Hi all!
Although this is probably not *THE* expansion everyone was waiting, I'd like to share this little project of mine.
Some could be interested by the technical approach or even may want to build one!
(https://ftp.untergrund.net/users/raft/cpc_prods/Amstair/ams1.jpg)
More about the Tool can be found here, including the GERBER files : https://ftp.untergrund.net/users/raft/cpc_prods/Amstair/amstair.htm (https://ftp.untergrund.net/users/raft/cpc_prods/Amstair/amstair.htm)
Basically this tool can be used for Debugging/Hacking/Diagnostic your CPC, in a retro way ;)
Hope you enjoy !
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Tool Features
Beyond its Educational interest, AMSTair offers you a way to Hack your games in real time, Debug code / ports, Diagnostic faulty CPC and much more...
* Display CPC control lines via LEDs
* Slow down your Amstrad at chosen speed
* Freeze mode with step by step functionality : Step on each Clock, DMA access, CPU instruction, port read, port write, Memory access
* Select the IO port you want to scan
* Show address lines in binary and data lines in hexadecimal
* Output the selected data to SOUND (Really?!)
* Digiblaster compatible mode
* DMA read or write in each cpu modes : fast, slow, paused
* DMA can r/w Memory and IO ports
* Selection of DMA address and data via switchs
* Selection of Port or Memory address to intercept via switchs
* Force DMA for dead z80
* CPC or external power supply
* Reset Amstrad
This tool is compatible with the Amstrad CPC 464, 646, 6128, 464 Plus and 6128 Plus
Needs more lights and readouts.
Also: so cool.
Quote from: Raft on 11:48, 22 April 25Although this is probably not *THE* expansion everyone was waiting
I've been waiting for this my whole life.
Really interesting and surprising project ;)
With a modern interface, it would be a day to day tool for debugging purposes.
Congratulations for this project, anyway
Quote from: krusty_benediction on 13:48, 22 April 25Really interesting and surprising project ;)
With a modern interface, it would be a day to day tool for debugging purposes.
Congratulations for this project, anyway
It has dip switches instead of lots of levers (as I would like), what more do you want? :D
Quote from: krusty_benediction on 13:48, 22 April 25With a modern interface, it would be a day to day tool for debugging purposes.
Congratulations for this project, anyway
Thanks!
Yeah, see it like a retro gear, or a POC. Of course I also thought of making a modern tool with the same concept. Should be quite easy with a microcontroler to do the same... and a lot more !
But when I finish a project, I have loads of others in mind, so I doubt that I will come back on this one very soon ;)
Anyway that was fun. And I find it more usefull than I thought to diagnose faulty PCB 8)
Does it also work with an expansion attached between?
Funny project
@Raft does it really need that big box or is it cosmetic? I have the felling it could be in a depth 1/4 of that.
Quote from: abalore on 17:18, 22 April 25@Raft does it really need that big box or is it cosmetic? I have the felling it could be in a depth 1/4 of that.
Actually I used this box to get an ALTAIR feeling and to fit my Power Suppy and expansion boards. But yeah the PCB is 18x11cm and is designed to work stand alone (all the switchs & displays are soldered on it). You can of course add remote switchs if you want a bigger front pannel :)
And to answer
@HAL6128 , I've used it with an expansion backplane but I can't garanty that it's compatible with every devices...
Very nice!!! :) :) :)
A nice surprise indeed! Seems interesting, but it is really usable with a one-byte LCD screen? I wouldn't dare hack a game, or debug a demo with that, but I'm probably not a hacker enough :).
Hi
@Raft !!!
In our association, we're going to try to manufacture a few units! Thank you. Could you record a video with a demonstration at the CPC using its features? Thanks.
Quote from: XeNoMoRPH on 08:18, 23 April 25Hi @Raft !!!
In our association, we're going to try to manufacture a few units! Thank you. Could you record a video with a demonstration at the CPC using its features? Thanks.
Hey! Great!
Yeah I have planned to make more detailed videos with different use cases :)
If you want to build some I still have 3 or 4 PCBs if you're interrested...
Quote from: Raft on 10:24, 23 April 25Quote from: XeNoMoRPH on 08:18, 23 April 25Hi @Raft !!!
In our association, we're going to try to manufacture a few units! Thank you. Could you record a video with a demonstration at the CPC using its features? Thanks.
Hey! Great!
Yeah I have planned to make more detailed videos with different use cases :)
If you want to build some I still have 3 or 4 PCBs if you're interrested...
ok, agree, i will send MP , thanks :)
I love the design. Reminds me of the IMSAI from War Games.
Are you going to sell them?
Quote from: zhulien on 13:00, 27 April 25I love the design. Reminds me of the IMSAI from War Games.
Are you going to sell them?
Hi!
Thanks a lot :)
Nope I am not really planning to sell a cased version.
But I will probably make a new batch of PCBs since some people seem interested ;)
Also apparently some clubs/associationsi in UK & Spain are making Amstairs or just PCBs, and maybe can provide them ...
In case you wanna build one and to answer the different questions ppl asked me, I made a more detailled components list with the references and suppliers
(Most components are common and can be ordered anywhere tho)
I also added a couple of reference pictures.
You can find the files here : https://ftp.untergrund.net/users/raft/cpc_prods/Amstair/gerber/
Also I added some notes at the bottom of the components list. Please refer to these notes before ordering/soldering ;)
Awesome. Would you consider creating a project on PCBWays for easy ordering of PCBs?
Quote from: dodogildo on 18:20, 07 May 25Awesome. Would you consider creating a project on PCBWays for easy ordering of PCBs?
Here you are -> https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/AMSTAIR_[_AMSTrad_Antic_Internal_Ripper_]_00338e4f.html
Of course you can order the boards to any PCB maker with the .zip file included in the /GERBER directory
@Raft Thank you. I now have boards from PCBWay (I'm in the UK).
Do you have an idea how much current it will draw, I'm going to use a dedicated PSU.
Quote from: Richard_Lloyd on 19:35, 20 May 25@Raft Thank you. I now have boards from PCBWay (I'm in the UK).
Do you have an idea how much current it will draw, I'm going to use a dedicated PSU.
Hi Richard!
Should be between 200-400mA depending on the use&components (for example I use ultra bright LEDs on mine)
I most often run it with the 5V of the expansion port but I also have a PSU in the tool for when I need more power (Expansion boards...)
My Power Supply is a 6€ 25W gear from AliE* but it's really way too much for AMSTAIR ;)