Re: Crazy idea

[pitz <pitz.wong@gmail.com>]

On Tuesday, August 7, 2012 2:01:59 PM UTC-7, (unknown) wrote:
> Had a somehow crazy idea and would like to hear your thoughts:
> 
> How about running a Raspberry Pi in an Apple II (http://www.raspberrypi.org/)? May be on the back of an Apple II card?
> 
> 
> 
> - It could emulate an 6502 and you get a modern accelerator card (like a ZipChip)
> 
> - It could parse the USB and the SD card to the Apple II and it would be something like the awesome CFFA
> 
> - It could enable the Apple II to connect via HDMI to modern HD TVs
> 
> 
> 
> I guess you can think of a lot of more good applications.
> 
> 
> 
> Just an idea ...

I don't know the limits on how fast the RPi can sample its GPIO lines, and it probably does not have enough GPIOs to emulate a 6502.  The sampling rate limits would also be a factor for video processing (there are some AVR/Arduino setups out there, but still struggle with real-time video processing).  Bus timings may also be important.

For the ones you mentioned, FPGA-based solutions, like the Carte Blanche, might be more suited to the task, but has a higher learning curve.

What these devices can shine on are connecting or emulating those old peripherals.  I think it's possible to create a SmartPortVHD equivalent with the RPi.

/pitz