CPUs in a QL system...

Nagging hardware related question? Post here!
Post Reply
User avatar
Dave
SandySuperQDave
Posts: 2765
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:52 am
Location: Austin, TX
Contact:

CPUs in a QL system...

Post by Dave »

Ok, fun theoretical question time!

Say you were designing a QL PCB replacement, but you wanted to arrange it so people could upgrade the CPU easily later. The base CPU you want to use requires SMD mounting.

How would you ensure people could later upgrade the CPU? Would you just have a power disable pin, or would you mount the CPU on a daughter card? If you chose to mount the CPU on a daughter card, what format might you make it? It would have to be something small, with a dense connector that could carry all the required signals, but that could also supply enough power through the contacts and support everything from a 68008 to a 68060. You also need to make sure the CPU card still allows the board to fit inside a QL case.

The system needs to be economical to manufacture and use. It needs to be hobbyist accessible.

Hmmm!


Paul
Gold Card
Posts: 257
Joined: Mon May 21, 2012 8:50 am

Re: CPUs in a QL system...

Post by Paul »

How about having something compatible to a SGC?
You could also do the same as sinclair,
Disable the cpu when not used Kind regards Paul


User avatar
Dave
SandySuperQDave
Posts: 2765
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:52 am
Location: Austin, TX
Contact:

Re: CPUs in a QL system...

Post by Dave »

That's entirely the idea ;)

Have some kind of basic QL clone with QL-level CPU onboard so it can be used right away. Allow the option to upgrade the CPU, or disable it if there is an external one. Once you know you're supporting the potential for a few different CPUs there are all sorts of changes you can make to the system to help accommodate upgrades.

And I'd like to know what they are ;)


User avatar
Peter
QL Wafer Drive
Posts: 1953
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 8:47 am

Re: CPUs in a QL system...

Post by Peter »

CPU Modules that plug into a 68008 socket. ;) Requires RAM on the same module, but for faster CPU you need wider/faster RAM anyway.


User avatar
Dave
SandySuperQDave
Posts: 2765
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:52 am
Location: Austin, TX
Contact:

Re: CPUs in a QL system...

Post by Dave »

It looks like the base system will be 68EC020-based anyway, though a downgrade to a 68SEC000 could be done, just to, well, nothing really. It's even more expensive than the '020!


Post Reply