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Retro Cartridge . Nintendo Entertainment System Universal Cartridge Michael Folz. Retro Cartridge . What I’ll Cover. List of topics: What is the Retro Cartridge? Why am I designing/building this? Who will use it? How will it be Implemented? What makes my product unique?
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Retro Cartridge Nintendo Entertainment System Universal Cartridge Michael Folz Retro Cartridge
What I’ll Cover • List of topics: • What is the Retro Cartridge? • Why am I designing/building this? • Who will use it? • How will it be Implemented? • What makes my product unique? • Basic system architecture. • Timeline/Future Design Considerations. • Closing Remarks and Questions. Retro Cartridge
Many things… A platform for Application and Game development. A way to virtually reproduce the entire NES library in one cartridge. A device that will allow users to run homebrew applications. What is the Retro Cartridge? Retro Cartridge
Purchasing of Classic Games: Are subject to increasing costs due to limited hardware. Superficially inflated by resellers (30-40$ for SMB3) Needs I want to address: Ability for less Affluent gamers to play games on the original hardware. Emulation is boring (but hardware is fun) Owning physical copies of a working cartridge is inspiring and motivating Why am I designing/building this? Retro Cartridge
Needs we want to address: (con’t) Currently available platforms use expired or unsupported architecture (RS232), and all use a single FPGA solution that is both slow and unresponsive. All current platforms are unsupported/expired Don’t support homebrew roms Why am I designing/building this? Retro Cartridge
Needs we want to address: (con’t) It is my goal to create a solution that will remain in support for as long as computers have SD card readers. Insert, Flash , & Forget It ! Why am I designing/building this? Retro Cartridge
How will it be used? (con’t) • The user experience: • Transfer Rom Files (.nes) to SD cart (Fat16/32) • Insert SD into Retro Cart Place It in the Nintendo • Select game from SD Contents List • Run the program, Play the game • Repeat as necessary SD CONTENTS:FinalFantasy.nes kid icarus.nes >SMB3.nes Megaman.nes Metroid.nes …… SD Retro Cartridge
Who will use it? • Initial target audience • Consumers specifically classic gaming enthusiasts. • Potential target audience • Anyone who wants a tool to learn application and game design using Assembly on the NES. Retro Cartridge
How will it be Implemented? • Two use cases • 1 – Processor & CPLD combined • CPLD – Glue Logic • Microprocessor read from SD card and program ROM Chips • 2 – One Peripheral Board, Many Cartridges • A single peripheral board can be used as to represent NES cartridge hardware. Retro Cartridge
Basic System Architecture SD Card Reader ATMEGA 128 * processor is subject to change due to cost, processor speed & configurable pins. Xilinx CPLD* CPLD is subject to change due to cost, CPLD speed & configurable pins. I2C BIOS * Holds initial program responsible for programming EEPROM chips & CPLD NES Lockout Chip W RAM CHR RAM CPU Addressing PINS PROGRAM EEPROM CHR EEPROM NES 60 PIN Header * Connected directly to NES PROCESSOR Retro Cartridge
Timeline • Fall 2013: • Write software to the uC responsible for programming both EEPROMS • Support all NROM, SxROM & Ux ROMS • Winter 2014: • Expand support to all extend across all available boards. • Develop initial game to act as a front line GUI for the programmer. Retro Cartridge
Future Design Considerations • W-Ram and CHR Ram one chip solution, this will cut cost by 10$ per unit. • Combine both CHR and PRG Memory modules in one 8Mbit module. Retro Cartridge
Future Design Considerations • Implement circuits for programming the CPLD and uC to allow for easy software revisions and updates. (USB->R232->LPT) • d • Properly designed enclosure, designed specifically for my boards. Retro Cartridge
Closing Remarks • Looking for anyone Interested in Testing & Playing: • I plan on having the NROM and boards simulated completely by the end of the month feel free to join me and test out an early beta. Retro Cartridge