Zemmix Neo MSX FPGA User Manual
This manual is based on the work by Bruno Nazareth
  
  The Zemmix Neo is a FPGA (field programmable gate array) computer which implements a fully compatible MSX2+ machine. The Zemmix design is based on the One Chip MSX. It features all the functions of the OCM and adds a hardware scanlines generator (for the VGA output). It also allows the connection of USB keyboards (only if they implement PS/2 protocol through USB).
Tech Specs
-Altera Cyclone EP1C12Q240C8N FPGA chip -32 MB SDRAM
-Compatible with KdL Firmwares
-MSX2+ Standard Compatible
-Turbo 5.37 or 8.06 MHz
-Switchable 2/4 Mb RAM Mapper
-MSX-MUSIC Compatible (FMPAC)
-1 Mb ESE-MegaRAM
-1 Mb ESE-RAM SCC+
-2 External Cartridge Slots
-SD Card Slot for Mass Storage (SD card FAT16 formatted) -RGB/VGA 15/31KHz Video Output (50/60Hz)
-NTSC 60hz Composite and S-Video Output
-PS/2 and USB Keyboard Connection
-2 DB9 Joystick Ports (MSX compatible)
-RCA Stereo Audio Input
-Selectable Tape Input Mode
 
 Unit overview
   
 Before you turn on your Zemmix Neo
-Make sure you are using the right power supply. A 5 volts, 2 Amps, center positive PSU is required. Using a different PSU will damage the unit permanently!
-Select a desired video output (See DIP Switch Settings section). For best quality choose VGA/RGB video output. Remember the Composite/S-Video output is NTSC 60hz standard. If you connect it to a PAL screen you will get a B/W image.
-Connect a PS/2 Keyboard to be able to input commands. You can also use USB keyboards connected through the USB port 1, as long as the USB keyboard supports PS/2 protocol.
-Optionally, you can insert a FAT16 formatted SD card with MSXDOS2 boot files (See DIP Switch Settings section to enable the SD slot) and also you can insert any MSX compatible cartridge (game cartridges, Floppy/IDE controllers, FlashROM carts, etc are supported)
WARNING!!! Do not plug/unplug any cartridge/device when the unit is powered. It will very likely damage the unit permanently.
  
 DIP Switch Settings
The DIP switch is accessible from the bottom of the unit and can be used to select/configure the various features the Zemmix offers.
     Switch
Function
  Setting
   SW1
CPU Speed
  OFF
 CPU 3.58Mhz
  ON
 CPU 8.06Mhz -TurboPANA 5.37Mhz -Turbo Mega SD enabled
  SW2/SW3
Video Output
  OFF/OFF
 Composite Video/S-Video (NTSC, 60hz)
  OFF/ON
 RGB (through VGA connector).
  ON/OFF
 VGA 31khz/60Hz
  ON/ON
 VGA w/ scanlines, 31Khz/60Hz
  SW4
SLOT 1 Config
  OFF
 External slot 1 enabled
  ON
 Internal MEGASCC+ (1Mb) enabled External slot 1 disabled
  SW5/SW6
SLOT 2 Config
  OFF/OFF
 External slot 2 enabled
  OFF/ON
 Internal ESE MegaRAM 1Mb (ASCII 8Kb BANK).
External slot 2 disable
  ON/OFF
 Internal ESE MegaSCC+ 1Mb. External slot 2 disable
  ON/ON
 Internal ESE MegaRAM 1Mb (ASCII 16Kb BANK).
External slot 2 disable
  SW7
RAM Mapper
  OFF
 2Mb internal RAM mapper
  ON
 4Mb internal RAM mapper
  SW8
SD Card Slot
  OFF
 Disabled
  ON
 Enabled
                    Warning!! Do not alter DIP switches settings while the unit is powered on!! DOING SO MIGHT DAMAGE THE UNIT 
 Keyboard
The Zemmix supports standard PC PS/2 keyboards and USB keyboards implementing PS/2 protocol through USB.
All the Zemmix functions and settings are accessible through key stokes and shortcuts. Special MSX keys (STOP, GRAPH, etc) are mapped to PC keyboard as well:
     PC Key/ Combo
 Function
  END
 MSX STOP Key
  ALT
 MSX GRAPH Key
  WIN
 MSX SPACE Key
  F6
 MSX GRAPH Key
  F7
 MSX KANA Key
  F8
 MSX SELECT Key
  F9
 Increase PSG volume
  SHIFT + F9
 Decrease PSG volume
  F10
 Increase SCC volume
  SHIFT + F10
 Decrease SCC volume
  F11
 Increase FM volume
  SHIFT + F11
 Decrease FM volume
  PAGE UP
 Increase overall volume
  PAGE DOWN
 Decrease overall volume
  F12
 Changes CPU speed between 3.58MHz, 5.37MHz and 8.06MHz
  PRINTSCREEN/ SHIFT + PRINTSCREEN
 Changes video output CVBS/S- Video, SCART, VGA 31KHz, VGA+ 31KHz
  SCROLL LOCK
 Enable/disable tape input mode
  SHIFT + F12
 Toggles SLOT 1 configuration external/SCC+
  SHIFT + SCROLL LOCK
 Toggles SLOT 2 configuration external/ASCII8/SCC+/ASCII16
                      
