Newbie Q on Emulation with 2700/3900

[Skippyboy]

Hey all - I am new to the whole Dishtesting scene. I have been doing a lot of reading, and I am a little confused.

I have a DualPro LNFB and 2 IRD's (2700 and 3900 - both with expired subs and cards inside) that were donated to me.

I would like to use my computer to emulate the functions needed to decrypt signal.

I can build a JTAG cable no problem.

1. Do I need to build ANOTHER cable to interface the IRD to my computer - or is the JTAG Cable sufficient?

2. Also - do I need anything more than the IRD, Cable, and P4 computer to get this all working? The MaestraTV docs are a little vague on this point.

Any help on these 2 questions is GREATLY appreciated.

[cancom]

Emulation doesn't require the cards.

The other cable you need is from the emu to the computer [4 wire for max&mel]. Tel wire is ok but a 4 conductor feedwire is better. Solder a DB9F on the computer end.

There are numerous emulators. I recommend the internal max&mel:
[1] Plastic can still be used
[2] Charlie won't be at your door from the RF given off by externals.
[3] No loose contacts with the card socket
[4] Pins won't break off from sliding some fat boards in there

DOS cemu systems will run on a P166 from a floppy so a P4 is a little overkill.

[Skippyboy]

Emulation doesn't require the cards.

The other cable you need is from the emu to the computer [4 wire for max&mel]. Tel wire is ok but a 4 conductor feedwire is better. Solder a DB9F on the computer end.


DOS cemu systems will run on a P166 from a floppy so a P4 is a little overkill.

Thanks for the feedback. I have found numerous schematics for building JTAG cables. Are there any easy, step-by-step tutorials on making my own max&mel card? Lots of the schematics just show wiring layouts. I like the "For Dummies" versions....

Also - this project is only for my own edification. I will be setting the IRD up next to my computer and attaching it to my TV Tuner card - so the P4 will be used to watch TV and surf the web, etc...

[robo]

will a 133 run it

[cancom]

Hi Skippyboy
Good to see you want a do-it-yourself. Probably the best was from mc24's site....now gone. Here is a slightly modded version of his. It was a absolute pain in the butt soldering all those jumpers so I had my own pc boards made....I now can build one in a few minutes.


Hi robo

A 133Mhz is now very minimal but some mobos with good architecture will work. Make sure your COM1 is a 16550 or no go.

[Skippyboy]

Thanks for the schematic Cancom. Looks great.

Now my last 2 questions are:
1. Will the ATMEGA8515L-8PI work in place of the AT90S8515? If not - what will?
2. What software would be be best to program the ATMEGA chip and run the emu in windowsXPee/Linux?

Thanks.

[cancom]

Technical/Catalog Information ATMEGA8515L-8PI-ND
Standard Package 10
Category Integrated Circuits (IC's)
Family Microcontrollers
Vendor Atmel
Program Memory Size 8K x 8
RAM Size 512 x 8
Number of I /O 35
Package / Case 40-DIP
Speed 8MHz
Controller Series ATmega AVR® FLASH
Oscillator Type Internal
Packaging Bulk
Program Memory Type In-System Programmable FLASH
EEPROM Size 512 x 8

Technical/Catalog Information AT90S8515-8PC-ND
Standard Package 18
Category Integrated Circuits (IC's)
Family Microcontrollers
Vendor Atmel
Program Memory Size 8K x 8
RAM Size 512 x 8
Number of I /O 32
Package / Case 40-DIP
Speed 8MHz
Controller Series AT90 AVR® 8-Bit
Oscillator Type External Only
Packaging Bulk
Program Memory Type In-System Programmable FLASH
EEPROM Size 512 x 8

As you can see the AT90S8515-8 requires an external oscillator so no for most applications.
I'm also suspicious that the instruction set is also different.

[John Jones 2]

Cancom, thanks for the schematic as I have been looking for one also.

I have a max 233 that I would like to use in place of the max 232. Do you have anything for the emulator for the Max233 instead or can you advise what would need changing if using a Max 233.

Thanks
John

[cancom]

Cancom, thanks for the schematic as I have been looking for one also.

I have a max 233 that I would like to use in place of the max 232. Do you have anything for the emulator for the Max233 instead or can you advise what would need changing if using a Max 233.

Thanks
John

Max233 is a 20 pin quad RS232. All my schematics are for 2 drivers/2 receivers.

Max232 is cheap when purchased in bulk....50 cents. I've got hundreds of extra 16pin dip ICs lying around as my new design uses surface mount max232 and CD4066BE. PM me with an email addy/address and I'll airmail you one free.....such a deal!!!!

[Skippyboy]

Technical/Catalog Information ATMEGA8515L-8PI-ND
Standard Package 10
Category Integrated Circuits (IC's)
Family Microcontrollers
Vendor Atmel
Program Memory Size 8K x 8
RAM Size 512 x 8
Number of I /O 35
Package / Case 40-DIP
Speed 8MHz
Controller Series ATmega AVR® FLASH
Oscillator Type Internal
Packaging Bulk
Program Memory Type In-System Programmable FLASH
EEPROM Size 512 x 8

Technical/Catalog Information AT90S8515-8PC-ND
Standard Package 18
Category Integrated Circuits (IC's)
Family Microcontrollers
Vendor Atmel
Program Memory Size 8K x 8
RAM Size 512 x 8
Number of I /O 32
Package / Case 40-DIP
Speed 8MHz
Controller Series AT90 AVR® 8-Bit
Oscillator Type External Only
Packaging Bulk
Program Memory Type In-System Programmable FLASH
EEPROM Size 512 x 8

As you can see the AT90S8515-8 requires an external oscillator so no for most applications.
I'm also suspicious that the instruction set is also different.


I guess - I can always try to flash it with one of the .bin's that I find and see what happens - right? Shouldn't cause any damage to the IRD should it?