New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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eslapion
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New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

Post by eslapion »

A new generation of PLA for the C64 is now available.

A few years ago, a PLA based on the Xilinx XC9536 appeared in the Commodore community. This circuit is now out of production and has been for quite some time.

The new generation of CPLD which replaces this circuit is the XC9536XL which runs at a lower voltage and has more features built-in.

E5frog has created a new VHDL code for the XC9536XL which includes a sophisticated chain reaction delay to ensure full compatibility with all versions of the C64 and exploits the built-in slew rate control and low power mode of this modern IC. The result is a PLA that is fully compatible with all C64 boards, FastLoad, Super Zaxxon, 1541 Ultimate I and II and consumes only 20mA - one fifth the power of an original Commodore PLA - one third the power of the SuperPLA V2 or V3.

This new PLA, when compared to the SuperPLA V3, proves to be more compatible, consume much less power and costs only a fraction of the price. Its also smaller and won't cause physical conflict with the SID nearby on older boards.

Meet PLAnkton:
PLAnkton complete
PLAnkton complete
I certify the circuit used in the product to be a genuine Xilinx product purchased from an authorized distributor.

The price tag for this product is XX.XX$US (or XX Euros) per unit. shipping a small packet (up to 12 units) to the US is 7$. Shipping cost for Australia and South America is 10$. Shipping to Europe is 8 Euros.

-----
Get PLAnkton at it's older price: 13 Euros or 14.50$US per unit
Add one or more TOLB to your order and get 10% discount, that's 11.70 Euros or 13.05$US per unit!

Shipping remains the same price.

Also, customers ordering 10 units or more get a 25% discount. Customers ordering 5 units or more get a 20% discount. TOLB discount does not apply to these quantity discounts.
-----

The product is strictly shipped with anti static protective packaging. It is covered by a 90 days money back guarantee and a 3 year replacement guarantee afterwards.

I will be distributing the product worldwide.

* TESTED SUCESSFULLY AND FOUND TO BE 100% COMPATIBLE WITH THE C64r MK1 BOARD!

Features and characteristics:
- Costs 30% less than the SuperPLA V3
- Draws only 20mA - 1/5 the power of an original Commodore PLA - 1/3 the power of the Super PLA V3 or the same an a small green LED
- Produces no discernable heat
- Designed to produce electrical signals of EXACTLY the same voltages as a genuine Commodore PLA
- 100% compatible with ALL C64 mainboards 326298, 250407, 250425, SX-64, 250466 (NOT compatible with board 250469)
- 100% compatible with ALL C64 cartridges including Epyx FastLoad, 1541 Ultimate I & II, Super Zaxxon, Easy Flash 1 and 3
- Made only using currently available genuine Xilinx circuits purchased from an authorized distributor
- Gold plated pins for best reliability and longevity
- Each individual units fully tested before shipping
- Shipped in antistatic protective material
- covered by a 90 days money back guarantee and a 3 year replacement guarantee afterwards


2900 units sold!

---

Thicker pins for weakened sockets available

A few people have indicated they have a worn and/or weakened U17/PLA socket. For this reason, I have decided to offer a variant of PLAnkton which uses a very different type of pins.

The pins equipping PLAnkton are normally 0.018" (0.46mm) to ensure they do not cause extra wear on your socket. They are also gold plated to ensure the best possible contact.

I now offer for an extra 5$US or 4.5 Euros fitting your PLAnkton with 0.024" (0.61mm) pins with a thicker gold plating. The pins are also slightly shorter to make them more resilient.

These pins are based on product ED7564-ND sold by Digikey. If you calculate the price per pin of these strips, you'll realize I effectively sell them for the same price I pay.

The price for PLAnkton with thick pins is therefore 19.50$US or 17.50 Euros.
Last edited by eslapion on Sun Jun 21, 2020 7:38 am, edited 24 times in total.
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

Post by Disc Master I »

GREAT NEWS! I'll be interested in a couple at least.
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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I accept pre-orders now!

Payment via paypal only.
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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A prototype has been sent for evaluation on a C64r board.
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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Things move fast in the PLA lane.

Me and E5frog have already pre-sold 80 units!
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

Post by joshuadenmark »

Congrats :D
Kind regards, Peter.
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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Production units:
Image
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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Maybe its just me impressed by my own stuff... I had to post this:
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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Good news!

PLAnkton is officially 100% compatible with the C64 Reloaded circuit board!
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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I can barely believe it. Me and Fredric have already sold more than 100 units!!
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

Post by eslapion »

Ok people, please be aware of something important here:
1- Me and Fredric have received orders for more than 110 units in the last 25 days, this is a very high amount of sales and it is unexpected
2- I have just undergone surgery and need to take it easy for a day or two

For the above reasons, I still accept all orders but clients should expect a delay of 20 days before having their order shipped.
Thank you for your understanding.
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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Just to answer an important question, I saw posted on another forum.

The pins equipping PLAnkton are 0.018" thick. This is about the same thickness as any DIP circuit of similar dimensions and will not damage the sockets of your C64.

However, on some C64 where the socket is excessively worn, the chip may become loose, just like with a genuine Commodre PLA. If you feel your socket has suffered considerable wear, a different type of pins can be installed for only 1$ extra. These are 0.024" and are the same type used on PLAkate.
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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7 units left!
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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Only 2 units left!

Me and e5frog have sold in excess of 160 units, not a single defect so far.
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Re: New generation of PLA - PLAnkton

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Sold OUT!

Another batch is in preparation and will be ready in a few weeks.
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