Re: Carte Blanche

[rhohler <rick.hohler@gmail.com>]

On Apr 1, 8:19 pm, srk...@gmail.com wrote:
> Hi Folks,
>
> Carte Blanche has made its way into reality with what we feel could be
> our production model. The cards have been performing well and some
> cool examples are under way. The first batch have been made with
> colored Apple logo's embedded in the solder mask. The FPGA used on the
> card is a relative new XC3S500E device with a 2.5V JTAG interface, so
> I have been preparing a JTAG voltage translator for those who may need
> them. The card does work fine on some 3.3V adaptors (such as Xilinx -
> which is voltage selectable and the Altium Nanoboard's User Board JTAG
> interfaces).
>
> Testing is almost complete and we have a few demo's to prove the
> concept. A Microsoft Z80 Softcard, VGA controller and the Stellation
> Two Mill card. When there done we'll make all the downloads available.
>
> Preliminary blerbs on our progress can be found athttp://alexfreed.com/FPGApple/FPGA_card.htmlandhttp://www.applelogic.org/CARTEBLANCHE.html
>
> If you have any requests for cards you would like to see recreated as
> examples (such as the disk II controller card, wild card, Interger
> card, language card etc) Please let us know. All we need is the
> schematics or a register map of the board to begin putting it
> together.
>
> Steve

Very cool and exciting card!

What about a stand alone board that would mount in a IIc or IIe case
that "emulates" a complete Apple II/II+/III+/IIgs computer?  Seems
very interesting to have a board centered around an FPGA chip that
would contain all of the soft processors of the Apple II/III 6502
lines.  And would implement just about all of the Apple II interface
cards.  The original hardware is getting more fragile by the day,
Maybe this could be our beloved new IIx or Mark Twain Apple II.

Just an idea.  Although an interface card in an original Apple II is
great as well.  I definitely want a couple of boards when they are
ready for release.

Thank you for all of your hard work!  Even know the Apple II community
is small in comparison to others we all the most grateful of
communities for new hardware.  ;)

Rick