NG Bench test fixture - Software
Troubleshooting of electronics boards
Universal bench, for an easy diagnosis
of processor's based systems
All brands of pinballs
(Gottlieb, Bally, ... and many more).
Second part of the project
"Bench test fixture NG"
Presentation
We developed the ULTIMATE VISUAL BENCH software suite to efficiently pilot our new test bench. With a multilingual graphic interface (French, English and German), its use is simple and user-friendly. It is in the form of a series of applications, each specific to a type of board. We also added a checksum calculation tool and a complex component tester.
Of course, this suite is scalable and we add maps as we need it.
Warning: the software evolves often, the photos presented below do not necessarily correspond to the latest version!
All the applications concerning board testing now include standardized functions:
- Individual BUS test
- BUS verification (short circuits, grounded pins)
- Quick visualization of the BUS on a dedicated LED module
Are currently done :
- Outil CHECKSUMS
- Component Tester
- Generic DIP Tester
- GOTTLIEB SYSTEM 80 - CPU
- GOTTLIEB SYSTEM 80 - Audio
- GOTTLIEB SYSTEM 80 - Audio 6530
- GOTTLIEB SYSTEM 1 - Audio 6530
- GOTTLIEB SYSTEM 3 - CPU
- VALLEY SPECTRA IV - CPU
- ZACCARIA - CPU Gen. 1
- ZACCARIA - CPU Gen. 2
- ZACCARIA - Audio Gen.1 1B1146
- WILLIAMS - CPU WPC-89
- WILLIAMS - CPU WPC-S
- WILLIAMS - CPU WPC-95
- WILLIAMS - Audio board D-8224 and speech extension C-8228
- BALLY - Audio board AS-2518-51
- BALLY - Audio board AS-2518-56 and -57
- BALLY - Audio board SOUNDS DELUXE
- BELL GAMES - Audio board
- CAVEMAN video block- EPROMS board - MA-254 (A22)
- CAVEMAN video block - RAM I/O board - MA-253 (A23)
- CT CREATION - Audio board Christian Tabart for SYSTEM 1
- CT CREATION - Audio board Christian Tabart for SYSTEM 80
CHECKSUMS Tool
This tool is completely independent of the test bench and can be used without connecting it. It allows to check and modify internal checksums of Gottlieb ROMs. It uses builders algorithms, U2/U3 system ROMs, game ROMs, audio ROMs, and for different generations of pinball machines.
Component Tester
This application uses the test module associated with the test bench. It allows to test the operation of complex components such as PIA, VIA, RIOT and even CRTC (video). SECURITY PICs can also be controlled in this way.
The positioning of the DIPs and the location of the power supply pins are directly displayed in the interface.
Generic DIP tester
Pilot or test individually, the pins of any DIP circuit. It is a very practical tool which allows to inject signals on a board, or on a component.
It can work in totally generic mode and thus adapt to unknown circuits, or else, in a predefined mode simplifying the control of known CPUs.
GOTTLIEB SYSTEM 80 - CPU
This application is dedicated to the testing of Gottlieb SYSTEM-80 CPU boards. It deals with both first-generation board and 80B with Piggyback.
Boards with welded components can be tested via connector TC1.
All functions are accessible easily and intuitively. Most are displayed graphically with optimal legibility. The tests of the contact matrix, lamps or displays (digital or alpha-numeric) are thus directly readable.
When checking the main components, a picture of the board is displayed for immediate identification in the event of a problem. Thanks to the 4 color dip-grips, the address decoding or BUS functions can be used to locate the faults.
GOTTLIEB SYSTEM 80 - Audio
Application for the testing of Gottlieb SYSTEM-80 advanced AUDIO boards, type MA-216 and similar, with or without SC01. It has functions similar to those of the SYSTEM-80 CPU test.
A sound generation test function is included, with different waveforms. If the SC01 is installed, the voices are also tested with variations of intonation and frequency.
