IDE interfaces - hardware details
IDE interfaces - hardware details
As some of you may have noticed, with the help of John Kortink I've made and sold a few IDE interfaces. The building and posting of PCB's is not something I want to do long-term, so I'm making the designs available, so anyone can make IDE interfaces.
if0 - 16bit (A3xx/A4xx/A5xx/A5000/A7000/RISC PC)
This is the simpler of the two designs, the standard podule interface is 16-bits wide, as is the IDE interface, so we just need to buffer the databus through two 74HCT245 to the IDE connector. A 22V10 GAL is used to hold the decode logic for the various chip selects and direction control signals. (the odd layout of the pins on the GAL are to simplify the layout of the PCB)
Hardware addresses
+0x0000 - 0x1FFF ROM window (2 KB)
+0x2000 ROM page register
+0x3000 IDE reg 0
+0x3004 IDE reg 1
+0x3008 IDE reg 2
+0x300C IDE reg 3
+0x3010 IDE reg 4
+0x3014 IDE reg 5
+0x3018 IDE reg 6
+0x301C IDE reg 7
The rom images are available from John's web-site.
http://www.zeridajh.org/software/zidefs ... 10_if0.zip
if3 - 8bit (A3000/A30x0/A4000)
IDE is a 16-bit interface, the host interface on A30x0/A4000 is only 8-bit, so you need to buffer the upper byte of the IDE interface. The current circuit uses two back to back 74HCT374 chips, one to latch the data being written from the host to the IDE interface, the other to latch the data read from the IDE interface. If I was doing it again, I'd replace the 374's with 574's (the pinout is easier to layout on a PCB, the current pin ordering was for my original layout, and it's probably not optimal for the V2 version with 44-pin connector)
Hardware addresses
+0x0000 - 0x1FFF ROM window (2 KB)
+0x2000 ROM page register
+0x2400 IDE reg 0
+0x2404 IDE reg 1
+0x2408 IDE reg 2
+0x240C IDE reg 3
+0x2410 IDE reg 4
+0x2414 IDE reg 5
+0x2408 IDE reg 6
+0x241C IDE reg 7
+0x2800 high byte r/w
The rom images are available from John's web-site.
http://www.zeridajh.org/software/zidefs ... 10_if3.zip The ROM software for both cards is available in 3 versions, "ZIDEFS", "IDEFS", and "SIDEFS", they each have a different filing system number and different SWI chunks. So it is possible to install 3 cards in the same machine, if they are setup with different roms. (Most IDE cards use the same filing system number (49) so you can't install multiple cards, even if from different manufacturers)
ZIDEFS : fs nr 170, swi chunk 0x557C0
IDEFS : fs nr 49, swi chunk 0x41FC0
SIDEFS : fs nr 155, swi chunk 0x59C80
I'm not currently going to upload my PCB designs, mainly because I don't think my layouts are great, and I'd like to see someone do a better job.
The software tools for reading the device details, partitioning and formatting are available in the original ZIDEFS download. (The tools only work with the ZIDEFS ROM images)
http://www.zeridajh.org/software/zidefs/index.htm
Attached are the PDF circuit diagrams, and the GAL source files.
Let me know if I've missed anything.
if0 - 16bit (A3xx/A4xx/A5xx/A5000/A7000/RISC PC)
This is the simpler of the two designs, the standard podule interface is 16-bits wide, as is the IDE interface, so we just need to buffer the databus through two 74HCT245 to the IDE connector. A 22V10 GAL is used to hold the decode logic for the various chip selects and direction control signals. (the odd layout of the pins on the GAL are to simplify the layout of the PCB)
Hardware addresses
+0x0000 - 0x1FFF ROM window (2 KB)
+0x2000 ROM page register
+0x3000 IDE reg 0
+0x3004 IDE reg 1
+0x3008 IDE reg 2
+0x300C IDE reg 3
+0x3010 IDE reg 4
+0x3014 IDE reg 5
+0x3018 IDE reg 6
+0x301C IDE reg 7
The rom images are available from John's web-site.
http://www.zeridajh.org/software/zidefs ... 10_if0.zip
if3 - 8bit (A3000/A30x0/A4000)
