KrzysioCart Micro SD - a revolution for fans of the Pegasus / Famicom console.

In conjunction with the FPGA console https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ET7JHV0shQ, it will be the perfect equipment for NES / Famicom games.

Does 168-in-1 work flawlessly or are there problems? I used to test on several emulators and there was a problem in each of them.
Now I don't remember exactly anymore, but there was something like that in one version of Contra didn't start, in the other there was some garbage in Urban Champion, in the third, Chack and Pop didn't start. I read somewhere that supposedly the mapper 15 is slightly different from the controller used in the 168-in-1, but I don't know if that's true. Hence the question of how this compilation works on this device.

Have you thought about enriching the "cartridges" with the ability to run "VS" games (intended for slot machines) and FDS at a later time? I do not know if it is more "uphill" or more "downhill" adding this service or making a second "cartridge" for only such games.

Thanks for the nice words and constructive comments.

@gulson -> Not so long ago I was ordering gadgets and I would not like to stretch the electrode budget. For me, the biggest motivation to share knowledge is that the electrode forum brings together a lot of people with similar skills and interests, each one will write a more or less constructive comment, which stimulates further work and development. And not like writing articles for commercial magazines, where you get some cash, but there is hardly any feedback.

@andrzejlisek -> all 168 games work. I don't know why Contra emulator doesn't work. Yes, that's right - the mapper 15 that was assigned for the purposes of emulating this game is not 100% compatible with what is in this cartridge. Urban Champion has a few letters slightly smeared on the title set because this game has a ROM as a graphics memory and for some unknown reasons it tries to write something to it. As in map 15 the compilation has RAM memory, write attempts are accepted and hence a few letters are erased. The integrated circuit in 168-in-1, on the other hand, blocks the writing to this memory immediately after selecting the game. For me it is not blocked, so these few letters are blurred, but this is the game's fault.

And don't VS games have their counterparts in the console version? Besides, there are probably only 15 of these games.

As for some comments:
unattractive name - maybe I am not a marketing specialist, I call my products after my name. And whether it is a funny or cool name, it depends on your taste. Somehow no one is surprised that the most popular brands are after all. micro-soft, apple, windows.

no RAM memory protection for games that allow saving -> such games can be counted on the fingers of one or two hands at the most. In addition, starting another game that also saves something to memory causes the previous save to be blurred. Unless you save it to the card before starting it - a lot of additional work, and probably some memory support controller after a power failure. Many mappers offered something like RAM write protection - contrary to appearances, this is not to accidentally overwrite bytes, but it just protects against the fact that when the consoles are turned off at an unexpected moment, the data from RAM memory, despite being powered by a battery, will not disappear - the game sets the protection most of the time, disables it only for a moment for the duration of the save itself. The point is that when switching from the +5 V power supply to the 3 V battery power supply, the memory line! CS should be high.

the inability to save the game at any time -> the whole pleasure of playing is probably just to focus on the game, and not return to the state before saving after every temptation? Otherwise, it's actually better to choose an emulator. From the technical side, it is also troublesome - the need to dump not only the RAM content, but also the processor's state (battery and other registers, flags, registers responsible for sound), GPU state, mapper state

the whole project makes no sense - you can buy itfor + PLN 100 raspberry / nintendo wii or other - well, I won't argue here anymore. It is a bit as if someone on the toddlers' automotive forum boasted a super-restored Fiat, and the other started calling him sheep, because for this money he could buy a golf with 5 times more powerful engine.

High price -> the price is not only the cost of components, but also the time of PCB production, soldering, testing and some compensation for the time spent on working on the development of the cartridge. Here it is also a bit as if someone entered a restaurant and started criticizing that dinner was too expensive, because I will buy pork chop in a ladybug for PLN 5, a kilo of potatoes for PLN 1.5 ...

recording card games is pirates -> yes, as well as playing the same games under the emulator - I do not urge. Few people know that the 168-in-1, gold 5, gold 4 and 99% yellow and other pegasus cartridges known from childhood are also pirates. In fact, all Pegasus cartridges are pirates, because it's an unofficial console. The only original ones are the angular Famicom cartridges (only those are suitable for the Pegasus) and the gray ones for the NESA. Among the NES cartridges, many companies (Codemasters, Konami?) Also released games outside of the Nintendo license. The NES console has a CIC chip that protects against unauthorized cartridge. Authorized games have the same layout, so their communication is smooth and the console is not restarted. These labels had to somehow get around the CIC protection in the console - they usually generated short negative voltage pins that led to a latch-up (hang) in the console's CIC that kept the game running.

