New project, litehm2: a hostmot2 port to linsn rv901t

Pro_El wrote:

How much trubble can be to add more cards like one i have in stock 5A-75E??
 

The biggest problem is to get the hostmot2 code to synthesize with a different tool, yosys for example. It has a reduced feature set compared to xilinx ISE. I started the work a while ago and am working on it from time to time. I have a 5A-75B to test with.

sensille wrote:

Building the firmware is still a bit involved, but I can provide you with a bitstream once you specify which functions you need.
 

Hi.
In my opinion, the most desirable bitstream is as described below.
1. Most people interested in this (or familiar projects) can't soldering SSOT packages with 0.64 mm spacing, so RV901T is better solution than Colorlight 75 series with no inputs at all (in factory state.)
2. If we  will assume RV901T with no modifications, we get only 24 outputs. It is enough (compare with LPT port), but we can't waste any, for example fo differential outputs (this we can with external circuits).
3. Most popular milling machines have four axes (X,Y,Z and rotary).
4. Lathe should have spindle encoder for threading (especially for rigid tapping, not available in competitive close to Linuxcnc).
5. Spindle should have PWM for speed regulation, and two enables (M3/M4).
6. Motors enable signal should be shared for pins savings.
In conclusion: 4 stepgen, 1 PWM, 1 motor enable, 2 spindle control, 2 mist and flood, 2 probe (tool lenght probe and 3d probe, but these may have different type of output, NC and NO, or PNP and NPN), )in sum 16 outputs.
Maybe second PWM is a good idea (for example for flood pump, or another device).
We still have 8 outputs to use, if no idea, let configure as universal outputs.
I have no tool changer, and have no experience what will be best for it, but it is worth giving something for this purpose.
About inputs, we have more than we need.
I suggest at least 2 encoders, one for spindle, second give possibility of nice and usefull control panel (encoder for jog).
Of course we need inputs as home or e-stop, but these may be configured as universal inputs.
But here we have so many resources that we don't have to save.
 

tuxcnc wrote:

sensille wrote:

Building the firmware is still a bit involved, but I can provide you with a bitstream once you specify which functions you need.
 
Hi.
In my opinion, the most desirable bitstream is as described below.
1. Most people interested in this (or familiar projects) can't soldering SSOT packages with 0.64 mm spacing, so RV901T is better solution than Colorlight 75 series with no inputs at all (in factory state.)
2. If we  will assume RV901T with no modifications, we get only 24 outputs. It is enough (compare with LPT port), but we can't waste any, for example fo differential outputs (this we can with external circuits).
3. Most popular milling machines have four axes (X,Y,Z and rotary).
4. Lathe should have spindle encoder for threading (especially for rigid tapping, not available in competitive close to Linuxcnc).
5. Spindle should have PWM for speed regulation, and two enables (M3/M4).
6. Motors enable signal should be shared for pins savings.
In conclusion: 4 stepgen, 1 PWM, 1 motor enable, 2 spindle control, 2 mist and flood, 2 probe (tool lenght probe and 3d probe, but these may have different type of output, NC and NO, or PNP and NPN), )in sum 16 outputs.
Maybe second PWM is a good idea (for example for flood pump, or another device).
We still have 8 outputs to use, if no idea, let configure as universal outputs.
I have no tool changer, and have no experience what will be best for it, but it is worth giving something for this purpose.
About inputs, we have more than we need.
I suggest at least 2 encoders, one for spindle, second give possibility of nice and usefull control panel (encoder for jog).
Of course we need inputs as home or e-stop, but these may be configured as universal inputs.
But here we have so many resources that we don't have to save.

 

I can build such a bitstream. I just wanted to order a new rv901t to test it on, but unfortunately in the last few weeks the availability of those boards has shrunken quite dramatically, so it doesn't really have much of a future. There is a predecessor (which I own), but it has a different FPGA (chinese brand, quite underdocumented).
Regarding output configuration: Each pin can either be used as a special function pin like stepgen/pwm/... or as generic IO. The special function is coded into the bitstream, but switching to GPIO can be done at runtime from HAL. So it makes sense to assign a special function to each available output.

I ordered a new rv901t so I can test on an unmodified one.

I can build such a bitstream. I just wanted to order a new rv901t to test it on, but unfortunately in the last few weeks the availability of those boards has shrunken quite dramatically, so it doesn't really have much of a future. There is a predecessor (which I own), but it has a different FPGA (chinese brand, quite underdocumented).
Regarding output configuration: Each pin can either be used as a special function pin like stepgen/pwm/... or as generic IO. The special function is coded into the bitstream, but switching to GPIO can be done at runtime from HAL. So it makes sense to assign a special function to each available output.

I tried to build that bitstream, but unfortunately you end up with only 10 outputs on J600/J601. There are 2 more available via JP4, but 12 is still far from 24. So you either have to modify the board or use 2 stock boards.

tuxcnc wrote:

Hi.
In my opinion, the most desirable bitstream is as described below.
1. Most people interested in this (or familiar projects) can't soldering SSOT packages with 0.64 mm spacing, so RV901T is better solution than Colorlight 75 series with no inputs at all (in factory state.)
2. If we  will assume RV901T with no modifications, we get only 24 outputs. It is enough (compare with LPT port), but we can't waste any, for example fo differential outputs (this we can with external circuits).

Hi
In  fact the modification of these boards is not so difficult. 
In case of RV901T you should cut one trace in two places then solder it to GND and add a smd 0805 1k resistor to 3V3. In the end you will get U603, U607, U602, U606 as input and U605, U601, U604, U600 as output ports.
In case of Colorlight 5A-75E the modification is a bit complicated but you do not need to solder chips completely. You should unsolder 2 pins of a group of ICs and solder them together by means of a couple of long jumper wires, then you need to solder those jumper wires to GND and 3V3