Here, a small mainboard to connect to the black of a CPC.
It' a clean an safe way for plugging up to four 2x25 pins right-angled expansion cards on it.
You can see a MiniBooster on the picture. It's a little cpcbooster clone with modern communication features...
The FlashGordon board is already compatible, and any future boards using the same connector.
- One 2x25 male connector (CPC expansion ribbon cable with easy unplug system)
- Four 2x25 female slots
- One 2x25 male connector (Pass through link)
- One 5Vdc jack, for an optional external power supply
- One reset button
Nice one :) .
I am using a ribbon bable with multiple connector, but here you get the stability (and a reset button ;D )
How do you deal with the 5V ? Are all the plugged card powered by the external power supply or can they be powered by the CPC ?
Thank you.
About the 5V, I'm using 2 Schottky diodes as "steering diodes" to auto-select the source to use between the CPC 5V expansion line or an optional external 5V power-supply. (support up to 30V/5A reverse current)
Looks really cute. 8)
LOOKS AMAZING!!! :D :D :D
I want one or two, jejejeje ;)
Is someone making a batch of these ??
If "Yes" then how can they be purchased ? Cost, etc ??
Cheers,
Shane
With a simple connector the MegaFlash would also be compatible with this. Nice idea.
Bryce.
Just got mine, along with the Minibooster. Ohhh yeah. Wondering about the sequence I must connect all these, but since it's not that easy to fry things I'll just try them out :)
Quote from: 00WReX on 01:43, 20 August 13
Is someone making a batch of these ??
If "Yes" then how can they be purchased ? Cost, etc ??
CPC Store - Cent Pour Cent (http://www.centpourcent.net/cpc-store.html)
Here, a MiniBooster picture done by Grim. :)
[attach=2]
Very clean, neat design and professionally made. Excellent work.
Bryce.
Thank you Bryce. 8)
SyX done a great work on the firmware part to make this design possible.
And like fano, I hope that other peoples will make great things for the CPC with it!
About Minibooster and projects , this is one wip for it ;)
CPC-Power , premiere base de logiciels CPC consultable directement sur CPC ! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr4AWgyIvHs#)
Quote from: fano on 06:34, 09 October 13
About Minibooster and projects , this is one wip for it ;)
What a great idea, looking forward to this!!!
One thing I've been wondering about the minibooster, is whether there is a Linux version of the software to send dsk images to it? I no longer have any machines with Windows, so it'd be nice if, e.g. the arkos tools, could work in Linux.
(Also, I think my Minibooster has arrived when I get to work :D Now I just need a CTC-AY...)
Access to CPC Power directly on CPC : great idea !!
Quote from: Kris on 19:21, 09 October 13
Access to CPC Power directly on CPC : great idea !!
Yes, it's great for writing not protected DSK directly to 3" floppies. :D
Quote from: Kris on 19:21, 09 October 13
Access to CPC Power directly on CPC : great idea !!
Sounds a bit like the Spectrum's Spectranet device. It can load and run software/games over the internet directly...
[size=78%]http://zx.kupo.be/kupospecfull.jpg[/size]
Here , we still need a PC as gateway but MiniBooster is very well thought so it is possible to add an ethernet/wifi shield via SPI (via UART too but modules are difficult to find and more expensives) to access directly internet.
I hope a lot of people will want to devellop for this new version of the CPCbooster as it can be used for a lot of things, i just do not have enough time to do every thing i would like for it :o
Btw, about the picture you posted : OCP on Speccy ?
Well, I desperately wait for the CPC-AY handbook to support it in Cyber Chicken. Sadly I guess my time runs out in 1-2 days, so I can't support.
I just sent you again the developer manual. (first sent in May)
Now, I'm sure that is better to make a new project for the CTC-AY, instead of only a fast patch. ;)
A better documentation will be only possible if developers share their experiences and feedback with me.
