Project UFIC (USB For IDE Controllers)
The idea of this project is not to take the Compact Flash (CF) outside of the Apple II case but instead place a USB CF Reader inside it. UFIC is an alternate solution to the problem of accessing a CF card (or IDE/ATA hard drive) which is positioned internally in an Apple II computer.
UFIC is an adapter which plugs in between the Microdrive IDE controller and the IDE/ATA to CF Board. It consists of two IDE/ATA plugs, a type B USB plug, a USB to ATA/ATAPI bridge and a switch.
The operation of the adapter is very simple. When the Apple II computer is turned off, the adapter allows a USB connected PC to access the CF card (or hard drive). When powered on, the system bypasses the USB to ATA/ATAPI bridge and functions like it did without the adapter.
Note: You still need a utitlity on the PC side such as CiderPress (http://www.faddensoft.com/) to access the data on the CF card (or hard drive).
Note: A 2.5 inch hard drive will require more power than can be supplied using one USB port (multi USB port cable is needed). A 3.5 inch hard drive will require an external power supply.
Note: This adapter is specifically build for the Microdrive IDE controller. The same principle could be used for other IDE controllers like the CFFA and the Focus Drive. The only difference being different connectors ie CFFA would need 5 volts from the controller card instead of pin 20 and the Focus Drive would need 44pin plugs. A USB CF Reader could be used instead of the USB to ATA/ATAPI bridge to give the same result.
Suppliers of IDE Drives :-
Microdrive IDE controller - http://www.reactivemicro.com/
CFFA - http://dreher.net/?s=projects/CFforAppleII&c=projects/CFforAppleII/main.php
Focus IDE HD Controller - http://16sector.com/
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query UFIC. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query UFIC. Sort by date Show all posts
Monday, July 21, 2008
Sunday, February 22, 2009
UFIC - Update
The board has been constructed and after doing some testing I found out that I am not quite there yet. I had incorrectly assumed that all ATA/ATAPI controllers were going to contain high impedance lines when powered off. The UFIC board works ok with only the USB to ATA bridge connected or only the Microdrive connected but not both. On the one side I tested two different USB to ATA bridge boards and found that one was ok to use (the one with the MOAI M110E chip) while the other (containing an ALCOR AU6391 chip) was not. On the other side I measured the Microdrive and found it too did not have high impedance lines when powered off. Therefore when not in use it will need to be isolated. A buffer/transceiver or multiplexer/bus switch modification will be required.
The power switch circuitry is used to switch between the two power sources. I considered using a relay but it would have taken up too much space. Using diodes would have caused a bigger voltage drop than I wanted. There were several fantastic all in one integrated circuit packages that would have worked brilliantly but due to their small size they were not friendly to hand soldering. In the end I decided to give MOSFETs a try. It was an interesting exercise as I went through a few revisions but in the end I am pretty happy with it.
To get a compact solution the parts needed some adjusting. The Veroboard and the 40 pin IDE socket needed filing down, the USB plug on the USB to ATA bridge was changed to a more compact version and for a nice USB connection I had to get a custom USB bracket made up. I would like to thank the guys from Queensland Sheet Metal & Roofing Suppliers for sorting that out for me.
The power switch circuitry is used to switch between the two power sources. I considered using a relay but it would have taken up too much space. Using diodes would have caused a bigger voltage drop than I wanted. There were several fantastic all in one integrated circuit packages that would have worked brilliantly but due to their small size they were not friendly to hand soldering. In the end I decided to give MOSFETs a try. It was an interesting exercise as I went through a few revisions but in the end I am pretty happy with it.
To get a compact solution the parts needed some adjusting. The Veroboard and the 40 pin IDE socket needed filing down, the USB plug on the USB to ATA bridge was changed to a more compact version and for a nice USB connection I had to get a custom USB bracket made up. I would like to thank the guys from Queensland Sheet Metal & Roofing Suppliers for sorting that out for me.
Monday, April 27, 2009
UFIC - Update
Finally completed.
Three 16:8 Multiplexer chips were added to the circuit board to isolate the USB to ATA bridge from the Microdrive IDE controller.
It's not a pretty solution but it does the job.
The revised circuit board.
Three 16:8 Multiplexer chips were added to the circuit board to isolate the USB to ATA bridge from the Microdrive IDE controller.
It's not a pretty solution but it does the job.
The revised circuit board.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
UFIC - Images
The circuit board (top and underside views).
The circuit board attached to the CF Board, USB to ATA/ATAPI bridge and the Microdrive IDE controller.
The USB socket on the rear of the case and the USB bracket.
Power switch circuitry. Since MOSFETS provide switching of current in only one direction, U1 and U2 do the device switching while U3 and U4 are there for reverse current protection.
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