Re: TI-H: New Calculator!!!

To: ti-hardware@lists.ticalc.org
Subject: Re: TI-H: New Calculator!!!
From: "Richard Piotter" <richfiles1@hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 06 Mar 1998 17:21:48 PST
Reply-To: ti-hardware@lists.ticalc.org

><< We could MAKE the next calc rather than modify the old 
> ones!!!
> 
> What does everyone think??? I have seen schematics of countless 
> computers, and I think it could be done!!!
> 
> Richard Piotter >>
>I would be interested and could help out on the hardware if Rich can't 
do it
>all. Also someone should contact the TIAssembly list and see if one of 
the
>programs could possabley help out!

I have no problem with hardware. I could draw up a basic block diagram 
or even a simple schematic in a matter of hours or a day or two. I'd 
just need to spend some time checking out addresses and the interfacing. 
For a final schematic, I'll need actual pinouts and information on all 
the parts I'd use. I'd design the hardware myself, but the ROM is the 
problem. We need to essentialy rewrite the TI-OS!!! Yes, every 
scientific and graphing function. Everything. Even the home screen!!! My 
recomendation is to base it on the TI-92 OS, but incude built in ASM, 
possibly an object oriented programming language, where you can actualy 
use the tools to draw objects and then compile them into object files 
that programs could use. I intend to use something that kicks the Z80 in 
the butt. If  make a calc, it won't be no cheap TI clone. It'll be the 
REPLACEMENT for the TI!!! I can't do much money wise, so I can definitly 
be sure the price will be LOW!!! If I can afford it, anyone can!!! (=

Where can I get information on the Strong Arm processor? How many bits 
is it? How fast. I've heard a lot of good things about it. Also, Grant, 
you're working on the EIII, and it uses SRAM. If you can give me any 
advice on what kind to use, I'd appreciate it! Also, what type of memory 
would be best for the ROM. If I do this, I might as well make it flash 
upgradable. I'm assuming plain old parralel flash memory. How do you 
rewrite it. Could a temporary "ROM" program be copied into the RAM and 
then the ROM is cleared and updated???

Like I mentioned before, the entire ROM would need to be programmed. I 
have ABSOLUTELY no expirience with ASM, so I may be able to do the 
hardware, but someone who's GOOOOOOOD will have to do the ROM. Like I 
said, the ENTIRE ROM needs to be prorammed from scratch. I can make the 
most powerful calculator imaginable, but that won't do any good unless I 
can find some DEDICATED programers to help. I want to make the device 
anyway. I suppose I can always get it programed later.

If people are interested in doing the ROM, let me know. It'll be a while 
yet though.  The hardware will be a cinch.

Richard Piotter
richfiles1@hotmail.com

The Richfiles TI Page
http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/5081/Richfiles.html


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