IDE is a 16-bit interface, the host interface on A30x0/A4000 is only 8-bit, so you need to buffer the upper byte of the IDE interface. The current circuit uses two back to back 74HCT374 chips, one to latch the data being written from the host to the IDE interface, the other to latch the data read from the IDE interface. If I was doing it again, I'd replace the 374's with 574's (the pinout is easier to layout on a PCB, the current pin ordering was for my original layout, and it's probably not optimal for the V2 version with 44-pin connector)
Hardware addresses
+0x0000 - 0x1FFF ROM window (2 KB)
+0x2000 ROM page register
+0x2400 IDE reg 0
+0x2404 IDE reg 1
+0x2408 IDE reg 2
+0x240C IDE reg 3
+0x2410 IDE reg 4
+0x2414 IDE reg 5
+0x2408 IDE reg 6
+0x241C IDE reg 7
+0x2800 high byte r/w
The rom images are available from John's web-site.
http://www.zeridajh.org/software/zidefs ... 10_if3.zip The ROM software for both cards is available in 3 versions, "ZIDEFS", "IDEFS", and "SIDEFS", they each have a different filing system number and different SWI chunks. So it is possible to install 3 cards in the same machine, if they are setup with different roms. (Most IDE cards use the same filing system number (49) so you can't install multiple cards, even if from different manufacturers)
ZIDEFS : fs nr 170, swi chunk 0x557C0
IDEFS : fs nr 49, swi chunk 0x41FC0
SIDEFS : fs nr 155, swi chunk 0x59C80
I'm not currently going to upload my PCB designs, mainly because I don't think my layouts are great, and I'd like to see someone do a better job.
The software tools for reading the device details, partitioning and formatting are available in the original ZIDEFS download. (The tools only work with the ZIDEFS ROM images)
http://www.zeridajh.org/software/zidefs/index.htm
Attached are the PDF circuit diagrams, and the GAL source files.
Let me know if I've missed anything.
Last edited by IanS on Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:36 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
This is awesome! Thank you Ian!
Would you be open to uploading the .sch files (pictured in the PDFs), and possibly your kicad_pcb file with everything except the connectors and board layout deleted, for interested folks to use as a starting point? (That way we can build on a verified base.)
SW/EE from New Zealand, now in Mountain View, CA, making BBC/Electron hardware projects for fun.
Most popular: fast serial port, FX2+PiTubeDirect Tube/Cartridge adapter, USB cart interface.
Most popular: fast serial port, FX2+PiTubeDirect Tube/Cartridge adapter, USB cart interface.
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
Here are my KiCad projects, I encourage people to just use the PCB layouts as examples, but if you want to use them, go ahead.myelin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:39 amWould you be open to uploading the .sch files (pictured in the PDFs), and possibly your kicad_pcb file with everything except the connectors and board layout deleted, for interested folks to use as a starting point? (That way we can build on a verified base.)
- Attachments
-
- podule_ide_ics_clone_v2.zip
- (60.48 KiB) Downloaded 44 times
-
- podule_ide_a3000_v2.zip
- (75.42 KiB) Downloaded 53 times
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
This is brilliant, many thanks for sharing your work Ian!
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
Thank you very much Ian, you did a great work and you give a way to many Archie's to have an Ide disk, nowadays so difficult (and expensive) to found!
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
I’d like to add my thanks to you Ian for your work on these podules, and for sharing your designs here.
I know that I’ll learn a lot from studying your KiCad files.



