{"id":609,"date":"2026-09-25T07:52:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T07:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.r3tr0.net\/?page_id=609"},"modified":"2026-09-25T08:34:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T08:34:55","slug":"wondermca-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.r3tr0.net\/index.php\/wondermca-2\/","title":{"rendered":"WonderMCA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WonderMCA is an expansion card for IBM PS\/2 Micro Channel machines, built around the RP2350 microcontroller from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. In the spirit of PicoMEM and PicoGUS, it brings modern, software-defined peripherals \u2014 sound, memory and I\/O \u2014 to a platform that has been starved of affordable expansion cards for decades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Special thanks to the support of FreddyV<\/strong><\/a> (father of the PicoMem), the WonderMCA benefits of 4 years of innovation and hard works directly from him, without forgetting Tubetime<\/a><\/strong> (Eric the father of the sound barker) for his guidance along this project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The purpose of the WonderMCA is to bring Micro Channel Architecture machines proprietary bus with scarce documentation a powerful software defined solution with modern hardware. WonderMCA is a 16-bit single reprogrammable card that emulates the peripherals MCA owners want \u2014 and whose capabilities keep growing with each firmware release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Slot. No Limits.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Core Features<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

\ud83d\udd0a Sound<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Sound Blaster<\/strong> DSP emulation with real Micro Channel DMA \u2014 digital sound effects in DOOM, Wolfenstein 3D and friends, on machines that never had a Sound Blaster to buy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • AdLib \/ OPL3<\/strong> FM synthesis (dbopl core)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Gravis Ultrasound<\/strong> emulation with 1 MB wave RAM in PSRAM (in active development),<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • General Midi <\/strong>\u2014 Plays out midi with the sound card emulation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • CD audio<\/strong> (Red Book) from BIN\/CUE images, mixed into the output,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Hi-Fi 3.5 mm jack<\/strong> (PCM5102 DAC) and<\/em> routed to the MCA audio bus<\/strong> \u2014 hear it through the PS\/2’s own speaker path.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n

    \ud83d\udcbe Storage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • Up to 4 bootable hard-disk images<\/strong> on microSD or USB storage, picked from the built-in BIOS setup \u2014 and create blank images (10 MB \u2013 4 GB) <\/strong>right from the BIOS,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Floppy emulation<\/strong> (A: and B:, every geometry from 160 KB to 2.88 MB) with write-protect toggles and hot-swap from the ScreenPad<\/strong> while DOS runs,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • CD-ROM emulation<\/strong> \u2014 ISO and multi-track BIN\/CUE images with CD audio, hot-swappable without a reboot,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Boot from CD<\/strong> (El Torito & MSCDEX) on machines a decade older than the standard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
      \n

      \ud83c\udf10 Network<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • NE2000-compatible<\/strong> network card emulation \u2014 works with standard DOS packet drivers,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Over Wi-Fi<\/strong> (on-board RM2 module) \u2014 your PS\/2 on the LAN with no cable,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Over USB Ethernet<\/strong> dongles (CDC-ECM, ASIX AX88772, RTL8150),<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Wired W5500 SPI Ethernet<\/strong> module option via the expansion header.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
        \n
        \n

        \u2328\ufe0f Modern input<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        • USB keyboard<\/strong> \u2014 injected into the PS\/2’s real 8042 controller, so it works from the BIOS onward and respects your DOS keyboard layout,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • USB mouse<\/strong> \u2014 Emulate the COM2 UART port, works under DOS and Windows,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • USB Joystick <\/strong>\u2014 Connect USB Joystick (XInput, Dinput, Generic, Sony DualShock, Nintendo), Enjoy playing your favorite game with a USB Joystick,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
          \n

          \ud83e\udde0 Memory & system<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          • Native 4MB XMS emulation<\/strong> with the 8MB of PSRAM and works with systems providing 1 MB, 2MB and 4MB of RAM. XMS emulation is slower compared to traditional RAM but enable memory expansion to chassis without spare memory slot.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Real-Time Clock<\/strong> (PCF85263) \u2014 correct date and time decades after the original battery died<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Native 16-bit data bus <\/strong>\u2014 support of 8 Bits or 16 Bits data bus via firmware revision and onboard dip switch,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
            \n

            \ud83d\udda5\ufe0f ScreenPad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            • Optional OLED companion<\/strong> on the QWIIC I\u00b2C connector<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Live POST-code display and history<\/strong> \u2014 a built-in diagnostic readout for your PS\/2<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Hot-swap floppy and CD images<\/strong> mid-session, adjust volume live, watch the network IP, set the clock \u2014 all without rebooting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
              \n
              \n

