Tapuino, the $20 C64 Tape Emulator

[sweetlilmre]

Hi,

So I've been busy in the background and attempted etching a dedicated Tapuino board and it works!
I'm designing Rev2 now which will include the MUX option (this can be jumpered out if you aren't interested in it).

The learning curve for Eagle has been... steep. Once I have the design sorted I'll publish on github and if there are any experts that would like to give it a brush up, that would be most welcome



Hope everyone that celebrated it had a very merry xmas (I ate too much again this year ). And here's to next year being awesome!
-(e)

EDIT: the schematics and board files are in the layout/eagle folder on github if anyone is interested... don't laugh...too much

[spcbm]

Nice PCB very well routed, although the schematic could be better It could be interesting to add also the C64 datassette connector on PCB REV2, so you have all in one PCB.

I'll have to look for the eagle library including some commodore stuff (I changed my computer and it was on the old) and I will send to you and also one including the arduino nano.

I made a batch of small PCB for datassette connector I'm selling on ebay if some one needs they are very cheap

http://www.ebay.es/sch/kopsec/m.html?_sacat=58058

[sweetlilmre]

Hi

That would be great, including the connector is an excellent idea. Yes the schematic is terrible it was my first attempt, I have a much better one for rev2 using nets.

-(e)

[spcbm]

Hi, this are the libraries for eagle, one for Commodore stuff, other for arduino nano and other from Sparkfun that has a clever design for pin headers, that allow them to keep in place while soldering.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-r...ew?usp=sharing


Happy New Year to all !!!!!!

[sweetlilmre]

Thanks and happy new year!

-(e)

[sweetlilmre]

Well its getting there:


-(e)

[protek]

Nice work!

If anyone is planning to make a batch of PCBs, I'd be interested in one.

[sweetlilmre]

Hi

Once I've ratified the design (by building one) I might send off to OSHPark for some, but shipping from RSA is probably not going to be cost effective. I'll keep you all in the loop tho! Getting this single sided has been interesting... I'll put the files in github soon so folks can have a look and make suggestions.

-(e)

[spcbm]

Nice PCB, just some comments:

- Try to put arduino USB port near PCB edge, so you can make a hole on the box to connect USB cable. (Have a look at pictures on post #269)
- The datassette connector has solder mask, you used it inverted, this will not affect your prototype, but should be considered for factory production.
- The price is the same for 1 or 2 sides PCB's so you can use 2 layers.

If you put the files on github I can make the changes.

I've been working with a Chinese manufacturer last year (more than 6 differents PCBs) and the price is lower that OSH, while the quality is good. I can make a batch.
Shipping from Spain is cheap if you keep the weight under 100 grams (3.5 oz)

[sweetlilmre]

Nice PCB, just some comments:

- Try to put arduino USB port near PCB edge, so you can make a hole on the box to connect USB cable. (Have a look at pictures on post #269)
- The datassette connector has solder mask, you used it inverted, this will not affect your prototype, but should be considered for factory production.
- The price is the same for 1 or 2 sides PCB's so you can use 2 layers.

If you put the files on github I can make the changes.

I've been working with a Chinese manufacturer last year (more than 6 differents PCBs) and the price is lower that OSH, while the quality is good. I can make a batch.
Shipping from Spain is cheap if you keep the weight under 100 grams (3.5 oz)

Hi,

• I've got the USB port as close to the edge as I can, should be able to make a hole in a case and see it, won't be flush with the side though. The problem is the SD Card connector placement, I've tried some alternatives placings but it usually ends up messier.
• The Datasette connector was confusing... I had to mirror/rotate until it worked, specifically for single bottom layer placement.
• I could use 2 layer, but then I need two different designs for factory fabbed or home made PCBs, I'm trying to keep it to one so anyone can make one. Two sided would be a lot easier tho...

Also:

• I've seen that Nano library part before. I didn't use it for two reasons: firstly it has some incorrectly labelled pins IIRC and secondly I want the Nano to be socketed and there only seem to be 32 way sockets (not 30 way) so I've used that instead.

I have the files in github now, give it a go and see what you can come up with. The files are called Tapuino-with-mux.brd and .sch.
Please keep to single sided for now I'll route a two sided board tonight just to see for comparisons sake, maybe we'll just need to have 2 designs.
-(e)