Re: DIY ISA backplane

[Elsid <le...@swiftdsl.com.au>]

I would be interested in building an ISA backplane.

 

Leon Byles

On Wednesday, September 26, 2012 5:43:38 AM UTC+10, Sergey wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Several people asked me about getting an ISA back plane. While it is
> possible to buy one, some folks would like to build one themselves.
>
> So I am wondering how many people would like to build one?
>
> Also I would like to collect various ideas for making the backplane.
>
> Here is what I have in mind so far:
>
> - Minimally sized Micro ATX board  (9.6" x 6.7" or so). It is possible
> to make the board even smaller, only using the PCB space needed for
> connectors and other components, but yet keep the ATX - compatible
> mounting holes.
> - 5 or 6 ISA slots. Note that Micro ATX only allows 4 slots, so if
> using a case only 4 slots will be exposed on the back side. But still
> it should be possible to use the remaining slots for cards that don't
> have connectors on the back side, for example the XT-IDE card.
> - ATX power connector and power on circuit (so it will work with a
> momentary switch normally found in ATX cases)
> - Minus 5V regulator (convert -12V to -5V). Most modern ATX power
> supplies don't provide -5V (it is optional), but yet some ISA cards
> use it. This circuit could be optional with a jumper to select -5V
> source (ATX power supply or the backplane regulator)
> - Onboard FDC and UART... maybe a couple of UARTs. I am not sure about
> this one... an alternative would be making an FDC/UART ISA card, which
> is more universal approach. I this case it is possible to provide two
> DE9F serial port connectors with 5x2 headers connected to them (for
> example to plug the XT-IDE V2 serial interface).
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
> Sergey