Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:36 pm
by PeterJ
Is there any news on WiFi Like on the MB03+ @SamC?
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2023 7:35 pm
by SamC
PeterJ wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 4:36 pm
Is there any news on WiFi Like on the MB03+ @SamC?
Hi, the WiFi connection via the ESP module is being prepared right now, in the form of an internal add-on.
Among other TO-DOs in the list, incl. a wide range of serial comms,
it has the highest priority
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:07 pm
by Gvan
Hello !
Can somebody explain how to use SERCP (https://vym.cz/sercp/) to exchange files from pc to Element Zx ?
Thanks
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:46 pm
by PeterJ
That looks a very interesting project @Gvan. @SamC should be able to help
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2023 8:37 pm
by SamC
Gvan wrote: ↑Sun Mar 05, 2023 7:07 pm Can somebody explain how to use SERCP (https://vym.cz/sercp/) to exchange files from pc to Element Zx ?
It is a command line based tool, which needs to remember several parameters.
Use a standard USB-A cable for a connection between a PC´s USB port and the LOWER USB port of the eLeMeNt ZX. Note: connect the USB cable only after you have turned (the eLeMeNt ZX) on.
Download the sercp-el.tar file and extract this archive to the SD card (it is an esxDOS dot-command, so the SERCP file must be in the BIN folder).
Download the exe file (for PC/windows).
Usage is simple. Enter commands on both sides (a PC computer and the eLeMeNt ZX).
Examples of commands for PC sending from PC to Speccy and receiving a file (-r switch) from Speccy
The eLeMeNt ZX uses its internal fast serial convertor and needs special settings on the PC side, mainly because of a speed and a fluent access to a SD card. Here is an example of a PC command, for sending a file from any PC to the eLeMeNt ZX:
Among all switches, you should try several values suitable for your SD card,
please note remarks for the -w switch (I recommend starting with bigger values, -w 10000 or -w 6000)
use -n switch to disable RTS/CTS flow control
use -b 115200 for change baudrate
use waiting -w 1000 or more for writing blocks to the SD card. Time in milliseconds – 1000..1s
on some SD cards, especially on gigabytes full filesystem, writing 16k blocks takes a long time – for example 6 seconds, use -w 6000
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Wed Mar 08, 2023 8:14 pm
by Gvan
I'm trying to use SERCP to send files from PC to Element, but what I obtain is the message "Can't open serial port".
Where is the problem ?
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2023 6:44 am
by SamC
Gvan wrote: ↑Wed Mar 08, 2023 8:14 pm
send files from PC ... obtain is the message "Can't open serial port"
In MS Windows, after connecting the eLeMeNt ZX to the PC, a new COM device will appear, i.e. COM with a new number (e.g. COM12 if we have a lot USB ports). This behaviour can be seen in the Device Manager:
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Thu Mar 16, 2023 5:04 pm
by SamC
ExpansionPack B
This internal expansion brings the second USB port and the Wi-Fi, compatible with MB03+, ZX-Uno and 128/AY.
It will be presented at FOReVER 2023 multiscene party.
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2023 5:38 pm
by PeterJ
Out of interest @Gvan are you using a Serial to USB converter cable? Pavel kindly sold me the RS-232 data cable, but my UGREEN RS232 to USB cable does not support Windows 11. It's fine on 10 and earlier.
I just ordered this cable which @1024MAK mentioned in an earlier thread which uses the FTDI chipset which fully supports W11 apparently.
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2023 8:57 am
by SamC
User Manual v2.0 for eLeMeNt v1 and v2 is in preparation, here is an example of the keyboard (see this original eLeMeNt layout):
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 8:03 am
by SamC
The FPGA core for eLeMeNt will now be prepared regularly for both the AU and AU+ modules (AU+ with double capacity). The current latest FPGA core (of August 2023) has to be flashed into the comp via a USB cable, but now it has a built-in "self overwrite" feature, so you can change the next core with a ZX program started from basic.
The application upgrades the FPGA core of the eLeMeNt ZX directly from the SD card. It detects the type of FPGA chip/module and uses the appropriate file in the current directory accordingly. The alternative, existing method, from a PC using a USB cable, is retained.
Save all files from the ZIP file to the SD card in one directory, or make sure you have the new FPGA core binary named the el_au.bit for an AU board with the Artix XC7A35T chip (or the el_au_p.bit for an AU+ board with the Artix XC7A100T chip). Then run ElCoreUp.tap.
A reset is not enough to run a new core, you need to "power cycle" the computer (on/off).
