Hi, want to build an ATOM

[SteveTMQ]

Let me introduce my self; I'm Steve TMQ you can just call me Steve
Hi
I found this site from http://diy.acornatom.nl/introduction.html and why was I there?

Well in 1988 I had a computer collection including a ZX81, TRS-80 and I was given a bare (no case) Acorn Atom and this was the computer I loved the most. Sadly in 1992 my house was burgled and my Atom was one of the things taken (why I do not know) I have never had the chance to get a replacement.

It would be gate if any one had a Atom they need to give to a loving home but;

Quite by accident on facebook I was giving the above link and I know I have the skill to build this and would love to do so.

I think the starting point is the boards. Roland or any one else it would be grate if you could supply the main board? please get in touch.

Steve

[Multiwizard]

Hi Steve,

welcome to this great Forum...

That's indeed Roland his page, he will pop-up soon, this Atom works great,, a few years ago I had the honour to build the first one:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9173


Greetings from my little Dutch Acorn Attic, Wim...

[danielj]

Hi Steve - welcome - that was me that gave you the link. I'm sure Roland will be along shortly to advise as to whether he's got any boards left still!

You'll also notice there are a huge number of other tinkery-projects for other Acorn machines. Feel free to get completely stuck in and ask as many questions as you like.

d.

[flaxcottage]

Welcome Steve.

[CMcDougall]

welcome Steve

hope the dummies that stole your stuff are on a 30yr stretch

[davidb]

Welcome!

[roland]

Hello Steve,

I don't have any boards left but I'm happy to provide you the gerber files that I send to Makepcb.com for producing the boards. As a matter of fact I just uploaded them to http://diy.acornatom.nl/download/acorn-atom-mk2.zip You can use these files to have your board produced at your favourite pcb supplier.

But please pay attention to the following:

• You still need an Atom keyboard or an interface between a PS/2 keyboard and the Atom keyboard matrix. I still have one of these. Or make your own keyboard like Hoglet did here.
• You probably want a case too....
• The GODIL we used is not available any more; there is however a new model but AFAIK nobody tested it yet.
• The CPLD's are also end-of-life but I also have a few of them.

But we are happy to support you as much as we can

Welcome to this forum btw, enjoy your visits here.

Greetings from the south of the Netherlands,
Roland

[hoglet]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to stardot!

Another option to consider is Atom FPGA:
viewtopic.php?t=6313

Sorry it's such a long thread.

For the full modern Atom experience (including AtoMMC) there are currently three supports FPGA boards:
- The Papilio One with a custom "Atom" wing (see here)
- The Papilio Duo with Classic Computing shield (see here)
- The Altera DE1 board

All of the sources are in github:
https://github.com/hoglet67/AtomFpga

There is a good offer on the Papilio Duo at the moment: $99 including a free Classic Computing Shield:
http://store.gadgetfactory.net/computin ... uo-bundle/

This board has a build-in programmer, so that's all you need.

The only down-side of Atom FPGA is that it uses a standard PS/2 keyboard, and there is no ideal way of mapping the Atom keyboard to a modern PS/2 keyboard. This is a problem shared with every Acorn Atom software emulator (e.g. Atomulator).

Please don't hesitate to ask if you want any further advice.

Dave

P.S. And a third option is a Raspberry Pi, running the Pi port of Atomulator (called Optima):
viewtopic.php?p=96967#p96967

[SteveTMQ]

Thank Roland for the replay.

Let me see if I have understood.

"Makepcb.com" can make the PCB from the "acorn-atom-mk2.zip" file.

"GODIL" stands for Good Old DIL, So one or all of the IC's are not available? Which one?
There is a New Model. What's it's number?
Dose the board need changing to take it?

Thanks

Hi Hoglet
Thanks for the idea and links to using a FPGA

[roland]

Let me see if I have understood.
"Makepcb.com" can make the PCB from the "acorn-atom-mk2.zip" file.

That is correct.

"GODIL" stands for Good Old DIL, So one or all of the IC's are not available? Which one?
There is a New Model. What's it's number?
Does the board need changing to take it?

We use a GODIL to replace the 6847 but with lot's of extensions, like:

• VGA colour output
• 80 column text video
• SID audio
• Serial RS232 interface
• Mouse interface

You can read all about it at viewtopic.php?f=44&t=7320

The GODIL we use is GODIL40_XC3S250E, its successor is GODIL40_XC3S500E. The last one (500E) is available by the end of July, the 250E can still be ordered but the delivery time is not known. You can contact Trenz Electronic for more information: https://shop.trenz-electronic.de/de/TE0 ... 40-pin-DIL

[SteveTMQ]

I have a 6847 in my chip collection could I use that? (knowing I would not have the extensions)?

In fact I think I have all the large(40 pin) IC's including the 6502.

[FourthStone]

Welcome to this great forum.

This thread is why I love to come to stardot, lots of interesting projects being discussed and the amazing community of members willing to help when they have time.

Good luck with the Atom build, it sounds like a great project and something I would love to do one day myself... just need that hobby room I've been dreaming of

[hoglet]

I have a 6847 in my chip collection could I use that? (knowing I would not have the extensions)?

I don't think the new Atom PCB is compatible with the original 6847.

Dave

[roland]

You are missing the composite video circuit for a start and we route some I/O through the socket. So it is not compatible.