GPS 4 car

Version: 25/04/2024

This application, recently installed in my NISSAN Patrol, can display:

• Speed,
• Cap,
• Altitude,
• Time and Date.

It is based on the following hardware:

• ESP32 (Lolin) board,
• SSD132 LCD Display,
• NEO-6M GPS module.

Have fun !

Buzz

package

Expansion shield for Arduino UNO

 

Expansion shield for Arduino UNO
Version : 14/04/2023

This little board and the source code are part of a CS Bomb-like project to be used in Air-Soft games.
In some situations, the Arduino UNO does not have enough IO ports or you you want to keep some of them free.
This shield adds 16 outputs and 16 inputs. To control them, only 6 wires are needed:

KEY_CLK:   Clock to shift the value to QH (positive edge)
KEY_LATCH: Capture the 16 inputs (active low)
KEY_DATA:  Serialised data (Q7 first, Q0 last)

LED_CLK:   Clock to shift the value from SER (positive edge)
LED_LATCH: Set the 16 output bits
LED_DATA:  Serialised data (Q7 first, Q0 last)

Two source files are provided as example.
Outputs.cpp / Outputs.h
Inputs.cpp / Inputs.h

You could have a look the main.cpp file (pseudo main).

A README.txt contains basic instructions to use inputs and outputs.

Have fun !
Buzz

 Package

Colecovision ROM Builder

Version : 07/03/2023

Updated : 07/04/2023

Coleco ROM Builder is a Windows application to easily build ROM files for the 31-in-1 & 63-in-1 cartridges.

My best friend ZX-81 has made the hard work already : creating the loader and providing the scripts and tools to let you create your own best-games compilation.
You just need some efforts, knowledge and spare time to be able to create the files.
So, I recently decided to create a click-and-go application to perform the same task without any headache.

 

Note

For the 63-in-1 cartridge, rom_1.bin must be placed in the IC3 socket and rom_2.bin must be placed in IC5 socket.

 

Have fun !

Buzz

 

Package 

Colecovision 31-in-1

Version: Mars 2014 Rev B
Update: 07/03/2023

The 31-in-1 is a multicart board for the Colecovision (SMD).
It is made to handle 31 rom files stored in a single UVPROM.

The UVPROM (IC3) should contain 31 images (32KB max) and the specific loader.

Running the bootloader lets you choose a rom image between 31 images, switches to the corresponding memory bank and launches the image.

Usage
Concatenate 31 image files (32KB max) then the loader to get a 1M byte file then burn it to the IC3 chip.

Plug the cartridge in the dedicated slot. Components MUST be in front of you !
Power-on the console.

Part list
IC1 : 74HC574
IC2 : 74HC21
IC3 : 27C080 ou 27C801
IC4 : 74HC688DW

The package containing the PCB files (SMD) is available here: Colecovision-31in1-2023.zip

The 31-in-1 cartridge exists in DIP packages ! It is available here: Colecovision-31in1-DIP-2023.zip

 

The bootloader can be found here: 31-in-1 loader

 

Many thanks to my friend ZX (http://zx81.zx81.free.fr) for his help and his very great bootloader !

A simple application has been developed to easily create your ROM files. It is available here

Enjoy !

Buzz

Colecovision 63-in-1

Original version: 28/01/2013

Update: 12/02/2023

The 63-in-1 is a multicart board for the ColecoVision.
It is made to handle 63 rom files stored in two separate UVPROMs.
The first one (IC3) should contain 32 images (32KB max).
The second one (IC5) should contain 31 images (32KB max) and the specific loader.

Running the bootloader lets you choose a rom image between 63 images, switches to the corresponding memory bank and launches the image.

Usage
Concatenate 32 image files (32KB max) to get a 1M byte file then burn it to the IC3 chip.
Concatenate 31 image files (32KB max) then the loader to get a 1M byte file then burn it to the IC5 chip.

Plug the cartridge in the dedicated slot. Components (IC3, SMD,...) MUST be in front of you !
Power-on the console.

Part list
IC1 : 74HC574
IC2 : 74HC21
IC3 : 27C080 ou 27C801
IC4 : 74HC688DW
IC5 : 27C080 ou 27C801

R1: 10K

Q1: BS170

 

The package containing the PCB files to build your own cartridge is available here: Colecovision-63in1-2023.zip

The bootloader can be found 63-in1 loader.

Many thanks to my friend ZX (http://zx81.zx81.free.fr) for his help and his very great bootloader !

A simple application has been developed to easily create your ROM files. It is available here

Enjoy !

