After creating BallyFA for Bally and GottFA1/GottFA80 for Gottlieb ( https://lisy.dev/fpga-mpus.html ) many people have asked for a similar replacement MPU for Williams pinball games.

Here it is: Version 1.0 of my new replacement MPU for Williams System3...7
Basic functionality is there, but still some bugs, so please join the beta test!

As usual all details and information for creating your own PCB can be found on my website https://lisy.dev/willfa7.html

WillFA7 (resized).png

FYI:
Small PCB update to 1.01 as the upper left hole was placed too low ( v1.00 can only be mounted with three screws )
Software update to v1.05 which supports now system7 games! ( Black Knight reported to work )
Please have a look to status on https://lisy.dev/willfa7.html and let me know results in case you tested WillFA7 with your game.

https://lisy.dev/willfa7.html HW update to version 1.1

- added 4 screw holes, now WillFA7 can be place more 'to the top' so that the connector for the soundboard fits without the need of moving the soundboard

- changed 'Display_Blanking' signal. On some System7 games the displays did not work.

Workaround for HW 1.00 to 1.03:
- Remove T10
- change R40 from 4,7K Ohm to 820 Ohm (or add a 1K Ohm Resistor as shown in the picture below)

disp_bug (resized).png

I have Feedback that with v105 'sometimes' Bumper solenoids get stuck, burning the MOSFET
Please use 'test' version 106, which should prevent that
https://lisy.dev/swrep/WillFA7/Software/test/WillFA7_v106.pof

Latest Software version 108 should be (almost) bug free now
https://lisy.dev/swrep/WillFA7/Software/

Due to several feedbacks I'm working on a new hardware version which will replace all SMD MOSFETs
with TO220 (DIP) variants to ease the replacement.

Please let me know if you see the need for other improvements!

No, but with the files (Gerber, BOM & CPL) on my side you can order preassembled boards yourself at JLCPCB https://lisy.dev/pcbs.html and you will receive a 95% complete PCB (see pic attached) In addition you only need to order the FPGA board https://lisy.dev/cycloneii-dev-board.html and the ICs & SD card from the Reichelt shop cart. Same for the new version with TO220 MOSFETs, JLC will also do the soldering here.
From there it is only to place the ICs and programming SD card & FPGA. No self soldering required ...

Only drawback is that at JLCPCB you need to order five PCBs in minimum.

WillFA7_JLC (resized).png

No, it is not based on pinmame. It is a hardware emulation based on FPGA, so its very close to the original MPU
I say 'very close' because of some small differences; for example I have implemented a 'special handling of the special solenoids'
Even if the special solenoid switch gets stuck, the related special solenoid will pulse and not permanently activated.
The program will pulse the solenoid for 60ms and then respect a 'recycle time' of 200ms before pulsing again.

I have added a note about this feature on my website now

I have v1.2 ready now, its not tested so far but should be OK
https://lisy.dev/swrep/WillFA7/assembly/v1.2/
I have replaced all Solenoid driver with IRL540
and the lamp drivers with IRFU5410 & IRLU024

btw: The 9pin Molex connector is out of stock at the moment so you may need to order
beforehand and put it in your JLC part library or solder yourself
https://jlcpcb.com/partdetail/boomele_boom_Precision_elec-CH3_969A/C10586

WillFA7_v1.2 (resized).png

As it is pin compatible, in theory, you can use my new board on all my FPGA MPUs
https://lisy.dev/cyclone-iv-dev-board.html
However an adapted version of the FPGA Software is needed.
I did that only for GottFA80 at the moment, as there the new board is needed for 'late' 80B games (more memory)

On the other FPGA MPUs the new Cyclone IV board will have same functionality as the 'old' Cyclone II one
https://lisy.dev/cycloneii-dev-board.html
Which is also a bit cheaper by the way ...
But let me know if you see a need for Cyclone IV adapted SW versions on other FPGA MPUs.

