Gonzo

=Gonzo Amiga CPU Accelerator=

This project is both PCB and FPGA design. This really would just about be a full computer in itself, using the Amiga host largely for power, keyboard, mouse, perhaps for compatibility though with possible Minimig in FPGA that's even less an issue. It would operate in one of three configurations:


 * 1) Softcore 68k inside FPGA. The board has connections for things like USB, SODIMM, ethernet, MXM graphics, audio, video, etc. and as many of these conections as possible are connected to FPGA directly. SODIMM provides local FAST memory.
 * 2) PowerPC on industry-standard core module (Q-seven, Core-Express, etc) with PowerPC module connecting to accelerator FPGA via PCI bus or other bus. As many module features as possible go through FPGA to be muxed with softcores accessing board connectors (video, audio, ethernet, usb, etc)
 * 3) 68k chip on board that looks like the PowerPC module and uses same physical connector, but FPGA pins likely change usage for this configuration. SODIMM provides local FAST memory, and FPGA provides softcore peripherals to as many board connectors as possible.

Desired features

 * USB2
 * Gb Ethernet
 * SATA
 * HD Audio
 * MXM slot (gen 2 or 3?)
 * How to get this PCI-Express connected? Only usable by Core module is undesirable as it would be nice to access this in 68k mode (softcore or chip board) as well. Use PCI-PCI-Express bridge leads to poor performance for core modules that have direct PCI-Express support. Bridge for 68k and mux that to direct module PCI-Express lanes? Use FPGA with SERDES (PCI-Express) pins and mux/switch that? Use PCI-Express switch or true mux? Wouls FPGA with SERDES (PCI-Express) pins make life easier than PCI32? (No PCI-Express IP on opencores yet so would have to make one)
 * MiniDVI/VGA/HDMI (perhaps some only for PowerPC module and/or MXM card)
 * SODIMM
 * Industry Standard computer module connection for PowerPC (or x86 or ARM for kicks if anyone wants to play with that)
 * MiniPCI or MiniPCIe card slot?

CPU slot connectors
There are a few different ways an accelerator connects to the Amiga motherboard, mostly based on what model motherboard we're thinking about. A2000 has an 86pin edgecard slot, two-sided, 0.100" pitch. A500 and A1000 have an 86pin cardedge, the accelerator needs the mating slot, and A500 is rotated or upside-down or something from A1000. A3000/4000 use a KEL connector. EAB discusses this and links to KEL's website. I don't at the moment know what A1200 has for it's accelerator connection. I'd like to make an A3000/4000 style accelerator, possibly also an A2000 version.

Prototyping
Use Avnet Spartan3 PCI card and simple adapter PCB to plug into accelerator slot. The Avnet board has many of the peripherals already that would be interesting to add to an accelerator.