Topics

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Six-Button Controllers through a TurboTap]

I'm trying to read the state of multiple six-button controllers through a TurboTap. Unfortunately I don't own any of these controllers nor could find any information on how this is supposed to work.


Based upon this six button schematic, and these TurboTap notes I'm guessing you'd do the following :

1) Start with SEL high and CLR low.
2) Raise and lower CLR to reset the turbotap.
3) Read in all five controllers' data by toggling SEL ten times...
3a) IFF the controllers' data are all low when SEL is high, THEN this is a six button controller. We can assume the data pulled in when SEL is low will be the extra buttons' states.
3b) IFF the controllers' data were all low when SEL was high previously - but aren't now, THEN this is a six button controller and we're pulling in the "default" button set.
3b) IFF the controllers' data are never all low when sel is high, THEN this is definitely a two button controller.
4) Repeat steps 2-3 a second time to identify and fetch the other half of the data for any six button controllers.

Any help would be appreciated.

Edit : Made signal names a little more clear.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Guide - Built-In Game for the TurboGrafx]

I was doing some rework on my TurboGrafx and decided to poke around at the unpopulated chip pads for IC107 and IC108 near the HuCard slot.

I've seen literature claiming these may have been intended for a built-in game. But after tracing back the pinout of both chips it looks more like IC107 was just supposed to contain a small instruction screen which is displayed when you start the console without a card (like the Master System). IC108 controls the mapping, and probably was just supposed to obfuscate the address line mapping of IC107 to make it more difficult to install stolen software.

But that's just a guess.

Anyway, with some work we can install our own built-in game up to 8 MEGA POWER in size. What we're going to do is adapt the original socket to hold a 27C801 compatible chip and add a small circuit to activate this ROM if and only if a HuCard isn't inserted. I'd rate this at moderate difficulty if you'd like to try, i.e. you should have some basic electronics knowledge and steady hands.

Let's do some soldering.

Here's the pinout for IC107 :

Code Select Expand

                IC107
              _____ _____
        VCC | 1  v  32 | VCC
        OEn | 2      31 | R139 *
        GND | 3      30 | GND
        GND | 4      29 | GND
 ** IC108,18 | 5  2  28 | GND
 ** IC108,19 | 6  3  27 | IC108,17 **
 ** IC108,20 | 7  C  26 | IC108,16 **
 ** IC108,21 | 8  1  25 | GND
 ** IC108,22 | 9  0  24 | GND
          A2 | 10  0  23 | GND
          A1 | 11  0  22 | IC108,15 **
          A0 | 12  E  21 | D7
          D0 | 13    20 | D6
          D1 | 14    19 | D5
          D2 | 15    18 | D4
        GND | 16    17 | D3
            |___________|

  * R139 isn't populated, so this is NC'd.
    Looks like it was just supposed to be a pullup.

 ** IC108 isn't populated, so these are NC'd.


We need to modify it like this :

Code Select Expand

                                        IC107
                                      _____ _____
              *** A19 (HuCard Pin 3) | 1  v  32 | VCC
              *** A16 (HuCard Pin 4) | 2      31 | A18 (HuCard Pin 33)
              *** A15 (HuCard Pin 5) | 3      30 | A17 (HuCard Pin 32) ***
              *** A12 (HuCard Pin 6) | 4      29 | A14 (HuCard Pin 31) ***
  **** A7 (HuCard Pin 7) <- IC108,18 | 5      28 | A13 (HuCard Pin 30) ***
  **** A6 (HuCard Pin 8) <- IC108,19 | 6  2  27 | IC108,17 -> A8 (HuCard Pin 29)
  **** A5 (HuCard Pin 9) <- IC108,20 | 7  7  26 | IC108,16 -> A9 (HuCard Pin 28)
 **** A4 (HuCard Pin 10) <- IC108,21 | 8  C  25 | A11 (HuCard Pin 27) ***
 **** A3 (HuCard Pin 11) <- IC108,22 | 9  8  24 | OEn (HuCard Pin 26) ***
                                  A2 | 10  0  23 | A10 (HuCard Pin 25) ***
                                  A1 | 11  1  22 | IC108,15 -> GAME_CSn
                                  A0 | 12    21 | D7
                                  D0 | 13    20 | D6
                                  D1 | 14    19 | D5
                                  D2 | 15    18 | D4
                                GND | 16    17 | D3
                                    |___________|

