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[[Rodrik Studio]] announced its PicoCPC expansion card, which is created with the help of [[FreddyV]] (the author of the [https://github.com/FreddyVRetro/ISA-PicoMEM PicoMEM ISA card for IBM PC]).
[[File:PicoCPC proto2proto.jpegjpg|600px]] [[File:Modular PicoCPC.jpg|600px]] <br> == Architecture ==
The PicoCPC use a Pico2, connected via multiplexor. This let enough pin to add an I2S DAC, MicroSD and some more control signals. The Final board will be really different, with RP2350B Directly soldered.
No 5V pin go to the pico. We use some 1 buffer, 1 level shifter, 3 multiplexers. We write to the CPC with 3.3V, we use 5V to the CPC only to drive some signal like A15 for C3 memory mode and IOReq to disable intern floppy.
We prefer to have somerthing between the Pico and the CPC, as even if it 5V work now, there is no guarantee that the boards will work after some years of intensive usage.
It is really better to be carefull.
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== Multiplexer = Multiplexers ===
The "Secret" of the PicoMEM/PicoCPC is its multiplexers. [https://www.cpcwiki.eu/forum/amstrad-cpc-hardware/picocpc/msg249997/#msg249997 Source]
It allow to limint the number of I/O needed and act as a Voltage converter at the same time.
The Pi Pico allow to have multiple PIO core, plus the main core working together in parallel,so the PIO manage the Multiplexer, reconstruct the Address, while CPU core detect and manage the Control signals, Read in advance the High part of the address to jupt to the correct code.
(IO MEM Read or Write, Bank number)
C3 mode to arrive in the next hardware release (update 09/04/2025: C3 mode works perfectly fine). And much more for the final hardware release: vocal synthesizer, cpr cartridges, usb mouse, wifi, nfc, ...
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Feature list is unknown yet, but it will grow over time. The card will be available with lot of hardware, but only future firmware revision may make use of it.
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