C-One
Encyclopedia
The C-One is a single-board computer
(SBC) designed by Jeri Ellsworth
, a self-taught designer, and Jens Schönfeld from Individual Computers
, who manufactured the boards themselves. It was initially created in 2002 as an enhanced Commodore 64
home computer
, but has been re-engineered to allow cloning of other 8-bit
computers.
The machine uses a combination of configurable field-programmable gate array
(FPGA) chips and modular CPU
expansion cards to create compatibility modes that duplicate the function of many older home computers. The default CPU is the 65C816 CPU which is used in Commodore 64 compatibility mode as well as the C-One's native operating mode. The C-One is not merely a software emulator
, it loads various "core" files from disk to configure the FPGA hardware to recreate the operation of the core logic chipsets
found in vintage computers. This provides for a very accurate and customizable hardware emulation platform. The C-One is by no means limited to recreating historical computers - its programmable core logic can be used to create entirely new custom computer designs.
In 2004, the platform was expanded to include an Amstrad CPC
core made by Tobias Gubener.
In 2006, Peter Wendrich ported his FPGA-64 project (originally intended for a Xilinx FPGA) and enhanced it for the C-One http://www.syntiac.com/fpga64.html. This core supported both PAL and NTSC machine emulation, and aimed to be cycle-exact and emulate many of the bugs and quirks of the original hardware.
In 2008, after development of an "Extender" card which added a third FPGA, Tobias Gubener added Amiga 500
compatibility by porting Dennis van Weeren's Minimig
code to the board http://www.jschoenfeld.com/news/news133_e.htm. This core replaced the physical 68000 CPU and the PIC chip from the original with his own TG68 CPU core on the FPGA. developments to this core include features not possible with the original Minimig board http://www.c64upgra.de/c-one/s_news.htm.
In 2009, Peter Wendrich released a "preview" of a next-generation C64 core called "Chameleon" http://www.syntiac.com/c_one.html, with a greatly expanded specification compared to his earlier core, although some features available in his earlier core are not yet re-implemented. A new version of the CPC core was also released in mid 2009, featuring an embedded SymbOS
core for control of device emulation, and a clock unlocked mode for CPU speeds of up to 80 MHz.
So far, C-One circuit boards have been produced by German
company Individual Computers
, and they sell for €
333 with the FPGA extender card.
Single-board computer
A single-board computer is a complete computer built on a single circuit board, with microprocessor, memory, input/output and other features required of a functional computer. Unlike a typical personal computer, an SBC may not include slots into which accessory cards may be plugged...
(SBC) designed by Jeri Ellsworth
Jeri Ellsworth
Jeri Ellsworth is an American entrepreneur and self-taught computer chip designer. She is best known for creating a Commodore 64 emulator within a joystick, in 2004, called Commodore 30-in-1 Direct to TV...
, a self-taught designer, and Jens Schönfeld from Individual Computers
Individual Computers
Individual Computers is a German computer hardware company specializing in retrocomputing accessories for the Commodore 64, Amiga, and PC platforms. Individual Computers produced the C-One reconfigurable computer in 2003...
, who manufactured the boards themselves. It was initially created in 2002 as an enhanced Commodore 64
Commodore 64
The Commodore 64 is an 8-bit home computer introduced by Commodore International in January 1982.Volume production started in the spring of 1982, with machines being released on to the market in August at a price of US$595...
home computer
Home computer
Home computers were a class of microcomputers entering the market in 1977, and becoming increasingly common during the 1980s. They were marketed to consumers as affordable and accessible computers that, for the first time, were intended for the use of a single nontechnical user...
, but has been re-engineered to allow cloning of other 8-bit
8-bit
The first widely adopted 8-bit microprocessor was the Intel 8080, being used in many hobbyist computers of the late 1970s and early 1980s, often running the CP/M operating system. The Zilog Z80 and the Motorola 6800 were also used in similar computers...
computers.
The machine uses a combination of configurable field-programmable gate array
Field-programmable gate array
A field-programmable gate array is an integrated circuit designed to be configured by the customer or designer after manufacturing—hence "field-programmable"...