  *** Original trace must be cut.

 **** You can also just reconnect these address pins on IC108's pad.
      A7 == IC108,18 -> IC108,64
      A6 == IC108,19 -> IC108,63
      A5 == IC108,20 -> IC108,62
      A4 == IC108,21 -> IC108,61
      A3 == IC108,22 -> IC108,60

The circuit to enable the internal game (GAME_CSn) when a card isn't inserted can be two NAND gates using A20 (HuCard Pin 24) and CARDn (HuCard Pin 1).

Code Select Expand

GAME_CSn = !(!(A20 & A20) & CARDn)

This can be implemented with a single 74LS00. Below are two photos of my board to give an idea of how much stuff you'll have to add.




Keep in mind some of the patch wires here are for different repairs or from when I was reverse engineering stuff. Basically, doing this won't make such a huge mess.

[General Gaming / Wataroo - A New SuperVision Emulator]

I've decided to publicly release the Watara SuperVision emulator I've had sitting around. Now you can learn about another 65c02 cousin to the PC-Engine, or just unpack it then throw the emulator in the trash (just like a real SuperVision).


It also includes a little hardware test program to help fix broken units and confirm the weird behavior of the scrolling registers.

Only the STANDARD mapper is supported right now. I was hoping to get MAGNUM emulated, but I don't own that hardware variant nor a copy of "Journey to the West." The price on this garbage actually went up on eBay, and I'm not interested in paying it nor inviting more ancient hardware into my apartment.

Note that when loading ROMs the emulator will default to using the *.cdf extension which is inherited from another emulator I haven't released yet. Raw binaries are supported, just not the default option in the combo box. Of course, this is all in the help file.


Aside from the lack of TV-Link emulation this is probably the most accurate SuperVision emulator (as of writing). If you're going to huff paint thinner, you may as well do it correctly.

However, the port of Chimera B.I.T.S. did is actually quite well made.

Edit - Of course if anyone wants to donate SuperVision hardware to emulate that is totally cool.

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / CD Stupid Card 4.0]

As discussed here, there seems to be a desire to create a new CD System Card with extended memory to simplify translation work and generally improve the PCE's capabilities.

Based upon these, I'd like to propose the CD Stupid Card 4.0:
*512KB ROM + 2MB RAM + MCGenjin-CD Mapper.
*Linear 1MB RAM mode for loading all your (legally obtained) HuCard images from CD, or rolling your own CD BIOS, or whatever.
*Works in both the PCE and TG16 without modification.
*Compatible with most CD System Card 3.0 software using a patched version of said card's BIOS.
*Can already be emulated by Mednafen excluding the linear 1MB mode (see "BIOS" section below).
*Two LEDs indicating region locking and mode (512KB ROM + Banked RAM or Linear 1MB RAM).


MCGenjin-CD Mapper:

Code ("MCGenjin-CD Documentation") Select Expand

;*************************************************************
; !!!!----              MCGenjin-CD                ----!!!!
;*************************************************************
  MCGenjin-CD is a modified version of the MCGenjin memory
  mapper for use in CD System Cards. It includes the standard
  dual-region capability present on the original MCGenjin as
  well as facilities for controlling 512KB of cartridge ROM
  and 2MB of cartridge RAM.


;*************************************************************
; !!!!----            MEMORY MAPPING              ----!!!!
;*************************************************************
  In Normal / Startup mode, the 1MB cartridge region is
  arranged as follows:
    $00000 - $3FFFF Lower 256KB of ROM
    $40000 - $7FFFF Upper 256KB of ROM or Secondary 256KB RAM Bank
    $80000 - $BFFFF Selected 256KB RAM Bank
    $C0000 - $FFFFF Highest 256KB RAM Bank
 
  Once RAM mode is enabled, the cartridge region will just
  contain a linear map of the lower 1MB of RAM, and will remain
  in this mode until the console is reset.
    $00000-$FFFFF 1MB RAM