Buzz

ZX81 ULA

The ZX81 was a nice and cheap home computer from the 80's.
It's quitte impossible to find a real ZX81 today as its price has become unrealistic.
Today, anyone can build its own ZX81 as it is easy to find clones. But, in most cases these remakes uses the real ULA chips.
Alwin Henseler has reimplemented the original ULA design in 2012, based on a Xilinx CPLD.

This implementation was exacly the missing piece of hardware I needed for my own ZX81 clone.
Because there was no PCB, I decided to make it.

So, the ZX81_ULA_PCB.zip contains all the necessary files to create your own ZX81 ULA PCB (schematics, board and gerber files are included).

To program the CPLD, please refer to the package. It contains everything you need and of course the zx81_ula.jed programming file.

Note
I deliver the original ULA implementation package from Alwin Henseler because his website does not exist anymore.

Have fun !
Buzz

 

ZX81_ULA_PCB

Package

Allegro 5 Code::Blocks setup

This ticket shows the important steps to configure Code::Blocks with Allegro5 support.

Requirements

* Code::Blocks 20.03

* MSYS2 framework

* Allegro 5 (MSYS64 package)

* Windows 10

Code::Blocks tabs

Just add the following lines as in the different screenshots.

Useful links

Allegro tutorial

https://github.com/liballeg/allegro_wiki/wiki/Quickstart

MSYS2

https://www.msys2.org/

https://www.devdungeon.com/content/install-gcc-compiler-windows-msys2-cc

Code::Blocks

https://www.codeblocks.org

SDL2 Code::Blocks setup

This ticket shows the important steps to configure Code::Blocks with SDL 2 support.

Requirements

* Code::Blocks 20.03

* MSYS2 framework

* SDL 2.0 (MSYS64 package)

* Windows 10

Code::Blocks tabs

Just add the following lines as in the different screenshots.

 

Useful links

MSYS2

https://www.msys2.org/

https://www.devdungeon.com/content/install-gcc-compiler-windows-msys2-cc

Code::Blocks

https://www.codeblocks.org

 

Launcher for RC2014 Colevovision system

Version:  27/03/2021

This small module is used to easily launch Coleco roms on a RC2014 system.
It is based on a arduino mini associated to a OLED display and a few buttons.
The goal is to communicate with the RC2014 to get the list of files stored on the SDCard
and send the right commands to the target to perform loading.
The only necessary actions from the user point of view is to power on the system, select the file with simple
up & down buttons, then push the load buttons to perform loading.
That's it.

The simple module cannot work alone. A fully configured RC2014 Colecovision system is required.

SN76489 Sound Card for RC2014: https://github.com/jblang/sn76489
TMS9918A Video Card for RC2014: https://github.com/jblang/TMS9918A
Game Controller Board for RC2014: https://github.com/jblang/GameController
z80ctrl for RC2014: https://github.com/jblang/z80ctrl
z80ctrl CPU/RAM/CTC) for RC2014: https://github.com/jblang/z80ctrl (z80ram directory)
SC112 V1.0 Modular backplane: https://smallcomputercentral.wordpress.com/sc112-modular-backplane-rc2014/

All the needed information to build and configure your own Colecovision system is described here:
https://github.com/jblang (z80ctrl & TMS9918A sections).

All RC2014 extra boards are documented here:
https://smallcomputercentral.wordpress.com (Projects & Documentation sections).

Description

Hardware

* Fully assembled RC2014 Colecovision system (see above)
* Arduino mini Pro 16MHZ/5V
* 128x64 OLED I2C display
* 3x push buttons
* Cable with 6 pin headers.

Connections (described in Control.cpp file) are:
* Buttons
 Arduino A0  -> Select button -> GND
 Arduino A1  -> DOWN button -> GND
 Arduino A2  -> UP button -> GND

* Display
 Arduino A4  ->   OLED SDA
 Arduino A5  ->   OLED SCL
                 OLED GND
 Arduino VCC -> OLED VCC (5v)
 Arduino GND -> OLED GND

* Z80CTRL (JP5)
 1: GND      - Arduino GND
 3: NC
 5: VCC      - Arduino VCC
 7: RX       - Arduino TX
 9: TX       - Arduino RX
 11: AVRRSTn - Arduino DTR

Firmware

The source code (27/03/2021) is included into this package (src and include directories).
It as been compiled with Visual Studio Code for the Atmega328 16MHz 5V target.

The following libraies are necessary:
Adafruit BusIO
Adafruit GFX Library
Adafruit SS1306

The following picture is showing Dig Dug, running on the RC2014 system (ColecoLauncher is not connected yet. Simple terminal is used instead).

