Disk II interface update #9

Quick update. i’ve got board lay out complete and parts on order for the second proto board. I may start the etching process today. This promises to be one of the most tricky two sided boards that I have tried to etch at home. When etching boards at home I try to keep them to a one sided design, but connecting the 20 pin header basically is forcing a two sided design. Also starting to work out interface/Disk II protocol. It looks like ADT will be used as a starting point for the interface.

New Replica Parts Arrived

I just received a IIplus with an extra keyboard. I will be refurbishing the case, at least one of the keyboards and checking out the power supply in order to offer them for sale in conjunction with rev 0 replica kits.

Once checked out, I’ll remove the “out of stock” status for Applesoft ROMs and the case/power supply and key board components on my kit builders page.

Depending upon how bad the keyboards are, I may part one out and have key switches for sale on my garage sale page again. I am currently out of spares.

Disk II interface update #8

Quick update. Next proto board is starting to shape up. It makes use of two AVRs. An attiny2313 running AVR-USB firmware to support the USB interface. This is connected to a atmega88 running my DISK ][ RWTS firmware via a serial interface. The USB will start with a CDC (communications device class) type device, though I could potentially change this without changing the hardware.

I probably have another couple of weeks to finish the layout, get the parts I need and build the board

68K Source code for Cinco is now posted

I hope someone out there is up for a challenge and has time and energy to port the algorithm to “C”. I’d love to see what the algorithm can do on modern multiprocessor systems. Be aware that the existing 68k code is non-trivial, heavily relying on recursion.

Going Open Source with Several Projects

I’ve got several projects where I’ll be posting source code using the GNU GPL. These include.

My Pente Program “Cinco” – 68000 assembler, written for an early Mac. I’d love to see someone port this over to “C”.

The firmware, Osmond PCB, and postscript files for my exposure timer and event counter.

The firmware for my barn door telescope tracker. I’ll post schematics, artwork and an outline of the project, as well. This project uses 2 AVR ATtiny2313’s, one for an 7 segment LED controller and the other contains a simple control system and a stepper motor controller. This project is not currently on my website, only mentioned on one of my podcasts.

Java Source for the DCC programming software interface to Powerhouse PRO.

It will take a while to put these project on my website, but it will be coming…If you have interest in any one of these, let me know, so that I can prioritize the projects that have the most interest.

Regards,
Mike Willegal