Thank's a lot. The old one was preliminary, and I didn't quite get it all. Never mind it's the hardest to make docs about the own stuff. Just got it via email :)
EDIT: One AY of the CTC-AY has all channels left, the other one has all channels right. Correct?
Ooh direct access to an online repository? Me wants.
QuoteOne AY of the CTC-AY has all channels left, the other one has all channels right. Correct?
it seems so.
This may even lead to some trivial issue if you want some "Mono" sounds... you know, sound on both side, you would have to sacrifice one channel (play the same sound on 2 channels, one on each side).
would have been good to be able to set some of them on the "middle" but this is not that important because with 3xAY = 9 channels, you have quite enough for awesome compositions... even just having only 2 AY in total is enough provided most classic computers had like only 3 channels... 4 at best. and not all were Stereo.
the CPC internal speaker can give 3 Mono channels anyway. ;D
otherwise it provides 1 Mono (dual side) channel anyway that could provide sweet DMA samples with a PLUS.
Have you contacted the AY riderz ?
Being AY, some of them do have some Amstrad, despite they mostly use speccies128.
A 6128PLUS with this CTC-AY card and Mother x4 could be a nice dirty bugger for them...
Would be great to have a MIDI-MIDInet card to plug on this MotherX4 then...
Well, I'm stupid in sound. But why using mono, when you can use stereo ;-)
space control and music mix...
some sounds can love to be at the "center" so you don't feel they come only from one side...
what if the explosion noise from the alien being killed on the far left of the screen comes from the right speaker ? (= the wrong one)
Think about the rock scene setting...
Drum : center yet some stereo effects can be neat.
Bass : center.
Singer : center.
guitars : one on each side for awesome epic soli guitar exchanges from hell.
While stereo is a nice trick, you may want some sounds on the center, covering the whole ensemble.
That's why many speaker sets have one big bass boomer that you put on the center.
But still, 2x3 extras + the normal CPC's AY with left-center-right 3 channels (or whole 3 centered channel with in-built speaker...) are quite enough to get some channels doing "unissound" duets.
And I guess would-be chiptuners will account for these facts...
Quote from: MacDeath on 00:47, 11 October 13
some sounds can love to be at the "center" so you don't feel they come only from one side...
You could place them somewhere close to the middle, then left and right channels are a bit different, right?
Hi
Quote from: fano on 12:40, 10 October 13
Btw, about the picture you posted : OCP on Speccy ?
Noticed a picture of my spectrum appearing here -.o;
But yes, that is indeed OCP art studio (although I didn't use that for the screens, I was just testing the K-Mouse version in that pic)
Not had the CPC out in some time, do keep meaning to find a way to try SymbOS on it (stock 6128)
Quote from: TotO on 18:04, 10 October 13
Now, I'm sure that is better to make a new project for the CTC-AY, instead of only a fast patch. ;)
I wouldn't mind a copy of the docs too as it'd be nice to add multiple AY support to my FPGA emulator and I might as well make them available on the same ports and configuration as you do... :)
Hello !
Just to inform you that I have not again received the MX4 and MiniBooster PCB from the factory.
It's a real problem, because they was sent now 6 weeks ago... (registered mail)
So, I have asked a refund and made a new order with DHL shipping. (5 days express mail)
I hope to get them quickly now...
Thank you for waiting and lucky peoples that already got the firsts batchs. ;)
Where did you order the PCBs?
Bryce.
Thanks TotO my Mother X4 & Flash Gordon arrived safely in Victoria, Australia.
Nice surprise when I got home from work.
Looks really nice, I will give it all a test later tonight.
Thanks again.
[attachimg=1]
Cheers,
Shane
QuoteVictoria, Australia.
This explains why it looks upside down on the picture...
:laugh:
Hi!
I connected the Mini-Booster via USB to the PC. PC drivers are installed. All 3 cables are connected as told. Switch is to EXT.
I start AFT on PC side, can connect to COM5 or 7, but WDSK tells "PC Not ready..."
