uMSX

The uMSX is a MSX2+ FPGA implementation that basically mimics the 1ChipMSX (one of the first FPGA based MSX2+ one chip MSX computers commercially available).

PCB created by BCH.

The VHDL used is the well known KDL PLD implementation for the MSX2+ used by the vast majority of the FPGA based MSX computers known. The uMSX uses the first generation of the KDL VHDL source, also known by esemsx.

Based on the already obsolete (but relatively easy to find) Altera EP1C12 FPGA (specifically the EP1C12Q240C8N), the uMSX uses SMD based components (and a few PTH) in a nice compact form factor. It uses the 4 megabit EPCS4 active serial configuration flash memory to host the firmware and configure the FPGA chip at each time the circuit turns on.

A MT48LC16M16A2 SRAM chip offers memory for the computer, which also uses a few other components to implement the clock logic (NC7WV04P6X inverter and 21.47727 basic PTH crystal oscillator) and a 953B voltage detector and reset IC.

Heavily based on 0603 SMT resistance arrays, and other 0805 SMT components, the uMSX is a compact little OCM MSX that can be used to evolve your SMD soldering skills, challenge your knowledge of modern electronics applied to retro computing, and give you a lot of fun through the journey.

Bill of Materials

Main Board

Qtd	Part	Value	Package	Type	Link
1	uMSX main board PCB	NA	NA	NA	Main Board
1	Custom acrylic box	NA	NA	NA	Acrylic Box
3	Nylon pcb standoff	20mm	M3	Black	AliExpress
7	Nylon screw	10mm	M3	Black	AliExpress
2	R106, R96	10R	M0805	SMD Resistor	AliExpress
1	R113	22R	M0805	SMD Resistor	AliExpress
2	R4, R6	100R	M0805	SMD Resistor	AliExpress
1	R7	1M	M0805	SMD Resistor	AliExpress
2	R8, R10	10K	M0805	SMD Resistor	AliExpress
3	R13A, R13B, R122	1K	M0805	SMD Resistor	AliExpress
26	RN133, RN97-101, RN103, RN105, RN108, RN110, RN112, RN114-121, RN123, RN126-127, RN129, RN131, RN135, RN152	100R	0603x4 CAY16	SMD Resistor Array	AliExpress
8	RN95, RN107, RN109, RN124, RN128, RN130, RN132, RN134	200R	0603x4 CAY16	SMD Resistor Array	AliExpress
5	RN16, RN111, RN125, RN12, RN13	1K	0603x4 CAY16	SMD Resistor Array	AliExpress
1	RN94	10K	0603x4 CAY16	SMD Resistor Array	AliExpress
1	C1	2.2uf	C0805	SMD Ceramic Capacitor	AliExpress
23	C3-10, C13-15, C21, C23-25, C30-33, C35-37, C134	100nf	C0805	SMD Ceramic Capacitor	AliExpress
2	C18-19	27pf	C0805	SMD Ceramic Capacitor	AliExpress
8	C26-28, C18-19, CI10-11, CI16	220uf 10V	153CLV-0605	SMD Electrolytic Capacitor	AliExpress
1	C34	4.7uf	C0805	SMD Ceramic Capacitor	AliExpress
9	LED1-9	Any color	CHIP-LED0805	SMD LED	AliExpress
1	12V	1x2	12v pin to the cartridge board	Pin Header	AliExpress
1	JP1	2x5	joystick connector	Pin Header	AliExpress
1	JP2	1x2	on/off switch	Pin Header	AliExpress
1	JP3	2x25	cartridge board connector	Pin Header	AliExpress
1	JP4	2x5 (10 pin)	JTAG	Box Header Connector	AliExpress
1	JP5	3.5mm	Stereo	Audio Jack	AliExpress
1	PS2	6P	keyboard connector	PS2	AliExpress
1	Q1	21.47727	HC49/S	PTH Crystal Oscillator	AliExpress
1	U1	EPCS4N	8-pin SOIC	Active Serial configuration flash	AliExpress
1	U2	953BFP	8-pin SOIC	Voltage detector and reset	AliExpress
1	U$1	EP1C12Q240C8N	240-Pin PQFP	Cyclone FPGA	AliExpress
1	J1			Micro SD Slot	AliExpress
1	J2	DC-005	Right Angle	Barrel Power Jack	AliExpress
1	IC1	MT48LC16M16A2	TSOP54-400	SDRAM	AliExpress
1	IC2	3.3v AMS1117	SOT223	Voltage Regulator	AliExpress
1	IC3	1.5v AMS1117	SOT223	Voltage Regulator	AliExpress
1	IC5	NC7WZU04P6X	SOT65P210X110-6AN_SC88_SC70-6	Dual Unbuffered Inverter	AliExpress
1	RCA	AV-8.4-5	RCA	RCA Connector	AliExpress
1	F1	1.1A	1812	PPTC Fuse	AliExpress
1	EDG-08 (SWITCH)	8 switches			AliExpress
1	S1 (Button)	6x6x7	Push/Tactile	Reset Button	AliExpress
1	VGA	DB15	FEMALE SHORT	RIGHT ANGLE	AliExpress
1	ON/OFF switch	2 pin	21x15	Boat switch	AliExpress
2	Jumper wire	Female	10cm	ON/OFF cables	AliExpress
2	Spade Crimp Terminals and Sleeves	Female	4.8mm	(Buy the set)	AliExpress
1	Socket Connector	Female	2.54MM Pitch	Joystick cable connector	AliExpress
1	Flat Ribbon Cable	10P (10 pins)		Joystick cable	AliExpress
1	DB9 male connector	9 pin		Joystick cable connector	AliExpress
1	microSD/TF card	4GB		Memory card	AliExpress

Cartridge Board

Qtd	Part	Value	Package	Type	Link
1	uMSX cartridge board PCB	NA	NA	NA	Cartridge Board
1	TMA_0512D	12V			AliExpress
2	Inductor	100uf	PTH		AliExpress
2	Electrolytic Capacitor	10uf/25V	153CLV-0605	SMD	AliExpress
1	Electrolytic Capacitor	100uf/16V	153CLV-0605	SMD	AliExpress
3	Ceramic Capacitor	100nf	C0805	SMD	AliExpress
2	Ceramic Capacitor	4.7uf	C0805	SMD	AliExpress
2	Resistor	2K	M0805	SMD	AliExpress
1	Main board connector	2x25		Pin Header	AliExpress
2	Edge card connector	50P		Cartridge	AliExpress
4	PCB metal standoff	15-20mm	M3	Standoff	AliExpress
4	Silicone cap	13mm	M3	Sleeve/cap	AliExpress
4	Nut		M3	Nut	AliExpress
1	Main board cable	20cm	50P 2x25P	Flat cable	AliExpress

References

• Original thread (in Spanish) with details about the project uMSX: Clon MSX2+ FPGA

• Article (in English) with details on how to build, BoM, tips and tricks Yet another FPGA based MSX (The uMSX)

• Youtube video (in Portuguese) with additional details YouTube Video

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

• If you remix, transform, or build upon the material, you must distribute your contributions under the same license as the original.
• You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
• You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.

ATTENTION

This project was made for the retro community and not for commercial purposes. So only retro hardware forums and individual people can build this project.

THE SALE OF ANY PART OF THIS PROJECT WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORIZATION IS PROHIBITED!