1chipMSX

The 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 (except the RAM) of an MSX-2, including the MSX-MUSIC and SCC+ audio extensions.

1chipMSX
TypeHome computer
Release date2006
Discontinuedbatch 1 completed
Operating systemMSX-DOS / MSX BASIC
CPUZilog Z80 implemented in VHDL on an FPGA
Memory1 MB

The system is housed in a transparent blue plastic box, and can be used with a standard monitor (or TV) and a PC keyboard. Original MSX cartridges can be inserted, as well as SD and MMC memory cards as an external storage medium. Even though it lacks a 3.5" disk drive, disks are supported through emulation on a memory card, including support for booting MSX-DOS. Due to its VHDL programmable hardware, it's possible to give the device new hardware extensions by simply running a reconfiguration program under MSX-DOS. The "one chip-MSX" is equipped with two USB connectors, that can be used after adding some supporting VHDL code.

Availability

The ESE MSX System 3 is designed by ESE Artists' Factory and distributed as 1chipMSX by D4 Enterprise and was supposed to be distributed outside Japan by Bazix. However, due to RoHS regulations in Europe, it was claimed it could not be distributed to Europe in its original form[1] and the European market had to wait for an adapted version which would be produced through Bazix and distributed to Europe by Bazix.[2] However, no violation of RoHS has ever been proven, with all identifiable components of the PCB and power supply being RoHS-compliant. Bazix stopped being the representative of MSX Association[3] and thus did not bring the 1chipMSX to the Western market. In the end, MSX Association was dissolved due to a dispute with other parties involved, resulting in a shift of all intellectual property rights concerning MSX to MSX Licensing Corporation. Bazix also dissolved because this dispute made an end to their efforts and ambitions to bring the 1chipMSX to the Western market (along with other projects that were also dependent on the Japanese partners).[4]

Hardware specifications
  • Altera Cyclone EP1C12Q240C8N FPGA chip
  • 32 MB SDRAM
  • SD/MMC card slot
  • 2 MSX Cartridge slots
  • 2 audio outputs (for future stereo support)
  • S-Video video output
  • Composite video output
  • VGA video output
  • PS/2 keyboard connector
  • 2 USB connector
  • 2 MSX Joystick ports
  • FPGA I/O pin (40 pins and 10 pins)

Included are also:

  • A Short English instruction manual, including a short introduction to VHDL
  • Full VHDL code used to achieve MSX2 compatibility (default configuration)
  • A CD-ROM with VHDL code examples and the following software:
    • Altera Quartus 2 Web Edition - VHDL development environment
    • PLDLOAD and PLDSAVE - Software to read and program the FPGA chip
    • EP, FDLOAD and FDSAVE - Software to create, load and play disk images
  • 220 V adapter or 110 V converter plug
  • Schematics to the One Chip MSX PCB
  • Blueprint of the One Chip MSX casing

Specifications

Default specifications of the implemented MSX system:

  • MSX 2 computer system
  • 1 MB RAM
  • 128 kB VRAM
  • Kanji-ROM
  • MSX-MUSIC
  • MSX-DOS2 with FAT16 support
  • MEGA-SCSI compatible support for SD card as primary drive

See also
  • Minimig is a similar FPGA project synthesizing a different home computer's circuitry.

References
  1. "Newspost on Msx Resource Center about postponed 1chipMSX". Archived from the original on 2008-03-09. Retrieved 2008-07-08.
  2. Newspost on Msx Resource Center about shift of responsibilities regarding 1chipMSX: Archived 2008-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
  3. Newspost on MSX Resource Center regarding the breakup between MSX Association and Bazix: Archived 2008-06-29 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "BAZIX". bazix.nl.
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