The Sinclair QL Forum

Peter wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2024 9:43 am(Can't find a download location for QMON at the moment. Is it still commercial?)

No: https://www.kilgus.net/smsqe/qmon/

guibrush wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2024 8:49 am As the QL chipset is actually no so complex, I think that it's totally possible to take the same approach. It would then need no or minimal modification to let SMSQ/E run on the V4.

Please note: SMSQ/E does not run on the QL.

guibrush wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2024 8:49 am Of course, a driver for the new video modes and for the sound would be then needed.

Historically, new video drivers are a huge obstacle in the QL world.

When i rather foolishly posted the question, "What about a Qzero with the Apollo 68080 core, rather than a new 68060 main board ?". I meant the use of an Apollo 68080 processor core in a format similar to a Qzero.

Not a core containing Amiga, Atari or any thing else compatible I/O devices. Just a 68000 compatible Motorola processor core.

I was also, not suggesting the use of a processor that might be incompatible with SMSQE and its device drivers.

Tinyfpga wrote: Fri Nov 29, 2024 11:35 am When i rather foolishly posted the question, "What about a Qzero with the Apollo 68080 core, rather than a new 68060 main board ?". I meant the use of an Apollo 68080 processor core in a format similar to a Qzero.

It was not foolish to ask. Theoretically, the pure CPU core (without FPU) might fit the current Qzero FPGA, or at least a larger, pincompatible one.
If the core is already correct enough to execute most QL code, and really much faster than a 68060 for us, I might think about it again.

The effort would still be high, as the Apollo core is Altera/Intel specific, unlike the TG68K.C which is written in portable HDL code.
The bus interface is also Altera-oriented, rather than 68060 or Wishbone. Porting this to a Lattice ECP5 and my current peripherals is not trivial.

On top of that come the general difficulties of using a closed, commercial product from a non-QL vendor.
Many things would have to be negotiated, not just licensing fees.
Unpredictable cost/timeframes for commercial consulting and bugfixing loom.

I'm trying to do some testing, but I think that I make a new post to not clutter this one.

I am just being curious.

Did the 68060 used in the Q60 contain an MMU? If it did am I right in thinking it was not used in an SMSQE setup?

Is support for virtual memory the purpose of an MMU?

As far as I know SMS does not need or use virtual memory, so MMU hardware is not useful and might even be a hindrance.

The MMU was always included, so the machines can also run 68K Linux.
It is correct that the MMU is not required for SMSQ/E.

Hi,

The Q60 configuration that I used to sell was:

Q60-60: 60Mhz CPU, MMU, FPU, 128Mb Ram, 4 Port I/O Card
Q60-66: 66Mhz CPU, MMU, FPU, 128Mb Ram, 4 Port I/O Card
Q60-80: 80Mhz CPU, MMU, 128Mb Ram, 4 Port I/O Card

There was options:

10Gb Hard Drive
CDROM Drive
1.44Mb HD Floppy Disk Drive
PC Midi Tower Case
3 Button Serial port Mouse
Beige AT PC Keyboard
QL Software Package
Linux on CDROM

All versions of Q60 could run Linux, with a special Linux Loader for the Q60-80

Today, I would drop Linux, and only produce the Q60-80 and had a Black ITX Case, with CF/SD Card storage, Floppy and Gotek removal drives.