| PicoROM [message #10862] |
Sun, 02 February 2025 11:45  |
tingo
Messages: 114
Registered: February 2017
Location: Oslo, Norway
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Senior Member |
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If you need a DIP-32 ROM emulator the PicoROM looks interesting.
Hmm, now I need to find a project to use it on...
Torfinn
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| Re: PicoROM [message #10864 is a reply to message #10862] |
Mon, 03 February 2025 07:15  |
jayindallas
Messages: 110
Registered: June 2021
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Senior Member |
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WARNING! Reading this message will introduce you to the hidden field of "Electronic Insanity Engineering!"
If you use something like the virtual PicoROM, you could code-modify it into various data-portals by (1) using addressing sequences as a 'data writes' bus to the picoROM and (2) the 'data-bus-reads' as data input to the system CPU. No reason why a virtual Read/Write disk couldn't be done or a communications portal to another system or resource, through the Virtualized IC. In fact, a self-modifying segment of the ROM could provide BIOS code for running the portal within the same PicoROM address range. Like putting CP/M and BIOS into a 1K Rom address space; just think outside the box.
A unique read address sequence-pattern could flip the PicoROM from virtual ROM mode into any alternate virtual portal modes that are code-supported. That mode could be easily confirmed by reading a ROM address within the PicoROM address range, whose ROM data changes to verify the portal mode the PicoROM changed to. As the system also needs the PicoROM as ROM, you have to define a handshake pattern to put it back into ROM mode. Its likely that reading a ROM image replacement into a block of RAM would be easier.
This is an example of the advantage of first emulating vintage system ICs with a modern MPU and then virtualizing new functions into it, particularly in vintage or retro systems. The possibilities are endless, but you just have to twist your brain until you see the way. Its just creative design and coding.
My initial interest in this strange area was to replace floppy disk controllers with virtual FDCs with 'enhanced' abilities. But a CPU replacement is generally the most powerful socket to emulate and then virtualize.
Now you know why I call this field, "Electronic Insanity Engineering." heheheh
It takes talent, creativity, disrespect for convention, vision and a bit of insanity. Like the best of Rock & Roll musicians. :)
[Updated on: Mon, 03 February 2025 07:28] Report message to a moderator |
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