Multisystem 2 - Bare PCB's are tracked and completed

[multisystem]

Hi everyone,

We have been working hard on true the all-in-one Multisystem2 design. - It's not a DE10 clone, but an entire console system design.

It's now reached the first completed bare board PCB layout - A 10 layer PCB that will include all components so that no other modules are required for operation. Lots of connectivity options.

It's designed to be backwards compatible with the Multisystem and all of it's cartridge range and obviously MiSTer cores.

We now need to get the components added and start on the testing stage.

Very happy to post more information as the assembly and testing stages develop over the next few weeks.

Multisystem2_PCB_Tracked.jpg (2.24 MiB) Viewed 14309 times

[AngelicLiver]

Very exciting, can't wait to see all your hard work!

[FPGA64]

you should take a $5 preorder and hire an orange lambo

[breiztiger]

if you looking for french beta tester ...

i have the first multisystem board and i'll buy this too

[Missus]

amazing!!! any curiosities to leak???

size perhaps??

[german_user]

amazing!!! any curiosities to leak???

size perhaps??

I see no reason why it should not also be the same size of 170x170. Would not be surprised if the actual cases still fits.

[lloydsmart]

Very excited to see this! So this is a full MiSTer setup right? FPGA on-board, no DE10-Nano or MisterPi required? Very cool.

I have so many questions - what will the analogue output be like? What about dual RAM? And onboard SNAC?

Is it standard mini-ITX, or custom design that requires a fully custom "multisystem" case?

Personally, my wishlist I'd love to see (in no particular order):

• Integrated DirectVideo mode with a high-quality (24-bit) video DAC built in.

• Analogue output - maybe Saturn mini-DIN-10, maybe SCART?

• Dual RAM support - either onboard or by add-on modules

• HDMI output option, obviously

• Built-in MT32-Pi

• High quality audio DAC built-in

• Both analogue audio out and a TOSLINK option

• Integrated SNAC v3.1 or better, similar to Misteraddons.com SNAX64 (maybe with onboard headers to allow connecting to ports built into cases, which could be HDMI, USB, DB9 etc.)

• USB hub built in, with standard USB2-type headers on the board

• A proper, ITX compliant backplate I/O shield

• Onboard USB-C PD power supply

• Built-in gigabit ethernet

• Built-in bluetooth

• ADC tape input

• Built-in RTC

• All the power protection circuitry you already have on v1.0 to protect the system

• Is decent HDMI-CEC support possible? If so, that

[german_user]

I would expect a MMS with a build in DE10, perhaps with an AV 9.2 based IO design to adress the dual ram wishes. But that would make the second sdcard slot obsolete.
Think they put the needed headers on the pcb too (RTC). Wifi an BT make no sense, costs more as the 5$ usb stick.

[Missus]

amazing!!! any curiosities to leak???

size perhaps??

I see no reason why it should not also be the same size of 170x170. Would not be surprised if the actual cases still fits.

yah i guess it makes sense to fit existing cases.
but a new (smaller) form factor would be great!

seems like it would be the main benefit of respinning everything, especially now that clone boards exist to combat the raising price of the de10 nano.

more options the better!

[jfml1974]

you should take a $5 preorder and hire an orange lambo

Alejandro¿?

[multisystem]

Thanks for all the interest and feedback.

We will get these assembled and start the testing stage next week.

We have also just added the KiCad templates for cartridges for the Multisystem and Multisystem2 / Future Multisystems on to our GitHub Page - https://github.com/Heber-co-uk/Multisys ... /readme.md

Schematic includes the edge connector with appropriately labelled nets.

PCB includes the edge connector and a board outline.

The Multisystem cartridge also includes a micro USB 3.0 connector, which enables SNAC cartridges to be connected to other MiSTer FPGA systems. On the Multisystem/Multisystem2, the V_SNAC signal from the edge connector and power from the USB connector will be at 5V or 3.3V depending on the voltage setting on the Multisystem, but on other MiSTer systems, the voltage from the USB connector is always 5V even when a level shifter is used. VBUS on the edge connector is current-limited 5V from the USB current limiting IC whereas 5V on the edge connector is from the main power input protected only by the main polyfuse. Also note that the SSRX and SSTX pairs are swapped in the micro USB connector; this is because the SSRX pins at the USB end connect to SSTX at the micro USB end of the cable and vice versa.

