610 replies to this topic

[Willsy]

HOLY COW!



This is just AWESOME!

Does the BML layer get scrolled with the hardware registers? I hope not. Then you could scroll tiles behind a BML.

I think I just pee'd a little.

[matthew180]

Willsy, on Wed Apr 18, 2012 2:35 AM, said:

Does the BML layer get scrolled with the hardware registers? I hope not. Then you could scroll tiles behind a BML.

See post #589 for the details: http://www.atariage....ost__p__2502918

Quote

The BML uses 2-bits per pixel, so it is limited to 4 colors from any of 16 palettes. The BML can have priority over tiles, or only show up where a tile's pixel is transparent. The BML is always behind sprites and is not affected by the scroll registers.

[Willsy]

Thanks Matthew !

[Tursi]

matthew180, on Tue Apr 17, 2012 2:05 PM, said:

In reading that, I'll probably remove SLA just to eliminate confusion, and free up a few resources.

Good thing to find now rather than later! Just remember that the TI Opcode is SLA, but you need it to execute the VHDL SLL.

The bitmap overlay looks very neat!

[matthew180]

Tursi, on Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:02 PM, said:

Just remember that the TI Opcode is SLA, but you need it to execute the VHDL SLL.

Yes, I realized that when I went in to remove it. Thanks for the heads up though.

[matthew180]

Tursi, on Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:45 AM, said:

The only thing that really hampers using one of the 9900's existing registers as a stack pointer (something that some other uPs do!) is the lack of a pre-decrement mode. With post-increment and pre-decrement, you have everything you need for single-instruction stack access.

After reviewing a lot of CPUs with stacks, "typical" growth is either down, or can be set to either way. Growing up would be consistent with the 9900's post increment, but makes it more of a pain to place and size a stack. Growing down has the advantage that you can set the stack at the top of memory and grow down towards the program and data.

I'm not sure which way would be the best. Thoughts?

[Willsy]

The latter, for the reasons you cited.

[matthew180]

Quick Update:

Construction is coming along pretty well. I have produced about 30 boards so far, so about half way done with the pre-orders! Here are a few photos of the construction progress.

Attached Files

•  pile_of_boards.jpg   172.85K   33 downloads
•  pile_of_FPGAs.jpg   178.49K   41 downloads
•  ready_for_parts.jpg   186.07K   38 downloads
•  placing_parts.jpg   191.52K   48 downloads
•  reflowing_boards.jpg   153.84K   56 downloads
•  another_4_done.jpg   186.02K   44 downloads

[matthew180]

Another quick update. Another person (I'll let him identify himself if he wants) sent me his MSX1 system (a Toshiba HX-21 Pasopia IQ) to test the F18A! It looks very similar to the HX-10 inside, has stereo output (the HX-10 is only mono), and uses the 9928. The tests went without problems, especially since the 9928 is socketed and has lots of room around it. Here are some photos:

Attached Files

•  hx-21_1.jpg   72.93K   20 downloads
•  hx-21_2.jpg   83.25K   35 downloads
•  hx-21_4.jpg   107.73K   37 downloads
•  hx-21_6.jpg   217.17K   29 downloads
•  IMG_7994.JPG   99.93K   26 downloads
•  hx-21_8.jpg   92.11K   28 downloads
•  hx-21_16.jpg   41.33K   31 downloads
•  hx-21_15.jpg   99.06K   32 downloads
•  IMG_8000.JPG   99.85K   24 downloads
•  IMG_7995.JPG   100.52K   26 downloads
•  IMG_7996.JPG   149.05K   27 downloads
•  IMG_7997.JPG   106.01K   26 downloads
•  IMG_7998.JPG   107.26K   24 downloads
•  hx-21_13.jpg   146.32K   20 downloads

[Willsy]

Looking very good! You must be very proud! It's probably a similar feeling to what I had when I got TF to compile code for the first time. I was like "Look! It's a compiler, and I wrote it!"

Congrats!

[acadiel]

I love the Black and Decker reflow oven. You'll have to post how you put it together, control the reflow profile, etc.