What can I do?
If the BASIC Booster tests not work, you probably don't have enough power on your expansion port.
You can plug an external portable 5V PSU with a jack connector (+ inside, - around) to fix the problem.
(Bonus: That allow to keep safe the X-MEM RAM Drive when the CPC is turned off)
How to find the USB port (connected to the Mini-Booster) on the PC side? How can I find out which COM port it simulates?
Any comment appreciated. :)
You have to install the provided drivers for the USB cable. It will be detected and a COM port asigned to it.
(please, don't plug the red wire on the booster ext port)
http://www.centpourcent.net/uploads/2/2/9/8/22986686/minibooster_usb-drivers.zip (http://www.centpourcent.net/uploads/2/2/9/8/22986686/minibooster_usb-drivers.zip)
I have opened a mini-forum support on the website to not pollute cpc-wiki with the boards issues. :)
http://www.centpourcent.net/cpc-support.html#/ (http://www.centpourcent.net/cpc-support.html#/)
Well, I think these are common questions. A lot of people will face the same questions. I did install the drivers, but then... what then?
Posted in the forum...
What about a forum for new board type requests? I for one would love to see a mother 4x compatible board that has a pair of symbiface compatible ide sd card slots, ps2 mouse connector and real time clock.
Quote from: CraigsBar on 11:17, 08 August 14
What about a forum for new board type requests? I for one would love to see a mother 4x compatible board that has a pair of symbiface compatible ide sd card slots, ps2 mouse connector and real time clock.
You can create a topic about ideas for future boards (Mother8X??? ) in the "CPC Boards" section, i don't think the support forum is going to have too much threads that your message get lost :)
Quote from: TotO on 16:39, 07 August 14
I have opened a mini-forum support on the website to not pollute cpc-wiki with the boards issues. :)
http://www.centpourcent.net/cpc-support.html#/ (http://www.centpourcent.net/cpc-support.html#/)
I fail to see how hardware discussion is "pollution" for the wiki :D
Quote from: fano on 06:34, 09 October 13
About Minibooster and projects , this is one wip for it ;)
CPC-Power , premiere base de logiciels CPC consultable directement sur CPC ! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr4AWgyIvHs#)
Bonjour
Did this project lead to somthing? Is there a beta somewhere? It looks promising, any new information?
Quote from: GUNHED on 15:07, 20 January 19
Did this project lead to somthing? Is there a beta somewhere? It looks promising, any new information?
This project was related to the CTC-AY cartridge system + MiniBooster in 2013... It was cancelled with it.
The idea was to be able to burn your own ROM or floppy discs games from cpc-power, without using the PC.
Would have been a great thing.
For information, I no more build the MiniBooster serial expansion (TTL/RS232/USB/BT) board since 2018.
I have some free parts left in stock if you are interrested to build your own... For FREE + shipping!
- 8x blank PCB
- 3x 14,7456MHz quartz
- 3x dual 22pF capacitors
- 2x TTL/USB cable
- 2x 74HCT541N
Cheers,
TotO.
Quote from: TotO on 18:16, 22 February 19
I have some free parts left in stock if you are interrested to build your own... For FREE + shipping!
Hello TotO,
I will take one of these "kit" as part of my future order if possible.
Regards,
Patrick
Quote from: Patrick on 10:51, 23 February 19
Hello TotO,
I will take one of these "kit" as part of my future order if possible.
Regards,
Patrick
No problem, just let me know Patrick!
It's a pity it doesn't get built any longer. However if possible I would like to take one kit too. The Mini-Booster is a great expansion. :) :) :)
Quote from: GUNHED on 17:05, 23 February 19
It's a pity it doesn't get built any longer. However if possible I would like to take one kit too. The Mini-Booster is a great expansion. :) :) :)
No more peoples ask it since 2 years ago. So, better to give them... I think that all parts goes with you.