But as I mentioned, there are a lot of homebrew production games, and the cartridge was also meant to be a test platform for developers of their own games.

the ability to quickly return to a previously loaded game after turning off the console without having to search for that game again -> valuable note. The card has the ability to update the software, so it will probably be added soon (we upload a newer version to the micro SD memory card and select the file, the update occurs automatically). This will speed up the return to the game a bit, but for many games, the content of the memory with graphics will have to be re-loaded (there is RAM on the cartridge that loses its content when the power is cut off)

Sometimes, however, I am surprised by 100% hate-oriented comments. Well, it would be hard for Copernicus or Einstein to live today. Probably he would have to leave his discovery only to himself and take it to the grave in order not to be ridiculed.
Such a little joke to improve the mood:

Quote:

Lucifer in Hell is inspecting. He goes to the first cauldron that is guarded by 10 Devils and asks:
-why as many as 10 devils guard this cauldron?
-because the Americans are boiling in this boiler, they are ambitious and everyone is trying to jump out every now and then
Lucifer goes on and notices the cauldron with 5 devils next to it. He comes up and asks:
- are only 5 devils enough here?
-yes, the English are boiling in the boiler, they are ambitious, but a bit phlegmatic at the same time, so 5 is enough
Then lucifer approaches the cauldron with one devil standing by and asks him a question:
-Is you alone here to look after the boiler?
-Yes, because the Germans are boiling in the boiler, they are a disciplined nation, so one devil is enough
As Lucifer walks on, he notices a cauldron that no one is guarding. He goes and looks for some devil to explain the situation to him, until he finally finds a devil resting somewhere, so he comes up and asks:
-why nobody is watching this boiler?
-because there are Poles in it
-Do these people not want to get out of this boiler?
- if they want to, only when one tries to get out and climbs the wall, the rest grabs him and pulls him back down.

phanick: Great job, great idea and you can see that it was made by a fan for a fan.
And don't worry about malcontents and their problems with the lack of soldermask, the name of the cards in the offer, or the legality of what the customer uploads to the SD card.
Keep going because you really have talent.

I do not know what these comments are for - the fact that you can buy this device does not mean that it is a professional product.
The author does not hide what the tile is there, whoever wants a better one should keep looking. You can see here a lot of work and many proprietary solutions. If there is a demand, you can always order PCBs and have them assembled. The injection mold on the housing is about PLN 10. In the dark, the author invested many hours of work and money on prototypes and components.

satanistik wrote:

I do not know what these comments are for - the fact that you can buy this device does not mean that it is a professional product.
The author does not hide what the tile is there, whoever wants a better one should keep looking.

Well, they are because the price is not small and the author himself admitted that he counts for the time spent, among others, on the production of the tile ... that is, a professional tile with soldermic gilding, etc., would probably not increase the price of the device ...

phanick wrote:

high price -> the price is not only the cost of components, but also the time of PCB production, soldering, testing and some compensation for the time spent on working on the development of the cartridge.

The truth is that home production is fun when you make one or two pieces - ten pieces is already quite a challenge ... then more soldering ... and testing the whole thing because maybe somewhere a thin path is digested and somewhere short circuit elsewhere. For this for 10 pcs. probably at least two of them went trash.

So that I don't like the idea, it's a great job, but in this version it may be a prototype, not a device for the end customer.

PS. here you can see how the device is constructed. But if a batch finds its way to one of the auction sites, it will also be? I wouldn't bet.

As always, a fantastic job!
What is the advantage of your flashcart over Krikzza's EverDrive n8? In addition to the price, of course

Do I think that a dozen or so posts have fallen out of the topic, many of which criticize the author?
Personally, I don't like this forum policy, it gets opaque and gives the impression of censorship.

However, as far as I am concerned, I pay tribute to the author of the project - I hope that there will be people willing to buy your product, because you put a lot of work into it!
Please tell me what kind of environment and FPGA programmer do you use? I remember that when I wanted to start with it, the problem was in a free, lightweight environment and a cheap programmer (that's why I stayed with AVR microcontrollers for now).

