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NOP Design


Azure

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I am making some NOP's because I want some NOPs now that I am building back up my workshop to repair video games again.  Here are some pics of one being assembled.
IMG_7637.thumb.jpg.aafac46e34f9fda0a6f2ac2688d1c092.jpgIMG_7635.thumb.jpg.311cf322be5a2751ea812589a43ae4e1.jpg

My aim was to keep them simple but useful. I tried to come up with a standard connector for the SIG side that I can do on other NOP's. I have used GND, 2xhigh order address bit, CAT Sig Clock signal, Other Sig Clock signal (if present), Reset and 5V. Connections explained on the back.

I added LED's to what is used for start/stop, clock and reset.  Great for simple troubleshooting.  A red LED is on while RESET is active and then the others (blue) show cpu activity on RD and A15. I thought these would be a nice additions to show a stuck reset, possibly watchdog barking and the others for cpu activity.
There are pins for gnd, clock, start/stop with a signature analyzer while using the NOP module, another pin for 5V to easily connect a logic probe and reset. I left a pin gap so you can even make up a polarized connector if you want to go all out.  Kept small to make easy access to work around the cpu.

I am not sure if we can post videos, here is a link to a Clip of Z80 NOP with LEDs running.  There will be more with the same connector and LED's for Z80, 6502, 6800, 8080, 8085, 6809 and 6809E.  Once I get all these sorted I will look at the 68000, Z8002 and 8088.

Comments and suggestions welcomed.

Edited by Azure
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Here are the first set of NOPs I will be making available (6502, 6800, 6809E and Z80). You can get just the PCB's, a set of all parts needed or a set assembled and tested. Microprocessors not included. PM me if interested. Still need to test them with a signature analyzer before releasing but all meter, scope and basic NOP testing has gone well.

614780979_NOPPCBSet1.thumb.jpg.e6f6ba4f74b4bdfabe4930a0c0db51f7.jpg219557753_NOPKit1.thumb.jpg.add3f882630276db64f4472afbd05c85.jpg2100138504_NOPSet1.thumb.jpg.c0dc153cf8cf04d5c95f386622f7bc62.jpg

I have assembled the 6809, 8080 and 8085's, waiting for micros to arrive so I can test them. Then I will look at making up 8088, Z8002 and 68000 if not too hard to do. That is all I have planned for now unless someone suggests another useful one for arcade repair.

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  • 2 months later...

Progress update. I purchased a faulty HP 5004A at the start of September to fix and then use to test the NOP modules are functioning properly for signature analysis.  It went into hibernation somewhere despite paying express international shipping (no thanks to USPS). It finally arrived a few days ago and I have fixed it. That means I can get onto testing the NOP modules are working properly.

Did a very quick test on the 6502 and Cat and HP address bus signatures are all correct (depending on the clock/2 or clock pin jumper used respectively). Also did a quick test on the Z80 module and get correct address signatures. Will do more thorough testing and also of other modules by the end of next week and if they are ok I should then be able to make them available. The LED on the reset pin gives a great reminder if you have not disabled watchdog reset on the pcb being worked on.

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  • 2 months later...

If you are interested in how the cat compatible (signature analyzer) clock signal works here is a picture of the scope showing a phase 2 clock in yellow and the cat clock (phase 2 clock divided by 2) in magenta. This is not a system phase 2 clock (it is from an bit-museum NOP generator) but it still shows the 2 pulses of the phase 2 clock.

Notice how there are 2 clock pulses for one cat clock pulse cycle. This is so the signature analyzer does not count both microprocessor phase 2 clocks that are generated when it executes a NOP instruction.
 

1466482426_6502catclock.thumb.jpg.18cf25f5f087e962f213cda17cc485f8.jpg
 

I did some data gathering for the various NOP Modules I have tested.
This is to try and capture what are the generic Address and other signals on the NOP processor in various signature capturing modes. some of the non address pin signatures may change depending depending on the pcb it is plugged into.

The lists show the signatures for the Atari Catbox mode, the standard HP Signature Analyzer result, the Kurz-Kasch -A and std signatures. I have also includes the odd modes where the stop and stop are opposite each other (one on rising edge and the other on falling edge).

If you have you own lists, please let me know if you spot any errors or differences in results you may have obtained.

My intention is to keep adding to this list as I complete testing and developing more NOP modules for other microprocessors. (6802, 6803, 6809, 68000, 8085, 8088, Z8002 are DIP Packages that I am aware are used in games. Post a message if there are others you would like.

