Re Cumlulus Build

This is the right place to discuss on how to implement hardware vsync, adding a VIA or AY chipset, puting multiple roms, or how to design a new flash expansion card.
jdavis6809
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Re Cumlulus Build

Post by jdavis6809 »

Hello,

Cumulus Build.

Need 10 people interested in putting down 50% deposit (this pays for the components and pcbs).

Cannot make the old price of 70 euros but can make it £100 (confirmed when pcb price is known).

I do not have a quote for the pcbs because I do not know the size of the pcb's.

Can anyone supply me the size of the boards.

1. Main PCB.
2. Cumulubus PCB (to be redesigned buffers to all i/o lines 5 chips).
3. Amplibus PCB (to be redesigned buffers to all I/o lines 5 chips).


This does not include the plastic box ( can anyone help me here by helping me sourcing a place and price ).

I have a 6 month window to work with from March 2015 until September 2015.

Does anyone have a bom for the main board (the one have, html does not open just see script).

If there is no interest because of the price then I will redesign the project with a xc9572 moving code into the pic or avr and changing lcd screen.

I will supply one tested cumulus + one Cumulusbus + one Amplibus + one 40/80way ide cable.

I will update progress as I go with pictures.

Regards

John Davis flag_uk Electronic Eng +30year
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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by Vyper68 »

I would be interested, but I'm a bit confused, is this part of Godzil's push to get some more Cumulus boards built or a separate project.
I think £100 would be my max limit tho' if it went over that I would have to drop out.

I would probably make my own case or maybe it would bodge fit a Raspberry Pi case???
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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by jdavis6809 »

Hello,

I have no response from others about an up and coming build ( I have asked).

It is no good to make the project as it is, the problems will remain.

Amplibus board and Cumulusbus boad must be redesigned.

Could get a better price if 25 were interested.

I am quite happy to go on a list if a build happens or I know build is going to happen soon ( I think another build will not happen not any time soon).

That's way I posted an offer to build.

Hopefully a build will happen now from me or someone else.

I am quite happy for some else to fund the and I can do the build it self (subject to right price)

Problem is not everybody is an electronic eng like me

If no interest for 10 - 25 people then I just build my own

Nobody has posted the pcb dimensions requested yet

As anybody got the PCB sources main board (I have only the gerbers)

I can redo the Amplibus board and Cumulusbus boad using my own pcb software as they are small boards

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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by ibisum »

Although I have two functioning Cumulus+Atmos systems, I'm quite interested in any new project that will manufacture a better version - so count me in for at least 2, if not more. I have 8 Atmos, an Oric-1 and a Telestrat and I would love to get them all wired up with drives at some point.

Also what would be nice is if there were a way to include other expansion capabilities in the peripheral - if we're going to re-design/re-do from scratch, why not put a breakout/header for the Centronics RS232 port as well? I imagine it would be useful in many ways, not least of which for MIDI .. but maybe we could also work out some time in the near future a way to network these machines?
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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by jdavis6809 »

Hello,

Not proposing to redesign the main board

just the cumulusbus and not use the amplibus

For the cumulus bus I will use 74lvc8t245 dual supply octal transceiver x 5 (3 on top 2 below)

It will be modified so one pcb is used at both ends (Bi-directional)

The above chip gives the following

1. 5v logic I/p to 5v logic o/p
2. 5v logic I/p to 3.3v logic o/p
3. 3.3v logic I/p to 5v logic o/p
4. 3.3v logic I/p to 3.3v logic o/p

the header wiring will be so you can fit 34 way or 40way (this means one board instead of two different boards)

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John Davis flag_uk Electronic Eng +30year
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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by jdavis6809 »

Hello,

Price update

I can offer as price as before £100

Please note no plastic box is included

For

1. Cumulus main board tested x 1.
2. Cumulusbus (modified) x 2.
3. 40/80way IDE cable x 1.
4. DC lead AUX
4. SD card 2gb x 1.

