Printed Circuit Boards

When I started the MTXPlus⁺ project, I only ever saw it as a hobby project for myself, even when Martin came on board, I didn't really plan on making a "product" out of it - and still don't! In the unlikely event that anyone is interested in making their own MTXPlus⁺, all of the required information to build your own is freely available on the pages of this website.

In addition to the individual components, all you need is a few Eurocard size prototype boards, copious amounts of prototype wire, a soldering iron and lots of patience. That said, the "novelty" of wiring up prototype boards soon wears off and is likely to be a barrier to anyone even contemplating building MTXPlus⁺. In my own case, even though I now have a set of working prototype boards that were used during development of the design, I think that using "proper" PCBs is likely to mean that I can probably get more speed out of MTXPlus⁺, even using the same components.

I am considering getting a very limited run of PCBs made and could offer them for sale at pretty much cost price. As a bare minimum, a set of MTXPlus⁺ boards would consist of a backplane (with integral power components), CPU, Video and I/O boards, i.e., 4 PCBs. I think that I could probably make a full set of boards available for around £30, not including the components.

If you would be interested in obtaining a set of boards, please drop me an e-mail and I will see whether this becomes a viable option. I don't expect a definite commitment to buy from you, but it would be good to know whether there is any demand for a set of professionally made PCBs.

Martin is also working on a single, ATX sized, MTXPlus⁺ board that may, or may not, make it into production. Let me know if this is something that you might be interested in too. A single board may work out slightly cheaper, but, being less modular, may be more difficult to test and is potentially less flexible.

PCB	BoM
System Backplane - 5 slots First PCB Revision - Version 1.11	(To do)
Errata Although the slot spacing is adequate, it would be better to make the board a little longer (more expensive) and allow more clearance between slots	1. General - slot pitch 2. Q1 3. R3 4. F1 5. C3 6. Boost Regulator	Increased separation might be better Wrong footprint - too small Lead pitch too small Tight clearance with U1, Q1 & R3 Clash with U1 (wrong stencil used) Vin+ and Vin- reversed
CPU Board (Z80) First PCB Revision - Version 2.30	(To do)
Errata Minor errors	1. Routing error 2. VCC and VSS planes	Erroneous RA16 and OA16 link Missed off Gerber files - oooops!
Video Board (V9958)	KiCAD 3D rendering of Video board PCB. Undergoing final checks before manufacture
I/O Board
Co-processor Board (6502) - Future
CPU Board (Z180S) - Future