NOP Micro 6502 Sigs.pdf NOP Micro 6800 Sigs.pdf NOP Micro 6809E Sigs.pdf NOP Micro 8080 Sigs.pdf NOP Micro Z80 Sigs.pdf

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The first set of NOP Modules are now available in this thread

The next set of NOP modules I will be working on for 8 bit micros are 8085, 6809, 6802/8, 6803 and a 6510. Will also be working on 68000, 8088 and Z8002 for 16 bit micros.

Attached is a list of parts needed for the blank pcbs or that are included in the kits together with some assembly notes. I am putting together some more detailed assembly instructions with pictures that I will post when I get it done.

NOP Modules Assembly and Parts Lists.pdf

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Here is the HP5004A connected to the header of the Z80 NOP Module on a bootleg Frogger sound board. The probe is connected to A0.

 

6502 in CAT and HP Mode

 

6809E in CAT and HP Mode.

 

Many thanks to @fridgejam who lent me a Space Invaders to test the 8080 NOP and check signatures on. Works nicely, all address signatures correct.
Recorded all address lines this time, sorry about shakycam and cuts between frames, I moved a lot changing data probe pins and did a stop/start recording on the iphone with the other hand.
If you watch each address signature some of them flash an incorrect value, this is the watchdog doing a reset, not fast enough to effect getting correct signatures for the address lines, so I did not try to disable it. The Red Reset LED on the top of the NOP module also flashed to remind you that you have not disabled the watchdog.

 

Edited by Azure
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  • 1 month later...

I have had a request for another module as well as the ones I am working on for set 2.  Here is a little update.

6504 for Take Five Pinball and other Allied Leisure pinballs.

2002807136_Azure6504NOPTop3D.thumb.jpg.07fe043ce080d0852472edc9f81834d0.jpg966884992_Azure6504NOPBottom3D.thumb.jpg.7bd12c876fcaf1664ed55c3eaee8c23b.jpg

6510 for Commodore 64

2102361600_Azure6510NOPTop3D.thumb.jpg.988edd6c05aa66d7b4d0976ec57f1830.jpg164236221_Azure6510NOPBottom3D.thumb.jpg.52b8da2658a3b52c396ee09d59a80690.jpg

6802 for various arcade

1346752659_Azure6802NOPTop3D.thumb.jpg.d5e04e28d81d3e1d2dce95d1be219bb3.jpg1956431420_Azure6802NOPBottom3D.thumb.jpg.f8e74ab76f7f8ac37e7f1a59b69e95db.jpg

6803 for various arcade.

714380745_Azure6803NOPTop3D.thumb.jpg.815133667bbe1145674293cedf5652cd.jpg813583972_Azure6803NOPBottom3D.thumb.jpg.cfb977f6dfd148509a28a0adff154c44.jpg

Need to check clearance if the 20 pin dip latch on the bottom will work, otherwise it is a fine pitch smd.  Almost completed the 8085 and after a quick double check set 2 will be ready for pcb's and testing.

This is the little micro exerciser I am working on as well.  I will use it to help make new NOP modules and test some as well.

1606895214_MicroExerciseralpha2d.thumb.jpg.d51c8de8e9bd744a34b0f9e2eb0d13fc.jpg946201539_MicroExerciseralpha.thumb.jpg.321baddb602bc761cbfbc84676355e99.jpg991855944_MicroExerciseralphass.thumb.jpg.62fd557a2a5f1a2a73702aed805be0c4.jpg

Edited by Azure
Images updated with final drawing
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I have managed to come up with a design for the 68000 Free Run Module.  Not a NOP because it needs to use a different instruction to stop the system from halting due to a double trap error.

Due to the larger IC size, I have added 2 jumpers and also added an extra led for bus error BERR.  The Reset led has been changed to HALT as that is a better indicator.

There is a jumper to force DTACK to AS or use UUT DTACK.  This lets the tester choose whether to use UUT logic or ignore UUT and free run at processor speed.

The other jumper is for BERR to ignore or use UUT BERR.  This lets the tester choose whether to use UUT logic or ignore UUT and free run at processor speed.

Reset LED changed (from other NOP Modules) to halt. Lets the tester know if the system has halted.  An additional led for berr lets the tester know if the system has a bus error.

I still have to work out if I need a divider for the signature clock.  To figure that out I need to read more specs or get some time on the bench with a 68000 arcade pcb and scope.

Here is the rough layout so far (not finalised yet)

1881128232_Azure68000FreeRun2D.thumb.jpg.9c257a1e670790f92c22d6f24a31c4dc.jpg266436364_Azure68000FreeRun2Dbottom.thumb.jpg.49d3a72d11dc770c33f9ea090478156a.jpg1851519473_Azure68000FreeRunTop3D.thumb.jpg.073519ef95bb15cb9f59141524592be1.jpg1625567272_Azure68000FreeRunBottom3D.thumb.jpg.1dc4a0d6ff2329f7affa32660a76b46f.jpg

 

I would really appreciate any thoughts, suggestions or questions.  I would prefer to make a module that is useful to as many as possible.

