CommodoreOne
Overview

Here is a General Overview of the features of the Commodore One as of 1/21/2002. Some features may change slightly as development progresses.

What it is:

The Commodore One computer is a 2002 enhanced adaptation of the Commodore 64 -the most sold of any computer model (Guiness book of World Records) While retaining almost all of the original's capabilities the Commodore One adds modern features, interfacing and capabilities and fills a sorely needed gap in the hobbyist computer market.

The estimated price will be only $200 USD.

(user will need to supply micro ATX style case, ATX power supply, drive(s), PS/2 keyboard, mouse and SVGA capable monitor.)

Features/Product Description

Physical Appearance

·        As sold the CommodoreOne will be a motherboard ready to mount into a Micro ATX style computer case. Ports will match the holes of the case as well as additional port connectors will be included for addition through punch-out ports on the case you pick.

Power

·        Connectors on the CommodoreOne will be ATX style. The Commodore one board is designed for a 5vDC power source and accommodations have been made to keep the machine as 'laptop/portable capable' as possible.

·        note: ATX 'power down' can be controlled by software.

CPU/Speed

·        The main processor of the C1 is a (65c816 processor running approximately at 20 MHz) the 65c816 is a 6502 compatible processor with a 24 bit address range extra instructions that access the full memory range are added to the 6502 core.

·        Software throttle for classic 64 speeds.

·        The system bus runs at 50Mghz, the 60 hz CIA clock of the system is provided by internal circuitry.

·        Secondary 6502 processor for i/o support.

SuperVIC Video Capabilities

·        VGA monitor output

·        VIC-II compatible in all video modes 60hz/50hz emulation is software selectable.

·        Classic Emulation & SuperVIC Mode is software selectable

·        Extended video modes as well as combination modes with classic VIC-II modes are possible.

·        Memory addresses of features (character matrix, screen memory, color RAM, etc.) are each 24 bit addressable (except for the color palette which resides inside the chip's memory)

·        16MB video RAM with adjustable mirroring/or relocation from CPU memory

·        Max Resolution 1280x1024 Sync settings from 60hz-? (depends of resolution)

·        Maximum of 256 colors out of a palette of 65,535 in regular and linear modes

·        a special 'Chunky' video mode with access to entire palette (limitations apply)

·        Graphics modes include 64 style cell video and linear video

·        Hardware based line drawing/fill & pattern fills/overlay, scaling?

·        Overscan

·        Windowing mode (view a portion of a 1280x1024 display on a 320x200 window & scroll)

·        Full byte Color RAM can be moved now!

·        Blitter functions (block image transfer) Logical operation AND, OR, XOR

·        On-Board Copper Processor*

·        8 sprites

·        Can have up to 256x256 resolution

·        Can use classic linear or 64 video style graphics (pick up screen image?)

·        Mouse controlled 'mouse sprite'

·        Based on a 320 dot clock (same pixel size/position on all video modes)

MonsterSID Audio

·        Classic SID Emulation (including address mirroring)

·        Monster SID Mode

·        16 stereo SID voices (1-8 left, 9-16 right)

·        Sync and Ring Modulation and filtering on all voices

·        Extra voices mapped in order after the first three

·        DMA audio

·        8 Stereo voices (4 left, 4 right)

·        64k internal sound memory (sound or instruments) as well as access to main CPU memory for playing DMA clips.

·        Variable sample playback rate.

·        Audio resolution of 8 bits

·        DMA segment playback can be either continuous (loop) or one-shot (note/segment)

Memory

·        Computer Memory (hard wired-on board) is expected to be 32 Megs or RAM, 16 of which is the main processor RAM and another 16 Megs accessible by the Video Controller

·        64K RAM for Monster SID (DMA Audio or Instrument clips.)

·        The System will have a small 'boot ROM (8-16k) which will handle power-on initialization

·        Main OS storage will be via a Compact Flash media interface with card which is designed to hold the CommodoreOne's operating system(s) as well as other data. There is not limit to card capacity (current Flash Cards contain up to 512MB memory) Flash media is 'hot swappable'

Internal I/O

·        3.5" floppy drive connector with 1581 emulation (using PC drive) with 64k RAM

·        Capable** of supporting MFM 720/1.4/2.8 capacity drives via software (WD1772 compatible)

·        IDE Interface with DMA support**

·        Compact Flash Media Slot (see 'Memory' above)

·        LCD Interface (TTL LCD style)

Internal Expansion

·        3 Mini Zorro/Cartridge Slots

·        Up to three 'mini Zorro' style expansion bus connectors -software selectable and configurable addressing

·        Compatibility with existing Commodore Cartridge bus at one edge of the connector (connectors will be 'keyed' to help prevent misalignment of cartridges.)

·        Other contacts will include added address bus, config dot clock, video lines, etc.

·        Capability to configure C1 system chip settings externally

·        1 Basic PCI Expansion Slot - A basic 'Register access' version of the PCI bus for connecting an Ethernet adapter or other modern I/O device.

External Interfacing

·        PS/2 Keyboard port with either Commodore-64 matrix emulation (configurable) or raw data access

·        Joystick lines can also be emulated via keyboard

·        PS/2 Mouse with 1351 emulation and bi-directional communication support.

·        IEC Serial Connector supporting Commodore VIC/64/264/128 drives and printers.

·        2 Joystick Ports (limited to joysticks and joystick compatible devices only)

·        High speed RS-232 Serial Port (16550 emulation with 16? byte I/O buffer)

·        Parallel port - (GEOCable compatible interfacing only) can double as PA0-7.

·        Geek Port ('Whatever spare lines are left... around 24 I/O lines)

* About the Copper
The Copper processor is designed to make adjustments to the video chip 'on the fly' as the video chip draws the screen the copper can be set to activate at specific pixel locations - upon activation it can modify the video registers with new values. This is how split screen, layered screen and/or mixed video effects are so easy on the Amiga. The Copper command list has three commands 'Wait for Raster Value', 'Skip Function if Event,' and 'Store Value to Register'.

** Floppy/IDE Interface
In the initial release these interfaces will not have any support software (with the exception of 1581 emulation), it is hoped that with the ease of interfacing to the floppy and IDE drives a more 'software oriented individual' will develop the necessary support software for these devices.