Suska-IV-B
“New 2025: The Falcon is back!”
Suska-IV-B is hardware that, for the first time, makes it possible to operate fully up-to-date peripherals such as USB devices and HDMI monitors. It was developed through a systematic evolution based on insights gained from the Suska-III generation and by incorporating extensive user feedback. The development also focused on aligning the design with modern interfaces and components. In particular, a USB interface was designed to accommodate a PicoWiFi module, making Suska-IV-B WiFi-enabled and thus capable of networking. Naturally, firmware and software updates can be installed via Micro-SD card. An additional SD-card slot is available for mass storage applications.
A true Masterpiece !!
The Philosophy behind the Hardware
The Suska-IV-B, equipped with a large FPGA and modern peripheral interfaces, is a highly exclusive system. It is individually handcrafted in a small-scale manufacturing process, meaning each Suska-IV-B is unique. All functionality — including CPU and blitter-based graphics processing — is implemented within the FPGA’s logic elements, with no additional CPUs required. In short: the “Falcon” consists of 100% pure hardware. Additionally, the system microcontroller handles tasks such as power management, loading configuration data, writing to the operating system flash, and managing the PS/2 interface.
The Chip Setup
- Cyclone 10 FPGA with 80,000 logic elements (LEs)
- 64MB SDRAM with a 32-bit data bus
- 2 USB Type-A host interfaces
- HDMI video output
- Wi-Fi capability via PicoWiFi module (included in the optional Developer’s Pack)
- 1 SD card slot for mass storage applications
- 1 microSD card slot for configuration purposes
- Sound system with audio DAC
- Real-time clock
- Power supply via USB-C
- Joystick port
- PS/2 interface option
- Serial interfaces (MFP and SCC)
- Interface module for numerous creative expansion possibilities (MIDI, Falcon joystick ports, line printer port, control and automation technology…)
The factory-installed IP core
Through its custom hardware, the complex digital modeling brings the original Atari Falcon closer than any currently available board! The core is under continuous development. The complexity requires the second-largest FPGA, of which approximately 60,000 of the 80,000 logic elements are currently utilized. This leaves room for future expansions, such as the currently unimplemented Floating Point Unit and the Digital Signal Processor, both of which are under development. Already implemented expansions that go beyond the original Falcon hardware include: 14MB ST-RAM and 48MB ALTRAM, as well as a 32-bit data bus, in contrast to the original 16-bit bus. This brings speed advantages.
The IP-Core at a glance
- 68030 CPU equipped with MMU and cache
- Blitter with 32-bit data bus (compared to the original 16-bit)
- VIDEL video hardware
- COMBEL (includes GLUE, MMU, Blitter, etc.)
- DMA (Direct Memory Access)
- Two ACIA (keyboard / MIDI)
- Clock via PCF85363 hardware emulation
- USB subsystem
- Audio subsystem
- GigaFile mass storage (onboard)
- Floppy (optional, in development)
- MFP (Multi-Function Port)
- SCC (Serial Communication Controller)
- Sound (YM2149 compatible)
- Bootloader