GOTTLIEB SYSTEM 80 - Audio 6530
For the test of the simple AUDIO board Gottlieb SYSTEM-80, based on 6530. Thanks to its great flexibility, our test bench adapts very easily to all box formats. On these boards, the CPU is a 6503 in box 28 pins and not a 6502 in box 40 pin.
As with the advanced board, a sound generation test function is included, with different waveforms.
GOTTLIEB SYSTEM 1 - Audio 6530
Dedicated to the test of Gottlieb SYSTEM-1 AUDIO boards, based on 6530, this application is similar to that used for the SYSTEM-80. With some notable differences, however, such as the lack of a Piggyback version or the connector wiring. Likewise, the hardware and control of this board are different from the version for SYSTEM-80 (MA-55).
GOTTLIEB SYSTEM 3 - CPU
For the test of Gottlieb SYSTEM 3 CPU boards, using a CPU 6502 and VIA 6522.
VALLEY SPECTRA IV - CPU
For the testing of CPU Valley SPECTRA IV boards (cocktail tables), using a CPU 6503.
ZACCARIA - CPU Gen. 1
For the test of Zaccaria Generation I CPU boards, using a Signetics 2650 CPU.
ZACCARIA - CPU Gen. 2
For the test of Zaccaria Generation II CPU boards, using a Signetics 2650 CPU.
ZACCARIA - Audio Gen.1 1B1146
For the test of ZACCARIA Generation I AUDIO boards, using an Intel 8035 CPU.
WILLIAMS - CPU WPC-89
For testing Williams/Bally WPC-89 CPU boards using a Motorola 6809E CPU and an ASIC
WILLIAMS - CPU WPC-S
For testing Williams/Bally WPC-S CPU boards, using a Motorola 6809E CPU, an ASIC and a SECURITY PIC.
WILLIAMS - CPU WPC-95
For testing Williams/Bally WPC-95 CPU boards, using a Motorola 6809E CPU, an ASIC and a SECURITY PIC.
WILLIAMS - Audio board D-8224 and speech extension C-8228
For testing WILLIAMS D-8224 audio boards based on 6802/6808 and C-8228 expansion board.
BALLY - Audio board AS-2518-51
For testing AUDIO BALLY AS-2518-51 boards (using a 6802 CPU).
BALLY - Audio board AS-2518-56 and -57
For testing AUDIO BALLY boards AS-2518-56 (using a CPU 6802) and AS-2518-57 (memory expansion board).
BALLY - SOUNDS DELUXE Audio board
For testing BALLY SOUNDS DELUXE audio boards (using a 68000 CPU). These boards have the particularity of using a 16-bit CPU in a large 64-pin package.
BELL GAMES - Audio board
For the test of AUDIO boards built by BELL GAMES. These boards of Italian origin, use a CPU 6802 and are quite close to the BALLY boards, with however, some differences.
CAVEMAN video block- EPROMS board - MA-254 (A22)
Application for testing CAVEMAN video block boards. This is dedicated to the EPROMS board and requires the CAVEMAN adapter.
CAVEMAN video block - RAM I/O board - MA-253 (A23)
Application for testing CAVEMAN video block boards. This is dedicated to the RAM I/O board and requires the CAVEMAN adapter.
CT CREATION - Audio board Christian Tabart for SYSTEM 1
Application to control the boards used in the transformation kits for SYSTEM 1. These boards use a Z80 CPU as well as YAMAHA YM2203 and optionally YM3526 FM synthesis circuits.
CT CREATION - Audio board Christian Tabart for SYSTEM 80
Application similar to the one above, but for boards used on SYSTEM 80 kits. These boards also use a Z80, but the sound generation circuit is an AY-3-8912.
OTHERS BOARDS
ULTIMATE VISUAL BENCH is regularly updated with new boards. To be continued ...
Distribution
This achievement is not publicly available, in any form whatsoever (free or paid).