Patrick:
- 1x blank PCB
- 1x 14,7456MHz quartz
- 1x dual 22pF capacitors- 1x TTL/USB cable
- 1x 74HCT541N
You:
- 2x blank PCB
- 2x 14,7456MHz quartz
- 2x dual 22pF capacitors
- 1x TTL/USB cable
- 1x 74HCT541N
5 blanks PCB left...
I will add some other missing connectors and sliding switch parts common to all my expansions.
Pity that few people do make hardware and write software for it. Sure, I lack time too to do much. But sometimes I really do wish that some guys would support projects a bit more. ;) :)
The Mini-Booster has a quick CPU and can be programmed from the CPCs side, it's potential is huge.
Out of curiosity, how much units were produced/sold?
Nobody have used its expansion port that allows to play 2x PWM audio channels, easy plug SPI interfaces (SD-card, MP3, RTC, ...)
A nice program was made to transfert games from Internet like the "amcharge clone" :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=9AsvBM4q6kI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=9AsvBM4q6kI)
The MiniBooster connected to a smartphone through its blutooth port was enough to access Internet everywhere (no PC config required).
132 units was built between 2013-2017. Its price was 19.90€ including the USB cable.
Quote from: TotO on 07:04, 24 February 19
Nobody have used its expansion port that allows to play 2x PWM audio channels, easy plug SPI interfaces (SD-card, MP3, RTC, ...)
Or maybe nobody did post pictures and text about it, and the others stayed scared because they are not used to SPI.Quote from: TotO on 07:04, 24 February 19
132 units was built between 2013-2017. Its price was 19.90€ including the USB cable.
WoW! That's a bit number for the small CPC world! I really hope that some of us will have some time to support and use the MiniB in future, I really like it. :)
I'm not really good to wrote the "wiki" section, but I wish to add all the required files to build the MiniBooster on it.
Today, it should cost around 10/15€ to do it... (depending of the ATMega price you have)
Quote from: GUNHED on 14:24, 24 February 19Nobody have used its expansion port that allows to play 2x PWM audio channels, easy plug SPI interfaces (SD-card, MP3, RTC, ...)...
Or maybe nobody did post pictures and text about it, and the others stayed scared because they are not used to SPI.
I think there isn't a lot of interest in the CPC community that supports this kind of "tinkering". Most people are more into games and ready to consume hardware it seems. The BBC Micro community is a lot different in that regard, to my surprise.
At some point I had the idea to create a "hat" for the great SPI click! boards from mikroeleketronika
https://www.mikroe.com/click (https://www.mikroe.com/click)
such that one can use them easily with the CPC (that would require SPI, I2C, 1 WIRE, UART drivers that would IMHO prefereably run *on* the MCU of the card, not on the CPC - and preferbly not in AVR machine code, but in something simpler just meant for setting up the right messages for communication with these I2C / SPI / .... devices), but there isn't much interest in such a development in the CPC community it seems.
I can see that for "tinkering" and these kind of hardware hobby projects were people would want to use these kinds of devices, the Raspberry Pi is a much better solution, and @revaldinho (http://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=1776) 's "Tube" project.
Regardless, I would be interested in getting one... :)
Here, what I was abble to find for the MiniBooster kits. (3x USB cables not on the picture)
Quote from: TotO on 07:04, 24 February 19
Nobody have used its expansion port that allows to play 2x PWM audio channels, easy plug SPI interfaces (SD-card, MP3, RTC, ...)
I have bought a MP3 SPI board that should work on it, but... i cannot find any instructions on the protocol to initiate playback, pause, stopping etc... of the MP3s. The MP3 SPI boards are about $4 each on ebay and in this case, play MP3s from the inbuilt microsd slot when given the correct command - supposedly. The idea was that if it works as advertised, it would be easy to put music and speech on it without any CPU time taken with sound packs for various games loaded into that external microsd card.
Maybe it's possible to adapt the Manual of the CPC-Booster+ for the Mini-Booster?