SD81 Booster

Discussions about Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81 Hardware
billloguidice
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Jul 06, 2023 2:52 pm

Re: SD81 Booster

Post by billloguidice »

That's fantastic. If this is ever for sale, I'm definitely interested.
Spinnetti
Posts: 255
Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2020 11:29 pm

Re: SD81 Booster

Post by Spinnetti »

Pretty cool - needs a better case though!
Zeddy: ZX80, ZX81/ZXpand, TS1000/ZXpand, TS1500/Zxpand+,Printer
Speccy: 48k, +, +2, +3, TS2068, "Bare Metal" Pi, Next KS2, IF1/Microdrives/Vdrive/Light Gun/VGA-Joy
QL: Minerva/QL-VGA/Custom PSU
C5: 24v, LiFE battery, Disc brakes
wilco2009
Posts: 74
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 12:03 pm

Re: SD81 Booster

Post by wilco2009 »

billloguidice wrote: Tue Jul 11, 2023 11:11 pm That's fantastic. If this is ever for sale, I'm definitely interested.
Probably I will make a small initial batch.
I will inform you about it.....
User avatar
blittled
Posts: 229
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:04 am
Location: Northwestern Pennsylvania, USA

Re: SD81 Booster

Post by blittled »

This is a very interesting project! Thanks for making it opensource :D . I have a friend who has his own hobby fab shop. I may have him order a pcb when he orders some boards for a system he's developing. He also has surface mount soldering tools, laser cutter and 3D printers so I'm sure I can get one up and running. Will you have some CPLDs programmed for sale? And will you ship to the US?
2X Timex Sinclair 1000, ZX81, ZX80Core, 5X 16K Ram Pack, ZXBlast, ZX P file to Ear Input Signal Converter, Elf II
User avatar
mrtinb
Posts: 1911
Joined: Fri Nov 06, 2015 5:44 pm
Location: Denmark
Contact:

Re: SD81 Booster

Post by mrtinb »

blittled wrote: Wed Jul 12, 2023 11:43 pm Will you have some CPLDs programmed for sale?
From what I read in the repository, you just connect the PCB to your PC via USB, and use the free Arduino software to upload a sketch to the ATMEGA controller. The software detects a firmware on the SD card, and updates the CPLD with it.
Martin
https://zx.rtin.be
ZX81, Lambda 8300, Commodore 64, Mac G4 Cube
wilco2009
Posts: 74
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 12:03 pm

Re: SD81 Booster

Post by wilco2009 »

This is correct.
You can program the CPLD copying the XSVF file to the root of the SD card.
User avatar
blittled
Posts: 229
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:04 am
Location: Northwestern Pennsylvania, USA

Re: SD81 Booster

Post by blittled »

Thanks for the info. I didn't read the technical document far enough :oops:
2X Timex Sinclair 1000, ZX81, ZX80Core, 5X 16K Ram Pack, ZXBlast, ZX P file to Ear Input Signal Converter, Elf II
User avatar
Paul
Posts: 1517
Joined: Thu May 27, 2010 8:15 am
Location: Germanys west end

Re: SD81 Booster

Post by Paul »

I guess the SMD CPLD will keep many (at least me) from making one.
It would be great if PCBs with SMD populated could be bought somewhere.
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is.
wilco2009
Posts: 74
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 12:03 pm

Re: SD81 Booster

Post by wilco2009 »

Paul wrote: Thu Jul 13, 2023 8:30 pm I guess the SMD CPLD will keep many (at least me) from making one.
It would be great if PCBs with SMD populated could be bought somewhere.
I'm organizing a batch of fully assembled interfaces (see first post)
On the other hand, what you're saying seems like a good idea to me, I'm going to offer the possibility of buying the board with the CPLD and the 3v3 regulator soldered.
Edited: I have added the possibility in the first post.
User avatar
mrtinb
Posts: 1911
Joined: Fri Nov 06, 2015 5:44 pm
Location: Denmark
Contact:

Re: SD81 Booster

Post by mrtinb »

I did buy a €100 mini hot plate (3x3cm) on AliExpress. Now I can easily solder SOIC and TSSOP ICs. That was a great investment for me.
Martin
https://zx.rtin.be
ZX81, Lambda 8300, Commodore 64, Mac G4 Cube
Post Reply