The Sinclair QL Forum

RalfR wrote:

Peter wrote:Only SER1 is supported

But Mouse is available via PS/2?

USB-PS/2 combo to be precise, here: I did play with USB host in FPGA a little, so maybe actual USB support will be possible as a logic update someday.

And when I said "only SER1" I was just referring to the default RS-232 style port. The 40 pin connector of the Qzero will have at least one more serial port, but with TTL level. Which can either be used directly with cheap Respberry-style USB serial cables or via external RS-232 drivers.

Peter wrote:I did play with USB host in FPGA a little, so maybe actual USB support will be possible as a logic update someday.

Quicker solution ? viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3911&p=43315&hilit=ch559#p43315

Thanks, I'm aware of this chip and other external solutions. I didn't want to complicate the design, there is more than enough work already.
New PS/2 combo devices are still available, USB is low priority for me.

Sorry if this has already been covered elsewhere in the thread, but do you plan to do anything with the QL case LEDs?

This thread has way too long... Yes the new QL baseboard supports the QL LEDs and their original 6 pin connector (at least the one I have here in my German QL).
The first one is meant as power LED, but actually driven by the Arduino which handles the matrix keyboard. It might end up as Capslock LED instead, if people find that more useful. The other two are used as activity LEDs for the SD card drives inside the microdrive bays.

The new QL baseboard with Qzero, two microdrive replacements with SD cards and QL speaker mounted in the QL case.

Peter wrote:The new QL baseboard with Qzero, two microdrive replacements with SD cards and QL speaker mounted in the QL case.
qlbase_qlcase_mdv.jpg

That looks pretty awesome!

As the issue came up in the Q68 order thread, I'd like to confirm that a QLbase board without Qzero can be used as a toolkit package to operate a Q68 inside an original QL case. The QLbase board provides these "QL helpers" for the Q68:

- QL matrix keyboard interface for the Q68
- Q68 style 5V power supply connector at the back of the QL case
- Dual QL network connectors
- The add-on circuitry (resistors, diode) formerly needed for QL networking with the Q68
- A fix for the Q68 "QL network down on power down" problem
- Support for Q68 sampled audio via the QL speaker
- An integrated mono audio amplifier
- Separate USB mouse connector at the back of the QL case (only combo devices, saves passive USB-PS/2 adaptor)
- Q68 power On/Off switch in place of the QL reset button
- Ribbon cable connector for QL Joystick, suitable for 9 pin SubD

No QL case modding ist needed!
A separate thread for the QLbase board should follow when I find more time.

Peter wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 2:22 pm A separate thread for the QLbase board should follow when I find more time.

Knowing that there will be a new QL motherboard in the future is good news.

afx wrote: ↑Mon Nov 21, 2022 5:50 pm Knowing that there will be a new QL motherboard in the future is good news.

The QLbase board has been finished and tested a long while ago, is is just not produced in series yet. And not well documented.