Tang Console 138K

[ellisgl]

Request for a Tang Console 138K version. Preferably with support for the USB A ports built on.

[vossstef]

@ellisgl TC138k yes will do but won't implement FPGA USB-A USB soft PHY.
You have to use external usb hub with PD feeding. Will take a day

[vossstef]

@ellisgl uploaded and pls. give feedback if working
https://github.com/vossstef/NanoApple2/releases/download/0.9/nanoapple2_tc138k.fs

[ellisgl]

It boots up to the b/w Apple //e screen and that is it. No keyboard response. Tried different powered hubs, even bought a simple 4 port one, and several keyboards.
This should be just on the MCU USB C port, right?

[vossstef]

@ellisgl powered USB hub to be connected to MCU Port. Did you inserted a FAT formatted uSDCARD with some apple SW in the Console SDcard slot ?

Did you got the A2600 working to load some cartridges from SDCARD and had been able to play ? Maybe there is a fundamental issue with 138k compared to 60k

[ellisgl]

Yeah - FAT formatted. Have converted DSK files there. Had 2600 ROMs on it too.
I know that the nand2mario stuff works.

Core doesn't have any differences I can see:
https://github.com/nand2mario/tangcore

616 Firmware notes something about having to be erased twice:
https://github.com/search?q=repo%3Anand2mario%2Ffirmware-bl616%20138K&type=code

Nestang
https://github.com/search?q=repo%3Anand2mario%2Fnestang%20138&type=code
https://github.com/search?q=repo%3Anand2mario%2Fnestang+60&type=code
Looks like there are couple of differences between the two, around PLLs

[vossstef]

Hi @ellisgl, i did a maintenance release of both FPGA companion and the different cores.
At least on TC60k it is working fine.
As i don't have a TC138k can't test.

Maybe you wanto to have another try ?

[ellisgl]

I'll run it through the paces in here a little bit.

[ellisgl]

Still no keyboard response. Also video is now noisey.

[vossstef]

@ellisgl , my check results so far...

• checked TangCore design setting are would say identical to mine in relevant points
• pinmaps in between 60k and 138k are idetical related to JTAG and IRQ (SPI interface that we need for OSD / keyboard)
• Keyboard /OSD interaction possible even without µSDCARD
• Saw that there had been for the 138k in old design files / old boards??? difference for one of the UART Signals that i originally used. In my yesterday updated core i use another uart signal that was consistent identical in pimap in all the board versions and also in use for latest TangCore. Would also that rule out.

Is maybe the onboard BL616 µC not correctly programmed (Did it ended up in a green OK )?

Latest version in use ? https://github.com/harbaum/FPGA-Companion/releases/tag/v1.4.3

I started to describe: https://github.com/harbaum/FPGA-Companion/wiki/Firmware-Installation-BL616-%C2%B5C

Does you Keyboard get power over the hub too?

Last but not least i will create a VT52 Terminal monitor application (.fs) that will show BL616 console on the HDMI for debug purposes. I think that will ultimately show what is going on. Sorry but will take few days and let you know. We can then observe if the FPGA companion is at all detecting keyboard, core etc.

[ellisgl]

Programming steps:

• Erase BL616
• Power Cycle
• Erase BL616
• Power Cycle
• Program with 60K ini
• Power Cycle
• Bulk Erase 5A Flash
• Power Cycle
• Bulk Erase 5A flash
• Power Cycle
• exFlash Erase, Progam, Verify 5A

Here's are the hubs I've have:

• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BR3M8XHK
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM8M4QN5
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1XLNWP2
• https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C157TZXB - One I just bought, being the simplest and powers everything, no need to power splitting.

I also have a Power & Data Y cable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQY8FLV1

I'm wondering how much it would be to have a 138K shipped to you.
--- Edit: It's cheaper to buy and ship one to Berlin than it is to the US ---

[ellisgl]

I tried doing the Tang Core and the PCXT image - still no keyboard. No matter what. I'm thinking there might be an issue with something else... Off to go dig.

[vossstef]

@ellisgl , just working on the the bl616 console monitor. I think that will tell us what is going on.

I also have a Tang Mega 138k Pro board and maybe i port the core also to that board. Unfortunatley the carrier board is rather different but FPGA is also a 138AST chip. Could also help to figure out.