The XOR is a device that sits between the Applesauce and any drive that may have unusual (non-standard) pinouts or power requirements. It was originally designed to be the ultimate interface for connecting 8“ drives. It grew beyond that by allowing custom configurations for drives that are handled by swappable identity modules.

The XOR goes beyond all other similar solutions by using a multiplexing system that lets the Applesauce read and write to more signals than what the 34-pin connector has defined. Like for double-sided 8” drives it reads the 2SIDED signal to allow the imagers to automatically image the correct number of sides. Or for 2.88M 3.5“ drives to be able to trigger both of the DENSITY lines. And it does all of this without interfering with other drives that may be connected to the same data cable.

Not content with being only the signal interface, it is also the power supply for your drive. It provides +12V, +5V, -5V, +24V, and A/C power. It also handles these power needs intelligently, like only turning on the AC power to the spindle when you actually want to use the drive.

The process for getting your XOR up and running is pretty simple, with just a few steps.

An XOR needs to be set up as if it is a floppy drive. The first thing we need to do is give the XOR an ID using the jumper block shown circled in the above image. This ID is the same thing as the Drive Select jumper on most floppy drives, especially 5.25” drives. The main thing to remember is that this ID must be unique from all other drives on the 34-pin Shugart/PC Drives connector. They ship out already set to address 3 which is a good start if you are using an Applesauce+, but it really depends on the other drives connected. If you are using an Applesauce that isn't a plus model, then you should set the ID to 2.

First thing to know is what kind of connections are needed for your floppy drive. Most need separate data and power connections. You should refer to the documentation for your drive or search on this wiki. Next thing to know is which Module is needed for your drive. A module takes all of the signals coming from the Applesauce and sends them to the correct pins needed by the drive (potentially with some translation).

There are 2 output ribbon cables on the XOR located next to the “FLOPPY DRIVE” label, a 34-pin and a 50-pin. They are directly connected to each other with pins 1-34 on the 34-pin linked to pins 1-34 on the 50-pin.

Next to the output ribbon connectors is the DC Power Connector. This is used to provide any needed DC power for the drive. Do not connect up a separate power supply for a drive. If your drive has different power requirements than the available ones, then power regulation circuits should be added to the Module and routed through the V1 and V2 connections. If your drive requires +24V, then you will need to connect an A/C power cable to the XOR. See the A/C Power Information section below for additional details.

At the right rear of the XOR is the A/C power connector. This is used if your drive requires A/C power.

XOR requires connections from the 34-pin Shugart/PC Drives ribbon cable (before the ribbon twist) and the Power Out connector on the Applesauce+ (or using the PC Drive Cable Kit for earlier non-plus Applesauce units).

Start up the Applesauce client. If you are using an Applesauce+, then the drive picker screen will appear (as shown above). You want to select the box that matches the XOR ID you set is step 1. Shown is for an XOR ID of 3. If you are using a non-plus Applesauce, then the XOR will automatically be found.

Add/pick/create the drive you connected to your XOR, and you should be good to go!

The modules are what makes XOR so flexible. They have the ability to remap signals and power to any pin on a cable. New modules will be developed as needs arise. The KiCad files are also freely available so that anybody with some electronics familiarity can design their own modules and get them made at JLCPCB, PCBWay, or other PCB manufacturers.

If your drive requires either A/C power or +24V DC, then you will need to use an IEC 320-C13 (the commonly available 3-prong computer cable that you most likely have 10+ of them sitting in a box). The A/C to DC adapter on the XOR is a universal type and accepts 100-240VAC @ 50/60Hz.

If your floppy drive uses A/C power, then you need to be absolutely sure that the voltage and frequency you are providing to XOR matches what the drive needs. The XOR passes the A/C directly through.

If you are making a cable for the A/C output connector on the XOR, it uses a Molex 39012065 connector with Molex 39000038 pins. Using 18AWG stranded wire is recommended. Kits of connectors and pins are available on the ApplesauceFDC Store. They can also be found on DigiKey and most other electronic parts suppliers.

Connector on DigiKey

Pins on DigiKey

The DC power connector provides +12V, +5V, -5V, and +24V. A Module can also provide up to 2 additional voltages via the V1 and V2 pins. The +24V supply requires that A/C power is connected to the XOR.

If you are making a cable for the DC output connector on the XOR, it uses a Molex 39012125 connector with Molex 39000038 pins. Using 18AWG stranded wire is recommended. Kits of connectors and pins are available on the ApplesauceFDC Store. They can also be found on DigiKey and most other electronic parts suppliers.

Connector on DigiKey

Pins on DigiKey