[News] Announcement: Technical data of the new Catweasel MK4 | ANN.lu |
Posted on 18-Jul-2004 12:20 GMT by Jens Schönfeld | 469 comments View flat View list |
During the first months of this year, we were totally surprised by the overwhelming demand for Catweasel MK3. All stock has been sold, and even our retail partners do not have anything left in stock. The demand was so high that one controller even went for more than 150,- EUR on eBay!
Unfortunately, it turned out that a new production run of the existing MK3-design cannot be done for reasonable prices, so a re-design became necessary. The new controller is now in the first stage before mass production, so we're confident to be able to show the first controllers at the Amiwest show on july 24th and 25th in Sacramento, Califoria.
Many improvements have been made compared to the Catweasel MK3 that can be summarized under the headline "bigger, better, faster".
The changes in detail
The most obvious change is the size of the card: With only 2.5 inch (63.5mm) height, it complies with the low-profile PCI standard that not only fits into any normal computer case, but also in flat models that are so famous among so-called "case-modders". The Flipper-interface will not be continued. Those who need a Catweasel for their classic Amiga can use the Catweasel Z-II S-Class, which is still availble.
Improvements on the floppy controller
Kylwalda built in
While the old Catweasel models always had their own floppy drives that were installed in addition to the existing controller and drives, the MK4 has the option of using the existing diskdrives. After the machine has started, th drives can be used just like before, and after the drivers have been loaded, the Catweasel can take control of these drives when necessary. This is especially useful for smaller cases with fewer drive bays.
We already addressed this problem earlier with an additional product called 'Kylwalda'.
Suppot for auto-eject drives
These drives without eject-button are well-known from Macintosh computers, and they're now fully supported by the Catweasel. You can also mix floppy types, one with an eject-button, and another from the Macintosh world on the same cable.
Hard-sectored disks supported
This kind of 5.25 and 8 inch disks were already readable with the previous Catweasel models, but writing was only possible with a high software effort, and it required a realtime operating system. This effort is not necessary any more with the new controller, because new options allow complete support of these disk types in hardware.
dual-ported memory
Contrary to it's predecessors, the new Catweasel MK4 can pass the data that it is currently reading from a disk to the computer while the read access is running. This allows realtime emulation, and errorfree function of copy-protected software on emulators.
more flexible read- and write operations
In addition to working on whole tracks, which made all previous Catweasel models so flexible, tracks can now also be accesed in part very precisely. Should this become necessary for compatibility or speed reasons, the Catweasel MK4 is perfectly prepared.
extensive timer-functions
Although most operating systems already offer timer-functions in software, you cannot always rely on them. The most recent example are the timing-problems that occur with Hyperthreading-processors and Windows operating systems. Since all timers are running independantly in the hardware of the Catweasel MK4, nothing can go wrong in this regard.
all events can trigger an interrupt (IRQ)
Together with the hardware-timer functions, this is the best solution for multitasking operating systems. The driver software does not have to check regularly if the controller needs attention, which reduces the processor load.
Improvements on the keyboard interface
In addition to Amiga-keyboards, PS/2 devices can now also be connected. Not only keyboards, but also PS/2 mice are supported. The keyboard controller can now trigger IRQs, and for those customers who want to continue using their favourite combination of PS/2 mouse and keyboard on USB-only computers, the Catweasel MK4 has two connectors of this kind.
Improvements on the joystick ports
Amiga mice supported in hardware
Amiga mice only have minimal electronics that always pass the movements of the device to the computer in realtime. Classic Amiga computers have hardware-support for interpretation of these signals in the chipset, and this support has now been added to the Catweasel. Theoretically, using Amiga mice was already possible with the Catweasel MK3, but this required a software effort that was not justifiable. With the new hardware, the software effort is reduced to a minimum.
every signal can be programmed as output
The digital joystick ports of the 8-bit computers of the 80s were mostly usable in two directions, they were not only inputs, but also programmable as data outputs. We're following this tradition, and also present this possibility for the Catweasel MK4.
compatible with CD32 pads
The game controllers of the Amiga CD32 can now also be used on the Catweasel. A special capability of the classic Amigas (and therefore also of the CD32) made these pads exclusive for this computer, if connected to other computers, not all buttons of the pad could be used. Technically speaking: Even the potentiometer-pins of the digital joystick ports can be programmed as outputs on the Catweasel MK4.
Improvements on the SID audio part
DC-DC converter eliminates noise
On the Catweasel MK3, it was possible that noises from 3D-graphics cards or high-speed harddrives were coupled into the 12V-power supply of the SID audio part. This cannot happen any more on the Catweasel MK4, because a DC-DC converter is an insuperable obstacle for such noises.
cycle-exact control
In addition to the known programming that's compatible with the Catweasel MK3, the MK4 has a sophisticated script-language for SID control. This lets the programmer define the exact time for data that's being written into the SID chips. To make sample playback sound exactly like on a real C64, the data rate to the SID chip must be kept at a constant rate. This is accomplished with Fifo memory that's big enough to maintain the datarate even under high processor load conditions.
