IDE64
Encyclopedia
The IDE64 interface cartridge is an expansion port device for connecting ATA(PI)
devices to the C64
or C128
computers.
IDE64 v1.1 In 1997 the first public version of the cartridge appeared. The logic was fitted into 2 ispLSIs, the operating system was burned into a 32 KiB EPROM
, and there was 16 KiB of RAM storage for buffers. There was a DS1302 real-time clock
included which could keep the settings and hold the time backed by a battery. Beside the parallel ATA connector also an expansion port pass through was included to allow attaching of other cartridges.
IDE64 v2.1 Around 1999 the first "modern" version of the cartridge came out, merging the logic into one big ispLSI PLD
. Also the EPROM was upgraded to a 64 KiB EEPROM
to allow operating system upgrades without special equipment. The RAM was extended to hold 28 KiB of buffers and internal variables. There was a new connector on board, called ShortBus. It was meant for hardware expansions like LCD displays
, 7-segment display
, but later also more sophisticated expansions appeared. This was also the first version to include SuperCPU
compatibility.
IDE64 v3.1 In 2001 a redesigned version of the 2.1 cartridge was made, this version drops the expansion port pass-through.
IDE64 v3.4 CompactFlash
cards became widely popular, so the cartridge was redesigned in 2004 to include a CF socket. This allowed a really mobile, and small storage possibility for the C64, without additional devices and power supplies.
IDE64 v3.4+ In 2005, with a small hardware change, the EEPROM was upgraded to 128 KiB, which allowed to hold two versions of the operating system for both a standard C64 and SuperCPU. This was selectable with a small switch, and solved the reflashing problem for those with SuperCPU equipped systems.
IDE64 v4.1 The pre-release happened in 2008 August, but it was not available until 2009 March. The hardware was redesigned to use surface-mounted parts
and a more up-to-date ispMACH CPLD, which resulted in a much shorter board. An USB
serial fifo chip was added for fast PCLink connections, and an Amiga clock-port
for connecting additional devices. The card slot on this version is separated from the parallel ATA port, which is more compatible to strange CF cards. The I/O interface was changed to support 128 KiB operating system and was tweaked for slightly faster data transfer speeds.
card. It is supported by Contiki
, Wings and maybe some other software. It can also be used for PCLink connection.
DUART This is a XR68C681 based dual RS-232
card featuring, mostly used for PCLink connection. It is supported by Contiki, Wings, Novaterm 9.6 and maybe some other software.
DigiMAX It is a MAX506 based 4 channel 8-bit digital-to-analog converter
card, can be used as "sound card
", as the output comes out on two jack plugs
. This card is supported by Modplay, Wings and maybe some other programs.
ETFE This is a CS8900 based Ethernet card, just like the popular RR-Net, but the v1.1 version works only in TFE compatible mode. It can be used for PCLink, has a Contiki driver, and work with software designed for the original TFE card. For the next version (v1.2) a jumper is promised to simulate a RR-Net card.
AT Attachment
Parallel ATA , originally ATA, is an interface standard for the connection of storage devices such as hard disks, solid-state drives, floppy drives, and optical disc drives in computers. The standard is maintained by X3/INCITS committee...
devices to the C64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
or C128
Commodore 128
The Commodore 128 home/personal computer was the last 8-bit machine commercially released by Commodore Business Machines...
computers.
Hardware
There were several somewhat different versions of this cartridge over the years. The interface was designed by Tomas Pribyl and Jan Vorlicek in 1994. Today Josef Soucek is working on the design.IDE64 v1.1 In 1997 the first public version of the cartridge appeared. The logic was fitted into 2 ispLSIs, the operating system was burned into a 32 KiB EPROM
EPROM
An EPROM , or erasable programmable read only memory, is a type of memory chip that retains its data when its power supply is switched off. In other words, it is non-volatile. It is an array of floating-gate transistors individually programmed by an electronic device that supplies higher voltages...
, and there was 16 KiB of RAM storage for buffers. There was a DS1302 real-time clock
Real-time clock
A real-time clock is a computer clock that keeps track of the current time. Although the term often refers to the devices in personal computers, servers and embedded systems, RTCs are present in almost any electronic device which needs to keep accurate time.-Terminology:The term is used to avoid...
included which could keep the settings and hold the time backed by a battery. Beside the parallel ATA connector also an expansion port pass through was included to allow attaching of other cartridges.
IDE64 v2.1 Around 1999 the first "modern" version of the cartridge came out, merging the logic into one big ispLSI PLD
Programmable logic device
A programmable logic device or PLD is an electronic component used to build reconfigurable digital circuits. Unlike a logic gate, which has a fixed function, a PLD has an undefined function at the time of manufacture...
