IDE64

The IDE64 interface cartridge is an expansion port device for connecting ATA(PI) devices to the C64 or C128 computers.

Hardware

There were a lot of slightly different versions of this cartridge during the years. The interface was designed by Tomas Pribyl and Jan Vorlicek in 1994. Today Josef Soucek is working on the design.

IDE64 v1.1

In 1997 the first public version of the cartridge appeared. The logic was fitted into 2 ispLSIs, the operating system was burned into a 32 Kb EPROM, and there was 16 Kb of RAM storage for buffers. There was a DS1302 realtime included which could keep the settings and hold the time backed by a battery. Beside the 40-pin ATA connector also an expansion port pass through was included to allow attaching of other cartridges.

IDE64 v2.1

Around 1999 the first "modern" version of the cartridge came out, merging the logic into one big ispLSI. Also the EPROM was upgraded to a 64 Kb EEPROM to allow operating system upgrades without special equipment. The RAM was extended to hold 28 Kb of buffers and internal variables. There was a new connector on board, called ShortBus. It was meant for hardware expansions like LCD displays, 7 segment LED drivers, but later also more sophisticated expansions appeared. This was also the first version to include SuperCPU compatibility.

IDE64 v3.1

In 2001 a redesigned version of the 2.1 cartridge was made, this version drops the expansion port pass-through, which reduced the cartridge size, and probably the manufacturing costs as well.

IDE64 v3.4

CompactFlash cards became widely popular, so the cartridge was redesigned in 2004 to include a CF socket. This allowed a really mobile, and small storage possibility for the C64, without additional devices and power supplies.

IDE64 v3.4+

In 2005, with a small hardware change, the EEPROM was upgraded to 128 Kb, which allowed to hold 2 versions of the operating system for both a standard C64 and SuperCPU. This was selectable with a small switch, and solved the reflashing problem for those with SuperCPU equipped systems.

Future

Photos of the version 4.1 prototype [http://www.ide64.org/ide64v41.html have been posted] , but general availability has not been announced yet as of July 2008.

hortBus expansions

ETH64

A LAN91C96 chip based Ethernet card. It's supported by Contiki, Wings and maybe some other software. It can also be used for PCLink connection.

DUART

It's a XR68C681 based dual RS-232 card featuring, mostly used for PCLink connection. It's supported by Contiki, Wings, Novaterm9.6 and maybe some other software.

DigiMAX

It's a MAX506 based 4 channel 8-bit digital to analog converter card, can be used as "soundcard", as the output comes out on 2 jack plugs. This card is supported by Modplay, Wings and maybe some other programs.

ETFE

It's a CS8900 based Ethernet card, just like the popular RR-Net, but the v1.1 version works only in TFE compatible mode. It can be used for PCLink, has a Contiki driver, and work with software designed for the original TFE card. For the next version (v1.2) a jumper is promised to simulate a RR-Net card.

External links

* [http://ide64.org/ The webpage of the authors of the cartridge]
* [http://idedos.ide64.org/ The webpage of the operating system used]
* [http://news.ide64.org/ The news webpage of the IDE64 project]
* [http://www.c64-wiki.de/index.php/IDE64 IDE64 on C64 Wiki] (German)
* [http://dusted.dk/?view=commodore64-ide64-eth64 An example of a full IDE64 Setup]