X65 prototype Gen2
- smokku
There are some big changes coming for X65 microcomputer project.
After testing the first version of DEV-board, I’ve decided to make a huge
implementation change - instead of implementing both RIA and CGIA
in one RP2350 microcontroller, X65 will use two separate MCU chips
communicating over a high-speed bus, each implementing one functional chip.
First chip takes the role of North Bridge - interfacing CPU and memory.
Second chip takes the role of South Bridge - interfacing to external hardware
and implementing the VPU with its spare processing power.
With all the available GPIO pins of two MCUs
I can get rid of all the discrete components from the board.
After a long discussion with community, I’ve also decided to not go
with Yamaha SD-1 FM synthesizer as the sound chip of X65.
SD-1 is not produced anymore and the supply is sketchy.
Instead, we will go with yet another RP2350 MCU, implementing our own custom
Sound Processor unit, driving a modern CODEC+DSP chip.
The prototype of Gen2 X65 is already taking shape and mostly working.
The breadboard prototype already works better than the Gen1 PCB.
The future looks bright for the machine…