1088 XLD 1050 Form Factor Atari 8-Bit Motherboard
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This is a complete ground up redesign of the Atari 8-Bit Computer Motherboard, created with an emphasis on more modern methods of mass storage/retrieval, beyond floppies, and beyond cartridges.
With it's built-in IDE interface and the Ultimate One Megabyte's advanced firmware, an attached CF Drive adapter will greatly exceed the capabilities of all other disk drives that came before it, including an actual hard disk drive. The internal CART/ECI edge card connector combo provides a complete parallel expansion port, thus giving the 1088XLD a powerful future upgrade path. |
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Advanced Music and MIDI Capabilities
If you ever found yourself envious of the C-64's renowned SID chip, a precursor to the Apple IIGS Ensoniq wavetable synthesis sound chip, no longer will this be the case. Because when it comes to sound effects and music, the XLD's built-in Dream Blaster MIDI Synthesizer capability outshines them all. Couple this with dual Pokey chips, and you have the ultimate audio experience in full stereophonic sound. Speaking of MIDI. The 1088XLD provides a MIDIMATE compatible MIDI interface, sporting not only the typical MIDI-IN and MIDI-OUT jacks, but also a fully buffered MIDI-THRU port. Utilizing the Synth Source select switch, either MIDI-OUT or MIDI-IN can be directed at the internal S2 synthesizer module that we talked about earlier, or simply routed out to an external MIDI device of your choosing. |
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PS/2 Mouse and Keyboard Connectivity
Uses any PS/2 device and converts it into a form that the Atari OS will understand, while also bringing advanced macro functionality, independent of any constraints of existing programs and applications. With advanced directional porting of the ST 'like' mouse emulation to either joystick 1 or 2 via keyboard control. |
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Next Generation Video
Because of it's inclusive UAV video board, the standard composite and S-Video sources are of a quality rarely ever seen on any Atari 8-bit computer. And with an easy upgrade path for either a VBXE or a Sophia video board, beautiful RGB/VGA output is also possible in tandem with the standard video, or in lieu of. |
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Captures that Original Atari Look and Feel
To really give it a truly XL flavor, this imaginative re-creation uses a form factor that will drop directly into a virtually unmodified, non-working, and long abandoned Atari 1050 Floppy Drive case. Bringing new life to where there was none before. |
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The First Iteration Comes to Life
Here was a first look at a nearly complete Alpha One prototype board being demoed in January 2019. The BETA prototype Version 1.0 board incorporated all of the anticipated changes that were mentioned in the video, such as the UAV, and the 2nd level I/O. These are the boards that were later put in the hands of the BETA test group for the shake down run before production. Evolution Beyond the Original Concept AtariAge member Dropcheck created the upgrade of all upgrades called the 1088XLD I/O ModSystem. 
It brings the internal cartridge port to the outside world, utilizing a fully buffered solution. Next it moves the MIDI DIN connectors to the back panel, which is really where they ought to be. And then it adds a WiFi serial interface to enable getting onto the internet via Bob Term or some other terminal program. And finally it brings a true parallel printer port so that non-Atari printers can be easily used. |
The 1088XLD is Now Available from
The Brewing Academy Home of the 1088XEL, UNO Cart, Ultimate Cart, UAV, RT8, TransKey, and so Many Other Cool Atari Related Things ready to be purchased. 
Go HERE for a bit of history on this project.
Dropcheck's I/O ModSystem can be added to any 1088XLD system purchase from The Brewing Academy. However due to the complexity of this mod and the case modifications required, this is not something that can be purchased separately for DIY installation. Demonstrating What This System Can Really Do The following video shows a fully dressed 1088XLD production system including the I/O ModSystem, being put through its paces. Front cart loading, WiFi modem use, printing from the parallel port, and playing MIDI tunes. |
Pre-Production Beta One Unit Fitted to Case
BETA Version 1.0 Prototype PCB Board Set Mounted in 1050 CASE w/Sophia RGB Upgrade Installed
Final Production Version 1.1 MAIN BOARD TOP (4-Layer PCB with mid-layer power planes)
Final Production Version 1.1 MAIN BOARD BOTTOM (4-Layer PCB with mid-layer power planes)
Standard LEVEL 1 I/O Board
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The I/O boards add the front panel input/output connectors, and in the case of the Level 2 board, also provide a carrier for mounting the CF-IDE Adapter. The Level 1 board is a mandatory item, being the first one stacked above the Main board. It provides the necessities of the system, such as the keyboard, mouse, and joystick connectors. It also supplies a 3.5 mm stereo audio output jack, and status indicator LEDs. The Level 2 board is an optional item, providing the MIDI interface connectors, and as mentioned, a mount for the CF-IDE adapter board.
DIY Original 3-board PCB Set
MAIN: 4-layer 281.8 X 146.1 X 1.6 mm Level 1 I/O: 2-Layer 44.3 X 152.4 X 1.6 mm Level 2 I/O: 2-Layer 34.1 X 165.1 X 1.6 mm Gerber PCB Manufacturing Files
Get Some Cool Accessories for your 1088XLD
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Standard LEVEL 2 I/O Board
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"A Manually Routed Creation in an Auto-Routed World"
