Post by avanti on Dec 31, 2020 17:33:38 GMT -8
So, I got my Dazzler and it is up and running. I am very excited.
As I dig into the details, though, I realize that there are a few fairly basic things about how it works that I am still a bit hazy about. Mostly these have to do with exactly what is running where and how the various bits communicate. I am new to the Gameduino world, so I apologize if all of this is obvious to others.
I understand that the startup screen is running 100% on the core module, courtesy of the processor implemented in the FPGA. Although I haven't tried it yet, I assume if I applied power to a raw core module, I would see the splash screen. I also understand that the three-item menu that lets me run Pong, the Fruit thing, and the Temperature thing is running on the Metro M4 (since I found it in the MicroPython filesystem).
After that, though, things get hazy. For example, where is the 8-slot "boot menu" running and how does it work? I am guessing it is running on the FPGA--is that right? Is it implemented in Forth? When I add items to the menu, where is the state stored? Is it on the SD card, the FPGA's attached flash, or where? Or, is it running on the Metro? If so, where is the code?
Assuming the boot menu is on the core module, how does it launch a game? Is it speaking some protocol over the SPI port? If so, who is listening on the Metro? Is the protocol documented?
The process of installing a new game to be launched from the menu involves copying its image to the SD card. Does the boot menu code copy this image to the Metro's file system, or does it stay on the SD card and somehow get executed from there?
That is probably enough for now. Again, I apologize if these things are obvious, but I couldn't find any hints in the documentation.
Thanks for the great work.
As I dig into the details, though, I realize that there are a few fairly basic things about how it works that I am still a bit hazy about. Mostly these have to do with exactly what is running where and how the various bits communicate. I am new to the Gameduino world, so I apologize if all of this is obvious to others.
I understand that the startup screen is running 100% on the core module, courtesy of the processor implemented in the FPGA. Although I haven't tried it yet, I assume if I applied power to a raw core module, I would see the splash screen. I also understand that the three-item menu that lets me run Pong, the Fruit thing, and the Temperature thing is running on the Metro M4 (since I found it in the MicroPython filesystem).
After that, though, things get hazy. For example, where is the 8-slot "boot menu" running and how does it work? I am guessing it is running on the FPGA--is that right? Is it implemented in Forth? When I add items to the menu, where is the state stored? Is it on the SD card, the FPGA's attached flash, or where? Or, is it running on the Metro? If so, where is the code?
Assuming the boot menu is on the core module, how does it launch a game? Is it speaking some protocol over the SPI port? If so, who is listening on the Metro? Is the protocol documented?
The process of installing a new game to be launched from the menu involves copying its image to the SD card. Does the boot menu code copy this image to the Metro's file system, or does it stay on the SD card and somehow get executed from there?
That is probably enough for now. Again, I apologize if these things are obvious, but I couldn't find any hints in the documentation.
Thanks for the great work.