I know that I’ll learn a lot from studying your KiCad files.
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
I'd just like to re-iterate, without John Kortink these wouldn't exist. It's his software that brings them to life.
Don't count on it. I'm still learning.
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
Well, thanks to John Kortink too!
As to learning, I think that there’s always something to learn from any constructive endeavour......
As to learning, I think that there’s always something to learn from any constructive endeavour......
- daveejhitchins
- Posts: 4631
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:23 pm
- Location: Newton Aycliffe, County Durham
- Contact:
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
Ian, was there an issue with the original firmware?
Dave H

Parts: UM6502CE, GAL22V10D, GAL16V8D, AS6C62256A, TC514400AZ, WD1772, R6522, TMS27C512, AT28C256
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
What original firmware?, I've only ever used ZIDEFS with the boards I made. Without ZIDEFS the boards would do nothing useful.
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
I read DaveH’s question as a straightforward query as to whether ZIDEFS needed modification for use with your IDE hardware.
ZIDEFS is described here -http://www.zeridajh.org/software/zidefs/index.htm - as a drop in replacement for the ICS IDE interface. I’m not quite clear how much difference there is between your pcbs and the ICS pcb, and it is conceivable to me that any such differences might have necessitated some changes to ZIDEFS. I note that the link you give above to the ROM images is different to the link given on John Kortink’s website, though the version numbers are the same.
ZIDEFS is described here -http://www.zeridajh.org/software/zidefs/index.htm - as a drop in replacement for the ICS IDE interface. I’m not quite clear how much difference there is between your pcbs and the ICS pcb, and it is conceivable to me that any such differences might have necessitated some changes to ZIDEFS. I note that the link you give above to the ROM images is different to the link given on John Kortink’s website, though the version numbers are the same.
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
about the rom, it's not clear to me how to burn the 3 rom you linked into the sst39sf040, and how the 2 switches works (they select upper or lower rom's part to use?)
Thank you Ian for any help to understand your board and to make it!
Thank you Ian for any help to understand your board and to make it!
- daveejhitchins
- Posts: 4631
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:23 pm
- Location: Newton Aycliffe, County Durham
- Contact:
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
All the ACP/P.R.E.S./ICS boards had firmware with them, written by Dave Prosser (Baildon Electronics) so just wondered about you using the ZIDEFS* (which I did know about - John informed me ages ago). Nothing sinister about my question, just idle curiosity! I probably have copies of some/most of the firmware - if it's of any interest? I'm trying to obtain the source code for all the IDE stuff, however, my ex partner is taking his time as it requires getting all the relevant kit out of the dreaded loft - I keep reminding him about batteries too

* ZIDEFS was originally written to replace the firmware in the original ICS IDE board - I just realised you may not have known that - so all the original firmware would work too.
Dave H

Parts: UM6502CE, GAL22V10D, GAL16V8D, AS6C62256A, TC514400AZ, WD1772, R6522, TMS27C512, AT28C256
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
I don't own an ICS board or have access to copies of the ICS ROM. My PCB was based on pictures of the ICS board and the hardware description given to me by John. John's ZIDEFS page describes the improvements that ZIDEFS gives over the original firmware:-daveejhitchins wrote: ↑Sun Jun 10, 2018 11:07 amAll the ACP/P.R.E.S./ICS boards had firmware with them, written by Dave Prosser (Baildon Electronics) so just wondered about you using the ZIDEFS* (which I did know about - John informed me ages ago). Nothing sinister about my question, just idle curiosity! I probably have copies of some/most of the firmware - if it's of any interest? I'm trying to obtain the source code for all the IDE stuff, however, my ex partner is taking his time as it requires getting all the relevant kit out of the dreaded loft - I keep reminding him about batteries too![]()
Features :
Fully replaces (and considerably improves on) the standard filing system and support software supplied with the 'old' Ian Copestake Software (ICS) 16-bit IDE interface from circa 1991.
Extends compatibility all the way up to Risc PCs running RISC OS 4.
Provides optimal transfer speeds and improved harddisc compatibility.
Supports up to four partitions and very large (up to 256 GB) drives.
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
The two (8 & 16 bit) boards have differences for the rom layout.
8-bit Maximum size of each filing system rom = 2K x 26 = 128K.
16-bit Maximum size of each filing system rom = 2K x 23 = 16K
You could add the external page latch (e.g. 74HCT174) to the 16-bit card if you wanted make room for other software modules.
Minimum required space is 16K for a single rom image, so you could put anything from a 27128 upwards. The 39SF040 was only used because I already had some, and they are still falrly easy to buy new. A lot of the space is unused in both boards.
Last edited by IanS on Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
What a detailed answer! it's a pity i didn't have a teacher like you in my computer class
I can't wait to receive pcb (and all components) and test it! My compliments to you and John for the project and for sharing it