(FPGA) chips and modular CPU
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
expansion cards to create compatibility modes that duplicate the function of many older home computers. The default CPU is the 65C816 CPU which is used in Commodore 64 compatibility mode as well as the C-One's native operating mode. The C-One is not merely a software emulator
Emulator
In computing, an emulator is hardware or software or both that duplicates the functions of a first computer system in a different second computer system, so that the behavior of the second system closely resembles the behavior of the first system...
, it loads various "core" files from disk to configure the FPGA hardware to recreate the operation of the core logic chipsets
Chipset
A chipset, PC chipset, or chip set refers to a group of integrated circuits, or chips, that are designed to work together. They are usually marketed as a single product.- Computers :...
found in vintage computers. This provides for a very accurate and customizable hardware emulation platform. The C-One is by no means limited to recreating historical computers - its programmable core logic can be used to create entirely new custom computer designs.
In 2004, the platform was expanded to include an Amstrad CPC
Amstrad CPC
The Amstrad CPC is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, where it successfully established itself primarily in the United Kingdom,...
core made by Tobias Gubener.
In 2006, Peter Wendrich ported his FPGA-64 project (originally intended for a Xilinx FPGA) and enhanced it for the C-One http://www.syntiac.com/fpga64.html. This core supported both PAL and NTSC machine emulation, and aimed to be cycle-exact and emulate many of the bugs and quirks of the original hardware.
In 2008, after development of an "Extender" card which added a third FPGA, Tobias Gubener added Amiga 500
Amiga 500
The Amiga 500 - also known as the A500 - was the first “low-end” Commodore Amiga 16/32-bit multimedia home/personal computer. It was announced at the winter Consumer Electronics Show in January 1987 - at the same time as the high-end Amiga 2000 - and competed directly against the Atari 520ST...
compatibility by porting Dennis van Weeren's Minimig
Minimig
Minimig is an open source re-implementation of an Amiga 500 using a field-programmable gate array .Minimig started in secrecy around January 2005 as a proof of concept by Dutch electrical engineer Dennis van Weeren...
code to the board http://www.jschoenfeld.com/news/news133_e.htm. This core replaced the physical 68000 CPU and the PIC chip from the original with his own TG68 CPU core on the FPGA. developments to this core include features not possible with the original Minimig board http://www.c64upgra.de/c-one/s_news.htm.
In 2009, Peter Wendrich released a "preview" of a next-generation C64 core called "Chameleon" http://www.syntiac.com/c_one.html, with a greatly expanded specification compared to his earlier core, although some features available in his earlier core are not yet re-implemented. A new version of the CPC core was also released in mid 2009, featuring an embedded SymbOS
SymbOS
SymbOS is a free multitasking operating system for Z80-based 8-bit computer systems. At present it is available for the Amstrad CPC series of computers, as well as for all MSX models starting from the MSX2 standard and for most Amstrad PCW models...
core for control of device emulation, and a clock unlocked mode for CPU speeds of up to 80 MHz.
So far, C-One circuit boards have been produced by German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
company Individual Computers
Individual Computers
Individual Computers is a German computer hardware company specializing in retrocomputing accessories for the Commodore 64, Amiga, and PC platforms. Individual Computers produced the C-One reconfigurable computer in 2003...
, and they sell for €
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
333 with the FPGA extender card.
See also
- C64 Direct-to-TVC64 Direct-to-TVThe C64 Direct-to-TV, called C64DTV for short, is a single-chip implementation of the Commodore 64 computer, contained in a joystick with 30 built-in games. The design is similar to the Atari Classics 10-in-1 TV Game...
- Sprinter (computer)Sprinter (computer)The Sprinter is a microcomputer made by Russian Peters Plus, Ltd.; it is the last model of ZX Spectrum being produced in a factory. It's built using what the company calls a "Flex architecture"...
- 1chipMSX1chipMSXThe One chip MSX, or 1chipMSX as the D4 Enterprise distributional name for the ESE MSX System 3, is a re-implementation of an MSX-2 home computer that uses a single FPGA to implement all the electronics of an MSX-2, including the MSX-MUSIC and SCC+ audio extensions.The system is housed in a...
- Home computer remakesHome computer remakesA home computer remake is a re-creation or re-implementation of classic home computer hardware, usually using updated technology, such as FPGAs....