Postage is extra

Please note that I am a retired Electronic Eng so can put 100% time in to this project for a build qty of 10, 20, 50 or 100


Regards

John Davis flag_uk Electronic Eng
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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by Godzil »

Ibisum: if you are so eager to have more cumulus, why haven't you answer this topic: http://forum.defence-force.org/viewtopi ... =23&t=1198 ?

@jdavis6809: If you are going to make something different from the Cumulus, please call it another way.
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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by jdavis6809 »

Hello,

I have highlighted the need to change the cumulusbus and how to do it.

I have no response to when next cumulus build will take place ( I think your are waiting for100 responses)

I can do the batches in 10, 25, 50 or 100.

That's way I have offered to build.

Do you want me to submit a drawing? for the new cumulusbus

Till me when the next build is likely to take place?


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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by ibisum »

Godzil: I don't need them, but I'm happy to assist with the effort to get more made. And I didn't see your survey until now.
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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by Dbug »

The new "Cumulusbus", would that be 100% compatible with the already existing Cumulus and Microdisc devices?

An easy test for your design would be to have one of the persons who did not manage to get their Cumulus to run on some of their Oric to try with your version of the amplibus.
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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by jdavis6809 »

Hello,

I need to make a correction on the number of dual supply bi directional buffers used will 4 not 5 (3 on top 1 below)

There is a need to buffer 32 I/o ports (4 x octal buffers = 32)

The wiring remains the same as the cumulusbus

The 34way and 40 way header will be offset by half a 0.1" pitch (not side by side occupying 0.1" x 4)

this gives you the choice of

1. 40way to 40way
2. 34 way to 40way
3. 40 way to 34 way
4. 34way to 34 way

All I/o get buffered twice (once at each end)

Except for data bus (buffered once oric end and twice at cumulus end)

This is the only way to give you true bi directional use and compatibility

hope that helps in what I am trying to do

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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by coco.oric »

Hello,

£100 = 139 € + postage.
It looks more expensive than cumulus V1.
Do you have an idea that explain the differences ?

As ibisum, i'm ready to help an oric project but i don't understand the technical details.
I didn't understood if your project "cumlulus" will be 100% compatible with cumulus software, and if you'll use the same lcd & interface.
Is there's only one difference linked to the amplibus ?
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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by jdavis6809 »

Hello,

The price is based on qty of 10

If there was 25 interested then it would be lower.

I think the next batch planed by others is waiting for 100.

There is two cumulusbus boards (modified) not one, One IDE cable and SD card (70 euro price by others is based on qty 100 and sd card extra cost).

Its the design of the new cumulusbus board (which must be done or the problems will remain) as well as the build time and test time.

There will be paypal costs to me for deposit and final payment.

The reason I choose deposit and the final payment is to show good will.

Postal cost will vary to were you are located it must be tracked and signed for

As for parts I have checked the internet and I can source all parts (semiconductors will be sourced in the UK or the EU not china due to fakes)

There maybe another issue with the map signal

I may change the cumulusbus board in to two types ( I wanted one universal board that works both ends)

I need to know if there users wish to have more than one expansion socket (like the amplibus v1 say 3)

this would mean two different boards.

Regards

John Davis flag_uk Electronic Eng
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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by jdavis6809 »

Hello,

I forget to say just to be clear

1. Main pcb is the same as before as I using the gerbers from svn.
2. Display is the same is before.
3. Software CPLD and PIC is the same from svn.
4. Cumulusbus board to be modified by me.
5. Amplibus v1 (3 outputs) to be modified by me (will be made if the interest is there)

I want to help, also I have an oric 1 (used to have a Microtan 65 system)

Yes I will make money from this but not a lot, once all costs are added up itwill not cover me for all the hrs put in.

Regards

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Re: Re Cumlulus Build

Post by ibisum »

I think this is a fine community project, and if there's a chance to build the ultimate disk solution so that Oric-1's and Atmos's can persist out there in the world, I'm all for it. I don't know about the profit side of things .. those gerbers were undoubtedly a lot of work. Your improvements/tweaks to the amplibus, and organization of the re-production of the boards is no small task, either, I'm sure. Where this meets up, I don't know, but you could also do this on kickstarter and see what comes of it .. ?
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