ToToTEK.COM

The Dumper · Joined: 05 Oct 2003 Posts: 49

The Super Flash is a great product but I think we can make it better. Here are some suggestions:

1) Fix the SRAM logic: It should allow multiple games to partition the SRAM so that game 1's SRAM doesn't conflict with game 2's sram which doesn't conflict with game 3's sram, etc. The only restrictions you should have are that total amount of all the games sram doesn't exceed 1Mbit (size of the sram), and probably you'll restrict sram sizes to certain fixed values. This is similar to the way Nintendo Power carts work.

The ROM gets allocated on the cart in this manner. We want to do this for the sram as well. I hope the hardware supports this and it's just a software change.

2) Add more slots for games. On a 64 Mbit cart you should have the capability to put up to 8 games on the menu.

3) Have an option to eliminate the menu code from the boot loader if you only have one game on the cart. You can still have a boot loader, just don't put the menu code in (some people don't like the quick menu flash when only one game is programmed on the cart).

4) Improve game size and mapping capabilities. Games should allocate space in a minimum 4 Mbit chunks. I notice when I load a 12 Mbit game the cart takes 16 Mbit of space to load it. It should only take 12 Mbit for a 12 Mbit game.

5) Fix Pilotwings (J) bug. This is a software issue. Pilotwings (U) works.

6) Release programming documentation for Super Flash so uCON64 can support it.

7) Use a USB port for data transfer instead of just power.

I haven't even gotten into attempting to dump carts on the Super Flash but someone here claimed they had a problem dumping a 12 Mbit HiROM game.

Jagasian · Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Posts: 159

Those are very good suggestions. I agree on all points, but I wonder if it is possible to transfer data over the USB port without a hardware change. A USB only option would make the device far more user-friendly. No more parallel port nightmares! The USB port would also allow for faster data transfer.

The Dumper · Joined: 05 Oct 2003 Posts: 49

I would guess that there would have to be some minor hardware changes to support USB. Maybe Tototek will put this in the Pro version?

Jagasian · Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Posts: 159

I would buy a Pro version if it had all of the mentioned improvements.

Suppafly · Joined: 23 Jul 2003 Posts: 191 Location: Mexico

Move to where it belongs, ideas for future products Smile

Jagasian · Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Posts: 159

Improvements for the current SuperFlash are not necessarily ideas for a new product. They could simply improve their current product or they could release a new product.

Suppafly · Joined: 23 Jul 2003 Posts: 191 Location: Mexico

Well, in my opinion an improved product IS a new product.

Jagasian · Joined: 08 Jun 2004 Posts: 159

So each version of the SuperFlasher software makes the SuperFlash cart a new product?

Suppafly · Joined: 23 Jul 2003 Posts: 191 Location: Mexico

Yes. If it has a lot of new features then its a new product.

kyuusaku · Joined: 26 Jul 2003 Posts: 941 Location: .ma.us

Apariently, the CPLD is already completely filled so keep that in mind when suggesting updates.

Suppafly · Joined: 23 Jul 2003 Posts: 191 Location: Mexico

Whats the CPLD??? Embarassed

kyuusaku · Joined: 26 Jul 2003 Posts: 941 Location: .ma.us

The CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) is the heart of Tototek's flash carts, the chip with the Xilinx logo. This means that new features will have to be done in the SuperFlash software only. That means that most of The Dumper's suggestions aren't feasible.

Suppafly · Joined: 23 Jul 2003 Posts: 191 Location: Mexico

ohh...i see. Thanks for the info Smile

neviksti · Joined: 08 Mar 2004 Posts: 9

Are they controlling the SRAM size by controlling address lines to the SRAM chip? (easy to check by openning the cartridge and a quick trace)

Either way, to support upto 1Mbit of SRAM in HiROM or LoROM they need to control the address lines for > 64kbit maps.

Even if every cell of the CPLD is used, the cells used for the SRAM lines may still be modified to support loading a constant other than zero. This would effectively allow SRAM allocations in 64kbit chunks for any game (again, even smaller if they control SRAM size through turning off address lines).

P.S. BTW, for those that already bought the flash cart... even though the CPLD is reprogrammale, looking at the screen shots tells me the CPLD isn't software updatable as the device is currently designed (looks like you need to use a JTAG interface).

Suggestion:
Since you are already using a parallel port... why not connect it such that the CPLD's can be reprogrammed from the parallel port? It would be awesome if we could have full access to the hardware.