Atari SIO2USB User Manual page 36

We established contact to USB but there were several difficuties waiting for us.
Thomas and Harry designed and layouted multiple circuit diagrams and printed
circuit boards for the SIO2USB interface. Electrical components, dependen-
cies, feature and possibilities were checked, discussed, discarded and rede-
signed more than once.
In 2006, the hardware prototype was finally functional. Circuit boards for a
couple of interfaces were built for the further development of the firmware and
software tools. The interfaces were complete with displays, SIO-connectors
and casings.
Harry wrote the first drivers for the ATARI™, cleanly integrated into the ATA-
RI™ operating system. Florian wrote tools like the "Flasher-Software" (no pun
intended!) for the firmware upload. Thomas wrote the firmware, completly in
machine code. More than one error threw us days and weeks behind our own
time schedule. The S2USHELL was developed and coded, the bug hunt and
testing was coordinated by Harry using a detailed list of reported errors. That
way everybody in the developer team was on the same standard of information
all the time and error were easier to locate and fix.
At the end of April 2007 we decided that everything was developed far enough
to give it a "Go!" for the production. Everything was functional in a way that we
could see a finish line at the horizon. Thomas set up a webpage announcing
the availability of the SIO2USB interface and all ATARI™ fans worldwide were
informed. Within days we had 20, 30, 50 preorders!
The first "hands-on" experience for the public was in July at the Fujiama con-
vention in Lengenfeld. Equipped with SIO2USB hardware, prelimenary version
of the instruction manual, USB-stick and preliminary shell programm, interes-
ted user were allowed to make their own impressions of the interface. Praise,
encouragement and a couple of good hints were the results for our team.
Thomas took his time to discuss details and design, although improving of the
firmware was planned for that time. On the other hand these discussions gave
us substantial progess. After the Fujiama the procurement of the components
was due. Thanks to many users who paid even more than the preorder price,
we were able to buy all the components and do the financing. It was almost a
5-digit number of money for all the stuff we needed! Thanks again to all users!
In mid-August all the components for the first delivery lot were complete and
we began to look for dates to start producing. Assembly and soldering took
place between 25.08.2007 and 14.10.2007. Also the casings were routed,
frontplates were milled and affixed. Alltogether more than 300 man-hours were
needed for assembly.
36 Chapter 9 The Story Behind The SIO2USB SIO2USB User Manual