So in the last blog post I designed a simple adaptor to allow use of the (at time of writing) still in stock TEI0004 JTAG adaptor with the MEGA65*, in place of the not currently in stock TE0790 JTAG adaptors.
Well, I have made up the first dozen of them, and they work. I can communicate with the serial monitor interface of the MEGA65, and I can push bitstreams to the MEGA65 over it as well.
You can even stack them like LEGO (tm etc)!
This means it can be used to support development workflows that use the serial monitor interface. It can also be used to de-brick your MEGA65 if you mess up flash slot 0.
Note that these adaptors are _not_ supported by Vivado, but they _are_ supported by the MEGA65 m65 and m65connect tools on Linux and Mac, and for the serial monitor interface on Windows.
The JTAG interface also technically works on Windows, but is not currently well supported by m65 and m65connect, so in practice may not work in that mode. It might work for you, but it might not. We are not promising that it does right now, let's put it that way.
But if you are on Windows and need the JTAG interface, e.g., for pushing a bitstream to de-brick a MEGA65, or just try out other bitstreams without having to flash them, they will work 100% in a Linux VM.
My 11 year old son and I have decided to use this as a good opportunity for him to learn about the process of producing and selling a product, including working out all the costs, setting an appropriate price etc, so he is offering a batch of 50 of these for sale.
So if you would like to order one, they will be AU$15.95 or 9,99€ plus postage from Australia, depending on your preferred currency. Payments will be accepted via EFT transfer from Australian bank accounts in Australian dollars or via IBAN/Direct Transfer/Sofortüberweisung in Euros to a German bank account -- i.e., no currency exchange fees will be involved.
Postage within Australia is $9.30 or $12.50 if you would like it Express Post. Postage to most of Europe, including Germany and the UK is 10€ for slow-and-cheap or 18€ for express via Australia Post/EMS. Post should be constant for up to 3 or 4 adaptors in a single shipment. If you would like to order more, let me know, and I can get a more exact quote.
Finally, if you would like to order one (or more to save postage with friends), please visit the MEGA65 Discord Server and send me a private message.
But don't forget to check stock and order a TEI0004 from Trenz Electronic first, so that you know you will be able to make use of the adaptor!
Of course, if you would prefer to make your own, I'm happy to share the design with anyone who would like it.
Rats, no U.S. shipment option; however, I completely understand. What a great way for your 11-year-old to learn about business and electronics!
ReplyDeleteWe can ship to the US. Price is the same as to Europe. Message me on discord, and we can work out the price in US$, if you would like one. But, yes, most of all it's a great way for my son to learn some useful life lessons :)
DeletePromising but with the C65's relationship to the Amiga in mind, I can't help but wonder if JTAG support for the Amiga is neglected for any particular reason?
ReplyDeleteThe JTAG support on the MEGA65 is really just a way of talking to the FPGA. As the Amiga was not FPGA based, it didn't make sense for the Amiga to have such an interface. On the MEGA65 the JTAG connector also carries the debug serial port, but that is not technically part of the JTAG thing, it just happens to be carried on the same physical connector. We really should therefore call it "JTAG and debug serial interface", but that's way too long to say, so we just call it the "JTAG interface".
DeleteI am having problems ordering the MEGA65 is there a problem in the ordering system
ReplyDeleteWhat sort of problems are you having? It will show 0 in stock, but that's normal, as the next batch is still being manufactured. But it shouldn't stop you ordering.
DeleteI was in the first round of MegaC65 and live in the US. When will you be shipping out to the US?
ReplyDeleteThe first batch of 400 units have already been shipped. The next batch of 400 is currently being manufactured, hopefully for shipping ahead of Christmas this year. If you haven't received you machine yet, you must not have been in the first 400 orders.
Delete