Re: TransWarp IIgs GAL's - Upgrade now possible

["Henry" <apl2research@comcast.net>]

Hello all.

I'm still not too sure what will and won't be possible with the TransWarp 
IIgs.  I know the major hurdles I had to overcome with the TransWarp IIgs 
were the GAL's and FPGA.  Now that I have read that the FPGA is just loaded 
by some code and not "burned" then that means the project is now done since 
the GAL's are now cracked.  I still need to do some "testing" to see what is 
and isn't possible with the existing TransWarp IIgs.  Of course I'll need a 
few people to help out to double-check my results.  Just email me and we'll 
set something up.  Email on this account is valid or you can contact me on 
the Website.  Requirement is you have an existing TransWarp IIgs - I'll 
supply the rest.  If you have an existing setup doing 14 MHz or better, 
please let me know what processor you're using and what revisions of the 
GAL's.  That will give me something to start with.  People who help out will 
receive credit for items in the on-line Store.

Next, I'll have to get to work on the schematic one of these days I guess. 
When that's complete then producing a TransWarp IIgs that breaks the 16 or 
20 MHz barrier shouldn't be too hard I don't think.  I'll talk with Tony and 
ask about the 64k cache board.  Might make things a lot easier.

I'll make the JEDEC files available to whoever wants them.  Just email me 
and they're yours.  If someone wants a set of high speed GAL's then I can 
always burn a set for them.  Again, just email me.  I'll put them on the 
on-line Store as soon as our programmer is done making some changes that are 
scheduled.  The Store is getting another overhaul and should be done in the 
next two weeks I hope.

Rich:

I'm not too sure what the GAL's actually do yet.  I won't really know till 
the schematic is finished.  I do know that the GAL's saved quite a bit of 
space on the PCB using "custom logic" rather then standard TTL logic.  Not 
too sure about the ROM either.  I'm also not too sure about the FPGA, what 
it does or doesn't do.  I need the data sheet on that as well.  Now the fun 
part - start looking for it.  Anyone?  I'm sure an email to Xilinx will 
solve that, but maybe it's already on-line somewhere?

Mark:

Mark did raise a good point.  With the new Rev. D GAL's, they will not only 
use less power they will also run a LOT cooler.  Like I said above, I'm not 
too sure what GAL versions are really needed.  Some testing will help narrow 
the possibilities.

Andrew:

Also a good point.  After the testing phase is completed, we'll then be able 
to release a "kit" which will contain a new oscillator, GAL's (whatever 
version), cache board (maybe 64k) and a replacement CPU.  Of course 
everything will be "guarantied" to work at a given speed.

PZ:

Thanks also for the info.  I'll try and get in touch with Tony.


Also, thanks to everyone for all their input.  Eventually a more modern 
version of the TransWarp IIgs will be released.  I don't guaranty anything 
or when, but is should be possible.  Using an FPGA, I don't see why breaking 
the 14 MHz barrier would be that big of a deal.  Don't forget it will still 
only be 1 MHz to the slot. ;)  On a side note - a CPLD version of the Rev. C 
SCSI card is entering the prototype phase.  As a CPLD project this will mark 
the first time that GSE-Reactive.com has attempted such a task.  When the 
SCSI card passes the testing phase, depending on what issues were 
encountered, we may decide to tackle the TransWarp IIgs as the next project. 
Without any FPGA experience it's hard to say if that would be a wise 
decision so soon.  Maybe Alex Freed would be willing to help?  I'll send him 
out an email.

Thanks again everyone.  Check the Website often to see what's being 
released.


Henry S. Courbis
www.GSE-Reactive.com
Apple II Series Legacy Hardware - Come take a look at what we have to offer!



"Henry" <apl2research@comcast.net> wrote in message 
ZoudnQsL2YgnE0feRVn-vw@comcast.com">news:ZoudnQsL2YgnE0feRVn-vw@comcast.com...
> Hello everyone.
>
> I'm excited to announce that anyone with a TranWarp IIgs who has been 
> wanting to update or increase their speed will now be able to do so.  I 
> have successfully been able to make copies of the last revised set of 
> GAL's released by AE.  The GAL numbers and versions are as follows: 1A, 
> 2B, 3E, 4B, 5A, 6A, 7A, 8B.  The GAL's will be sold by the piece in the 
> on-line store.  They will be added by next week.
>
> I will also be offering the 32k Cache boards from SHH Systeme along with 
> other items like cables, CPUs and crystal oscillators.  Along with the new 
> Power Supply released just a few days ago I believe most users will be 
> able to clock their accelerator to 12 MHz or better.  Look for these items 
> to be available in the Store soon.
>
> I know the TWGS-2B GAL was a DMA fix Applied Engineering issued. It is an 
> absolute requirement for TranWarp to work at all with at least some 
> RamFAST SCSI boards (e.g. the revision C boards).  RamFAST revision D does 
> not require the 2B GAL. The Apple High Speed SCSI
> card works with all TransWarp GS units as well.  The 3E GAL is for above 
> 10 MHz operation.
>
> Here's a listing of the oscillators speeds:
> Oscillator        TWGS Speed
> 32 MHz          MHz
> 36                   9
> 40                   10
> 48                   12
> 55                   13.75
> 60                   15
>
> Any additions or correction to the above information will be appreciated. 
> I know there are some other oscillator speeds available, but I won't both 
> listing them here.  If anyone is going fast then 15 MHz please let me know 
> how.
>
> Now some basic questions I have:  Does anyone know what the last revision 
> of the ROM was?  I believe it to be 1.8S.  Also, is there a ROM difference 
> from the 8k Cache card to the 32k Cache card?  Can I take an 32k Cache ROM 
> and use it up upgrade an 8k TranWarp IIgs or vise versa?
>
> Has anyone tried to read or examine the XC2064 FPGA on the TransWarp IIgs? 
> Right now that is the only thing hold us back from cloning it.
>
> I also have a TransWarp IIgs with an error message in the test menu.  It 
> seems to fail the Non-volatile RAM test.  Anyone know which IC the NVRAM 
> is?
>
> Thanks in advance for all the help.  Feel free to contact me directly if 
> you wish to purchase the GAL(s) ASAP.  My email address is listed in the 
> "About US" section on the Website or email Support.
>
>
> Henry S. Courbis
> www.GSE-Reactive.com
> Apple II Series Legacy Hardware - Come take a look at what we have to 
> offer!
>