Cyclone IV on WillFA7 would support Defender & Star Light, will create a SW version ASAP

FYI: I uploaded a new Gerber file for WillFA7 ( v 1.2_04 ) https://lisy.dev/swrep/WillFA7/assembly/v1.2/
This version has smaller solder pads for the 16 lampdriver MOSFETs as I had feedback that JLCPCB
sometimes do create solder bridges during the 'wave soldering' at these components (see pic attached)
If you have already ordered v1.2_03 or above I recommend to check the soldering!

solder bridge (resized).png

How did you try to programm?
You need an extra 5V supply while programming, either via the connector on the FPGA or from the 5Volt WillFA7 connector.
If you had the extra 5Volt try to programm the FPGA boards 'outside' of WillFA7
I had two times a faulty programming (10pin) connector with solder bridges
Pls. let me know if it helped

I'm not aware of a USB Blaster diagnostic
Is the board fully assembled, can you send a picture?
From the error the Software cannot access the Flash U3

mmmh, looks all good. As you live in Europe I can offer to check both Blaster and devboard or I can
send you a known working USB Blaster at cost price. Best to send me a PM

FYI short follow up on post #24:
PinMario reported back that with the USB Blaster I send him programming the FPGA worked.
Although the Blaster housings looking similar, by comparing the PCB inside he saw huge differences.

Maybe PinMario can comment to this, I just repeated what he reported to me.
But the possibility that you destroy somthing with your USB blaster is low, so
I would just give it a try ... and please let us know the results

I have new information on the 'USB Blaster' topic

The current versions you get via Aliexpress have bad quality.
In addition that sometimes you will receive one that do not work at all,
looks like they only work in 'serial programming' mode and not in 'JTAG' mode.

The JTAG mode ist needed for Cyclone IV devices where the Software has '.jic' extension.
You need Cyclone IV for example for the GottFA 80 if you want to use it with 'late' Gottlieb 80B games

I have an USB Blaster which I bought several years ago on Aliexpress which do work with JTAG mode.
Today I tested four new USB Blaster and got 'can't access JTAG chain' each time

The working one do have a green PCB and a STM32 microcontroller,
the non working one have a blue PCB and a '552' microcontroller.
While the text on the case do look identical (see pictures below)

Do someone have a reliable source for the working 'green' ones?

Blaster_Blue (resized).jpg

Blaster_Case (resized).jpg

Blaster_Green (resized).jpg

Looks at least different, it is a PIC18F14K50 instead of the STM Microcontroller
please let us know if it works and where do you bought it.

There are also 'blue ones' which work (see below)
I do not have a good source yet, but let you know if I found one

pasted_image (resized).png

Update on the USB Blaster topic! I was able to create a DIY USB Blaster: https://lisy.dev/usb_blaster_diy.html
It works with JTAG mode only! So for serial programming you still need the 'Aliexpress' version!

DIY USB Blaster (resized).png

sure ... ( I have also updated my USB Blaster page on lisy.dev with that information https://lisy.dev/usb_blaster.html)

For my replacement MPUs based on FPGA ( GottFA1,GottFA1_PLuS, GottFA80, GottFA80_PLus, BallyFA, WillFA) I'm using FPGA boards based on the Altera Cyclone II chip. Cyclone II FPGAs can be programmed in 'serial programm' mode. ( program files do have extension '.pof')

FPGA boards based on Altera Cyclone IV chip need to be programmed in 'JTAG mode' ( program files do have extension '.jic') Cyclone IV chips do have much more internal memory compared to Cyclone II.

My first FPGA MPU where I'm using a Cyclone IV board is for GottFA80/GotFA80_PLuS in case you want to use it with 'late' 80B games ( Excalibur, Hot Shots, Big House, Bad Girls, Bonebusters and Night Moves) as these games do have a bigger rom.

Same for WillFA7 in case you want to use it with Defender or Star Light ( jic file available on request ).

btw: my next MPU 'WillFA11' for Williams System11 & Data East games will also use a Cyclone IV FPGA !


.

long story short:
At the moment, if you do not need a MPU for 'late' 80B games you are fine with serial programming mode.
But in the future more of my projects wil be based on Cyclone IV FPGA where JTAG mode is needed.

hope that helps, let me know if you need more

Update on USB Blaster topic, I had feedback that the Blaster 'v2' from Waveshare do work with JTAG
https://www.waveshare.com/usb-blaster-v2.htm

Waveshare USB Blaster (resized).png

What do you missing? I just checked with latest BOM and all parts were available ...
https://lisy.dev/swrep/WillFA7/assembly/