14 Oct
2012
14 Oct
'12
11:47 a.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-
bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Dave McGuire
Sent: 14 October 2012 18:59
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
Subject: Re: unibus to modern disk interface?
On 10/14/2012 01:42 PM, js at cimmeri.com wrote:
There are a few obstacles. While none of them are "big" ones, they all
add
>
>> [...non-ancient disk on Unibus machines...]
>
> I'm surely not the only collector who would be willing to pony up
> some $$$ for such a project....
I would certainly pony up some $.
I built my own IDE->S-100 interface (with guidance from my amazing
friend, Allison P); it was very easy, hardware-wise.
What makes IDE to Qbus or Unibus interfacing so difficult? There must
be reasons, otherwise it would have been done by now. up.
The biggest issue is that the people with enough time to do it seem to
usually not be the people with the required skillset.
Then there's a technical obstacle of bus driver chips that match Qbus or
Unibus specs. There just aren't any ideal choices that are available now.
There's an easy way around that, but then you're back to the availability
of
time.
I have heard the problem with driver chips before. I don't know enough
electronics really, but could it be done with discrete components?
My own "plan" is to emulate the raw hard disks instead of the controllers
(certainly for DEC RD53/54 which are the ones I most want to emulate). One
day, when I get time, and when I find someone who can help me with the
hardware design.
Regards
Rob