[MZ-SD²CMT / MZ-CH376] Ideas for fast loader/saver program without the need of GUI on the SD device
Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2018 9:32 am
You probably know about my project MZ-SD²CMT (Arduino MEGA with a LCD, buttons, a SD card reader) which emulates a tape recorder and have a special ultra-fast mode to load a binary program the fastest way. I also have another ongoing project using a CH376 (can read/write USB mass storage key and SD card) directly connected to the MZ-700 board (Z80 drives the CH376 controller).
For the first project, I would like to see a solution where I could avoid the GUI so I can easily put the Arduino MEGA inside the MZ-700 to contain all the wires inside as well. The SD card reader may also be inside if I add a SD wire and some Velcro bands.
For the second project, depending on the CH376 board (can be only USB or both USB and SD), it could also put inside the MZ-700 using USB wire and/or SD wire. Not so much different from the first project.
The main issue is that you need a Z80 software for both projects to allow fast transfer between the MZ and the device.
If we exclude rewriting the ROM, what are the solution?
First project:
1) In the monitor prompt, typing L will trigger the Arduino MEGA to load the special software in memory (Normal PWM header + Normal tiny Ultra-fast loader program + Ultra-fast mode real program). Once launched, several possibilities:
1.1) MZ-700 can copy the monitor ROM in RAM, patch the copied monitor to allow direct Ultra-fast mode loading/saving then go back in the monitor prompt in RAM. The tricky part is when and how to prompt for a file name to load/save. The coolest thing would be to be able to popup a file browser.
1.2) Launch a tool. You can load or save or run a program in normal or ultra-fast mode. No monitor patching. No tricky part as the tool is in charge.
1.3) Launch an IPL. Choices can be: going back after or without patching the Monitor code (ROM->RAM), launching the tool embedded in the IPL, and so on.
Second project: I believe it is quite similar to the first project.
if someone has more ideas about how to achieve it, I'll be glad to hear about them.
For the first project, I would like to see a solution where I could avoid the GUI so I can easily put the Arduino MEGA inside the MZ-700 to contain all the wires inside as well. The SD card reader may also be inside if I add a SD wire and some Velcro bands.
For the second project, depending on the CH376 board (can be only USB or both USB and SD), it could also put inside the MZ-700 using USB wire and/or SD wire. Not so much different from the first project.
The main issue is that you need a Z80 software for both projects to allow fast transfer between the MZ and the device.
If we exclude rewriting the ROM, what are the solution?
First project:
1) In the monitor prompt, typing L will trigger the Arduino MEGA to load the special software in memory (Normal PWM header + Normal tiny Ultra-fast loader program + Ultra-fast mode real program). Once launched, several possibilities:
1.1) MZ-700 can copy the monitor ROM in RAM, patch the copied monitor to allow direct Ultra-fast mode loading/saving then go back in the monitor prompt in RAM. The tricky part is when and how to prompt for a file name to load/save. The coolest thing would be to be able to popup a file browser.
1.2) Launch a tool. You can load or save or run a program in normal or ultra-fast mode. No monitor patching. No tricky part as the tool is in charge.
1.3) Launch an IPL. Choices can be: going back after or without patching the Monitor code (ROM->RAM), launching the tool embedded in the IPL, and so on.
Second project: I believe it is quite similar to the first project.
if someone has more ideas about how to achieve it, I'll be glad to hear about them.