;*************************************************************
; !!!!----            MCGENJIN HEADER            ----!!!!
;*************************************************************
  As the MCGenjin-CD is an MCGenjin derivative mapper, an
  MCGenjin header should be included from $1FD0 to $1FDF in the
  ROM residing on the card. The following contents should be used,
  appearing as follows after being mapped into MPR7/$FFD0:

    $FFD0-$FFD7 : ASCII String containing "MCGENJIN"
    $FFD8 : MCGenjin Chip Revision.
        $CD- "CD" Version
    $FFD9 : Number of 256KB pages in ROM
        $2- 512KB of ROM
    $FFDA : Native ROM Region
        $0- US/EU
        $1- JP
    $FFDB : User Chipselect 0 Device Type
        $15- 256KB SRAM
    $FFDC : User Chipselect 1 Device Type
        $15- 256KB SRAM
    $FFDD-$FFDF : Unused/Future Expansion
        -Set to $0


;*************************************************************
; !!!!----            REGISTER LIST              ----!!!!
;*************************************************************
  All registers are write-only and accessed by writing
  anywhere in the $00000 - $3FFFF region. Register access
  is completely disabled upon a switch into linear RAM mode.
 
  Note that unlike a normal MCGenjin, _only_ the Region Control
  register does not account for the current operating region
  (dataline transposition). All other registers such as the
  RAM Bank Select and Linear Mode Unlock will properly reverse
  written data bits. Therefore, when setting the system region
  at startup it is best just to write $00 for native / unswapped
  or $FF for foriegn / swapping enabled.
 
 
 +Writes to %00 addresses control UPPER ROM ENABLING
                      76543210
    High ROM Enable: xxxxxxxR, Reset = xxxxxxx0
    R = When set, the upper 256KB of ROM from $40000 - $7FFFF
    will be replaced with the LOWER RAM BANK (selected using
    register %01).
    Note that any writes to this register will also reset
    the linear mode unlock sequence.
 
 -Writes to %01 addresses select the LOWER RAM BANK
                      76543210
    RAM Bank Select: xxxxxBBB, Reset = xxxxx000
    BB = A20-A18 of the lower 256KB RAM Bank ($40000 - $7FFFF)
    Note that any writes to this register will also reset
    the linear mode unlock sequence.
 
 +Writes to %10 addresses control REGION and LINEAR MODE
                      76543210
    Region Control:  xxxxxxxS, Reset = xxxxxxx0
    Upon reset, this register controls the system region
    (dataline reversal enable). Once a region has been
    selected (writing '0' for no reversal or '1' to
    request dataline reversal), this register's purpose
    will change to control LINEAR RAM MODE UNLOCKING.
 
                      76543210
    Linear Unlock:  KKKKKKKK
    To request a switch into linear RAM mode, the two ASCII
    characters "HU" must be written to this register in order.
    Once in linear RAM mode, all register access will be
    disabled until the system is reset.
 
 -Writes to %11 addresses select the UPPER RAM BANK
                      76543210
    RAM Bank Select: xxxxxBBB, Reset = xxxxx000
    BB = A20-A18 of the upper 256KB RAM Bank ($80000 - $BFFFF)
    Note that any writes to this register will also reset
    the linear mode unlock sequence.


BIOS:
I have two UPS patches available for the Japanese System Card 3.0 (Original MD5 should be 38179df8f4ac870017db21ebcbf53114). A summary of the patch changes is available here.

* Super CD-ROM DERP v3.6 - Can be used with Mednafen as a System Card 3.0 with 512KB RAM (basically no RAM banking or linear 1MB mode), if you test your game or translation using this it will work 100% fine on the CD Stupid Card.

* Stupid CD-ROM DERP v4.1 - Version for the CD Stupid Card. Not 100% compatible with Mednafen.


Resources to make your OWN CD Stupid Cards:
Are all available here.
These include the board gerbers, mapper source (in Verilog) and precompiled POF, along with documentation and a test program.
If you're planning on mass-producing a variation of this card, I highly recommend laying out a new board. Smaller packages of the components used are available and could easily be arranged such that everything fits in the same area as an original System Card. I also screwed up the SRAM pads which makes manufacturing difficult.


