Note: The TMS9918/TMS992x VDP Card is supplied in Kitset form only (assembly required). The base price is for the double-sided silkscreened TMS9918/TMS992x VDP Card PCB ONLY. The optional packs provide some key components only. Other components are also required to make a complete TMS9918/TMS992x VDP Card Kitset. See BOM below (and photo).

What is Minimalist Europe Card Bus

Europe Card Bus (ECB) is a Retro CPU Bus standard from the late 1970’s / early 1980’s.

The “Minimalist Europe Card Bus” (as I’ve called it), is a Retro 8-bit CPU Bus and PCB design standard that I decided to define & document. The purpose of which is to provide a modular platform for me to re-experience the fun of experimenting with the different 8-bit CPU’s, and the various video and peripheral devices, that I grew up with in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s.

My goal is that of a robust and modular design platform which allows me to create interchangeable PCB cards, based on time proven reliable bus connectors and modern low-cost prototype PCB manufacturing.

i.e. A robust, flexible, and low cost way for me to re-create some of the early microprocessor circuits, that I’d originally built using Wire-Wrap methods back in the day.

As evident from the name, the Bus itself is based on a Minimalist implementation of the original Europe Card Bus (ECB) standard.

Standardised Mechanical Specification for a Minimalist ECB “MECB” Board

MECB Standardised Board Design Parameters:

• Satisfy the 100mm square maximum board size, for low-cost prototype PCB manufacturing.
• Utilise the lower cost 64-pin (Row A&C) DIN 41612 type C connectors, for cost saving.
• Ensure the DIN 41612 connector(s) can be easily centred across the board width, grid aligned.
• Provide two standardised corner holes, on the edge opposing the right-angle DIN connector, to allow for attachment of card handles (to ease board insertion & extraction), or for board mounting – refer next point.
• Provide an additional two standardised corner mounting holes on the edge with the right-angle DIN connector, to provide a full set of four corner holes (to allow for stand-alone board mounting).
• Standardise PCB corner rounding, for sharp corner removal consistency across all boards & visual tidiness.

MECB Standardised Board Design Notes:

• PCB layout is designed utilising 0.127mm (5.0 mils) grid setting.
• Board size is 99.822mm, which represents the greatest even multiple of 0.127mm (i.e. multiple of 0.254mm – 10.0 mils), that will fit within the desired maximum 100mm board dimension.
• Standard M3 sized mounting holes were chosen. An additional two mid-edge located mounting holes are specified for the Backplane board only (to provide additional mechanical support).
• For reference, DIN 41612 connectors can utilise standard M2.5 mounting bolts (8mm length for the straight connectors, 10mm length for right angle connectors).
• Implemented as a KiCAD Template, to assist with simplifying the creation of each new MECB board design.

Please refer to the attached photo outlining all dimensions for the MECB Standardised Board Mechanical Specifications.

TMS9918/TMS992x VDP Video Card

What You Get

To satisfy different people's needs, I've split the TMS9918/TMS992x VDP Card Kitset into optional add-on packs.

Firstly, note that the base price is for the double-sided silkscreened TMS9918/TMS992x VDP Card PCB Only.

Then, you can add the optional Packs that might be helpful to you. Then, to complete the Kitset, you'll need to source the remaining parts to complete the BOM below.

Optional Hardware Pack includes:

• 1x Right Angle Male DIN41612 364 Keyed Bus Connector
• 2x M2.5 Stainless Steel Bolt 10mm (2 required for Right Angle Connector)
• 2x M2.5 Stainless Steel Hexagonal Nut (for above Bolts)
• 4x 12mm Nylon PCB Spacer
• 8x 6mm Nylon Bolt (for Spacer mounting)

Optional Programmed ATF16V8 PLD Pack includes:

• An ATF16V8 PLD Chip Tested and Programmed as per the linked Video ($80 I/O Address).

Optional Tested TMS9929A, TMS9918A, or TMS9928A + Crystal Pack includes:

Either:

• Verified Operational TMS9929A 50Hz Colour Difference VDP Chip
• 10.738635MHz Crystal

OR:

• Verified Operational TMS9918A 60Hz NTSC Composite Video VDP Chip
• 10.738635MHz Crystal

OR:

• Verified Operational TMS9928A 60Hz Color Difference VDP Chip
• 10.738635MHz Crystal

TMS9918/TMS992x VDP Card BOM

The following is a full Bill Of Materials (BOM) to allow fully assembling your TMS9918/TMS992x VDP Card.

Note that the PCB is supplied, and some select components are available in the three option packs. The rest of the components will need to be sourced by yourself.

Some components are noted as being for the TMS9918 only, and a couple of resistors are for the TMS992x only. Also, some components are of course optional. For example the IC Sockets, although I do highly recommend IC Sockets are used.

I have also included an indication of where I sourced my parts from, if this is of assistance.

The Video linked below provides a full presentation of the initial TMS992xA VDP Card, as well as demonstrating the steps I took for assembly. Additional videos are available via the Documentation link, including a presentation of the v2.0 update, where TMS9918 support was added, and also a later demonstration of the TMS9928A in use (also, comparing outputs of all 3 VDP chips).

Via the Documentation link (below) you'll also find follow-up videos, and other videos presenting different components of the MECB retro 8-bit computing project.

Your TMS9918/TMS992x VDP Card Kitset order is shipped in a robust cardboard carton with packing, for safe delivery via New Zealand International Air Parcel (see example shipping photo).

Note: Please visit the Documentation link (below) for more information on MECB, and for details of the various MECB Cards that have been design so far.