Digiboost for new SID versions
As opposed to the 'classic SID' 6581, the newer SID-chips 8580 and 6582 cannot playback samples any more. This option, which is also called 'the fourth voice', is replaced by two sigma-delta converters on the Catweasel MK4, so the fourth channel is also audible with the newer SID versions. Since the filter properties and the sound of mixed waveforms of all SID versions have their supporters, this should make the decision for the right chip a little easier.
Filter capacitors selectable
Commodore has defined three different capacitor values for the filters of the SIDs during the years that this chip has been produced. The result was that the same chip sounded differently if used in different computers. To bring the sound as close as possible to what you are used to, the filter capacitors can be chosen with a few jumpers.
precise clocking
The Catweasel MK3 used the commodore-chip 8701 to recreate the exact same clock. Since our stock of this chip is empty with the Catweasel MK3 being sold out, we have cloned it on the main logic chip of the Catweasel MK4: The exact base frequency is generated with crystals that have been made especially for us. By division and multiplication according to the specifications of the C64 schematics from 1982, we managed to replace the 8701, which is not made any more. Even the slight difference between PAL and NTSC computers is software-selectable!
two SIDs for stereo sound
You'll have twice the SID pleaseure after installing a second SID chip. Every SID has it's own selection of filter capacitors, and SIDs of all versions can be mixed.
Technology improvements
compatible with 3.3V and 5V PCI slots
Even though PC boards with 3.3V PCI slots are not yet widely available, the Catweasel is prepared for it. The roadmap of the PCI special interst group plans to abandon 5V PCI slots within forseeable time, and the Catweasel is perfectly suited for that date. Local generation of the 3.3V power also ensures proper function on early PCI motherboards that do not comply with the ATX standard.
two DMA interfaces
In addition to processor-based data transfer, the Catweasel MK4 can excahnge data with the main system through two low-speed DMA channels: The first goes throught he PCI slot, and it has a capacity of about 8K per second and direction. The second uses the direct connection to the onboard-floppy controller, and the speed is up to 100K per second.
low power consumption
The Catweasel MK4 makes use of the latest FPGA technology with 2.5V core voltage. This reduces the power consumption of the new controller to a fraction of what the Catweasel MK3 used. This also reduces heat generation a lot.
re-configurable logic
The FPGA on the Catweasel MK4 is completely re-configurable by the drivers. This means that a hardware update can be done through the internet! Should we find a disk format that cannot be handled with the current hardware, the core of the Catweasel can be 're-wired' to address the problem. The controller doesn't even have to be taken out of the computer for ths update!
drivers for many operating systems
The Catweasel MK4 is delivered with drivers for Windows 98(se)/ME/XP/2000, Amiga OS4, and for Mac OS X at a later date. MorphOS drivers are available for a surcharge.
The Catweasel MK4 will be available starting october 2004.
The target retail price is 99,- EUR.
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Announcement: Technical data of the new Catweasel MK4 : Comment 438 of 469 | ANN.lu |
Posted by Johan Rönnblom on 22-Jul-2004 13:27 GMT | In reply to Comment 435 (Stefan Burström): Stefan Burström wrote:
> Johan Rönnblom wrote:
>> Well I have, there was a list of resellers posted here on ANN some
>> months ago of resellers who have bought boards directly from bPlan.
> Right. Come one! That's as much marketing effort as Amiga Inc has
> been doing for the past 2 years.
So? The point is that they are selling to other parties, not just to
Genesi. Which means that you have to explain why bPlan would want to
do such a thing, if Genesi are the ones subsidising the boards. Well,
as you're now clearly saying that you don't claim that the Pegasos 2
is subsidised, this point is moot.
However, this really seems to me like you're chickening out, as the
Pegasos 2 is obviously quite similar to the Pegasos 1, and it would
have to take a *very* good estimate of the Pegasos 1 production cost
to make it a bad guess for the Pegasos 2 production cost.
As for Genesi funding bPlan, it really has no bearing on whether
boards would be subsidised or not. Regardless how many gazillion
dollars bPlan may have received from Genesi, it still wouldn't make
sense for bPlan to sell boards below production cost.
[about McEwen]
> And I don't have to explain to you whether or not I like them to
> make myself credible? Agreed?
Exactly. If I were trying to lump you together with him like that, it
would make you a bit upset, it seems. Well, then don't do the same to
others, they might get upset too, you know.
> When the whole Thendic-France thing appeared, all of a sudden the
> supply of Pegasos boards dropped.
What? As I visited Thendic France just before the first Pegasos were
shipped, this makes no sense. Pegasos boards have been supplied while
Thendic France existed, and after they went bankrupt, but not before
they appeared. But maybe you're referring to the bankruptcy? Strange
then, because I believe most Pegasos boards have been supplied after
that bankruptcy, and certainly after Thendic effectively ceased to be
a factor during late fall 2003.
> However I have seen certain Genesi representatives here. See the
> difference?
Yes, dr Kouri has invested in AInc, but he has not, at least not under
his own name, taken part in on-line discussions about it. And this is
relevant for exactly what?
> If you had been more carefull with your reading you would have
> notcied that one of the estimates was spot on if you include the
> margins I gave.
Which one, the $100 estimate or, eh, the $100 estimate?
