Kharon-386

IBM PC compatible machine with 386 CPU, integrated VGA and sound, Open source project by Eugene Lozovoy.

Tech specs

• M6117D System-On-Chip with integrated 386SX40 (almost compatible) CPU and M1217B chipset
• 4MB RAM
• TVGA9000i VGA video
• ES1868F SoundBlasterPro-compatible sound
• SAM2695 MIDI synthesizer
• ESP8266 WiFi module
• PS/2 keyboard and mouse inputs
• 2xCOM ports
• CF card slot
• Real-time clock (RTC) with backup battery
• Integrated PC-speaker
• 5.1V microUSB power
• Two 4-layer 10x10cm PCBs + front/back panel PCB
• G738 or G706 enclosure

WiFi module

There is two options how to use WiFi module:

1. Zimodem (link) – provides ability to connect to BBS via any terminal without using additional software. WiFi module is connected to COM4, so you can use any terminal to communicate with it using AT commands.
2. esp_slip_router (link) – provides ability to connect your machine to IP network just like as Ethernet. You need ETHERSLIP or similar packet driver for DOS.

To upload firmware you need USB-UART adapter with 3.3V signal levels. Connect GND, RX and TX lines to esp header located on main PCB at left, install BOOT/GND jumper and follow any ESP8266 firmware update guide that is available on the internet.

Sound mixer

MIDI synthesizer is connected to the AUXB sound input of ES1868F. Usually this input named as “CD input” in mixer software.
PC speaker is connected to the AUXA input.
To obtain a minimum noise level, it is recommended to disable line input in the mixer.

Navigation

release/pcb_main.rev.A1.pdf – motherboard schematic and bill of materials
release/pcb_top.rev.A1.pdf – video&sound board schematic and bill of materials
release/bom_interactive_main.rev.A1.html – motherboard interactive BOM
release/bom_interactive_top.rev.A1.html – video&sound board interactive BOM
release/gerber_main.rev.A1.zip – motherboard fabrication files
release/gerber_top.rev.A1.zip – video&sound board fabrication files
release/gerber_covers.rev.A.zip – front and back panel fabrication files
roms/M6117 – award+ami.bin – main BIOS image
roms/tvga9000i – D3.51 + D4.01E.bin – VGA BIOS image
software/msdos622_compactflash_2GB.7z – CF card image with preinstalled MS-DOS 6.22 and all necessary drivers

3D Visualization

Download on GitHub