Components and Cost:
1x EPM7032LC44 / CPLD : $2.40 ea
1x 39SF040 / 512KB Flash : $2.07 ea
2x AS6C8008 / 1MB SRAM : $7.24 ea

1x DIP32 Socket : $0.73 ea
2x Amber LED : $0.25 ea
2x 1KOhm Resistor (0402) : $0.07 ea
1x 10uF, 25V Tantalum Capacitor (1206) : $0.21 ea
4x 0.1uF, 50V Ceramic Capacitor (0402) : $0.06 ea

1x PCB : $1.49 ea

Total: $22.26 per card
Please note that it this is raw component cost in low quantities and excludes shipping and manufacturing. However, the point still stands that this card is cheap to make. The developer cards will be available for $35/ea plus shipping.


Yeah great, but where are you going with all this?:
This is the System Card I've wanted since I first bought my TurboGrafx: something affordable which works in both console regions. It also has some neato extra stuff for translations and new games.
That said, I do not have time to manufacture hundreds of these. I'm currently developing two games and working on a book, which have to take priority over weird niche card designs. However, I'd like to do a small "developer's" run of cards and then release all the materials I used to create the cards. This means both the gerber files for the PCB and Verilog + POF for MCGenjin-CD (update, these are available). That way the community can take the card wherever it needs to go.
This developer run of cards will only be 25 cards maximum. If you're interested in a card, please post in this topic saying so. These are first-come first-serve (update, with the current developer sign-up I'll be manufacturing 16 cards total).


What I'd like from you guys:
Nothing! Enjoy your cards!


Status Tracker:
*Card and Mapper Specification, DONE!
*Mapper Verilog, DONE!
*Board Layout, DONE!
*Developer Sign-Up, DONE!
*Developer Card Fab, DONE!
*Card Verification, DONE!
*Card Manufacturing, DONE!
*Developer Distribution, DONE!


Developer Sign-Up:
- MotherGunner
- elmer
- Black Tiger
- Lochlan
- wyndcrosser
- The Old Rover
- VenomMacbeth
- SamIAm
- Bonknuts / Tomaitheous
- cjameslv
- akamichi
...and one for me makes 12 cards! I'll be manufacturing 16 in case of defects.

UPDATE - All cards have been shipped out. If you encounter any issues with your card or have questions, please PM me or post in this topic.


Manufacturing Tracker Archive:
Since I am manufacturing the cards in "components passes" (i.e. solder the RAM on a group of cards, then the CPLDs), progress will be listed by how many cards have passed a given step in production. I cannot give solid estimates as to when all the cards will be done, but you can watch the list below:
- RAM: 16
- CPLD : 16
- Discrete Components : 16
- Flash : 16

- Verified OK : 13
- Defective / Bad Merchandise : 3


This post will be updated as needed.

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / HuSound]

Hi all,

I've decided to release the sound tools I've been working on for the PCE. They're based upon the environment I created for the Lynx which uses the SASS language to write music and sound effect scripts.
This has been written for the WLA-DX assembler, and uses the MCGenjin memory mapper (so Mednafen and hardware only). Sorry, no HuC or cc65 environment support. All of the source is included with each version of the driver if you'd like to add your own cool features or port it to something else.

Here's some of the neato things you get with HuSound:
-Included audition/test ROM with waveform and mode watcher
-Included demo instrument set
-Minimal bank alignment restrictions for music/sfx data
-Instruments and sound effects can switch among waveform, noise, and PCM mode on a single channel.
-Stereo Panning for music, sound effects, and samples
-6.992KHz PCM Playback on any channel
-Multichannel sound effects
-Dispatch of multiple sound effects per frame
-Configurable priority system among music, sound effects, and samples
-Attenuation support for music (can be used for fade-ins, fade-outs, etc)

You can download the newest version (v1.3cz) here.
I've also uploaded some test footage + covers to give a better idea of what the driver can do.
The ROM and SASS Scripts used for these covers are available here.

Have fun!

[Localizations, Games, Apps, Docs / Turbo Express / GT Com Port]

Hi all,

Before I start disassembling Bomberman, has anyone done any reverse engineering work on the Turbo Express / GT's COM port? I've checked the usual hardware documents and Mednafen's sources and neither has any info.