Final Expansion 3 NG

[pixel]

Sure, what do you feel isn't covered well in the current User Guide?

I found the programming section hard to understand although it should be quite simple. But this one I couldn't take to the pub and be done with it before the second pint.

[srowe]

I found the programming section hard to understand although it should be quite simple. But this one I couldn't take to the pub and be done with it before the second pint.

Right, the appendix was just for me to capture the basic info I gleaned before I had a proper understanding of the hardware. I'll have a think about writing a proper Developers Guide.

[pixel]

I found the programming section hard to understand although it should be quite simple. But this one I couldn't take to the pub and be done with it before the second pint.

Right, the appendix was just for me to capture the basic info I gleaned before I had a proper understanding of the hardware. I'll have a think about writing a proper Developers Guide.

I'm not sure it was written by you what I've read. Ended up with 70p of notes but nothing to read really myself...

[srowe]

Short progress update: most components received, a couple gone adrift including the buttons (which I needed to check for height ). In the meantime I've been routeing the lefthand side of the board.

CPLD programmer built, need to finish off the hot plate.

[Ghislain]

I would love to have one of these as well!

[srowe]

Still working on this. I'm reviewing the schematic again as I spotted a mistake when routeing traces. Laying out the PCB is a real challenge, the mixture of footprints plus my inexperience mean problems I have to work out how to resolve. I hope to complete this soon so I can get some boards ordered in the next couple of weeks.

[srowe]

I've finally(!) finished the board layout. I had a disaster where I had used the wrong footprint for the flash, fortunately correcting this didn't take too much time.

I don't think it will win any prizes, the buses required some very narrow tracks. Hopefully they won't suffer from any cross-talk.

I'm planning to have a last check over before sending off an order from some prototype PCBs. I've now got to get back to building the hot plate I'll need to assemble with.

[mingle]

Looking good - I particularly appreciate the SD (rather than micro-SD) card slot!

[srowe]

After a long wait, the PCBs have arrived!

They just fit the cartridge shell and positioning of the buttons, SD card etc seems to be about right.

Next step, assemble one!

[Vic20-Ian]

Great progress Simon, looking forward to seeing it completed.

[telengard]

Amazing progress! Please mark me down for one once you are ready.

[pixel]

Count me in, please!

[COREi64]

Wonderful, congratulations. Looking forward to hearing how you make out with the new board!

COREi64

After a long wait, the PCBs have arrived!

They just fit the cartridge shell and positioning of the buttons, SD card etc seems to be about right.

Next step, assemble one!

[srowe]

Not had as much time for this as I'd like. First attempt at soldering was a bit of a failure, ended up with solder paste under a capacitor causing a short on the regulator. Board #2 is coming on better, using a mixture of fine tipped soldering iron and hot air station.

Next step is to flash the bootloader.

My plan is to build up the SD2IEC side first, the components are more manageable and testing is easier. Then I'll move over to the other side, I still haven't completed my hot plate so time will have to be put aside for that soon.

[mathom]

It's great to see your progress on this. Count me in for a cart also when you get to that point.