If you wish to make your own Cartridges for the Multisystem/Multisystem2, please use this template so they will be compatible. Signals include

• USB 2.0
  GPIO Pins (3.3v)
  Analogue input signals
  +5V (2A max)
  +3.3v (1A max)
  GND
  VBUS (Selectable voltage on the Multisystem board 3.3v or 5v)
  Full SNAC/USER PORT
  Digital Audio output
  Analogue Audio output
  RGBHV Analogue video output - various display modes & Standards.
  Sync On Green signal

Multisystem_Multisystem2_Cartridge_pinouts.png (963.07 KiB) Viewed 13664 times

Multisystem_CART_Scematic_template_KiCad.png (30.44 KiB) Viewed 13664 times

Multisystem_CART_PCB_template_KiCad.png (47.93 KiB) Viewed 13664 times

Please feel free to use and let us know if you design and/or plan to sell a cool Cartridge for Multisystem/#MiSTerFPGA

More updates soon.

[niallquinn]

So, bearing in mind, all of us here already have a Mister setup, what is the point of this?
To have it in an all in one board? Hopefully with a nice case?

Thanks!

[niallquinn]

Acutally, ignore the above, I've checked out your website, and see what it's all about, and having everyone in one makes sense. Saw the Multisystem 1.

Elephant in the room, any ideas on appoximate cost, in £'s?

Many thanks,

Andrew.

[Ganniterix]

What will be running the OS around it? Any news on the ARM (or not ) chip in use? Or will it just include a differently re-ordered layout of the DE10 nano?

Maybe a connector for a CM4/5 module?

[german_user]

What will be running the OS around it? Any news on the ARM (or not ) chip in use? Or will it just include a differently re-ordered layout of the DE10 nano?

Maybe a connector for a CM4/5 module?

As there is the Mister print on the pcb, i dont expect more than an MMS and a de10 on the pcb. Perhaps they found some free fpga pins, not connected anywhere on the de10, but that seems unlikely.

[city909]

So, bearing in mind, all of us here already have a Mister setup, what is the point of this?
To have it in an all in one board? Hopefully with a nice case?

Thanks!

Think again! I’ve been lurking for years biding my time. But the moment may have come in 2025; its going to be the multisystem 2 v Taki Udon’s premium system

[german_user]

Saw some better pictures of the pcb today. Old cases seems not to fit, cause the front of the board is in an angle shape on both sides. Would be interesting to see how they solve this for the slice for the CTRLDOCK. Scart is also gone for an saturn style connector.
Seems that the cover for the expansion Slot is much smaller and covers also the SDCard Slot.

[multisystem]

We had a good week testing out the assembled Multisystem2 boards.

After a few pre-flight checks and setup of the clock generators, it all came into life and everything is working.

We only had one small patch wire for the USB Hub, missing one connection. That's rather remarkable for the very first issue of a 10 layer PCB this complicated.

Multisystem2_Day1_testing_Clocks.jpg (715.13 KiB) Viewed 12208 times

We have tested all ports and the memory test will happily run at 160Mhz without errors.

Multisystem2_running_gameboy_core.jpg (745.48 KiB) Viewed 12208 times

lots of cores to test, but so not expecting any issues.

Multisystem2_running_mem_test.jpg (504.44 KiB) Viewed 12208 times

Also it fits in the prototype enclosure, that's still a work in progress, but starting to feel like a good design direction for the Multisystem2.

Multisystem2_running_AO486.jpg (651.94 KiB) Viewed 12208 times

We will leave the memory test running at 160Mhz all over the weekend, on a few of these systems and report back with another update next week.

[lloydsmart]

Amazing progress!

I like the full-size SD card slot, and the new enclosure.

I assume those are standard USB ports on the front, and I can see the blue "USB3" UserIO port there too. Any option for having internal SNAC ports of some kind? HDMI, DB9, something like that?

Also, what's the analogue output design? Direct Video or GPIO? And is it a dual-RAM setup or single?

[german_user]

Amazing progress!

I like the full-size SD card slot, and the new enclosure.

I assume those are standard USB ports on the front, and I can see the blue "USB3" UserIO port there too. Any option for having internal SNAC ports of some kind? HDMI, DB9, something like that?

Also, what's the analogue output design? Direct Video or GPIO? And is it a dual-RAM setup or single?

Has the same Expansion Port as MMS Version1, look some posts above for the pinout. Scart is swapped out for an Saturn style Port. There seems one Audio Jack missing, not sure if it Out or Tape input. Other ports like MMS. I saw one 40 Pin Header, so it seems to supports dualram. But the specs are not announced yet, so we have to wait for some confirmation.