Xilinx -> Xilinx ISE 12.4
Altera -> Quartus (depending on 9.0 or 13.0sp1 system)
Altera has a policy that some older chips are no longer supported in newer versions of the environment, for example Acex is supported up to version 9.0 and Max II (which I used here) to 13.0.
Interestingly, for some time now, versions of Quartus have been released only for 64 bit systems (e.g. for the new, popular Max 10 systems there is no 32 bit version). As a result, for example, lovers of older systems are at the end.

All these environments are free.

[quote = "RaStro"]

satanistik wrote:

The truth is that home production is fun when you make one or two pieces - ten pieces is already quite a challenge ... then more soldering ... and testing the whole thing because maybe somewhere a thin path is digested and somewhere short circuit elsewhere. For this for 10 pcs. probably at least two of them went trash.

Honestly, out of 15 tiles I made, only one of them had a problem with the paths on the shore, due to haste and inaccurate mapping. The others are identical, there were no short circuits / undigestion on any of them. Right after soldering, the cartridge worked only once the first time, but this was due to soldering errors - usually some adjacent pins were shorted with tin. Fortunately, the memory programming algorithm (the need to issue an address / byte 0x5555 / 0xaaaa which consists of the alternation of 0s and 1s) detects all this type of problem, so if the cartridge is working, it is 100% efficient in terms of execution.
I do not hide that PCB making is about 1/3 of the whole time, the second 1/3 is soldering, and the third is testing and verification.
I will probably outsource the PCB soon, but even the first copy on which I test and which has been inserted into the console socket over 200 times, still works without any problems. The connectors in the socket press against the contacts in the cartridge remove the oxide layer, so the contact is good.

I don't understand a bit about making fun of handmade tiles - probably the best quality that can be obtained at home. I do everything myself, I don't have an `` uncle in the states '' who will sponsor me, so I guess it's natural that the first copies are 100% homemade. If the product turns out to be successful, I will order the PCB from a professional company and exchange it for free to users who have already received the home version, if they so wish

I don't want a kickstarter donation, I prefer to get all my resources with my own work.

Recently, a Chinese citizen even wrote to me with a request to buy and I have minor concerns that if I have a sale, the product will be available in bulk on aliexpress within a week of delivery ))

phanick wrote:

Recently, a Chinese citizen even wrote to me with a request to buy and I have minor concerns that if I have a sale, the product will be available in bulk on aliexpress within a week of delivery ))

Is it possible to block reading "program" in FPGA?
I know that ATmega certainly had such a function, when it was marked with the programmer, it was impossible to read the memory content. I do not know if a Chinese would like to physically open the processor and redraw the connection layout (and I know that it is possible, I know a person who did something like this ). By the way, such a process is a huge optimization of the processor, there will certainly be hundreds, if not thousands of unnecessary (unused) transistors

Yes, the chipsets have a Security Bit that is non-readable. In the case of small CPLDs, no connections inside are `burned ', the batch is recorded to the internal Flash memory (which has up to 100 reprogramming cycles for Altera, 10000 for Xilinx). After applying the power, the CPLD reads the entire memory content within a few hundred microseconds and turns on / off the appropriate connections in itself in the manner described in this memory. Also, the contents of the memory under a microscope would not be read, probably more with an eletric field meter.

phanick wrote:

I don't understand a bit about making fun of handmade tiles - probably the best quality that can be obtained at home. I do everything myself, I don't have an `` uncle in the states '' who will sponsor me, so I guess it's natural that the first copies are 100% homemade. If the product turns out to be successful, I will order the PCB from a professional company and exchange it for free to users who have already received the home version, if they so wish

Nobody makes fun of self-made boards ... they are very good as a prototype or if you do it for two more colleagues at cost. However, this is a misunderstanding for the end user. I have a very bad experience with a device made in this way, purchased on the auction site after being suggested by a certain thematic forum (ah .. oh ..) and after some time it broke down, because it was already after the warranty, I allowed myself to look inside and saw just such a forum muck. And I don't have an uncle in America either (although what's important these days, USD is relatively cheap) and three hundred bucks like a dog went and I stayed with the device on a home etched plate covered with rosin soldered as it was possible the best part about it. If there was a scheme available, maybe it could be saved, and yes ... I do not like this approach, I am a poor producer, so I will cut the costs on this and that, but I will charge myself for additional work (the final price is the same, but the time invested) in the event of a failure it is easier to get over).

phanick wrote:

I will probably outsource the PCB soon, but even the first copy on which I test and which has been inserted into the console socket over 200 times, still works without any problems. The connectors in the socket press against the contacts in the cartridge remove the oxide layer, so the contact is good

Maybe they only clash somewhere this muck stays, you checked what will happen if the card will be left for half a year in not necessarily proper conditions or the card will be left to rest with the console. Because I would have any problems in such cases, and not when the cardridge is changed twice a day.

