PicoCPC

[eto]

Game changer.

100% 

That thing can do everything we ever dreamed of as a hardware expansion. With its 48GPIOs it even could be the basis for a 30€ C4CPC successor. 

[genesis8]

I have a dumb proposal to be able to use the Raspberry Pico as a CPU/GPU transparently : if writing to the disk controller to a specific file name, the result would be written to another to be read with another specific name. Of course it would need an API : do some maths (for 3D for example), play some music file, draw something (if there is a VGA/DVI/HDMI on the PicoCPC), etc...

[Brocky]

I have a dumb proposal to be able to use the Raspberry Pico as a CPU/GPU transparently : if writing to the disk controller to a specific file name, the result would be written to another to be read with another specific name. Of course it would need an API : do some maths (for 3D for example), play some music file, draw something (if there is a VGA/DVI/HDMI on the PicoCPC), etc...

i made a proposal like that some time ago but using a full blown raspberry pi.. and was shot down in flames...(like a few others ive found that had the same idea)
but something smaller like this can have full control of the system, full address, data, and IO decoding,sound pass through.. VGA/HDMI video output...

it could also be used as a programable gate array replacement, and do more colors!

obviously there seems to be some demand for "software" controlled IO with software emulated devices....

[eto]

Yeah, the idea comes up every now and then. I also like it. 

It's probably not even required to replace the GateArray.

A RP2350B-based GPU could be attached to the expansion bus and has more than enough power to
- behave exactly like the CRTC/GateArray and offer perfect DVI/VGA output
- support Plus features (at least for scrolling/sprites)
- offer enhanced graphics modes similar to a V9990 or VGA

That way you keep the "original feeling" (including the option to continue using a CTM in parallel) and still get the benefits of a more enhanced system for e.g. SymbOS. 

[McArti0]

https://www.tomshardware.com/raspberry-pi/the-raspberry-pi-picos-rp2040-has-been-certified-for-200-mhz-clock-speeds-up-from-133-mhz

[FreddyV]

https://www.tomshardware.com/raspberry-pi/the-raspberry-pi-picos-rp2040-has-been-certified-for-200-mhz-clock-speeds-up-from-133-mhz

PicoCPC is clocked at 375Mhz already 😀

[FreddyV]

Game changer.

aliexpress.com/item/1005008404804398.html

RP2350B 48GPIO Pins 2.54mm 5$

Nope, there is no PSRAM
We will try having the picoCPC to use PSRAM for more emulated ROM/RAM

[McArti0]

Nope, there is no PSRAM

But has pads.

[FreddyV]

Nope, there is no PSRAM

But has pads.

Pads for ?
I don't see the qspi pins onn the edge
Final picocpc willbe with soldered rp2350B.

[McArti0]

Nope, there is no PSRAM

But has pads.

Pads for ?

For 8 pin PSRAM or FLASH. (look backside WeAct RP2350B)

[FreddyV]

The Web link tell me page not found

[eto]

The Web link tell me page not found

When the Wiki thinks there is a link but the link is without https, then it creates a local link to the Wiki. You can copy/paste the link then it should work.

Or use this one:
https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005008404804398.html

[McArti0]

PADS backside...

[FreddyV]

Hi,

New video to show the picocpc progress.

[Gryzor]

(edited link to enable embedding)

[XeNoMoRPH]

https://twitter.com/FreddyVETELE/status/1901744642577547594

[krusty_benediction]

Great project.
Will it have CPC hard drive functionality? Like the M4 board, Albireo, X-Mass...

Hi,
Most of it is already implemented (Navigate in the SD, start program, Load ROM, Load .DSK)

Hi very interesting project, but let's hope it will not suffer of the "yet another card" effect.


- Do you know if the rom(s) could be compatible with unidos https://unidos.cpcscene.net/doku.php?id=fr:accueil ?
- Do you plan to add communication abilities with outer world  ? (e.g. nowadays, I only use M4 because of its wifi communication with my PC developing machine that control the M4 without requiring me to touch the cpc)
- Do you plan to handle .SNA ? (e.g. this is my main proxy to test on the real machine in real time)

[RetroDave]

This looks looks like a great project.
I am looking forward to seeing this develop
I have a 464 that needs a PicoCPC to bring it to life!

[FreddyV]

Hi there,

C3 mode is now working, then SymbOS run from an Amstrad CPC464 with the PicoCPC.

As C3 is working, we will move to design the PicoCPC 1.0 with other fonctions.

[Prodatron]

Thanks for the update, sounds good! (btw. SymbOS doesn't need #C3)

I know that I always ask this annoying question to any hardware guy, but would it be possible to add USB for a mouse?

Is it possible to provide direct sector I/O access to the SD card? Then SymbOS could access it directly without the need to use DSKs or so.

[GUNHED]

well, if there shall be a mouse, then it would be great to have it compatible to one of the already existing solutions (from a programs perspective). 

[FreddyV]

Hi,

I can't share the PicoCPC image working under SymbOS, I don't know how to upload image here...


The Board Development (Software) is done by Rodrik, and I work on the Hardware part.

I don't know what I did wrong in the SymbFace post...
I don't want to compare these boards with the PicoCPC, they are different and I did not know that SymbOS or Symbface or whatever existed 3 months ago.

Regarding the question for the Mouse, yes, it is extremely simple to add mouse support.

[FreddyV]

Posted on X, so I can share here :
https://x.com/FreddyVETELE/status/1910759630281580646

Sorry I am bad with this forum, I don't know how to do...

[McArti0]

(btw. SymbOS doesn't need #C3)

not yet, but in the future...

[eto]

not yet, but in the future...

why?