WillFA7 - a Williams MPU based on a low cost FPGA

This is a 1:1 functional replacement of a Williams MPU (System3 up to System7) including the driver board!

BOM and CPL provided do include all DIP sockets using the 'hand soldering' service from JLC.

You only need to purchase the DIP chips, the SD card and the Cyclone II board and place them on the board. After programming the FPGA ( USB Blaster needed) and writing my rom image onto the SD card you will have a full functional board. Have a look to the user manual for details.

Firepower with original MPU and driverboard
Both replaced. WillFA7 will be mounted on the lower two mounting holes of the old driverboard.

WillFA7 is still work in progress!

HW update to version 1.1

- added 4 screw holes, now WillFA7 can be place more 'to the top' so that the connector for the soundboard fits without the need of moving the soundboard

- changed 'Display_Blanking' signal. On some System7 games the displays did not work. There is a workaround for older HW versions, have a look to the WillFA7 thread on pinside.


There may still be hardware bugs and for sure many software bugs.

I'm working on this but there is no guarantee if and/or by when current bugs are solved!

For a detailed game status have a look to the list at the end of this page!


WillFA7 v1.0 preassembled by JLCPCB
WillFA7 v1.0 complete
bench testing with my diag board

parts needed

In additon to the WillFA7 PCB preassembled by JLCPCB you need a few ICs, a micro SD card, a FPGA and an USB Blaster to be able to program your FPGA. You can either buy the FPGA via Aliexpress or use my DIY FPGAboard.

For the other parts see the Reichelt shop cart.

additional parts needed

Documentation & Software

how to order your WillFA7 PCB

Have a look to the PCB documentation section.

Needed Gerber Data, BOM and Component Placement List (CPL) you find on my repository server

Current status 

23.02.2023 Hardware version 1.1 & software version 1.05 & SD image V2