Nano Apple IIe
March 21, 2026 · View on GitHub
The Nano Apple IIe is a port of both MiSTer and MiST FPGA core components for the Apple IIe computer:
| Board | FPGA | support | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tang Nano 20k | GW2AR | HDMI | |
| Tang Console 60K NEO | GW5AT-60 | HDMI / LCD | |
| Tang Console 138K NEO | GW5AST-138 | HDMI / LCD | |
| Tang Mega 60k NEO | GW5AT-60 | HDMI / LCD | |
| Tang Mega 138k Pro | GW5AST-138 | HDMI / LCD | |
| Tang Primer 25K | GW5A-25 | HDMI | no Dualshock |
This project relies on a µC being connected to the FPGA. --> MiSTle-Dev wiki <--
The project based on an Apple ][+ FPGA implementation.
Original for the DE2: https://www.cs.columbia.edu/~sedwards/apple2fpga/
Port for the MiST: http://ws0.org/tag/apple2/
All HID, SDcard and µC firmware by Till Harbaum
Features:
- HDMI Video (640/720) and Audio Output
- TFT-LCD module 800x600 SH500Q01Z + Speaker support
- USB Keyboard
- USB Gamepad
- USB XBOX 360 Controller
- Dualshock 2 Controller Gamepad for MiSTeryShield20k / MiSTeryShield20kPico via spare pinheader
- USB Mouse as AppleMouse or as Joystick
- Disk loading via OSD. supported formats: .NIB
- HDD loading via OSD. supported formats: .HDV (raw ProDOS partition images, 32MB)
- Selectable 6502 or 65C02 CPU
- Joystick support (analog proportional)
- Mouse card in slot 5 (AppleMouse)
- Scanlines
- Monitor type: Color, amber, green and black&white
- Selection of color palette (NTSC //e, Apple IIgs, AppleWin, Custom)
- Loadable Custom Color Palette
- Language card in slot 0
- Super Serial Card (SSC) in slot 2
- 64K base + 64K auxilary RAM with 80 column and double hi-res support
- Mockingboard model A (two AY-3-8913 chips for six audio channels) in slot 4
- Video ROM Switch (US /local UK)
- Loadable 8K custom Video ROM (US / local)
- SSC configuartion
- Tape loading via the UART RX pin (ADT Pro)
- Selectable mixed mode text color artifacts
- FPGA Companion WIFI modem via SSC (M0S Dock, PiPico W, Console 60K onboard BL616)
Tip
Be aware that this core loads .NIB Disk Drive images only identical to the MIST core.
On the fly conversion from .DSK as the MISTer core is doing using Linux host system is not supported.
Tang Console 60k / 138K NEO
See Tang Console 60K / 138K NEO
Tang Mega 60k NEO
Tang Mega 138K Pro
Installation
The installation on the Tang Nano 20k board can be done using a Linux PC or a Windows PC Instruction.
Keyboard
- Win/Cmd Key - Closed Apple
- Alt Key - Open Apple
- Key F2 toggle
RESET - Key F12 OSD
Push Button utilization
- S1 reserved
- S2 open OSD
Apple II slot assignments
- Slot 0 - language card (memory expansion)
- Slot 1 - not populated
- Slot 2 - Super Serial Card (SSC)
- Slot 3 - 80 col + 64K RAM expansion (//e)
- Slot 4 - Mockinboard model A (six audio channels)
- Slot 5 - Mouse Card
- Slot 6 - Disk Drive controller
- Slot 7 - Hard Disk Drive controller
Disk format notes
Use dsk2nib to convert AppleII disk images to .nib images.
For HDD, only HDV images (raw ProDOS partition images) 32MB in size are supported.
A Cold Reset is needed to boot from HDD.
2MG images may work if the 64-byte header is removed.
dd if=diskimage.2mg of=diskimage.hdv bs=64 skip=1
Instructions
On the "Apple ][" boot screen open the OSD with F12 and choose a disk. It will boot the disk automatically.
If you OSD press reset you'll enter Applesoft with the ] prompt.
From here you have some limited commands. See: http://www.landsnail.com/a2ref.htm.
If you want to boot another disk choose a .nib image via the osd and type the following:
]PR#6
or
]CALL -151`
*C600G
The HDD interface is in slot 7. Unlike the floppy interface, it does not stall until an image is mounted, so either press OSD cold reset or use one of the following after mounting an image:
]PR#7
or
]CALL -151`
*C700G
OSD
invoke by F12 keypress
- Reset
- Cold Reset
- Audio Volume + / -
- Scanlines effect %
- Monitor type
- Color Palette
- SSC, HDD, MB, MOUSE disable/ enable
- CPU type
- HID device selection for Joystick Port
- Invert Joystick X/Y
- Video ROM switch
- SSC Baudrate, Parity, Mode
Gamecontrol support
USB Gamepad Stick as Joystick (no DPAD). OSD: USB #1 or USB #2
Button A and B Buttons as Trigger:
or
Dualshock 2 Gamepad Stick as Joystick. OSD: DS #1 or DS #2
square and cross Buttons as Trigger:
Important
In a MiSTeryShield20k configuration Dualshock is supported via the spare J8 pinheader.
See MiSTeryShield20k DS2 Adapter / Cable for further information. Thx venice1200 !
Note
TN20k: You have to select OSD "DS2 #2 Joy" for a MiSTeryShield20k configuration.
TN20k: You have to select OSD "DS2 #1 Joy" if you use the Sipeed Joy to DIP adapter.
or
Mouse. OSD: Mouse
USB Mouse as Joystick.
LED UI
| LED | function | TN9K | TN20K | TP20K | TP25K | TM60K | TM138k Pro | Console60k/138k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | FDD1 activity | - | x | - | x | x | x | x |
| 1 | FDD2 activity | - | x | - | x | x | x | x |
| 2 | FDD1 mounted | - | x | - | - | - | x | - |
| 3 | FDD2 mounted | - | x | - | - | - | x | - |
| 4 | HDD mounted | - | x | - | - | - | x | - |
| 5 | unused | - | x | - | - | - | - | - |
Multicolor RGB LED
- green all fine and ready to go
- red something wrong with SDcard / default boot image
- blue µC firmware detected valid FPGA core
- yellow FPGA core can't detect valid firmware
- white -
Powering
Circuit with Keyboard can be powered by Tang USB-C connector from PC or a Power Supply Adapter.
Synthesis
Source code can be synthesized, fitted and programmed with GOWIN IDE Windows or Linux.
Alternatively use the command line build script gw_sh.exe build_tn20k.tcl
SSC RS232 Serial Interface WIFI Modem
Have a look: Wiki WIFI Modem
Connect to you WIFI AP and have a try: ATD bbs.retrocampus.com:23 or just have a look at telnetbbsguide and choose as you like.
HW circuit considerations
Pinmap TN20k Interfaces
Sipeed M0S Dock and DualShock Gamepad connection.
Pinmap Dualshock 2 Controller Interface (Port #DS1)
| DS pin | Tang Nano pin | FPGA pin | DS Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | J5 18 | 71 MISO | JOYDAT |
| 2 | J5 19 | 53 MOSI | JOYCMD |
| 3 | n.c. | - | 7V5 |
| 4 | J5 15 | - | GND |
| 5 | J5 16 | - | 3V3 |
| 6 | J5 17 | 72 CS | JOYATN |
| 7 | J5 20 | 52 MCLK | JOYCLK |
| 8 | n.c. | - | JOYIRQ |
| 9 | n.c. | - | JOYACK |