 

The above picture is showing the connection between the RC2014 system and the ColecoLauncher.

RC2014 jumpers

Game Controller Board

SN76489 Sound Card

TMS9918A Video Card

z80ctrl Card

Have fun !
Buzz

Package

Tombstone City for ZX Spectrum

Version: 2019/10/20 - Morroco

Once again, this is a new remake of my favorite game : Tombstone City.
After adapting and porting it to different operating systems (Windows, Linux, Nintendo DS) 
and several graphics libraries (Allegro, SDL, PA LIB, SFML), I decided to make something special:
Mixing TI99/4A and ZX Spectrum worlds.
This is now done.

So, this Tombstone City game implementation runs on Sicair ZX Spectrum.
I ran it on two emulators (My own version and EightyOne) but not on a real target yet.

Features
Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K target
Built with z88DK win32 SDK (/www.z88dk.org), using SDCC + newlib
Sources, TAP and SNA files available

Keys
S : Left
D : Right
E : Up
X : Down
Y : Fire/Start
P : Pause
0 : Restart
SPACE : Panic

Have fun !
Buzz

 

Package

Tombstone City for Windows

Build : 22 Novembre 2018
SFML 2.5.0 Windows - GCC 5.1.0 TDM (SJLJ) - Code::Blocks - 32-bit(https://www.sfml-dev.org/)

Here comes the new version of my Tombstone City game implementation for Windows 32 - SFML 2.5.0.
I have already made this game a couple of time for different hosts with different libraries (Nintendo DS - PAlib-070717 in 2009-2011, Linux - SDL-1.2 in 2010).

If you have never played this game before or you need more information, you may have a look at :
http://www.videogamehouse.net/tombstone.html

This new version, like the others, includes the binary and the source code.

How to play
Just launch the binary and play !

Keys
Left, Right, Up, Down keys to move
Q to fire
Enter or Q to play
P to pause the game
Escape to quit

Have fun !
Buzz

Package

Pong 2017

Version : 29-04-2017

This is a new version of the Pong console.

If you do not know what it is look at the previous ticket (Pong - Renaissance) or at the following Wikipedia web page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pong.
This new version is identical to the previous one with a better and smaller PCB. 
All the components are the same.

Have fun !
Buzz

Package
 

 

ZX Spectrum emulator for Windows

Build : 21 Aout 2018

SFML 2.5.0 Windows - GCC 5.1.0 TDM (SJLJ) - Code::Blocks - 32-bit (https://www.sfml-dev.org/)

I am very happy to deliver the new version of my own ZX Spectrum emulator.
After a period of extended leave, I decided to make a new version of my favorite computer emulator but with a different approach.
I wanted to try the SFML library and also to create an easy-to-use graphical interface. Something that can be used without any mouse.

Directories
data/ : 48K rom and TTF fonts files
icons/ : Icons and pictures for the GUI
screen/ : Captured screenshots
sna/ : Snapshot files (SNA format)

libgcc_s_sjlj-1.dll
libstdc++-6.dll
openal32.dll
sfml-audio-2.dll
sfml-graphics-2.dll
sfml-system-2.dll
sfml-window-2.dll

Spectrum.exe : 32-bit windows executable

Usage
ESC : Enter/Leave menu
F1 : Toggle ZX Spectrum keyboard layout
<- -> : Navigate through menu icons
Enter : Validate the action

Keys
The emulated joystick (Kempston, Sinclair or Cursor) is mapped on the PC arrows (movement) and A key (fire)
All Spectrum keys are directly mapped on the PC keyboard (same position).
Ex. On an AZERTY keyboard, press the A key to get the Q (look at the ZX Spectrum keyboard layout)
Symbol shift is mapped on the Right Shift key.
Caps shift is mapped on the Left Shift key.

Keyboard usage
The original ZX Keyboard is a little bit confusing. So, here is a simple reminder on how to use it.
To access the white keyword on a key, press the corresponding key. Then, if you type a key again (same or not) you will get the letter.
To access the red symbol on a key, hold the Symbol Shift (Right Shift) then press a key.
To access the red symbol bellow a key, hold the Symbol Shift (Right Shift) and the Caps Shift (Left Shift) to enter the enhanced mode (E cursor),
then hold Symbol Shift (Right Shift) again and the corresponding key.
To access the green symbol above a key, hold the Symbol Shift (Right Shift) and the Caps Shift (Left Shift) to enter the enhanced mode (E cursor),
then press the corresponding key.
To access the white symbol above a key, hold the Caps Shift (Left Shift) and press the corresponding key.

Have a look at the README.txt file inside the compressed package to get more information.

