1chipMSX
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| 1chipMSX | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Home computer |
| Released | 2006 |
| Discontinued | batch 1 completed |
| Processor | Zilog Z80 implemented in VHDL on an FPGA |
| Memory | 1MB |
| Operating system | MSX-DOS / MSX BASIC |
The One chip MSX, or 1chipMSX as its official name, is a re-implementation of an MSX-2 home computer that uses a single FPGA to implement all the electronics (except the RAM) of an MSX-2, including the MSX-MUSIC and SCC+ audio extensions.
The system is housed in a transparent blue plastic box, and can be used with a standard monitor (or TV) and a PC keyboard. Original MSX cartridges can be inserted, as well as SD and MMC memory cards as an external storage medium. Even though it lacks a 3.5" disk drive, disks are supported through emulation on a memory card, including support for booting MSX-DOS. Due to its VHDL programmable hardware, it's possible to give the device new hardware extensions by simply running a reconfiguration program under MSX-DOS. The "one chip-MSX" is equipped with two USB connectors, that can be used after adding some supporting VHDL code.
The 1chipMSX home computer is designed and produced by D4 Enterprise and is distributed outside Japan by Bazix
Contents |
[edit] Hardware specifications
- Altera Cyclone EP1C12Q240C8N FPGA chip
- 32 MB SDRAM
- SD/MMC card slot
- 2 MSX Cartridge slots
- 2 audio outputs (for future stereo support)
- S-Video video output
- Composite video output
- VGA video output
- PS/2 keyboard connector
- 2 USB connector
- 2 MSX Joystick ports
- FPGA I/O pin (40 pins and 10 pins)
Included are also:
- A Short English instruction manual, including a short introduction to VHDL
- Full VHDL code used to achieve MSX2 compatibility (default configuration)
- A CD-ROM with VHDL code examples and the following software:
- Altera Quartus 2 Web Edition - VHDL development environment
- PLDLOAD and PLDSAVE - Softare to read and program the FPGA chip
- EP, FDLOAD and FDSAVE - Software to create, load and play disk images
- 220V adapter or 110V converter plug
- Schematics to the One Chip MSX PCB
- Blueprint of the One Chip MSX casing
[edit] Default specifications of the implemented MSX system
- MSX 2 computer system
- 1 MB RAM
- 128kB VRAM
- Kanji-ROM
- MSX-MUSIC
- MSX-DOS2 with FAT16 support
- MEGA-SCSI compatible support for SD card as primary drive
[edit] See also
List of MSX compatible computers
