The F18a DIY alternative with HDMI :)

[Duewester]

54 minutes ago, retrocanada76 said:

this warning is ok. Are you using the Education ? Check the Help->About

@retrocanada76. Yes. Using.

I think it has to do with where and what my files and directories are at. I tried to copy from the Github to my local but all I get are Path copied messages. When I tried to recreate the github on my machine I guess I got the directory structure messed up.

 

[Duewester]

@retrocanada76 OK. Here goes.

I realized I wasn't using my desktop Github to copy/clone. (Been awhile since I did Github anything)

Anyway. From Desktop I was able to create a copy of my Cloned repository to a different drive on my local machine.

I opened up the Education Version of Gowin and opened a project - directed it to my new copy of repository and found the gprj file.

Clicked on the Run all and after a few minutes got this:

Which is apparently a good thing and different from anything I had seen before.

 

Next I doubled clicked the Program Device and set up the programmer to run the newly created fs file. I then ran the Program/configure button and got this

 

How do I get the VLD up?

 

[retrocanada76]

which operating system are you using ? I use win11 and I installed the GowinUSBCableDriverV5_for_win7+.exe inside Gowin \ Programmer \ Driver. I don't know about other windows versions

 

This seems a JTAG issue. Is the FPGA board disconnected from everything ?

 

Try using Sipeed's Programmer drivers instead :

 

https://dl.sipeed.com/shareURL/TANG/programmer

 

I don't know if you have to uninstall the previous one first, better. 

[Duewester]

@retrocanada76 I use Win 11. I have tried with three versions of programmer.

I'm beginning to think I have a bad Tang.

It went from not waking up to not even being there.

I've swapped cables, swapped USB ports...

When I tried to Google factory reset, I got into some damned Malware/virus scam attack. Fortunately It was fake and I have good firewall anyway.

 

But, I have found (I hope) a way to test the Tang by creating an example file from the Sipeed site.

[Duewester]

Well that didn't pan out. Everything went fine, by the example until I downloaded. - VLD Down!

One thing I see, when I powered up the Tang nano the first time, the leds cycled. Now just the one all alone is on all the time.

When I do a Read Device code, - it returns the device code.

When I do Read user Code - VLD Down

Read Status Register - 0x00038020

Reprogram - VLD Down

SRAM erase - VLD Down

 

 

Edited May 17 by Duewester

[retrocanada76]

VLD Down seems a JTAG issue. Try SRAM programming instead of embFlash, the thing about SRAM is that is loses it when powered down, but at least you can check you are talking to it. When you connect the USB-c cable and an HDMI cable what do you get from it ? No host, just the usb-c and the hdmi

 

[retrocanada76]

For me, it constantly stop reconizing the board. I need to uninstall all drivers and make everyting again, reboot computer. Seems the FTDI is conflicting with something else in my computer. 

[Duewester]

13 minutes ago, retrocanada76 said:

VLD Down seems a JTAG issue. Try SRAM programming instead of embFlash, the thing about SRAM is that is loses it when powered down, but at least you can check you are talking to it. When you connect the USB-c cable and an HDMI cable what do you get from it ? No host, just the usb-c and the hdmi

 

Tried SRAM. One of the demos uses SRAM. Same VLD Down!.

Board with USBc and HDMI connected shows the 1 LED on.

Edited May 18 by Duewester

[Duewester]

14 minutes ago, retrocanada76 said:

For me, it constantly stop reconizing the board. I need to uninstall all drivers and make everyting again, reboot computer. Seems the FTDI is conflicting with something else in my computer. 

I will try tomorrow. Getting late for my old bones and I'm starting to get frustrated.

[retrocanada76]

I don't think your board is bad, it just got a broken bitstream because it failed.

 

try uninstalling the drivers, follow these steps:

 

https://wiki.sipeed.com/hardware/en/tang/Tang-Nano-Doc/questions.html

 

[Duewester]

@retrocanada76 I've uninstalled and reinstalled and tried three programmers. Same results. I'm currently running a restore point from before I ever started any of this. When I get my PC back up I'll start again.

My other two tangs arrived today so maybe I'll try one of them.

One other thing I noticed, the extra drives and port only show when the tang is plugged in.

[retrocanada76]

first thing before programming a tang, plug the usb-c and a hdmi cable. They come with a Pico-Soc demo. Then you can program it, it if succeeds you will se a test image F18A. Good Luck

[retrocanada76]

Oh I never asked are you programming the Tang loose right ? Not connected to the board, TI-99 or the hdmi ?

 

If the board is loose you can connect hdmi on it and also program but start without any connection first. But when plugged into the TI you must disconnect HDMI before programming

[Duewester]

@retrocanada76 I'm programming loose.

Good to know about the demo. Wish I'd known that sooner.

I've used other chips and programs and I always do the boot program with the chip disconnect. Mostly I've done stuff with Circuit Python, Micropython some Arduino and C++. This is first foray into the FPGA world.

[Duewester]

I got the F18 Logo!😁

I'm afraid to touch anything.

What I did:

• New Tangs arrived today. Took one from box and attached to HDMI TV, then attached 5V, 3.5a power from USB C power supply.
• Turned on PS. - Demo Screen appeared after brief interlude.
• I had conducted a Restore to a point several weeks prior to starting this Tang Nano/F18a project.
• I deleted all traces of Gowin in my folders and files.
• I used my Desktop GitHub to clone the repository for the F18a project on @retrocanada76's Git to my local data drive.
• I installed the Gowin Education version and the associated Programmer to my local fixed drive.
• Plugged the Tang into a known working USB 3.0 socket on my PC using a known USB C Data cable.
• Open the Gowin FPGA Designer and started the default programmer (1.9.8.11).
• Tang and cable identified immediately
• Searched for device and selected the 9C.
• Setup the embFlash Erase,Program.
• Located the FS file
• Ran the program Configure.
• ALL BLUE TEXT in the output! No warnings or errors
• Attached the HDMI from the TV to the Tang and SUCCESS! F18a Logo.

