D4 Enterprise 1chipMSX
Summary
The 1chipMSX is a MSX2 home computer, which does not consist of the original chips of the 1980s, but is completely reproduced in a single programmable logic module (FPGA). The design comes from ESE Artists’ Factory (as “ESE MSX System 3”), the Japanese manufacturer D4 Enterprise launched the device in Japan in 2006.
What’s that?
MSX is a Japanese home computer standard of the 1980s, which many companies like Sony, Philips or Panasonic built. The 1chipMSX does not imitate such a computer by software emulation. Instead, the circuit of the old chips is described in the hardware description language VHDL and is loaded into an FPGA, a building block whose logic can be freely reconfigured. The computer behaves as a real MSX2 and accepts also original MSX modules.
Because the hardware is only one configuration, it can be changed: Under MSX-DOS, a program can load a new configuration into the FPGA and thus extend the computer with functions. D4 Enterprise adds the VHDL source code, schematics and an introduction to VHDL, the device is thus also intended as a learning system.
The compact case is made of transparent blue plastic. An SD card replaces floppy disks, and the keyboard and display are modern devices. Distribution outside Japan was planned but did not materialise. Only one production run was made.
Technical specifications
- FPGA: Altera Cyclone EP1C12, 32 MB SDRAM
- Standard configuration: MSX2 with 1 MB RAM, 128 KB video RAM, Kanji-ROM, MSX-DOS2
- Sound enhancements MSX-MUSIC and SCC+ installed
- 2 slots for MSX modules, SD/MMC card slot
- PS/2 keyboard connector, 2 MSX joystick connectors
- Video outputs: Composite, S-Video, VGA
- 2 USB ports (can only be used with additional configuration)
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