The files posted for version 2.81 show the following, with differences from the previous versions noted:
Size of 2.81 FPGA BIN file = 135,096 bytes original version was= 68,088 bytes
Loading address of FPGA = 0x5C800 original version was= 0x2C000 (loading address of FPGA is the end of the program area)
Loading address of LOGO = 0x7D800 original version was= 0x3D800
End of factory mapped = 0x80000 original version was= 0x40000
Start of program area = 0x0C000 49,152 bytes (1.5 slots where the bootloader and sys reside and at the end of which is some
spare area)
"slot" size = 0x08000 32,768 bytes
Program area size = 0x50800 329,728 bytes (10 slots) original version was= 0x20000 131,072 bytes (4 slots)
The "undocumented" part of the ROM in the older versions was due to the cpu having a higher capacity than it's designation would
indicate (which was 256K). It could have either 384K or 512K. Some programmers took advantage of this by putting code after the
end at 256K. There also some free area at the end of the SYS, just before the start of the program area, this should not change.
Now, with the 2.81 version, the undocumented portion has become "documented", so to speak, and the factory is putting it's FPGA
and LOGO code at the end, up to 512K. This extends the program area to a bit over 10 slots, all continuous. Any "undocumented"
ROM loads between the end of the original version (0x40000) and the start of the new FPGA section (0x5C800) should be ok
as they fall within the new program area "slots". However going past the FPGA start will likely disable the device. This should not be
a major problem if it happens, as the new 2.81 version FPGA code is available and would just need to be reloaded.
This also brings up the question of how to access the extra slots with 10 different starting points now for programs. There are actually
10 different button functions (4 push + 3 each for the toggles), has the bootloader been set up to work this way? Or have the slots
been spread out and only the original 4 starting points retained? Or something else yet? Unless we can get more info on this, it will be up to
the owner of such a device at this point to check it out.
Another item of interest is the size of the FPGA BIN file, twice the size of the original. The translation from the site is rather vague,
but it may be that the FPGA IC has been replaced with a different chip. This would seem to make sense as the original from Silicon Blue
is no longer available.
To summarize on the original question, any version that uses the normal slots in sequence should be ok. This includes any of the versions
posted on the Community Edition thread, including my own, and any of the compatible factory versions. Software that aggregates
several versions together such as the Four Pack and others that are large programs split in such a way that only one slot is used for the
beginning of the code, with the rest loaded in the aforementioned undocumented area could run into trouble it they overwrite the FPGA
section. This should be addressed by the respective authors.
Statistics : Posted by curtis.brown • on Wed Oct 15, 2014 1:53 am • Replies 2 • Views 75
Size of 2.81 FPGA BIN file = 135,096 bytes original version was= 68,088 bytes
Loading address of FPGA = 0x5C800 original version was= 0x2C000 (loading address of FPGA is the end of the program area)
Loading address of LOGO = 0x7D800 original version was= 0x3D800
End of factory mapped = 0x80000 original version was= 0x40000
Start of program area = 0x0C000 49,152 bytes (1.5 slots where the bootloader and sys reside and at the end of which is some
spare area)
"slot" size = 0x08000 32,768 bytes
Program area size = 0x50800 329,728 bytes (10 slots) original version was= 0x20000 131,072 bytes (4 slots)
The "undocumented" part of the ROM in the older versions was due to the cpu having a higher capacity than it's designation would
indicate (which was 256K). It could have either 384K or 512K. Some programmers took advantage of this by putting code after the
end at 256K. There also some free area at the end of the SYS, just before the start of the program area, this should not change.
Now, with the 2.81 version, the undocumented portion has become "documented", so to speak, and the factory is putting it's FPGA
and LOGO code at the end, up to 512K. This extends the program area to a bit over 10 slots, all continuous. Any "undocumented"
ROM loads between the end of the original version (0x40000) and the start of the new FPGA section (0x5C800) should be ok
as they fall within the new program area "slots". However going past the FPGA start will likely disable the device. This should not be
a major problem if it happens, as the new 2.81 version FPGA code is available and would just need to be reloaded.
This also brings up the question of how to access the extra slots with 10 different starting points now for programs. There are actually
10 different button functions (4 push + 3 each for the toggles), has the bootloader been set up to work this way? Or have the slots
been spread out and only the original 4 starting points retained? Or something else yet? Unless we can get more info on this, it will be up to
the owner of such a device at this point to check it out.
Another item of interest is the size of the FPGA BIN file, twice the size of the original. The translation from the site is rather vague,
but it may be that the FPGA IC has been replaced with a different chip. This would seem to make sense as the original from Silicon Blue
is no longer available.
To summarize on the original question, any version that uses the normal slots in sequence should be ok. This includes any of the versions
posted on the Community Edition thread, including my own, and any of the compatible factory versions. Software that aggregates
several versions together such as the Four Pack and others that are large programs split in such a way that only one slot is used for the
beginning of the code, with the rest loaded in the aforementioned undocumented area could run into trouble it they overwrite the FPGA
section. This should be addressed by the respective authors.
Statistics : Posted by curtis.brown • on Wed Oct 15, 2014 1:53 am • Replies 2 • Views 75
