The X65 Saga Continues

It’s Autumn again and I am revisiting my Project X65. My list of to-do tasks is endless and growing still :-)

  • finishing tests of the A1 prototype

  • load BOM to Mouser

  • testing the USB interface

  • better ESD concept

  • indication of stopped CPU

  • consider new extension connector

  • consider if SDMMC power should be switched

  • feasibility of machine assembly of prototypes

  • check the new SMC code in CX16

  • check the new 65816 code in CX16

  • In-Circuit Debugger (ICD): describe in a post, add breakpoints support, describe ISAFIX, implement GUI for debugger…

  • 3D box design…

  • posibilities for own software besides CX16: Forth OF816 (partly implemented), Fastbasic, Mad-Pascal, GeckOS…

  • update x65.eu landing page

  • and so forth…

During the summer I have received a couple (2) of emails with comments: by Eric from France and by Matej from Slovakia.

Eric would preffer the X65 in an ATX form-factor: an X65 ATX motherboard that could be inserted in a standard PC case, with many extension slots for plugging of extension cards. He would like to use such computer for automation. He could develop control programs in Basic or C, and he plans to develop own expansion cards: mainly for communication but also for audio processing. The computer would be used as an input/control/display front end. The PMOD connector, which the X65 SBC supports in HW, is not stackable and lacks mechanical fixing points. It is not suitable for deploynment of an application to a customer and it is very “timid” opening to the outside world.

Matej owns Atari 130XE with many extensions (1MB RAM, 2x Pokey sound, SD-Drive, VBXE graphics card). He is interested in CX16 but he is disappointed with low availbility/long waiting times in the e-shop and relatively high cost. He is interested in running Dreamtracker on CX16. He can write software in MadPascal. He offered to design a 3D-printable box for X65. He requests if I could send him a prototype of the X65 SBC; we agreed that I would build one for him for the cost of components.