Mega ROM mapper support;256KB MAX,Konami, ASCII 8K, ASCII 16K
Keyboard; 1PS2 Keyboard port
Joystick; 1MSX DB9 standard port
Compatible APPLE II
APPLE //e recommended, Full functioning.
APPLE IIGS; It has some limitation on dual working with APMSX, limited on Memory card access, But, General running MSX games or programming doesn't have a problem on Apple IIGS.
How to use it
(1) Use as an MSX computer
Joystick support and Keyboard even Video output exist.
(3) APPLE II can access whole 512KB Memory area even I/O while APMSX running Games (Of course, it needs BUS DMA)
MSXIOPorts mapped on$Cn00 hence, APMSX could be used as a VDP card or Sound card similar to the Arcade board.
APPLE II can use 512KB memory area on $1000-8FFF so, can use as an extra Memory card.
(4) Use Z80CPU for APPLE II as a Co-processor as a Graphics accelerator or sound processor.
Z80 could access APPLE II area hance can access HGR and speaker.
if 6502 give order function such as graphics, ie circle, paint or scroll then Z80 could calculate and run background for the graphics or sound. It is one idea to use Z80 area and you need programming for it.
Recommended APPLE II
APPLE //e+SD DISKII plus DISK emulator
32MB HDD emulation is good for APMSX with lots of ROM images.
Even one FDD can use but, not many games could put in a DISK.
APPLE IIGS works but, no full duplex way.
Not working on APPLE ][ nor ][+
Planned Production release
About 14days later
Order now
Pre-order would receive a free Joypad ($15)
Pre-order closed now.
All packaged would be shipped by Registered package with a tracking number and it would take two weeks once it shipped.
If you are not sure now, You may buy it on eBay some weeks later but, the price would higher(+10%) for eBay fee.
User's Manual
On Working.
*********************************************************************************************************This APMSX card is a real and true 8bit MSX computer and successfully connected on APPLE II.
It took a long time to develop and it was one of my dream machines.
Runs 16Mhz Z80 and there is no MSX had this speed with smooth VDP access.
And it can share APPLE II resources so, it's a peripheral for APPLE II and can share APMSX resources each other.
it isn't just a standalone isolated MSX computer. It can communicate to APPLE II on BUS level.
Hope you like this card.
Have fun with this card with your Apple II.
Other systems such as commodore or spectrum etc on APPLE II...
It isn't a emulated FPGA MSX card It has own Z80 CPU with 512KB SRAM with TTL logics and CPLD(Which is only used to reduce lots of TTL chips).
APMSX work very closely with APPLE II.
It access APPLE II memory or I/O of APPLE II.
APPLE II and APMSX can communicate each other.
Both systems have common shared memory area.
The common area are include APPLE II's I/O area($Cxxx) and memory area, APMSX could access APPLE II's peripheral such as HDD(SD DISKII plus) even Mocking board could make it work.
In the beginning of APMSX design, I share whole memory area of APPLE II and it's looks good and both are work as brain shared computer. but, It became bottle neck of the system on both. They can't run full speed when it open as shared.
APMSX works 7.16Mhz(Two times of MSX) speed and while access sharing area, Z80 and APPLE II BUS have to synchronized and results APMSX become slow.
Because of this performance issue, I redesign to small share area.
And finally 16KB of Page2 on MSX.
Anyway, I'm still considering if I need to make it adjust the size of share.
Now I have Max. 256KB RAM (If MegaROM mapper ON, It will be 128KB)
It's enough RAM on MSX1 system.
I hope that someone could use this size of memory for nice program for DOS2 or Game runner.
APMSX has integrated ROM mapper for Mega Games.
ASCII 8K , ASCII 16K and Konami mapper support.
8K Mapper auto detect if it required a Konami or ASCII 8K Mapper.
(8K <> 16K have to selecte before to start game)
ASCII 8K Mapper
ASCII 16K Mapper
Konami Mapper
Anyway, I'm keeping developing to make it perfect.
Previous APMSX card is enough to run basic of MSX function
but, I want some more enhanced function in it.
Now, I have new board.
What is different.
Used 144 pin CPLD as main controller.
I have more 32 IO pins now it is good enough.
I'm tring to add Konami 8K mapper and now it is working as below.
Now just support 128KB but, will extend it up to 256KB.
APMSX board have own 512KB SRAM and it support virtual slot for ROM cartridge emulation.
So I can load ROM file and can run without physical ROM cartridge. (Anyway, APMSX will have a external physical SLOT. so user still can use own cartridge)
And it accepted just 32KB ROM data but, now I can load 128KB ROM data and made it run properly.
The mapper is very different method unlike accessing APPLE II AUX memory .
I'm still having some more idea with APMSX but, I think, I should not expand too much on this board.
And It will support 256KB Konam 8K Mapper and little more? maybe.. then will be closed.
I will check the signal for External SLOT.
I've prepared for this but, have to test.
Let's see the next what will happy with our APPLE II. Thank you.