Hardware addons for MiSTer

I/O daughter board

This board provides VGA, Analog and Digital audio outputs. It also provides Buttons and LEDs with ability to connect their external versions in order to integrate into cases (like Amiga 1200 case). This board is very handy and convenient but not required since all cores provide HDMI video and Audio output with ability to use DE10-nano on-board LEDs and Buttons.

SDR SDRAM daughter board

This board provides 32MB of SDR SDRAM memory for cores requiring a large (>512KB) memory. Although DE10-nano has DDR3 RAM, it has big latency and cannot fit into timings of retro EDO DRAM. So, if core quires precise memory timings, then DDR3 cannot be used. Although some cores aren't requiring this board, still many other cores need it. Thus SDRAM board is required.

SDRAM Shield

This is a small add-on for SDRAM board to use it as a shield and make SDRAM board easy to handle. Originally it's supposed to be an anti-EMI protection shield, but tests shown no improvements. Thus this is optional.

Notes

You need to use Altium Designer v17.0 (or later) in order to view the source files. For convenience, gerber files are also included and ready to submit to PCB manufacturer.

Some quick notes:

• It's preferred to order 1.6mm PCB thickness. I've tried 0.8mm and found no improvements in any aspect. Thinner PCB are harder to handle and more fragile. For SDRAM shield 0.6-0.8mm is more convenient, though.
• SDRAM uses AS4C16M16SA-6TCN chip. It's strongly suggested to use exactly this chip. Usually other similar projects use older chip MT48LC16M16A2, but it doesn't work well on this project. Maximum clock achieved on MT48LC16M16A2 is 60MHz which is not acceptable for most projects. It's unclear which exact problem prevents to use higher clock. May be power consumption or older technology process is the reason. With AS4C16M16SA-6TCN maximum achieved clock is 150MHz+. Another chip tested is IS42S16320D-6TL which is actually 64MB. The maximum clock achived is 130MHz which is acceptable. 64MB is 4 times more expensive and not suggested to use due to all cores are targeted for 32MB only. 64MB is fully backward compatible with 32MB and can be used if price is not an issue. Probably 32MB chip from the same serie of ISSI mfg should work fine as well. Basically any chip with achived clock of 120MHz can be considered as acceptable. Use Memtest utility to check the quality of SDRAM board.
• SDRAM board can be mounted vertically and horizontally. Horizontal mount gives a little higher supported clocks. Vertical mount has better look like cartridge.
• For straight 40pin header (IOBoard and horizontal SDRAM board) it's advised to use a special header with additional plastic on pin making it higher and match the height of Arduino header of DE10-nano board.
• For angled 40pin header (Vertical SDRAM board) use standard angled 40pin header

Some images of boards can be found here

Ordering the boards

To find the cheapest and/or reliable PCB manufacturer you can use PCBShopper. Typically it's chinese manufacturer. The minimum order quantity usually is 10 pieces of the same board (you may order less quantity but will pay for 10 anyway). I suggest to use PCBWay as PCB manufacturer. They give very cheap price - 5USD for 10 pieces of the same board. They allow to choose the color of PCB and thickness (1.6mm for best experience). Manufacturing is pretty fast - 2-3 days usually. I like them also for delivery price to my country.