Hardware roadmap
Charting a course to prioritize how we spend our time on this hobby
Proposed Roadmap - UPDATED 12 FEB 2024
Motherboards
Aquarius+ Motherboards
Aquarius+ Standard System : Next-generation Z80-based Retro Computer System with legacy ports
Aquarius+ rev2 - Production system with Spartan 6 FPGA, ESP32 S3, Z80 CPU, SD card reader, and VGA output (USB ports removed) - IN PRODUCTION
Aquarius+ rev1 - Prototype system with Spartan 5 FPGA, ESP32 S2, Z80 CPU, SD card reader, VGA output, and front USB ports - DEPRECATED
Aquarius+ rev0 - Prototype system with Spartan 5 FPGA, ESP32 S2, Z80 CPU, SD card reader, VGA output, and front USB ports - DEPRECATED
Aquarius+ Mini System : Cost-savings, small form factor version of the Standard System, without legacy ports (no cartridge, controller, printer, or cassette ports)
Aquarius+ Mini rev0 - Production system with Spartan 6 FPGA, ESP32 S3, Z80 CPU, SD card reader, and VGA output
Aquarius Motherboards
Aquarius v1.1.0 (Rev C): Aquarius 1 stock motherboard, like-for-like replacement, SANCTIONED FREE version.
Order the PCBs here.
Aquarius v1.1.x : Users can fork at this level for their own purposes. Users can petition for SANCTIONED version numbers to be listed here.
Aquarius v1.2.0 : Aquarius 1 modernized motherboard, fits in Aquarius 1 case, unmodified port openings may be used differently, SANCTIONED PAID version.
Aquarius v1.2.1 : Integrated composite video ???
Aquarius v1.2.2 : Modern power supply ???
Aquarius v1.2.3 : Charmap, updated SYSROM + EXTBASIC ROM ???
ExpanderS & Control Pads
Aquarius Mini Expander
Aquarius v1.1.0 (Rev C): Aquarius stock Mini Expander, like-for-like replacement, SANCTIONED FREE version.
Order the PCBs here.
Aquarius v1.1.0.x : Users can fork at this level for their own purposes, UNSANCTIONED versions.
Aquarius MX
Aquarius MX v1.3.0 (Rev E): Aquarius Micro Expander in a Mini Expander footprint
32kb RAM
ORDallas D1244Y RTC + 32kb NVRAM
AY-3-8910 Sound Chip
CH376S USB Interface (headers)
Custom ROM (includes Micro Expander menu and MX BASIC 2.0)
Custom ROM/RAM/USB Logic Chip
Custom AY Sound Logic Chip
Aquarius v1.0.0 Control Pads: Baseline
Aquarius v1.1.0 (Rev XXX): Aquarius stock Control Pads, not an exact replacement but a DIY kit, SANCTIONED FREE version.
Aquarius v1.1.0.x : Users can fork at this level for their own purposes, UNSANCTIONED versions.