Falcon Rebuild

Falcon Update 12-27-2024

We are getting close to finishing the new schematics and will be starting the PCB layout.

We intend to do it in 3 stages. We are going to produce a limited number of prototype PCB’s, many have already asked how they may obtain one.

Developers will have first opportunity on obtaining a developer PCB.

It currently looks like this will be a 6-8 Layer PCB, we will not focus on size in the first revision, since there will be many added diagnostics built on the first revision.

After we have a working model, we will remove unnecessary hardware thus allowing for size reduction, the hope is that the final design will be compact, but have all features included.

Hardware mapping to conform to TT030/Mega Ste /CT63

ISA BUS MAPPING WILL INITIALLY USE A TT OR MEGA STE VME MAPPING TO ALLOW USE OF CURRENT NOVA OR IDEK TYPE DRIVERS

WILL LATER HAVE A UNIQUE ADDRESS TO TOTALLY FREE UP VME BUS. 

INITIAL VME SUPPORT AS IN TT AND MEGA ST THAT SUPPORTS SLAVE ONLY. INTENTION TO ALLOW ALT BUS MASTERS IN LATER REVISIONS

Prototype Revision 1

Proof of concept, Verify correction on all mistakes from Atari Rev. L schematics

Support for Motorola 68030 up to 48MHz with system programmable clocks.

TT030 compatible SDRAM up to 512MB

Dual Floppy support

Aux Cartridge support

Keep all standard Atari Ports as long as the supply of Custom IC’s are available

VME 24:16 / 16:16 and LIMITED ISA buss on all Mother Boards

GAL Logic 

ATARI GALS AND ADDED CPLD SUPPORT TO ALLOW ATARI GALS TO BE REMOVED ONE BY ONE

Second revision

USB / Mouse/ Keyboard interface

GAL Logic expansion to be replaced with CPLD REV 2 developer board.

LIMITED ISA buss to allow for second video card installed directly on PCB

Third revision (Final prototype)

VME 24:16 / 16:16

VME 32:32

Addition of functional 68060 with added logic and CPLD, FPGA

All ATARI GALS removed and replaced with CPLD logic

Standard USB interface / Mouse/ Keyboard

Release (Final Product)

PCB size reduction and Custom aluminum enclosure

When this project is Final, we will release schematics for service personal to work on and modify its design.