|
Post by pierregtt on Oct 8, 2021 14:37:51 GMT
Hello, please find description for a Flash cart project I started a few month ago: It is based on 4 Mbytes Flash. Games are downloaded over micro USB connection. Several games can be downloaded within the flash. After power up, a menu allows selecting which game to run. Selection sets an address offset so that it points the game intended to run. There is voltage conflict resolution between USB and VCC from console. Games are thus to be flashed with board inserted. Console is brought to reset while flashing. One benefit is the use of low cost components as the project is based on standard 74HCXXX and PAL component instead of FPGA. However, there is no micro SD slot, which may be bit of limitation regarding number of installed games. Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by dshadoff on Oct 8, 2021 19:17:58 GMT
This sounds a lot like what developers need fro rapid download/test cycles. Will you make them available in some way ?
|
|
|
Post by sunteam_paul on Oct 9, 2021 12:58:07 GMT
This might be helpful of my GameOfYou flashcard ever packs up.
|
|
|
Post by pierregtt on Oct 9, 2021 23:01:13 GMT
@ dshadoff Yes, depending on the level of interest, there could be launch for a few items production.
|
|
|
Post by pierregtt on Apr 7, 2022 12:16:26 GMT
UPDATE: The project has now reached its finalized state. Benefits: -4MBytes Flash. -Micro-USB connector for easy game adding, erasing through dedicated PC application... -Several games can be installed (selection menu at power-up). -Street fighter II support. -Built-in MMU allows designing up to 4MBytes Hucard games. -Zero installation time upon game selection as all games are already flashed to target Mem. -Both PC engine&Turbografx 16 systems supported. Cons: -No SD card slot If some of you are interested in this product, let me know. Attached pics of selection menu and games management application:
|
|
|
Post by SignOfZeta on Apr 7, 2022 14:54:12 GMT
This might be helpful of my GameOfYou flashcard ever packs up. I’m glad to hear yours still works. Mine crapped out like five years ago. It was fun while it lasted.
|
|
|
Post by spenoza on Apr 7, 2022 16:31:43 GMT
This might be helpful of my GameOfYou flashcard ever packs up. I’m glad to hear yours still works. Mine crapped out like five years ago. It was fun while it lasted. Yeah, mine crapped out, got replaced, and then crapped out again. Everdrive going strong!
|
|
|
Post by gredler on Apr 7, 2022 17:40:28 GMT
I would definitely be interested in having this so I don't have to move my usb ted between systems for testing across various system configs, and to see how huc behaves on something others might try to play on
|
|
|
Post by dshadoff on Apr 7, 2022 19:13:43 GMT
Very nice !!
While I don't *need* one for PC Engine work, I would be very interested to see how you designed it; I was considering doing something similar for the PC-FX. (Though I'm not sure if you're willing to share the details).
On the other hand, if you're considering making some, and need one more person to make it worth your while, you can count me in.
|
|
|
Post by pierregtt on Apr 9, 2022 9:31:44 GMT
OK, if we can reach a minimum 5 people, then launch a small serial production.
Basically, upon selecting a game, the cursor position, which increments/decrements by one, is written to a 74HC174 flip flop mapped into ROM space (A20='0').
This value refers to selected game and represents the starting block of the game i.e the first 64K block. The A21-A20 address of the Flash builds as follows: A15-A0 are direct connection to Hucard A15-A0. A21-A16 are the result of the arithmetic addition of selected game output from 74HC174 and the incoming A19-A16 from Hucard connector. This addition is implemented within 22V10 GAL and makes any selected game appear as being @ physical address 00000h from HuC6280 point of view.
That is, a game can be put anywhere in the flash with a 64K granularity. Upon boot, 74HC174 is reset (from Hucard /RES pin) so that it always starts running "game selection menu" which resides as block 0 in the flash. Game management is done from PIC18F4455 which drives appropriate flash signals and insure USB link to the host.
|
|
|
Post by SignOfZeta on Apr 9, 2022 12:11:57 GMT
I would ask to be put on the list but the need of a dedicated PC application for flashing kind of kills it for me.
|
|
|
Post by pierregtt on Apr 9, 2022 13:45:03 GMT
My understanding is you'd rather have the card display as regular USB stick and manage files through file explorer. That would also mean add more intelligence into the microcontroller as there are several quite complex operations to manage like defragmenting (when small games are removed, overall space may be sufficient, however, holes have to be made contiguous for installing bigger games).
|
|
pokun
Gun-headed
Posts: 85
Homebrew skills: HuC6280 assembly
|
Post by pokun on Apr 20, 2022 19:18:12 GMT
I also fit in the "don't-really-need-it-because-I-have-the-Everdrive-but-am-interested-anyway" list. I don't mind that games must be flashed from the PC (as long as it doesn't become obsolete when Windows 35 comes out or something), nor the lack of SD-card. My Everdrive already fills those needs.
Is it possible to install a game in block 0 so that it is booted directly instead of the game selection menu? The lack of that ability is one of the most common complaints among us homebrew developers for flashcarts like the Everdrive.
|
|
|
Post by pierregtt on Apr 22, 2022 10:29:25 GMT
There is no reason for incompatibility with upcoming windows versions as long as the USB driver which works as CDC class is supported.
As said previously, there are several benefits from using a dedicated application for flashing. One is the ability for selecting TG16/PC engine upon flashing through an option within the software rather than a physical switch.
Yes it is possible to simply ignore the selection menu residing at block 0 by programming a game starting from that block. The game will then start as from regular Hucard.
However, reverting to multiple game mode requires reflashing block 0 with selection menu application. Selection menu is thus to be provided as accompanying file for the rom flashing application.
|
|
|
Post by SignOfZeta on Apr 22, 2022 11:27:12 GMT
If it requires a PC client then it will eventually require a retro computer setup to use it. OS updates eventually kill everything. I remember “class compliant” USB MIDI and other HID devices which was a blessing…but I’ve personally had two pieces of gear be obsolesced…a small MIDI keyboard and some kind of fight stick for PS3, I can’t remember which one. It was only class compliant until the class changed.
If it’s only supposed to last as long as a development project then that’s one thing, obviously, but anything that needs a client will eventually be recycled or put on a shelf before it actually breaks. If it requires Windows specifically I’m out in any case.
|
|