Note: The program uses HiRes Colour graphics mode, i.e. 64*24 characters with attributes, and calls esxDOS 0.8.9 services to work with the SD card.
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2023 6:59 pm
by SamC
Hi!
here we have some news for long winter evenings and gifts for your eLeMeNt ZX:
- new user manual (v2.0)
options of latest firmware, PC keyboard layout, useful OUTs in basic, common "issues" and more...
it covers both v1 and v2 of the motherboard https://sites.google.com/view/elementzx/docs
- internal RTC:
an implementation of the popular RTC72421 chip (supported by the esxDOS). You don't need to buy anything and insert onto the board, just update FPGA Core and SetUp and you can turn the RTC on. The solution is batteryless. RTC can be updated automatically via Wi-Fi (date and time are synchronized from the internet) or manualy by utilities (Busy, Velesoft) and survives the reset... works till computer is switched off. Moreover, if the Wi-Fi was already set and active, the current date and time is set whenever you enter the SetUp.
- central page of the equipment for the eLeMeNt ZX (in preparation)
everything(?) that relates to and can be purchased for your eLeMeNt ZX https://element.zxfiles.net/
- article about the eLeMeNt ZX/MB platform in Subliminal Extacy #5.
Since the magazines is published by eLeMeNt/MB03+ owners, the text viewer has also a fine (512*192 hires graphics) font.
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2023 6:57 am
by Hood
Dears,
speaking about Wifi in the last post from SamC, if you would like to set your Wifi module in your eLeMeNt ZX (like connect to AP, set RTC, run terminal...) use Wifi Setup 1.4 for eLeMeNt ZX. Download here: https://zxfiles.net/zxmb03.php#wifi.
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Sat Dec 23, 2023 3:10 pm
by SamC
Christmas and New Year's greetings for all ZX and Speccy friends, especially for eLeMeNt ZX/MB users and supporters.
Programmed by Lanex, for the eLeMeNt ZX computer with the HGFX (ZX-Planar & Chunky) video system.
Music: Engrossing Moments (afterparty edit) by Cj Splinter.
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:53 pm
by SamC
A new core with two new handy features:
SafeNMI - protect against rewrite RAM during NMI SaveINT - doesn't lose an interrupt during DMA operation
SafeNMI is an enhancement that will help both developers and regular users especially in NMI Menus and Memory Snappers. It protects memory and ensures error-free handling of the return address to prevent stack overwrites.
DMA transfers are complemented by the SaveINT feature. If an INT interrupt occurs during a DMA transfer, it will not be discarded. The INT is executed immediately after the end of the DMA transfer.
ZXi ports of the SafeNMI are listed in the ProgRef
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Mon Feb 12, 2024 9:01 am
by SamC
The combined and protected memory layout is done.
Paging per 8K and 16K. Spectrum and Pentagon models, ZX-RAM, MB-02 and divRAM can be alternated with Ultimate RAM, FlashRAM, FRAM and HGFX video-buffers - BRAM.
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:13 am
by Hood
Dears,
I have made another video, this time showing eLeMeNt ZX core update directly from eLeMeNt ZX (meaning not from PC). I used SARAH client for update process at the same time. There is download speed record of 73 kb/sec in the video too.
Hood
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:20 pm
by Hood
Hello all,
I have updated all programs for wifi module I have been working on. The biggest news is that now they all work with wifi module fitted inside eLeMeNt ZX also (previously they worked with MB03+ wifi module only). You can even have both wifi modules fitted in MB03+ and eLeMeNt ZX- all will work:
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2024 3:28 pm
by SamC
MultiRun... up to 3 apps on the superhires screen. https://zxfiles.net/download/elzxmb/MULTIRUN.TAP
This could not be named true multitasking, because two minor changes in both games are still needed (redirected IM2).
As usually, test it in the latest version of the LnxSpectrum emulator (1.8.12b),
or on the real hardware with the latest firmware and fpga core (UPDATE20240223.ZIP).
Re: eLeMeNt ZX New Computer / Motherboard Replacement
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2024 8:53 pm
by SamC
FastDMA - an improved, smart DMA for a real Z80 CPU
SoundDMA - the third DMA type with the highest data-transfers priority, above the FastDMA and the classic Z80-DMA
- 6 audio channels #A - #F
- each channel can play 8bits mono or stereo sound
- stereo VOLUME and PAN (balance) have 256 levels
- channel #A can play 16bits mono sound
- normal 16bits or extended 24bits period for fine-tunning
- unsigned and signed sample support
- play and loop mode
- wavetable synth ready (variable loop lenght)
- streaming ready (from SD)
Details can be found in the Programmer's Reference.