Both sources and binaries (windows 32 only) are available for download.

Any feedback is welcome.
So, do not hesitate to contact me.
buzz.computer (at) free.fr

Have fun !
Buzz

Sources

Binaries

Processing : A simple maze game

Version: 5/4/2017

Here is a simple Processing program.

Have fun !

Buzz

 Package

Atari 2600/7800: FFin1 - 255 games cartridge

 

Version: 30/09/2014

Few weeks after making the 256-in-1 cartridge, my friend ZX81 and I have decided to do something better.

We have made a new cartridge, containing up to 255 (Atari 2600) games or homebrews

Instead of using micro-switches to select the rom image, a bootloader and associated electronics have been added

The user power-up the console, highlights the game with the joystick and press fire to launch the game

 

Usage and restrictions

• This cartridge can handle 2KB and 4KB rom images only (Not banked),
• Only Atari 2600 rom images are supported,
• The board can be plugged-in Atari Jr and Atari 7800,
• Due to the form factor, the cartridge can not be inserted into the Atari 2600 slot without modification,
• Bootloader must be inserted at the beginning of the ROM.

Warning : The bootloader is not included into the package.

Please go to my friend ZX81 web site to get it: http://zx81.zx81.free.fr

Have fun  !

Buzz
  

Package 

ZX81 Project : A ZX81 remake

 

 

Here is my ZX81 project : a remake of the famous ZX81 computer, based on the original schematics.

Warning : It has not been tested yet : it should be done in a couple of weeks.

Have fun !

 Package

 

256-in-1 : 256 games cartridge for Atari 2600/7800

 

Version 07/05/2014

Few months ago, I finished a new cartridge for the Atari 2600/7800.

This piece of hardware can be seen as a huge cartridge, containing up to 256 (Atari 2600) games or homebrews. Originaly, this board was made just to show something to users during a retro-gaming day (AC 2014). Because I had only one month to do it before the show, I decided to do something very simple and cheap.

Usage and restrictions

• This cartridge can handle 2KB and 4KB rom images only (Not banked),
• Only Atari 2600 rom images are supported,
• The board can be plugged-in Atari 2600, Atari Jr and Atari 7800,
• User should select the rom image with the corresponding micro-switch position before power on.

Enjoy !

Buzz

Package
 

ArcadeUSB : Simple way to connect arcade buttons to USB Interface

 

 

Version : 2014-10-13

This arduino sketch has been developped for my bartop project.

Just few words about my it. It is not yet finished but it is composed mainly by :

• some wood,
• a PC,
• a LCD display,
• buttons and joysticks.

To manage the buttons, it is necessary to have an interface between buttons/joysticks and the PC in charge of the emulation. There are different solutions to do that.

• Reusing an existing keyboard. This is cheap but it is difficult to assign buttons to specific key because the matrix is not so simple,
• The other solution could be to buy a "ready-to-use" interface but I do not like this choice,
• The last one is to make the interface by yourself.

Instead of re-inventing the wheel, I have chosen the Teensy ([Web site|https://www.pjrc.com/teensy]) as a developpement board. It is arduino compatible but it manages the USB natively. Because I need to manage at least 30 different keys, I have decided to add an input-mutiplexing interface to the Teensy (See IExpender project).

To go back to the sketch, it is very simple. It has been developped with Arduino 1.0.5 IDE to target a Teensy 2.0. Buttons should be connected to the interface (IExpender) according to the mapping table (See code).

Then the interface has to be connected to the Teensy board, and of course the Teensy to the PC

Have fun !

Buzz

 Package

 

IExpender : Generic 4x 8bits input ports

 

Version 30/09/2014

When playing electronics with microcontrollers, you sometimes need to manage a lot of inputs (sensors or buttons).

Instead of using a bigger controller to have more IO ports, it is better or simpler to add extra components to it.

This piece of hardware, based on simple logic chips, uses 10 pins (8 bits for data and 2 bits for control) to manage 32 inputs.

In my case, I need this to connect 32 buttons to an arduino board.

Usage and restrictions

• 4 banks of 8 bits. Each bank handles 8 inputs,
• Bank number is selected with 2 control signals (signals A and B on 74LS138),
• The board can be extended to manage 64 inputs (4 other 74LS541 must be added)
  
  

Enjoy !

Buzz

 

Package 

Atari 7800 Multicart

 

Version: 30/09/2014

A long time ago, I have created a Multicart for the Colecovision.

Now, it is time to do the same for a very nice console : Atari 7800 console.

For the moment, only a prototype has been made and I am still debugging it. I will post the full package when all bugs are fixed.

Keep in touch !

Buzz