Now for a beer (or six) and solder on some pins to see if this works in the Frankennine TI/99-4a.

[retrocanada76]

1 hour ago, Duewester said:

I got the F18 Logo!😁

I'm afraid to touch anything.

What I did:

• New Tangs arrived today. Took one from box and attached to HDMI TV, then attached 5V, 3.5a power from USB C power supply.
• Turned on PS. - Demo Screen appeared after brief interlude.
• I had conducted a Restore to a point several weeks prior to starting this Tang Nano/F18a project.
• I deleted all traces of Gowin in my folders and files.
• I used my Desktop GitHub to clone the repository for the F18a project on @retrocanada76's Git to my local data drive.
• I installed the Gowin Education version and the associated Programmer to my local fixed drive.
• Plugged the Tang into a known working USB 3.0 socket on my PC using a known USB C Data cable.
• Open the Gowin FPGA Designer and started the default programmer (1.9.8.11).
• Tang and cable identified immediately
• Searched for device and selected the 9C.
• Setup the embFlash Erase,Program.
• Located the FS file
• Ran the program Configure.
• ALL BLUE TEXT in the output! No warnings or errors
• Attached the HDMI from the TV to the Tang and SUCCESS! F18a Logo.

Now for a beer (or six) and solder on some pins to see if this works in the Frankennine TI/99-4a.

Dang! YOU DID IT.

[Duewester]

1 minute ago, retrocanada76 said:

Dang! YOU DID IT.

Don't get excited yet.

 

@retrocanada76Phase 2

 

• Soldered pins onto Tang
• Powered up Tang to HDMI - F18 logo.
• Hooked up flat cable jumper and powered up tang - F18 Logo
• Installed Tang to Fat Board
• Installed Fat board in Ti
• Attached HDMI cable to Tang/HDMI flat cable
• Powered on Ti - F18 logo
• Powered down
• Installed Keyboard and removed HDMI jumper.
• Powered on Ti - F-18 Logo. Tried all keys no change in display.

Further troubleshooting will have to wait for a day or two. Owe my wife some time with her.

At least I have a working Tang. Baby Steps.

Any advice on what to do next is more than welcome.

[retrocanada76]

Now assembly the rest of the board and plug into the TI99/4A

1 minute ago, Duewester said:

Don't get excited yet.

 

@retrocanada76Phase 2

 

• Soldered pins onto Tang
• Powered up Tang to HDMI - F18 logo.
• Hooked up flat cable jumper and powered up tang - F18 Logo
• Installed Tang to Fat Board
• Installed Fat board in Ti
• Attached HDMI cable to Tang/HDMI flat cable
• Powered on Ti - F18 logo
• Powered down
• Installed Keyboard and removed HDMI jumper.
• Powered on Ti - F-18 Logo. Tried all keys no change in display.

Further troubleshooting will have to wait for a day or two. Owe my wife some time with her.

At least I have a working Tang. Baby Steps.

Any advice on what to do next is more than welcome.

what does the TI had ? A 9928A ? Check the jumpers. My jumpers are reversed of what the F18A was. I have reverse logic on pins.

 

For my board: ON means CLOSED, SHORTED. Matthew made ON as open. This drove me crazy, i changed it.

 

So:

 

9918A: USR3 ON, USR4 ON

9928A: USR3 ON, USR4 ON

9128/29: USR3 OFF,  USR4 ON

 

You are probably the first to try on a TI99 so surprises might come

 

 

[retrocanada76]

if the jumpers are ok, try resetting the TI99. I know it does not have a reset, but it has a pin exposed on cartridge port.

 

If it comes after a reset it might be something regarding the GROMCLK/CPUCLK at startup

 

[Duewester]

Tried all kinds of jumper settings. No change.

Anything else will have to wait. (verify all chips properly installed etc)

Thanks for everything.

[retrocanada76]

i see the TI does not use the cpuclk, so maybe the power on reset on the board it too long for it. this is something it can be changed in the fpga but I don't have a ti99?

 

Did you try doing something on the TI ?

 

 

[retrocanada76]

I am willing to buy a TI99/4A for proper testing the board.

 

Anyone has one for sale in Canada ? I live in Vancouver area.

Edited May 19 by retrocanada76

[+OLD CS1]

34 minutes ago, retrocanada76 said:

I am willing to buy a TI99/4A for proper testing the board.

 

Anyone has one for sale in Canada ? I live in Vancouver area.

Ask over in the TI sub.

[Duewester]

14 hours ago, retrocanada76 said:

i see the TI does not use the cpuclk, so maybe the power on reset on the board it too long for it. this is something it can be changed in the fpga but I don't have a ti99?

 

Did you try doing something on the TI ?

 

 

@retrocanada76, I've been thinking it probably has something to do with timing. The 9900 in a Ti is different from the (I think it's one)Z80 in the Nabu. I mean the data bus is only one element of the programming but if the timing is out of whack...

[Hans23]

The test run of my SMD version of the board arrived today, and I think it looks pretty good.  It fits into the TI-99/4A perfectly and height-wise, it might even go under the shielding, although I have removed that from all of my consoles and can't really try.  I'll actually try this on the weekend and will send a pull request as soon as I know that it works.