. Also the EPROM was upgraded to a 64 KiB EEPROM
EEPROM
EEPROM stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory and is a type of non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices to store small amounts of data that must be saved when power is removed, e.g., calibration...
to allow operating system upgrades without special equipment. The RAM was extended to hold 28 KiB of buffers and internal variables. There was a new connector on board, called ShortBus. It was meant for hardware expansions like LCD displays
Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
, 7-segment display
Seven-segment display
A seven-segment display , or seven-segment indicator, is a form of electronic display device for displaying decimal numerals that is an alternative to the more complex dot-matrix displays...
, but later also more sophisticated expansions appeared. This was also the first version to include SuperCPU
SuperCPU
The SuperCPU was developed by Creative Micro Designs, Inc. It is a processor upgrade for the Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 personal computer platforms. The SuperCPU uses the W65C816S 8/16 bit microprocessor. The unit can have up to 16 MB RAM installed. The unit sported a "Turbo" switch which, when...
compatibility.
IDE64 v3.1 In 2001 a redesigned version of the 2.1 cartridge was made, this version drops the expansion port pass-through.
IDE64 v3.4 CompactFlash
CompactFlash
CompactFlash is a mass storage device format used in portable electronic devices. Most CompactFlash devices contain flash memory in a standardized enclosure. The format was first specified and produced by SanDisk in 1994...
cards became widely popular, so the cartridge was redesigned in 2004 to include a CF socket. This allowed a really mobile, and small storage possibility for the C64, without additional devices and power supplies.
IDE64 v3.4+ In 2005, with a small hardware change, the EEPROM was upgraded to 128 KiB, which allowed to hold two versions of the operating system for both a standard C64 and SuperCPU. This was selectable with a small switch, and solved the reflashing problem for those with SuperCPU equipped systems.
IDE64 v4.1 The pre-release happened in 2008 August, but it was not available until 2009 March. The hardware was redesigned to use surface-mounted parts
Surface-mount technology
Surface mount technology is a method for constructing electronic circuits in which the components are mounted directly onto the surface of printed circuit boards . An electronic device so made is called a surface mount device...
and a more up-to-date ispMACH CPLD, which resulted in a much shorter board. An USB
Universal Serial Bus
USB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....
serial fifo chip was added for fast PCLink connections, and an Amiga clock-port
Clock port
The clock port is a commonly used term for the real-time clock interface of the Amiga 1200 computer. The port is a remnant of an abandoned design feature for addition of internal RAM and a clock for time keeping. However, it was later widely used as a general purpose expansion port by third-party...
for connecting additional devices. The card slot on this version is separated from the parallel ATA port, which is more compatible to strange CF cards. The I/O interface was changed to support 128 KiB operating system and was tweaked for slightly faster data transfer speeds.
ShortBus expansions
ETH64 A LAN91C96 chip based EthernetEthernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
card. It is supported by Contiki
Contiki
Contiki is a small, open source, highly portable multitasking computer operating system developed for use on a number of memory-constrained networked systems ranging from 8-bit computers to embedded systems on microcontrollers, including sensor network motes...
, Wings and maybe some other software. It can also be used for PCLink connection.
DUART This is a XR68C681 based dual RS-232
RS-232
In telecommunications, RS-232 is the traditional name for a series of standards for serial binary single-ended data and control signals connecting between a DTE and a DCE . It is commonly used in computer serial ports...
card featuring, mostly used for PCLink connection. It is supported by Contiki, Wings, Novaterm 9.6 and maybe some other software.
DigiMAX It is a MAX506 based 4 channel 8-bit digital-to-analog converter
Digital-to-analog converter
In electronics, a digital-to-analog converter is a device that converts a digital code to an analog signal . An analog-to-digital converter performs the reverse operation...
card, can be used as "sound card
Sound card
A sound card is an internal computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs. The term sound card is also applied to external audio interfaces that use software to generate sound, as opposed to using hardware...
", as the output comes out on two jack plugs
TRS connector
A TRS connector is a common family of connector typically used for analog signals including audio. It is cylindrical in shape, typically with three contacts, although sometimes with two or four . It is also called an audio jack, phone jack, phone plug, and jack plug...
. This card is supported by Modplay, Wings and maybe some other programs.
ETFE This is a CS8900 based Ethernet card, just like the popular RR-Net, but the v1.1 version works only in TFE compatible mode. It can be used for PCLink, has a Contiki driver, and work with software designed for the original TFE card. For the next version (v1.2) a jumper is promised to simulate a RR-Net card.