I can't wait to receive pcb (and all components) and test it! My compliments to you and John for the project and for sharing it
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
I ordered pcb and components for the 8 bit version for my A3000.
But I bought few days ago from ebay a A4000 with battery corrosion (and hd and floppy not working), and it is on the way from UK... so the 16 bit version is in my todo list too

Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
The A4000 only has an internal 8-bit expansion (and on-board IDE, like an A3020).
- daveejhitchins
- Posts: 4631
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:23 pm
- Location: Newton Aycliffe, County Durham
- Contact:
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
I wonder if the firmware on the 6C version PCB 'catches-up' with these features? Anyone know?IanS wrote: ↑Sun Jun 10, 2018 2:02 pmFeatures :
Fully replaces (and considerably improves on) the standard filing system and support software supplied with the 'old' Ian Copestake Software (ICS) 16-bit IDE interface from circa 1991.
Extends compatibility all the way up to Risc PCs running RISC OS 4.
Provides optimal transfer speeds and improved harddisc compatibility.
Supports up to four partitions and very large (up to 256 GB) drives.
The 5x version was upgraded quite a lot, from when ZIDEFS was written - the latest version I have is attached. Maybe worth a try?
For this board" Dave H

Parts: UM6502CE, GAL22V10D, GAL16V8D, AS6C62256A, TC514400AZ, WD1772, R6522, TMS27C512, AT28C256
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
Probably, I'm sure it probably gained partition support if nothing else.daveejhitchins wrote: ↑Mon Jun 11, 2018 7:44 amI wonder if the firmware on the 6C version PCB 'catches-up' with these features? Anyone know?
I do have one of those IDE cards, that's where my journey with ZIDEFS started. I tried the ZIDEFS rom in it, and it didn't work. Only then did I notice the picture of the IDE card on John's website. That was many years ago.daveejhitchins wrote: ↑Mon Jun 11, 2018 7:44 amThe 5x version was upgraded quite a lot, from when ZIDEFS was written - the latest version I have is attached. Maybe worth a try?
BE-APDL-IDE5-IDEFS3v22-CDFS2v21-0V21.BIN.zipFor this board"IMG_2432.jpgIMG_2431.jpg
I don't expect the newer rom to work on the older interface.
- daveejhitchins
- Posts: 4631
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:23 pm
- Location: Newton Aycliffe, County Durham
- Contact:
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
When John was telling me about ZIDEFS, I was under the impression it was one of our IDE cards! I wasn't aware that there was a photo of the 'old' ICS cards on his site - just had a gander after noting your comments. That card was designed by a German guy and was costing Ian a fortune. It was probably why he approached us! We did have a few dealings with the designer, with a view to make the board under licence, however, he wanted quite a high royalty, IIRC, and we weren't all that enamoured with the design, I'm sure I've mentioned this elsewhere on here. So, just out of interest, it might be worth a try - I could send you a ROM, if you wouldn't mind poping it in and seeing what transpires? Hmmm! I could have done this myself if I hadn't 'lost' my board at Wakefield - Grrrr!IanS wrote: ↑Mon Jun 11, 2018 6:26 pmI do have one of those IDE cards, that's where my journey with ZIDEFS started. I tried the ZIDEFS rom in it, and it didn't work. Only then did I notice the picture of the IDE card on John's website. That was many years ago.
I don't expect the newer rom to work on the older interface.
Dave H