Edited by Azure
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Azure thank you for the hard work bringing these tools to market. Your initial 68000 design looks great. I was wondering is this module going to need the sacrificial socket under the pins to safe guard the original game socket?  I can't wait to see this in real life and test on game I have for repair like Toki And Blood bros. Both are 68000 based games with board boot problems.  Any estimate on time frame until the next NOP kit2 is available and which CPU's will be included? I like the micro exerciser any additional information on it and will it be available? Keep up the great work.

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13 hours ago, mgavett said:

Your initial 68000 design looks great. I was wondering is this module going to need the sacrificial socket under the pins to safe guard the original game socket?

Probably yes, like set 1 to give the module headers a longer life and to prevent damage to the game board socket.

13 hours ago, mgavett said:

Any estimate on time frame until the next NOP kit2 is available and which CPU's will be included?

Hopefully will have the 68000 layout finished sometime next week.  Then double check of all schematics and pcb's.  If all is good hopefully make up a set to test and have them available in a few weeks if they all work ok.  At this stage set 2 will be the 8 bit modules 6504,6802,6803,6809, 8085.  There will also be the 6510 and the 16 bit 68000 as separate modules initially.

13 hours ago, mgavett said:

I like the micro exerciser any additional information on it and will it be available? Keep up the great work.

if after some testing it works out to be useful I will probably make it available.

It can be used to test, exercise or monitor micros and help me test NOP designs without hand wiring a test unit or spinning a test pcb.
Purpose is to be able to:
Power up a 40 pin micro, stand alone or plugged into a UUT (even though it is a large daughter board);
Provide a single and 2 phase clocks in +ve and -ve sync, with clock divider jumper for different speeds;
Provide reset circuitry with +ve or -ve sync;
Provide latch and sockets for resistor pullup/down (for a shared address/data bus);
Provide connections to power from single up to triple rail power micro's;
Provide connections for the signature analyzer connections the same as I have on my NOP Modules;
Allow any pin to connect to UUT or be isolated via jumper blocks;
Allow any pin to be pulled to high, low, reset or 1st clock signal via jumper blocks;
Allow any pin to be jumpered for other needs using jumper wires;
Display signal status on every pin with a dual LED for high/low indications and latch outputs.

Alpha design is finished. I am reasonably happy with most of it, still able to tweak design. Other than the LED's and their resistors I have kept all other components PTH (could be a lot smaller using SMT double sided).

Any comments or suggestions would be most welcome.
 
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And here they are....... the next batch being made up for testing. I hope I have not made too many mistakes image.gif.7cc87664179db582cb488835a1ef4a3f.gif
I suspect it maybe a few weeks before I get them as factories in China industrial areas have gone into covid lockdown.
6504 (28 pin used in Allied Leisure pinballs)
Azure 6504 NOP Top 3D.jpg
6510 used in 80's microcomputers like the Commodore 64
Azure 6510 NOP Top 3D.jpg
6802 various arcade games
Azure 6802 NOP Top 3D.jpg
6803 various arcade games
Azure 6803 NOP Top 3D.jpg
6809 various arcade games
Azure 6809 NOP Top 3D.jpg
8085 some arcade games
Azure 8085 NOP Top 3D.jpg
68000 various arcade games
Azure 68000 FreeRun Top 3D.jpg
All going well, the 6504, 6802, 6803, 6809, 8085 will be Kit 2.
The 6510 and 68000 will only be available individually initially.
Still on the todo list is the 8088 and Z8002, I suspect these are going to need some finer pitch SMD parts to keep them compact.
If you know of any others (that use an external address/data bus) let me know the game and I will try and add it to the list of NOP modules to do.
I also updated the microprocessors pinouts page I put together.
Micro Pinouts_2022-03-17.png
 

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Someone advised me that the 6503 is used on early Gottlieb sound cards (Buck Rogers pinball ) and is the MPU used in the Valley Spectra IV cocktail pinball.  It is good to get more that cover older machines. Keep the suggestions coming I will add it to the list for the next batch. Here it is ready for when I do my next pcb's.
Azure 6503 NOP Top 3D.jpgAzure 6503 NOP Bottom 3D.jpg
And maybe something like this as a Fluke 6502 Pod adapter.
Pod 6502 to 6503 Adapter 3DT.jpgPod 6502 to 6503 Adapter 3DB.jpg

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