If you want to prevent copying, edit the post of the first topic, and sand the inscriptions on the layouts with sandpaper, it will be harder for them, same for sale unless it's an open source project.

winio42 wrote:

Do I think that a dozen or so posts have fallen out of the topic, many of which criticize the author?
Personally, I don't like this forum policy, it gets opaque and gives the impression of censorship.

You can read here:
https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic3328276.html
You can and should definitely criticize, but substantively and impartially. Forgive me, picking up on someone issuing an invoice, referring to the tax office is wrong in this case. Additionally, users are arguing who is selling what, because it turns out that the project can compete with others? I think the project is a salt in the eyes of some and hence these emotions Read on for yourself and try to learn from that pointless discussion, I gave up Users themselves asked for an intervention in reports and PW, because there were slander, slander and even threats

phanick wrote:

Xilinx -> Xilinx ISE 12.4
Altera -> Quartus (depending on 9.0 or 13.0sp1 system)
Altera has a policy that some older chips are no longer supported in newer versions of the environment, for example Acex is supported up to version 9.0 and Max II (which I used here) to 13.0.
Interestingly, for some time now, versions of Quartus have been released only for 64 bit systems (e.g. for the new, popular Max 10 systems there is no 32 bit version). As a result, for example, lovers of older systems are at the end.

All listed environments are free.

Thanks for the answer.
What programmer do you use and what is the approximate cost?
I remember when I had some FPGA in college, the board with the programmer and the Cyclone III (Altera) system cost about 2k PLN ...

The project is very nice and the same. It's nice that you are constantly up to something with this graceful console. The only thing we could talk about is the legality of the games, but on the other hand, Pegasus itself was a counterfeit of pirate games ;)

Regarding PCBs, as mentioned, apart from prototypes, nowadays it is not worth doing it yourself (looking at prices in China) and it is worth considering. I know that you can make quite sensible tiles at home, but it always looks different when we do something commercially. I know that it increases the costs (but they are calculated in the final product), the edge joint should rather be gold-plated to avoid problems with oxidizing copper in the future. For example, I am already interested in such a toy today, but on a professional board with a gold-plated connector.

@ winio42

When it comes to cables, you could use simple LPT interfaces in the past. Currently, Altera USB Blaster or Xilinx Platform Cable USB. In terms of prices, Xilinx is $ 225 and Altera $ 300. However, there are also some clones to buy below PLN 100. Similarly, some universal programmers have this functionality, for example the TNM 5000 emulates the Altery cable.

hackaday.com
Link

KrzysioCart is not only a cartridge that allows you to play the most popular games. It is also a testing platform for rare mappers.
Today I decided to implement mapper # 69 (Sunsoft FME7) support for sport. This is one of the few that allows you to mix additional audio channels (unfortunately only used in the Gimmick game). The mapper takes as many resources as the other mappers put together, so adding it to KrzysioCart as another one is not possible.

Mapper # 69 as little which allows you to put a PRG-ROM bank in the $ 6000- $ 7fff space. KrzysioCart did not support such a method, so a minor modification was necessary - desoldering two vias and soldering one cable. The mapper operation, described in VHDL language, worked almost the first time after uploading it to the system. The processor cycle counter that this mapper offers (something like the scanline counter in MMC3) caused some trouble, but after a few hours it started working without any problems.

The Sunsoft FME7 system has an internal generator of additional sounds. Its implementation in an FPGA circuit is not possible, if only because some external digital-to-analog converter would be necessary. The good news is that you can connect the AY8912 sound generation chip, which is compatible with it (by the way, also used in Spectrum computers).
The whole thing was to fit in a standard cartridge housing - I did not want to commit a `` stack '' construction like some


I decided to design a mini PCB. For this, I chose a very thin laminate (0.6 mm) so that everything could fit into the case. The idea was to look like this:


The AY circuit itself also required undercutting the feet:


PCB after production - accuracy down to a tenth of a millimeter. A word of caution for people who are firm opponents of homemade tiles - try to order such PCBs at the factory so that they do not chase you with a stick


After soldering:


I fit like a glove:


It is also not high, although you could have cut your legs a little more.


