Kraken ZX Spectrum MultiClone

Kraken is Sinclair ZX Spectrum multiclone computer based on FPGA technology. It is designed to fit original ZX Spectrum / ZX Spectrum+ case with no adjustments / drilling / cutting. Therefore there is no integrated DIVMMC / DIVIDE style device or joystick port.

Technical details:

• 4 layer PCB - dimensions 74.17 x 213.49 mm
• 2 x Z80 CPU inside - FPGA NMOS and real Z80
• Turbo Sound FM - dual AY 3-8912 + 6 channel Yamaha 2203 OPN synthesis 
• Sound Drive  
• Covox 
• SAA1099 
• Video output is mini DIN9 compatible with Sega Sega Genesis 2 / Mega Drive 2 pinout (audio / RGB out)
• Tape in/out (EAR and MIC) integrated in one stereo 3.5mm jack
• Included Bluetooth adapter can be used to connect mobile phone / PC / Mac with TAP/TZX player to load games
• ULA Plus in selected modes
• TIMEX graphics in selected modes
• 9bit RGB output
• max 512KB RAM
• power supply: you can use any 9V AC/DC power supply with minimum 400mA, polarity doesn't matter. It works with PWR4 power supply.
• 2x dedicated clock generators, to obtain perfect timings in 128 / 48 / Pentagon modes
• Button: short press - mode change, long press - reset 
• Selected operating mode is restored after power cycling
• FPGA firmware can be upgraded via USB-C - please refer to the manual in Downloads section above. Firmware files are available here.

Disclaimer: the product is a PCB only, no case, power supply or video cable is supplied. Please refer to related products to get them.

Operating modes (switch using SW1 button at the rear)

Z80 3,5 = original Z80
Z80S 3,5 = soft core Z80
Z80 3,5xx = custom made 28.3576MHz crystal to obtain perfect 128 timings
/7, /14 = max MHz in Turbo mode
128C = contended memory machine equivalent
S = snow effect
AY = 0 - no AY, 1 - one AY, 2 - Turbo Sound

Hardware layout

JP1 - Bluetooth adapter connector

JP2 - mini DIN9 video output

JP3 - AVR Kanda / FPGA JTAG

JP4 - JUMPER - not used

JP5 - power on jumper - must be shorted to power on device

JP6, JP7 - keyboard connectors

JP8 - Bluetooth channel select: left/right

JP9 - Tape in / out - tested with mono jack 3.5mm for tape loading routine

JP10 - DC power jack

Kraken has built in dedicated keyboard controller, that co-exists with ZX Spectrum keyboard scanning / reading routine. It is used to add following features:

• KEYBOARD RESET (Amiga style)
  • Press Z + X + space - hardware reset (no wait)
  • If you keep pressing space bar, your DIVMMC / DIVIDE device will re-initialise
  • Keyboard reset exits game mode / DIAGNOROM mode and restarts machine in the mode previously selected

• GAME MODE
  • Press  Z + X + G  to enter game mode
  • Button at the rear (SW1) toggles a game slot (16 games included).
  • To exit game mode perform a keyboard reset

• HIDDEN SURPRISE
  • Press  Z + X + G in Timex mode ;-) 

• DIAGNOROM MODE
  • Press Z + X + 0 (zero) - performs hardware reset and enters DIAGNOROM 1.71
  • Button at the rear (SW1) will change test modes (CPU, contention etc.)

• TURBO MODE 
  • Press  Z + X + T  - toggles turbo mode on / off 
  • Works only in selected operation modes (refer to the table above)
  • There is a 3 seconds gap while toggling
  • Use only whilst software runs - i.e. when the game is already loaded
  • DISCLAIMER: many external devices (DIVMMC / DIVIDE) will not work properly, when Z80 is in turbo mode. Use it wisely.