P.A.C.E. stands for "Programmable Arcade Circuit Emulator".
PACE is a device that is capable of emulating early ("classic") video
arcade machine hardware. That is, it allows you to play selected arcade
games without requiring the original arcade PCB or having to boot up
(and being tethered to) a PC to run MAME, for example. And being
programmable, the PACE hardware can be re-configured to emulate any of
a number of classic arcade games, with support for more games being
added as the firmware is developed.
PACE will be designed with a number of uses in mind - namely, the ability to use PACE with :
- A VGA monitor and PS/2 keyboard (or keyboard-encoded arcade control panel, for example X-Arcade)
- A composite monitor or TV and PS/2 keyboard
- A JAMMA-compatible arcade machine cabinet
The original intention was to develop a JAMMA-compatible board that
would reside in most modern arcade cabinets. The [reason was] that many
of the classic arcade game PCBs are getting harder and harder to find,
hence people are holding on to them and if you can manage to get one
they are becoming more expensive. Also the electronics are getting to
an age where reliability is an issue - the parts are dying - and some
parts aren't even available! Also, many of the earlier games had
proprietory harnesses on multiple boards with varying power supply
requirements - making them difficult and expensive to adapt to modern
(JAMMA) cabinets.
How will it be used?
The PACE device will be configurable with
(typically) a single arcade game at any one time. The [NV storage] on
the PACE board will be programmed [from a PC via a USB cable or via a
CompactFlash device pulled into the PUCE board]. Once programmed, the
PACE device will remain configured as the chosen game until
re-programmed. A configured PACE board is, in effect, the same as the
original arcade PCB -
with some added features!
When configured as a JAMMA board, PACE can now be plugged directly into
a standard JAMMA harness in an arcade machine cabinet (or home
"SuperGun" system). PACE takes its power and all I/O from the JAMMA
harness and no other connections are required.
When configured as something other than a JAMMA board, PACE takes its
power from a DC plug-pak. Display options include VGA monitor,
composite monitor or TV (AV inputs), whilst inputs are mapped from a
standard PC (PS/2) keyboard or PS/2-compatible controller (X-Arcade) -
negating the need for a SuperGun!
Features
Amongst others:
- The ability to rotate the screen, so that, for example, vertical games can be played on your VGA monitor!
Future Developments
- NVRAM supporting popular "save game" hacks with ability to load/restore scores to/from the PC!
- T.B.A. !!!
- You tell us!!!