              \ud83e\udde0 Software defined<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              • Firmware updates<\/strong> over USB, CPLD update executed from the WonderMCA no additional programmer needed; new emulated devices arrive as software, not as another purchase.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              • Native PS\/2 integration<\/strong> \u2014 full option ROM at segment 0xD000, POS registers and ADF file, so the card is recognized and configured from the IBM reference diskette like any period adapter,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                \n

                \u2328\ufe0f Connected<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                • TagConnect, Qwiic, SDIO, UART, SPI, USB C & USB A<\/strong> \u2014 Large number of the board connector to add more devices to the WonderMCA in the future, <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                • Native 16-bit data bus <\/strong>\u2014 support of 8 Bits or 16 Bits data bus via firmware revision and onboard dip switch,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                  \n

                  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
                  \n\n\n\n

                  The Board<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  Every WonderMCA comes with 3D printed bracket on the back and on the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
                    \n
                  • ENIG Gold Plated<\/strong> and 30\u00b0 Edge cut<\/strong> to protect the MCA slot pin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • 160+ Building parts<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • RP2350<\/strong> \u2014 dual-core ARM CPU running at 280 MHz, PIO state machines handling real-time bus cycles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • RM2 WiFi Module<\/strong> (only for the Network Edition and Ultimate Edition)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • 8 MB QSPI PSRAM <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • 16 MB FLASH <\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • ATF1508 CPLD (PLCC-84)<\/strong> \u2014 Micro Channel Architecture glue logic, with a TAG-Connect footprint for in-circuit reprogramming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • SDCard to host Hard Drive, floppy, CD ROM Image<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • RTC Real Time Clock <\/strong>with coin battery to keep track of DateTime<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Full 16-bit MCA data path<\/strong> \u2014 dedicated mux and bidirectional buffers, 5 V \/ 3.3 V level shifting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • 4-layer PCB<\/strong> \u2014 solid ground and power inner planes, controlled 90 \u03a9 USB impedance and a clean crystal zone<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • USB-C<\/strong> for firmware update, USB-A<\/strong> to plug Keyboard, Mouse, Network dongle<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  • Screenpad (Ultimate Edition)<\/strong> \u2014 on-card OLED display for status, diagnostics and configuration without leaving the machine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                    \n\n\n\n

                    The ScreenPad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                    The ScreenPad is a front panel connected to the WonderMCA with 1.54\u2019\u2019 OLED Screen, 1 Rotary Switch, 4 LEDs and 4 Buttons. It comes with a 3D Print case, or it can be installed in a 3D printed floppy slot (not included) according to your PS\/2 Model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                    The ScreenPad is not mandatory but highly recommended to operate the WonderMCA and avoid entering the BOOT Rom menu each time a settings or a feature have to be modified or activated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    The ScreenPad is connected to the WonderMCA with a Qwiic cable making the use easy. It enables without rebooting or configuring the BIOS to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    • Switch mounted floppy or CDROM disk, <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Activate Network \/ Sound Emulation, control volume, mute, \u2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Monitor the PS\/2 Chassis, BOOT Checkpoint POST Code, <\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Manage USB, activate USB Module on the fly<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • Install CPLD updates easily<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    • More feature to be added as the WonderMCA evolves<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
                      <\/th>Standard<\/th>Network<\/th>Ultimate<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
                      Storage<\/strong> Floppy Disk, Hard Drive, CD Rom<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
                      Sound Emulation (Adlib, Sound Blaster, Gravis Ultra Sound, \u2026)<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
                      XMS Memory emulation <\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
                      Boot Rom, firmware update, \u2026<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
                      USB Keyboard, Mouse, Network dongle, \u2026<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
                      RTC Real Time Clock<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
                      POST Code<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
                      Other features<\/strong><\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
                      Wi-Fi module<\/strong><\/td>\u2014<\/td>Yes<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
                      ScreenPad Module<\/strong><\/td>\u2014<\/td>\u2014<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody>
                      Price<\/strong><\/td>169\u20ac<\/strong><\/td>179\u20ac<\/strong><\/td>209\u20ac<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tfoot><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                      Prices are per card, shipping not included.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      Market opening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                      Want one?<\/strong> Production boards are coming soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                      WonderMCA is an expansion card for IBM PS\/2 Micro Channel machines, built around the RP2350 microcontroller from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. In the spirit of PicoMEM and PicoGUS, it brings modern, software-defined peripherals \u2014 sound, memory and I\/O \u2014 to a platform that has been starved of affordable expansion cards for decades.  Special thanks to the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-609","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.r3tr0.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/609","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.r3tr0.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.r3tr0.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.r3tr0.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.r3tr0.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=609"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.r3tr0.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/609\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":639,"href":"https:\/\/www.r3tr0.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/609\/revisions\/639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.r3tr0.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}