WiP Raspberry Pico Microdrive Hardware Emulator

[TomD]

Do you have an idea when this might happen?

An untidy code snippet is already in this thread if you want to have a look. No time frame on the tidy version unfortunately.

[TomD]

v1.4 released adding a loudness setting for the buzzer -> off, low, medium & high, previously only off & low were available

Grab at the usual place https://github.com/TomDDG/ZXPicoMD

TomD

[zx-heinz]

v1.4 released adding a loudness setting for the buzzer -> off, low, medium & high, previously only off & low were available

Grab at the usual place https://github.com/TomDDG/ZXPicoMD

TomD

Thank you, it works good.

[TomD]

For anybody interested I've added a code section to my GitHub detailing how I built the emulator with some formatted code snippets. I'll keep adding to this but hopefully some help for those wanting to dabble https://github.com/TomDDG/ZXPicoMD/tree/main/Code

TomD

[TomD]

I've updated the PCB to v1.3 and made the Gerbers available to download so you can now use your favourite PCB fabricator (PCB Way prices have gone up a lot recently).

Changes are the addition of a pin header so OLEDs with VCC and GND reversed can be used, plus I've extended the PCB edge on the Microdrive connection side to ensure only the correct connector block can be used, preventing potential damage if a cable is used instead. Finally a general tidy up of the routing, better pin sockets (to make soldering a bit easier) and added a ground plane on front and back removing the reliance on the Pico to do this.



Grab it at the usual place https://github.com/TomDDG/ZXPicoMD

TomD

[TomD]

New firmware available, v1.5:
- upgraded Pico SDK to v1.5.1 (from v1.4.0) and no-OS-FatFS-SD-SPI-RPi-Pico to include FatFS R0.15 (from R0.14a)
- Added check for modified cartridges giving option to overwrite the original file, only works for MDRs not converted TAPs or Z80/SNAs. Also creates a backup of the original.
- Fixed bug were write protect status wasn't always picked up from the MDR file correctly
- Increased minimum button wait to 150ms to help with bounce

Download at the usual place https://github.com/TomDDG/ZXPicoMD

TomD

[8BitSC]

Thank you for your continued work on improving the ZXPicoMD, @TomD.

I've upgraded to 1.5 without issue and seeing the overwrite image prompt when changing images.

I have a spare PicoW.

Is there any advantage in swapping out the PicoH?

Do you have any plans to make use of the WiFi features of the PicoW?

[TomD]

Is there any advantage in swapping out the PicoH?

Do you have any plans to make use of the WiFi features of the PicoW?

Cheers and glad the upgrade had no issues

There is no advantage to swapping out the base Pico yet as they both work exactly the same. I may add WiFi/bluetooth features in a later release but mainly so it is easier to get files on and off the SD Card. I'm not planning to have it controlled by a PC or Mobile, as Oqtadrive does, as I specifically designed it to be standalone with the OLED and buttons.

TomD

[TomD]

New firmware v1.6 is now available, just in time for Christmas:
- added option to run cartridge defragmentation (optimisation). This can significantly speed up loading times of unoptimised cartridges. Using the Sinclair Demo cartridge as an example, running a defrag improved the loading time from 23secs to 6secs. The defragmentation routine puts each files sectors in sequence with a gap so the cartridge tape doesn't need to loop to find the next sector. Note defragmentation will erase bad files i.e. those with missing or corrupted sectors. Also please note some cartridges are already optimised so defrag won't have any effect, in fact if you use it on a cartridge created using the PicoMD, for example from a Z80 conversion, it could actually be slower as the conversion routine already creates an optimal cartridge.
- Added cartridge tape position retention on power off. Now the tape position is only reset when inserting a new cartridge. Please note this requires a new cartridge info file so any created with a previous firmware version are ignored. I changed the file name from _inf to just inf so you can just delete the old _inf files.
- No longer producing a PicoW firmware version as the normal firmware works fine on both models, tested with v1.6

Download at the usual place https://github.com/TomDDG/ZXPicoMD

TomD

[8BitSC]

Excellent work as always, Tom.

Thank you for your continued support.

I often wonder how many people bought a ZXPicoMD from you on eBay, but miss out on the additional functionality because they don’t visit the forums and so, don’t know about your optimisation work?

[TomD]

Excellent work as always, Tom.

Thank you for your continued support.

I often wonder how many people bought a ZXPicoMD from you on eBay, but miss out on the additional functionality because they don’t visit the forums and so, don’t know about your optimisation work?

Thanks

Regarding eBay I usually include a little note in the box pointing to the GitHub and that is always up to date so hopefully they check that. I've also posted this update on Facebook which seems to get the most viewers nowadays. I did try and sell these on Facebook but demand wasn't very high, eBay sells way better despite the increased cost, maybe as it is a little more straightforward and secure for buyers outside of the UK.

TomD

[TomD]

Got a few requests for a larger OLED as the normal 0.96" is too small to read for some. Good news is the much larger SSD1309s work fine, the 4 pin I2C versions, tested with 1.54" and the even larger 2.42". 1.54" shown in case below.

I'm popping a few on eBay later if you are interested.

TomD