Parts: UM6502CE, GAL22V10D, GAL16V8D, AS6C62256A, TC514400AZ, WD1772, R6522, TMS27C512, AT28C256
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
Unless your software was specifically written to be backward compatible with the older ICS hardware why would you expect this to do anything useful?daveejhitchins wrote: ↑Tue Jun 12, 2018 6:30 amI could send you a ROM, if you wouldn't mind poping it in and seeing what transpires?
- daveejhitchins
- Posts: 4631
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:23 pm
- Location: Newton Aycliffe, County Durham
- Contact:
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
I think we designed our board with the same 'structure' as that one!IanS wrote: ↑Tue Jun 12, 2018 8:53 amUnless your software was specifically written to be backward compatible with the older ICS hardware why would you expect this to do anything useful?daveejhitchins wrote: ↑Tue Jun 12, 2018 6:30 amI could send you a ROM, if you wouldn't mind poping it in and seeing what transpires?
Dave H

Parts: UM6502CE, GAL22V10D, GAL16V8D, AS6C62256A, TC514400AZ, WD1772, R6522, TMS27C512, AT28C256
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
Thank you! These are really helpfulIanS wrote: ↑Fri Jun 08, 2018 9:09 pmHere are my KiCad projects, I encourage people to just use the PCB layouts as examples, but if you want to use them, go ahead.myelin wrote: ↑Thu Jun 07, 2018 12:39 amWould you be open to uploading the .sch files (pictured in the PDFs), and possibly your kicad_pcb file with everything except the connectors and board layout deleted, for interested folks to use as a starting point? (That way we can build on a verified base.)

SW/EE from New Zealand, now in Mountain View, CA, making BBC/Electron hardware projects for fun.
Most popular: fast serial port, FX2+PiTubeDirect Tube/Cartridge adapter, USB cart interface.
Most popular: fast serial port, FX2+PiTubeDirect Tube/Cartridge adapter, USB cart interface.
- daveejhitchins
- Posts: 4631
- Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 5:23 pm
- Location: Newton Aycliffe, County Durham
- Contact:
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
I can test this myself nowIanS wrote: ↑Tue Jun 12, 2018 8:53 amUnless your software was specifically written to be backward compatible with the older ICS hardware why would you expect this to do anything useful?daveejhitchins wrote: ↑Tue Jun 12, 2018 6:30 amI could send you a ROM, if you wouldn't mind poping it in and seeing what transpires?


Dave H

Parts: UM6502CE, GAL22V10D, GAL16V8D, AS6C62256A, TC514400AZ, WD1772, R6522, TMS27C512, AT28C256
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
Products: ARA II, ARA III, ABR, ATI, AP6, MGC, AP5 . . .
For a price list, contact me at: Retro Hardware AT dave ej hitchins DOT plus DOT com
-
- Posts: 190
- Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2018 1:48 pm
- Contact:
Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
Dave H, really sorry to hear about your sister, it must be incredibly tough, frankly more than I can even imagine. There's nothing you can do apart from be there for them and be as strong and supportive as possible, I think.
This seemed like a good thread to ask a general question about IDE interfaces for Risc PCs: if I wanted one, what's my best bet these days? (Ian, if you're not making them any more, I don't suppose you have any spares lying around?
) ... Some sites have some reconditioned ones but they seem a bit expensive. I do understand that they're rare and special items but I was wondering if there's some other options I'm missing that somebody here might know about.
This seemed like a good thread to ask a general question about IDE interfaces for Risc PCs: if I wanted one, what's my best bet these days? (Ian, if you're not making them any more, I don't suppose you have any spares lying around?

Re: IDE interfaces - hardware details
I'm not saying I'll never make any more (I had a small number at the Abug meet), I do still have a few blank PCB's left, so I'll look at getting parts to build them up.VectorEyes wrote: ↑Tue Jun 19, 2018 11:53 pm(Ian, if you're not making them any more, I don't suppose you have any spares lying around?)
-
- Posts: 190
- Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2018 1:48 pm
- Contact: