The second revision of the Japanese Sega Mega CD is different from the export model.
In more detail, while export model main chip on the logic board is a 315-5548, the Japanese version mounts a different chip, 315-5477. The pinout is really close, but internally there must be some differences that require additional external logic. This is provided by the connector board, which mounts a 315-5540.
Here it is
In trying to repair a japanese mega cd, I think I identified the problem in such chip (details are here )
As by this thread,
https://circuit-board.de/forum/inde...-MEGA-CD-1-Reparatur-PEEL-18CV8-PLD-auslesen/
it seems such chip is failing very often.
The same thread shows that there was a first revision which used discrete logic. This is good news for recreating the chip with a CPLD.
Here is the money shot
There is however one programmable logic chip, the 18CV8-PC, that sega rebranded as 315-5537, whose function is unknown.
The user Xenogears seems to have tried to dump the content of the chip in two occasions,
here
https://circuit-board.de/forum/index.php/Attachment/115748-Mega-CD-JEDEC-txt/
and here
but both seems failures, because by looking at the bit pattern they are either all 0 or a repeating cyclic pattern.
I think this is because the chip was read protected. From the chip's datasheet
The PEELTM18CV8Z provides a special EEPROM security bit that prevents unauthorized reading or copying of designs pro-
grammed into the device. The security bit is set by the PLD programmer, either at the conclusion of the programming cycle or as a
separate step, after the device has been programmed. Once the security bit is set it is impossible to verify (read) or program the
PEELTM until the entire device has first been erased with the bulk-erase function.
Internally, maximum 8 flip flops are used, so with some educated guesses I believe it would be possible to reverse engineer it.
Does anyone have a working 315-5537 / 315-5540 / board with them on willing to sell/lend it to me?
I plan to design a replacement board and release anything as open source.
I believe Xenogears over circuit-board.de was attempting to do the same. I'd like to join the effort, if he is willing to, but I am unable to contact him because I cannot get my account activated on that forum.
In more detail, while export model main chip on the logic board is a 315-5548, the Japanese version mounts a different chip, 315-5477. The pinout is really close, but internally there must be some differences that require additional external logic. This is provided by the connector board, which mounts a 315-5540.
Here it is
In trying to repair a japanese mega cd, I think I identified the problem in such chip (details are here )
As by this thread,
https://circuit-board.de/forum/inde...-MEGA-CD-1-Reparatur-PEEL-18CV8-PLD-auslesen/
it seems such chip is failing very often.
The same thread shows that there was a first revision which used discrete logic. This is good news for recreating the chip with a CPLD.
Here is the money shot
There is however one programmable logic chip, the 18CV8-PC, that sega rebranded as 315-5537, whose function is unknown.
The user Xenogears seems to have tried to dump the content of the chip in two occasions,
here
https://circuit-board.de/forum/index.php/Attachment/115748-Mega-CD-JEDEC-txt/
and here
but both seems failures, because by looking at the bit pattern they are either all 0 or a repeating cyclic pattern.
I think this is because the chip was read protected. From the chip's datasheet
The PEELTM18CV8Z provides a special EEPROM security bit that prevents unauthorized reading or copying of designs pro-
grammed into the device. The security bit is set by the PLD programmer, either at the conclusion of the programming cycle or as a
separate step, after the device has been programmed. Once the security bit is set it is impossible to verify (read) or program the
PEELTM until the entire device has first been erased with the bulk-erase function.
Internally, maximum 8 flip flops are used, so with some educated guesses I believe it would be possible to reverse engineer it.
Does anyone have a working 315-5537 / 315-5540 / board with them on willing to sell/lend it to me?
I plan to design a replacement board and release anything as open source.
I believe Xenogears over circuit-board.de was attempting to do the same. I'd like to join the effort, if he is willing to, but I am unable to contact him because I cannot get my account activated on that forum.
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