 Status LEDs
There are 9 LEDs on board to show the status of different Zemmix configurations. LEDs will turn ON/OFF depending on a setting being enabled or disabled. Also, while adjusting volume the LEDs will show the level (from 1 to 9) of the volume.
    LED
 Status
   1
 Flashing
 SD activity. Flash memory activity
  2
  ON
 4Mb RAM Mapper
 OFF
 2Mb RAM Mapper
 3/4
  OFF/OFF
 External SLOT 2 Enabled
  OFF/ON
 ESE-MegaRAM ASCII 8K
  ON/OFF
 ESE-MegaSCC+
  ON/ON
 ESE-MegaRAM ASCII 16K
  5
  OFF
 External SLOT 1 Enabled
 ON
 ESE-SCC+
 6/7
  OFF/OFF
 Composite Video/S-Video output
  OFF/ON
 15khz RGB+Audio through VGA connector
  ON/OFF
 VGA
  ON/ON
 VGA with scanlines
 8/9
  OFF/OFF
 Standard 3.58Mhz Clock
  OFF/ON
 Turbo 5.37Mhz Clock
  ON/OFF
 Turbo 8.06Mhz Clock
                   Keyboard LEDs are also used to show configuration status: SCROLL LOCK LED: Tape input ON/OFF
NUM LOCK LED: Kana mode ON/OFF
Attention! DIP switch, keys and LED functions can change if a different firmware is loaded onto the board.
 Cartridges
Both external slots on the Zemmix can be used to run MSX cartridges. These can be ROM (software) cartridges or any hardware add-on cart like FDD/IDE interfaces, FlashROM cartridges, etc. Any cart that works on a original MSX machine should work with the Zemmix.
ATTENTION!! DO NOT INSERT/EXTRACT CARTRIDGES WHILE THE UNIT IS POWERED ON.
To use the external slots make sure the DIP switches are set properly: Switch 4 OFF to activate slot 1, Switches 5 and 6 OFF to activate slot 2.
External Mass Storage
To use any external storage devices such as floppy disk controllers or IDE controller cartridges you might need to disable the Zemmix SD slot to avoid hardware conflicts. To turn off the SD slot set the DIP switch 8 to OFF.
Tape Player
It is possible to use a tape player with original MSX cassette tapes to load software into the Zemmix through the RED RCA audio connector on the back of the unit. This connector can be configured either as an audio output or input by pushing the SCROLL LOCK key on the keyboard.
For tape loading make sure the Zemmix SD slot is disabled and the SCROLL LOCK LED on the keyboard is lit. Then you can issue the BASIC loading command (see the instructions for the particular tape you want to load) and play the tape.
Zemmix SD Card Slot
To activate the Zemmix internal SD card slot set the DIP switch 8 to ON. You can use SD cards formatted as FAT16, max partition size 4GB. With the latest KdL firmware release the Zemmix will support SDHC, but the max partition size remains 4GB.
You can use the card directly with the regular MSX BASIC commands (FILES, SAVE, LOAD, etc). The card will be recognized as drive ?A?. If there is an external storage interface plugged onto one of the cartridge slots the internal SD will be recognized as drive ?C?.
    
 It is also possible to use MSXDOS (NEXTOR is also available with KdL firmware 3.5). In this case you need to copy MSXDOS2.SYS and COMMAND2.COM to the SD card.
Running MSXDOS will allow the use of various tools and utilities as for example ROMLOAD.COM/MGLOCM.COM to load ROM files, SofaRUN to browse and launch files and programs, many Zemmix configuration utilities, C compilers, etc. Notice you need to individually download and copy these utilities into the card. We strongly recommend to read the MSXDOS2 user manual to get familiar with all its functions and features.
Firmware Update
The MSX user/developer KdL is actively updating the OCM/Zemmix firmware. You can find the latest version at his site: http://gnogni.altervista.org
The firmware can be updated either with the PLDFLASH.COM utility (provided in KdL?s the ?OCM-EXTRA? package) or using the Altera USB-Blaster programmer. Please follow the instructions enclosed in KdL?s ?OCM-PLD? package (?howto.txt? file).
ATTENTION!! From firmware version 3.5 both korean and brazilian firmwares are interchangeable. You can use either the ?bios_zemmixneobr? or the ?bios_zemmixneo? firmware.
  
  Zemmix Schematics
 