Now you're saying that this estimate was for a six layer board, which
is interesting considering how your main assumption was obviously 8
layers before. But go ahead, make your claims. When you have made a
claim that, if true, would show that the Pegasos 1 was subsidised, we
can start to look a little closer at it. At the moment you don't have
any such claim except "I find it hard to believe", ie you're
just guessing.
> Hehe, yeah and you so conveniently forgot to point out that I didn't
> mention the 2 other needed PCB's to build a Pegasos.
Why should I? You're the one trying to show that the BOM for the
Pegasos 1 would be too high, not I.
> Now you really owe me an appology, because here is the qoute:
> (I had to put 2 messages back together since you so conveniently
> left out the important parts)
You mean you had to forge the quote because I never said what you just
claimed that I said. Because I "conveniently" left out the irrelevant
parts.
> Johan Rönnblom did not answer this with:
>> Stefan Burström wrote
>>> Johan Rönnblom wrote:
>>>> Stefan Burström wrote:
>>>>> 6 or 8 layers I'd guess.
>>>> Six, I think it has been stated, at least not more.
>>> Ok, say 6 then.
>>>>> Microvias between layer 1-2 and 7-8 to be able to route the
>>>>> BGA's.
>>>> There's no layer 7-8..
>>> Duh! You don't understand how funny you are! If you have microvias
>>> between
>> No. There is no layer 7-8, period.
Johan Rönnblom *really* replied to:
> Stefan Burström:
>> Duh! You don't understand how funny you are!
> No. There is no layer 7-8, period.
What you're doing here is that first you say that the board may have
6-8 layers, but then you rapidly go on to assume that it has the more
expensive 8 layers after all. This gets rather funny when you place
the microvias in thin air, which probably means nothing to me as you'd
say "I really meant between the outermost layers", but to any outside
observer it illustrates quite clearly how you go on with your
speculation much further than your knowledge about the Pegasos 1
allows you to do. If you *really* wanted to do a low estimate, you
would have assumed it had 6 layers. But that's not what you wanted,
obviously.
>> Unless you want to claim that the "basics of PCB design" somehow
>> dictate that no 6-layered 63sqin PCB can ever be produced below a
>> cost of $300, it doesn't help.
> I never said that the PCB alone would cost more than $300. But hey,
> I am getting used of you misqouting me.
Misquote? Where, please? Is "unless you want to state" too advanced
English for you to grasp? So you do not want to state that, fine. Then
what I claim above, and still do, is that all your "PCB design basics"
argumentation does *nothing* to support your case.
And btw, it's spelt "quote", not "qoute". And you're not allowed to
quote people by cutting and pasting together different messages making
it seem like people made different statements than they really did.
> Given someone who designs electronics, don't you think that I look
> at the right place right away :)
> Digi-key is like Elfa. You find most parts there and they can suply
> you quickly, but they may not have the cheapest price. (But may be
> the only one selling you in sub 1000 numbers)
So obviously you're looking at the wrong place right away, as this
doesn't give you any low estimate at all.
Come on, you're claiming that the Pegasos 1 can't have been made cheap
enough to be sold at the price it had. Now, can you just for a second
imagine that you might be wrong, here. Is that possible for you, or
are you really just Samface in disguise? Ok, let's assume you can. Now
how would it be possible, then? Well, obviously one reason could be
that bPlan somehow managed to source their parts very cheaply. Then,
obviously, they would not buy them from Digi-key. So again, you have a
high estimate, which is not very useful, as Digi-key probably have
huge margins on at least some of their products, as they seem to base
their market on being able to supply a few components quickly, in
cases where it really doesn't matter to most customers if they cost
two dollars or twenty cents.
> My guess whas that the PCB's alone would be around 100USD which is
> a claim that I still stand by.
Ok, and divided upon the three PCB's, how would these 100USD be
distributed roughly? I'm asking because there's no use showing how the
main board could be made for $50 if you could just claim that "yeah,
but it would still be $100 in total".
Anyway, until you've reached those $300 we agreed upon, you don't even
have an argument here. It's more like, you give an estimate of one of
the most expensive parts, then you wave your hands and imply that
the total will reach some unspecified sum.
> I see no point discussing this further than the PCB with you though
> since you obviously don't even want to TRY to understand.
How could I "understand" when all you're offering are guesses and "I
find it hard to believe"s? If you want to show that the Pegasos 1 was
too expensive to produce, you'll have to back this up. You chose to do
it by going into the BOM. Fair enough. But when you're unable to
even estimate a BOM that proves your point, you're chickening out it
seems.
Stefan Burström wrote:
> AdmVOrlOn wrote:
>> You are aware that the person you are arguing with has taken the
>> Genesi shilling previously? And has a record of arguing in their
>> favour no matter what facts, realities or occurances take place?
> No really? I even tried to point that out to him, but he didn't
> understand why.
Given that I've never taken a single cent from Genesi, it is a little
hard to understand. And even if I had, you don't get more ad hominem
than this. Well I think you just lost this argument for good.
Forging my quotes, lying about me, going into personal attacks when
you don't "want" (can't?) support your theory with facts. How nice! |
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