[Insert Disk Two]

I wish the front wasn't "triangular". Looks weird.

[LamerDeluxe]

I love the look of this case, reminds me of a stealth plane.

[Missus]

It is reminiscent and retro inspired for sure!

like some sort of cross between the B-2 and an Atari Jaguar.

good on you guys to take a chance on a design that isn't another rectangle, but still keep it highly functional!

i would have liked to have seen the design incorporate support for the i2c/tty2OLED screens on the front casing by way of a breakout panel or something. that and built in NFC would have really set the v2 apart from v1, and are pretty low cost.

these screens and NFC really add a nice functional touch.

[FPGA64]

It is reminiscent and retro inspired for sure!

like some sort of cross between the B-2 and an Atari Jaguar.

good on you guys to take a chance on a design that isn't another rectangle, but still keep it highly functional!

i would have liked to have seen the design incorporate support for the i2c/tty2OLED screens on the front casing by way of a breakout panel or something. that and built in NFC would have really set the v2 apart from v1, and are pretty low cost.

these screens and NFC really add a nice functional touch.

The PCB was already designed and prototyped by the time they first posted. Its unlikely they will change anything on a design that they have shown

[german_user]

I assume that the Port for the Batterie Modul is on the new pcb. So it seems possible to connect an small OLED Screen. Easy way could be an different design for the top covers shown on the other pictures. An cardridge with that screen is not possible, cause the signals are not on the expansion slot.

[Missus]

The PCB was already designed and prototyped by the time they first posted. Its unlikely they will change anything on a design that they have shown

sure, but those who wanted the extra features could still perform the necessary wiring. i did for my v1.

nfc is extra easy since it can just be USB.

I assume that the Port for the Batterie Modul is on the new pcb. So it seems possible to connect an small OLED Screen. Easy way could be an different design for the top covers shown on the other pictures. An cardridge with that screen is not possible, cause the signals are not on the expansion slot.

i would hope the RTC, battery and i2c headers are integrated? seems silly to leave this out, so low cost.

just having the i2c / usb headers exposed would make having the option to add a i2c2oled / nfc / tty2oled plug and play.

[german_user]

The PCB was already designed and prototyped by the time they first posted. Its unlikely they will change anything on a design that they have shown

sure, but those who wanted the extra features could still perform the necessary wiring. i did for my v1.

nfc is extra easy since it can just be USB.

I assume that the Port for the Batterie Modul is on the new pcb. So it seems possible to connect an small OLED Screen. Easy way could be an different design for the top covers shown on the other pictures. An cardridge with that screen is not possible, cause the signals are not on the expansion slot.

i would hope the RTC, battery and i2c headers are integrated? seems silly to leave this out, so low cost.

just having the i2c / usb headers exposed would make having the option to add a i2c2oled / nfc / tty2oled plug and play.

I assume that all ports from the DE10 that make sense are still there. Otherwise it would be a step back...

[Missus]

The PCB was already designed and prototyped by the time they first posted. Its unlikely they will change anything on a design that they have shown

sure, but those who wanted the extra features could still perform the necessary wiring. i did for my v1.

nfc is extra easy since it can just be USB.

I assume that the Port for the Batterie Modul is on the new pcb. So it seems possible to connect an small OLED Screen. Easy way could be an different design for the top covers shown on the other pictures. An cardridge with that screen is not possible, cause the signals are not on the expansion slot.

i would hope the RTC, battery and i2c headers are integrated? seems silly to leave this out, so low cost.

just having the i2c / usb headers exposed would make having the option to add a i2c2oled / nfc / tty2oled plug and play.

I assume that all ports from the DE10 that make sense are still there. Otherwise it would be a step back...

rtc and battery was an addon

[german_user]

sure, but those who wanted the extra features could still perform the necessary wiring. i did for my v1.

nfc is extra easy since it can just be USB.

i would hope the RTC, battery and i2c headers are integrated? seems silly to leave this out, so low cost.

just having the i2c / usb headers exposed would make having the option to add a i2c2oled / nfc / tty2oled plug and play.

I assume that all ports from the DE10 that make sense are still there. Otherwise it would be a step back...

rtc and battery was an addon

Sure, but this addon uses a slot on the de10 and so the slot has to be on the MMS2 PCB!

[Missus]

Sure, but this addon uses a slot on the de10 and so the slot has to be on the MMS2 PCB!

i wouldnt assume that! but as it were, would be nice if the RTC and battery were already onboard and/or have the pins broken out on a 'normal' pinheader for easier addons.

@multisystem can you clear this up?