After soldering the data bus, control signals and power:


After completion, the whole thing should be closed in a tasteful housing


Gimmick uses the processor in the console to generate music. The AY8912 chip, on the other hand, is used to produce sound effects - the sweet fart between notes comes from it ;)




----

I accidentally swapped the lines D0 and D2 going to AY8912, hence the strange noise from it. After the correction, it is as it should be - I am enclosing a sample from the Gimmick game.

Hello

Maybe it was somewhere, but I haven't read it. Could you describe what method you do your pcb.

Regards

phanick wrote:

PCB after production - accuracy down to a tenth of a millimeter. A small note for people who are firm opponents of homemade tiles - try to order such PCBs at the factory so that they do not chase you with a stick

I don't know ... I know at least one company that offers minimum track / track spacing of 4 miles. The fact - the pursuit that it is necessary to gild. Like the predecessor, I have doubts what accuracy means .. if it is to be a track width, it would be 4milsy, but when it comes to tolerance ... well, the tile mower must offer much greater. For this I can have 0.15mm metallized guides (with a tolerance of +0.1 / -0.05). I will still argue that the prototype is fine, but in a commercial product such a plate is unacceptable.

But I think I know what's going on with this accuracy ... looking at the photos, it's probably that the tile is cut very close to the paths ... it's a fact that they like the fact that there is a greater distance between the path and the edge of the tile, but on the other hand they are able to make such holes cut in half metallized ... you would not have to cut the legs of the circuit so much, and soldering would be easier.

I am a complete amateur there ... but where I did it, v-cut for such a standard laminate gives a distance of 0.4mm with a standard laminate thickness of 1.6mm. Sure, when there is an edge-type joint or such holes cut in half and metallization, the mechanical processing is a bit earlier, so they are fish ...

phanick wrote:

PCB after production - accuracy down to a tenth of a millimeter. A small note for people who are firm opponents of homemade tiles - try to order such PCBs at the factory so that they do not chase you with a stick

I do not understand this - even a poor factory guarantees better accuracy than a home-made tile, not to mention the possibility of accurately milling various shapes or metallizing the guides and soldermask ...

Why does someone have to chase, I order in small quantities more complicated multilayer circuits under BGA where great accuracy is needed and there are no major problems with it. Not to mention other simple (which does not mean less complicated) 2-layer circuits.

Such something can be ordered both in China and in PL, although in PL it is unfortunately more expensive as there is no layout in some PCB company ... time)...

That is why I personally hardly play with my own boards anymore, it is a waste of time and money as from the factory it is elegant and taking into account the lost time playing with PCBs.

RaStro wrote:

The fact - the pursuit that it is necessary to gild.

I do not understand either - the issue of the company ... gold plating increases the cost, you know, but sometimes I do and I have no problems with it ...

Piotrus_999 wrote:

tplewa wrote:

Even looking at the delivery date from China

What are your deadlines. Because I am from 5 to 500 3-4 working days? In Poland, it is super-express

I think DHL, etc., and not Chinese Post ... However, the cost of shipping for a few plates from China is already on average profitable (as there is no contract with the forwarder). Usually, plates made in China are fast, but unfortunately a lot of time goes and it coincides with some long terms in PL.

However, if a colleague is able to fix the plates from China in a week (after a week they will be in Poland) at good prices, I will gladly enter such a system and give me some money

Piotrus_999 wrote:

tplewa wrote:

However, if a colleague is able to fix the plates from China in a week (after a week they will be in Poland) at good prices, I will gladly enter such a system and give me some money

I don't think you have to The cost of DHL to Poland for 30 10x10cm tiles is $ 24.

I wonder how much it costs in Poland 300 tiles 65x30mm (RPi zero format) with milling (rounded corners) in panels of 10 pcs. I paid 130 dollars for this amount with DHL delivery. 5 working days - 1 day delivery (they give 3-7) but for 12 orders in that company I always get it within 24-48 hours.

with 300 plates, you can pay PLN 90 for shipping, with a few it makes no sense because you can order simple plates in PL. As for the prices, write to a few companies, negotiate, you'll see ... I have some small amounts of double-sided (even with gilding) at a friend in Poland for the proverbial bottle, but it's for acquaintance. I also order multi-layer ones in China ... but sometimes I prefer to wait than spend, for example, 2kzl a month on shipping ... if I have more small projects / prototypes ...