More Mad Science for the Commodore 64

Leif BloomquistEmergency Chicago Commodore Convention 2015August 29, 2015

Presentation

1. Update on the Gaming Glove Kickstarter

2. New project: Wi-Fi Modem for C64

3. New project: Virtual Input Device

Gaming Glove Update – The Bad Business partner’s family health issues

Base sensor board is way too expensive – investigating alternatives

Fashion designer dropped out (new day job) – in discussions with others

A lot of “real life” happened this year

Gaming Glove Update – The Good Kickstarter page is ready to launch,

complete with promo video

Prototype PCBs are complete and tested

It will happen!

Wi-Fi Modem for the Commodore 64

Wi-Fi Modem for the Commodore 64

Learning exercise for designing PCBs!

Started with Eagle and switched to Fritzing (www.fritzing.org)

Prototypes manufactured atOSH Park (www.oshpark.org)

Wi-Fi Modem for the Commodore 64 User Port device Hayes emulation or menu-driven All RS-232 lines (RTS, DCD, DTR, RI, etc) connected to User

Port 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi Onboard TCP/IP stack includes DHCP, UDP, DNS, ARP, ICMP,

HTTP client, FTP client and TCP Secure Wi-Fi authentication via WEP, WPA-PSK (TKIP), and

WPA2-PSK (AES) UP9600 hack supported Onboard MicroView (Arduino Uno with OLED) - Programmable 64 x 48 OLED display Reset Buttons for C64/MicroView/Wifly

Block Diagram

C64Acces

sPoint

RN-XV“Wifly”Module

“MicroView”Arduino

Uno+OLED

Serial Serial 802.11

Wi-FiRS-232 Signals

Terminal Program

(Novaterm, Striketerm,

CCGMS, etc)

Arduino Sketch(Hayes

Emulation, Custom)

RN-171 Firmware

(802.11 Wi-Fi, TCP/IP Stack, DHCP, DNS,

etc)

Optional Direct Connection for Debugging/Configuration

GPIO

Wi-Fi Modem Configurations

Default: As per block diagram

Standalone: Power jack provided for +3.7V to +16V to use the MicroView and RN-XV on their own

Interfacing: Remove RN-XV Wifly and use MicroView’s GPIO to interface C64 to outside world (analog input, PWM output, digital I/O and I²C) – all pins broken out along top of board

Current Status

Six prototype boards manufactured – currently on Version 2

Software in very alpha state, but functionality proven

Code and documentation on GitHub (https://github.com/LeifBloomquist/WiFiCart)

Outstanding issue with buffer overruns (next slide)

Yes, I plan to sell these! Price ~$160 USD + shipping Recommend MicroView programmer for $20 more

Buffering…

C64Acces

sPoint

RN-XV“Wifly”Module

“MicroView”Arduino

Uno+OLED

Buffer ~200 bytes

(Novaterm)Buffer ~1000

bytesBuffer 1500

bytes?

Incoming content @ 54 Mbps5,400,000 bytes/sec

Even at 9600 baud with flow control, characters dropped when data comes in a burst that exceeds all buffers

Virtual Input Device

?

Virtual Input Device - Demo

Virtual Input Device Tiny PCB that interfaces Arduino Nano to C64 Control

Port

Emulates Joystick, Paddles (X/Y), 1351 Mouse (soon!)

Yes Glenn, you can use it with GEOS

All Arduino Pins are broken out for interfacing sensors

USB (Mini-B) interface to PC – Virtual Serial Port

I am planning to sell these too!$10 for the PCB, $20 populated, $50 with Nano

Virtual Input DeviceTop

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