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[kard63]

I would like to attempt to create a clone of it, or at least, one prototype clone.  The matrix's only complaint in reality is that it uses the SST49LF020 or something just like it with 256KB.  I would like to replace the SST49LF020 with a SST49LF080 with 1024KB.  I want to know if anyone can help me identify the parts of the matrix.  I don't want the custom PCB places I would like to contact to know that I am a newbie.  I don't think they will be very responsive to that.  I contacted one person in particular but I leave this invite open to anyone.  

Thanks
Kard63

[blueinfinity]

not sure exactly
get one and look it over
or get some high quality pics and look?

need any help building it though and im yer man

im in canada though

[feflicker]

Pogo pins like the ones on the matrix will be hard to find... You might have to actually solder your prototype

[BenJeremy]

QUOTE (karia @ Jan 13 2003, 01:25 AM)

you cant use any other ship but the SST49LF020. the SST49LF020 has a fault in it that lets it be read by the xbox with out any other components. if you wanted to upgrade the size you would have to create a new PCB design cause you would need alot more componenets om afraid

This is correct.

If you use a larger chip, you'll need to use a CPLD to provide the functionality of the SST49LF020A.

See references to "Cheapmod" for details about the Matrix design origins.

They did add the pogopins and a PIC chip to manage a couple of things, including the flash control and alignment aid, so it does go beyongthe cheapmod design a little bit.

[blueinfinity]

hmm

ok
well.
hmm

i have wonderd why know offs of the matrix havnt come out.. that had the pogo pins?

why not lol?

and why is matrix only chip using those 3 spots.. all the others use the 9 solder spots??? its just been erking me

[kard63]

There it is.  I can get the pogo pins, the SST49LF020, the connector to the programmer is no problem.

What about the PIC that handles the extra functions?  Does anyone know how to rip or write that kind of code?

Do the larger mods (I don't know which have 1024KB) use a CPLD or a SST49LF080 with a bunch of extras?

What kind of price are we talking on the CPLD?

[kard63]

I really want to get this off the ground.

[kard63]

Well, I can't recognize that chip and I would still like to make a cheaper mod for newbs (people that can't solder) so if a few people can help me out I would be very greatful.

[rAph]

Can't you enable/disable writting to a cheapmod if you put a switch on pin7 of the SST49LF020 chip?

[kard63]

How do I boost the code off of the 12c508 ?

[Unregistered]

a cheaper mod for noobs ?

are you for real ?

its called cheapmod and costs $4

you cant get any cheaper than that !

[kard63]

Hey dick, we covered this in a PM!  I want pogo pins for tards!  You are so God damn informed that you could be very helpful to any number of people, but instead your great personality comes through.
You have only been regestered 3 to 4 days and have 37 posts.  You are quite experienced and yet you just landed here at the xbox-scene.  My guess is you were banished from your last X-Box forum for being a cock.

[kard63]

Come on, you were banished.  Go ahead and say it.  Its only time before it happens here too.

PS - Only my posts from the last 3 days have been about that.  Oh wait, you've only been here 3 days, I forgot.

[BenJeremy]

Well, it needs to be said that a 1MB version of the Matrix will require that CPLD I talked about earlier, which would replace the functionality of the PIC, BTW, with DIPs tied to a few of the the I/Os... this is essentially what is done on the LPC 1MB mods that are out there.

A better design would probably be a generic pogopin adapter, with perhaps a simple alignment program on a PIC and a connector for hooking up a variety of... oh, never mind.... Team Xecutor plans on selling those.

As abrasive as unregistered is, he is mostly right, though. Pogopins are best left to those who can deal with volumes and design a professional PCB. If you have these kinds of resources, great, go for it, but even just a basic spin of a board can get pricey for an individual. Do you have PCAD? Can you fab your own boards? Besides the pricing issues, pogopins require precision placement (particularly the D0 pin), so slapping these things into perf board is akin to eyeballing  an invitro fertilization with a magnifying glass and a knitting needle.

So you have some high hurtles, as an unexperienced indiviaul with your goal of creating a "1MB Matrix" because:

1. The simplicity of the base "Cheapmod" design relies on a specific Flash chip, which is no longer produced and is limited to 256kbytes, 768kbytes shy of your target capacity.

2. Using the larger chip will require a CPLD to properly interface to the LPC port. This will require VHDL or Verilog programming, and an in-depth understanding of microelectronics.

3. Pogopins, expensive in small quantities and requires a professionally prepared, precisele laid out PCB board to work properly.

Cheapmod works because it basically involves a cheap chip ($4), a few common components (resistors and caps), and a few wires soldered into the PC - but the work involved is probably enough for some people to just go ahead and get a Matrix and be done with it....

...and your proposal will undoubtably be much more expensive from the outset based on parts alone, and given the goodies you want to put in, it'll probably take ten times longer (or even more time than that).

I'm not trying to be a downer, but just looking at this realistically. If you have the resources to do it right, go for it.... I do know there was some guy selling nice little PCBs for homebrew Xbox modchips; he might be able to help (I don't have the URL, though). If you could get a decent supply of pogopins and a pro designer (that PCB guy, for example), then perhaps that could be joined with an inexpensive CPLD and flash.

Whatever you decide, good luck.

[kard63]

hmm.. nuff said.