Sorted mine Mark
PI/Arduino Processor Emulator
- Thread starter andrewsm
- Start date
f**k yeah
Another update for everybody.
While I have been waiting for PCBS to get made, I have spent some time adding a few more things to this tester. These will be included in the testers from now on.
1) ID Check function.
By using a simple cable to link up to the processor socket on the board, full address and data control was always possible however I have now added some extra goodies! If any of the boards eproms are read fully into the tester, it will create a .BIN file which is compatible with minipro programmers etc. Not only that it will then generate a CRC32 value and then search all of the MAME files for a match and report the game and device etc. If its not in the list, an option is given to add it in for next time.
2) When a memory dump is done, the tester will now generate a .TXT file so this can be pulled into word or whatever and printed out etc.
3) 6502 support. Has been implemented and should work but as I have no 6502 boards, I cant test this atm.
4) Signal trace.
Any of the microprocessor signals can now be traced on the board simply by typing a command in with the pin required. The tester uses a digital signature method so is accurate and also wont be affected by random digital signals on the board. Works with the board powered up or off.
There are a few other improvements made and hopefully the guys that have bought one will see them soon.
Cheers
Mark
BTW I have ordered a few spare boards so if anybody else is looking for one, then PM me.
While I have been waiting for PCBS to get made, I have spent some time adding a few more things to this tester. These will be included in the testers from now on.
1) ID Check function.
By using a simple cable to link up to the processor socket on the board, full address and data control was always possible however I have now added some extra goodies! If any of the boards eproms are read fully into the tester, it will create a .BIN file which is compatible with minipro programmers etc. Not only that it will then generate a CRC32 value and then search all of the MAME files for a match and report the game and device etc. If its not in the list, an option is given to add it in for next time.
2) When a memory dump is done, the tester will now generate a .TXT file so this can be pulled into word or whatever and printed out etc.
3) 6502 support. Has been implemented and should work but as I have no 6502 boards, I cant test this atm.
4) Signal trace.
Any of the microprocessor signals can now be traced on the board simply by typing a command in with the pin required. The tester uses a digital signature method so is accurate and also wont be affected by random digital signals on the board. Works with the board powered up or off.
There are a few other improvements made and hopefully the guys that have bought one will see them soon.
Cheers
Mark
BTW I have ordered a few spare boards so if anybody else is looking for one, then PM me.
keep em coming mark, awesome
Testers are now getting built!! PCBS arrived yesterday and look damn good even though I say it myself. Started to build up the first batch and get the manual finished off. Apologies for any delays in this however I'm sure you will all be pleased with the end result.
Just to let you know, the initial release of software will do the following features:
. Full address and data bus control using a simple cable to hook up to the processor socket. Details will be given on this.
. 8080, 6502, Z80 basic emulation to allow roms to be read etc.
. CRC generation and cross checking with all MAME files so board identification can be done.
. BIN files created to import directly into MiniPro programmer etc
. TXT files created of rom dumps
. Signal pin trace feature using digital Signature methods so board can be active and the pin can still be found accurately
. Full Test Program generation using the EDIT screen. Full insert,delete etc is available. Plus test limits can be changed and optimised to allow repeatable testing
. Operator/TEST screen to allow boards to be tested. A TXT file is created of the debug information including fail values etc.
. Active Device Test. Allows for most TTL devices up to 20pins to be checked whilst running on the board
. Logic probe built in which also displays duty cycle and also signal shape.
. Audio tracing using built in amplifier. All done using same Active Probe.
. Basic DC voltmeter measuring up to 100VDC in two ranges.
. 3.5" touch screen display which can be reverted to an external HDMI monitor
I now have debugged and improved the software so its very stable and easy to use. More features will follow after these testers have been built such as eprom programmer supporting 2708 and 2716 devices. Plus more.
Keep you posted.
I also have some spare PCB sets so if anybody still wants one, then PM me as a few more can be made. After that I will take orders for the next batch and more PCBS will need to be made.
Just to let you know, the initial release of software will do the following features:
. Full address and data bus control using a simple cable to hook up to the processor socket. Details will be given on this.
. 8080, 6502, Z80 basic emulation to allow roms to be read etc.
. CRC generation and cross checking with all MAME files so board identification can be done.
. BIN files created to import directly into MiniPro programmer etc
. TXT files created of rom dumps
. Signal pin trace feature using digital Signature methods so board can be active and the pin can still be found accurately
. Full Test Program generation using the EDIT screen. Full insert,delete etc is available. Plus test limits can be changed and optimised to allow repeatable testing
. Operator/TEST screen to allow boards to be tested. A TXT file is created of the debug information including fail values etc.
. Active Device Test. Allows for most TTL devices up to 20pins to be checked whilst running on the board
. Logic probe built in which also displays duty cycle and also signal shape.
. Audio tracing using built in amplifier. All done using same Active Probe.
. Basic DC voltmeter measuring up to 100VDC in two ranges.
. 3.5" touch screen display which can be reverted to an external HDMI monitor
I now have debugged and improved the software so its very stable and easy to use. More features will follow after these testers have been built such as eprom programmer supporting 2708 and 2716 devices. Plus more.
Keep you posted.
I also have some spare PCB sets so if anybody still wants one, then PM me as a few more can be made. After that I will take orders for the next batch and more PCBS will need to be made.
Looking good Mark
woot woot
The Last Bandit
User
Any chance of implementing GAL programming ?
Wouldn't look out of place in a delorean
I have now fixed all the teething problems with the testers and they are running tests well. Some more pictures of the ones getting built.
I still have a few spare board sets so if anybody else wants one, please get in touch. The first one will be sent this week coming.
I still have a few spare board sets so if anybody else wants one, please get in touch. The first one will be sent this week coming.
The Last Bandit said:
Any chance of implementing GAL programming ?
Its a possibility. I have plans to make an eprom programmer for this too which will handle 2708,2716 and 2732 devices amongst others so it is something I can look at too but tbh not had much experience of GALS so might need a little tech stuff from you on this. PAL programming as also possible too.
Looks amazing Mark
A programmer would be an awesome add on
A programmer would be an awesome add on
The Last Bandit
User
Ya I'm sold on one. PM Sent.
I'm new here, having just found this forum while searching for a TTL chip tester.. 
Do you have any of those testers left, and are you shipping to the USA? Also, what kind of probes/connectors are you shipping with those?
Also.. Here was my idea on what I would have tried, if I hadn't stumbled upon yours: I was looking for a tester that I could use a chip clip to go on top of while the board was powered up, and it would passively monitor the inputs and outputs and either identify the chip, or have me tell it what it is (ie: 7408 vs 74138, etc) and then based on the knowledge of what pins do what, just monitor to make sure the outputs are correct for the type of chip. Does your tester do this type of test, or treat the situation similarly?
Thanks.. looks like you've built an amazing device!!
-Steve
Do you have any of those testers left, and are you shipping to the USA? Also, what kind of probes/connectors are you shipping with those?Also.. Here was my idea on what I would have tried, if I hadn't stumbled upon yours: I was looking for a tester that I could use a chip clip to go on top of while the board was powered up, and it would passively monitor the inputs and outputs and either identify the chip, or have me tell it what it is (ie: 7408 vs 74138, etc) and then based on the knowledge of what pins do what, just monitor to make sure the outputs are correct for the type of chip. Does your tester do this type of test, or treat the situation similarly?
Thanks.. looks like you've built an amazing device!!
-Steve