire link. Probably could give you info on doing it if I can remember all the differences lol.
The ADT does work and should detect faults but will only work on Live chips so if the board is dead or that circuit is not active due to a clock issue then the ADT will not show much.
Im going to start up my videos again after a long lull in them. Some new stuff I have developed are the 6809E emulator, a 8085 emulator which is almost done plus been working quietly away on a 68000 emulator. This is a little radical so has been one of those projects thats taken time. Hopefully soon I will show what has been going on in background.
The cable I would not make longer that 300mm. This is the length that I send as standard. The reason is that when the cable gets too long, then transmission losses start to come into play and and standing waves get affected. This will usually show up as a clock skew etc. Nasty stuff to correct when it happens.
The Mk1 doesnt have any VRAM circuit inside so to add it might be a little complicated but not impossible. Im sure the lastest circuit is on the website. The MK1 also uses a slight variation of the AOS code for the arduino as some pins are different. Also the MK1 does route the clock to the arduino internally so you would need to add a wire link. Probably could give you info on doing it if I can remember all the differences lol.
The ADT does work and should detect faults but will only work on Live chips so if the board is dead or that circuit is not active due to a clock issue then the ADT will not show much.
Im going to start up my videos again after a long lull in them. Some new stuff I have developed are the 6809E emulator, a 8085 emulator which is almost done plus been working quietly away on a 68000 emulator. This is a little radical so has been one of those projects thats taken time. Hopefully soon I will show what has been going on in background.