BaDCaT WiFi modem for MSX

Andrés Ortiz is developing BaDCaT, a new WiFi modem to connect our MSX computers to the Internet. The main goal was to reduce Z80 CPU load as much as possible with the addition of external hardware in the same cartridge for TCP/IP processing. On the other hand to be able to work on MSX1 computers even with low RAM. All this process is carried out by an ESP8266 integrated circuit, specifically the ESP12 version with 4MB of flash memory.

The cartridge consists of an UART 16C550C which implements an RS232 port as interface between ESP12 and the MSX bus. It also provides an standard serial port to the MSX. In short, we could say that this cartridge features two working modes:

MSX1: both the TCP/IP stack and telnet client run on the cartridge. The computer would only run a terminal program.
MSX2 and higher: the TCP/IP stack runs on cartridge and telnet client on the MSX. To do this, the ducasp's telnet version has been modified in order to offer the same functionality with the WiFi modem and UNAPI interfaces. This telnet version is already available on ducasp's Github.

Technical specifications:

MSX1/MSX2 (and higher) compatible.
Serial port up to 115200 bps.
RTS/CTS flow control.
Fossil driver compatible (without any modification).
ESP12 modem based on zimodem, effective speed of 57600 bps.
ducasp's telnet compatible and with all its functionalities (fast ANSI decoding, files download...)
Possibility of running telnet client on the cartridge itself.
Upgradable firmware.

Relevant link: BaDCaT's website
Relevant link: video demonstration

Commentaires (19)

Par x1pepe

Master (149)

14-07-2020, 17:24

Very cool!
One for me!

Par hamlet

Scribe (4106)

14-07-2020, 17:47

WiFi! Cool!

Par Gloriou

Master (204)

14-07-2020, 18:00

oh hoooooo
One for me as well

Par Louthrax

Prophet (2496)

14-07-2020, 19:25

I want one too !

I just would like to be sure that long file transfers (with FTP) show no corruption with the ESP12 chip ? That was a problem with previous interfaces using a WD5100 chip.

Par ray2day

Paladin (753)

14-07-2020, 23:39

Cool one for me also please...

Par GaliousXXI

Resident (48)

15-07-2020, 10:51

Wooow! Very nice! One for me too!

Par o.geerdink

Hero (588)

15-07-2020, 11:08

yes me two

Par Abi

Hero (604)

15-07-2020, 12:11

Awesome! One for me too.????

Par ducasp

Paladin (712)

15-07-2020, 13:42

Louthrax wrote:

Do not worry about that, SM-X built-in Wi-Fi is using ESP8266 in ESP-01 module form (1MB flash for the ESP8266 and exposes less io pins) and it works quite nice with large transfers, ESP-12 exposes extra IO pins of ESP8266 and has 4MB flash memory which allows for a more complex firmware and more features as you can have 1MB all alone just for firmware, no need to reserve part of 1MB for firmware update or file system to store data (i.e: TLS/SSL certificates)

ÀS SM-X has no trouble with large transfers, I see no reason for BadCat, which has a more advanced version of esp8266 module, to have issues with that

Par andresog

Supporter (13)

15-07-2020, 18:27

Hi all!
Thank you for your interest in the BaDCaT wifi modem!
I am updating a web site with details on this and other projects related (but not only) to the MSX system.

https://sites.google.com/view/badcatelectronics/msx/badcat-w...

Details will be released (asap) in my github ;)

More info: badcatelectronics@gmail.com

Par Pac

Scribe (7108)

15-07-2020, 21:19

Added to the news post.

Par norakomi

Paragon (1150)

16-07-2020, 08:30

This looks really cool !

I always had the idea to make a game the requires an internet connection.
Take for example rune master II.
Wouldn't it be great if people can play such a game together over the internet ?
Would this be possible using badcat ?
Are there already existing games that require an internet connection ?

21-07-2020, 19:34

BaDCaT is initially intended to connect to BBSs. However, it is possible to open streaming connections to other machines without external support. Moreover, it is upgradable

Par diogoeichert

Rookie (29)

02-10-2020, 18:49

Very cool, indeed!

04-10-2020, 18:43

Yesterday I received my BaDCaT wifi modem and it works perfect. What a great product! And: with the new BaDCaT's firmware (v1.3), no drivers are needed anymore. No difficult shit and frustrating moments: just plug and play on your MSX!
With help of Ducasp's TELNETF.COM -> just type in the BBS's address in the command line and go! Very very cool! Like it very much. A good purchase and a good extension for my MSX hobby!

Par mzoran

Master (161)

07-10-2020, 09:58

How did you get one?

Par Robotarm-Johnny

Supporter (2)

12-11-2020, 16:59

Hi! I would like to buy one Badcad wifi modem, if there are still any units left.
Does anybody knows if it is still in production and how to buy it?
Knowing the price would be nice as well I mean, I want to buy one, but only if I can afford it, of course. Otherwise I wouldn't like to disturb the developer of the cartridge.

Thank you!

12-11-2020, 18:31

Who better than the developer himself to solve your doubts even being Spanish like you?

13-11-2020, 13:43

Robotarm-Johnny wrote:

Hey, contact AOrtiz, the site for this project:

There you will find the e-mail to contact him and inquire. I have absolute no idea of how much it costs as I've received mine as a gift, but I'm sure the author will answer your questions ;)

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