A repost, because this crappy site doesn't respond to my uploads, so I'm not sure if my first note ever made it out.
 
 
Hello all,
 
It's been a few months again, so I though I should post.  Check out the new proposal for PCI.  No bridges, 21 slots at 120MHz or 1.06Gbytes transfer rates.  Have as of yet to see any working hardware.  Uses active current sense Just thought I would throw that in.
 
For those of you who are curious about the new Quartus release, it is vapor code.  All of the big features that were rant and raved about from the market group did not make it into the product.  Of course, the minimum requirements are now a 1G of real RAM, 1G swap, a few extra Gs for the program (1G) and your files and a Pent. II 450.   Some simple projects that were taking me an hour to build with the old software are now at over four hours.  If you have tried the new tool, post your results.  I would like to read them.
 
I now have a small 8-bit CPU running on my development card.  I have attached a JPEG image of my interface screen.
I am showing you this so you may better understand how I can interface with the card without the need for a monitor, keyboard and other peripherals connected directly to the !F-CPU prototype card.  Oh, for those who asked, !F-CPU in typical HDL is NOT F-CPU.  Anyway, in the panel, you can see how you can have several LEDs or HEX readout.  You may upload your CPU designs and program the on-board FLASH to store your test programs.  This panel is easy to change and you can add pretty much what ever you want to it.  Sorry for the poor color screen shot.  I didn't want to waste too much BW uploading.
 
Also, after spending a half hour or so reading all the back posts, I noticed a few people talking about the FPGA prices vs. size.  I am currently testing my card with only a single 40,000 cell FPGA installed and am close to the limits of the device with my 8-bit core.  Just a point on the curve.
 
If you want more information about my card have Mathius (sp?) repost the history.pdf and specifications, or you may e-mail me directly and I will send you a copy.    
 
I never did see any more about the Xilinx CPU proto board.  I know I had requested you (the owner) to send us your own evaluation a few times now.  Was the board this bad?
 
Later