video - shows the top playfield flipper action if you can call it that, neat idea
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this is what a pinsider learnt from the CES show from the Stern guys and based on what he asked and was told.
"Details about the new SPIKE system to be used in WWE Wrestlemania: The transformer has been eliminated (lighter games). The MPU is much smaller and there are no coil drivers in the back box. It appears to be running an Atmel processor and reportedly runs embedded Linux. The coil drivers are now on under-playfield boards close to the actual coils are are reported to have much better ESD protection, over-current protection, etc. In short, they should be much more reliable.
The main connection from the MPU to the main satellite boards are via CAT5 cable (NOT running ethernet). It looks like there are 3 or 4 primary satellite boards which daisy-chained via Cat5 (at least that is the number on the TWD Pro they had on display to show the new hardware system, everything is modular and they can add as many satellite boards as they need for a particular game). From these satellite boards which appear to contain their own logic, other "dumb" boards such as lamp boards are connected via what look like in-line IDC connectors.
Single lamp boards are terminated on the lamp board via direct-soldered connections. The lamps are now all direct drive (no matrix) which should eliminate flickering/ghosting problems.
The switch matrix has also been eliminated and the switches will also be direct read from one of the satellite boards. Aside from eliminating row/column cross-talk errors in the case of a bad protection diode, this will also allow an arbitrary number of switches as required by a particular game (not limited by a fixed matrix of 8x8, 8x10, etc.)
Audio goodies:
3-channel audio system! (Stereo Highs, plus single channel lows)
Headphone Out! (On the MPU, but can be routed wherever you need it)
Line Out (Also on the MPU)"and
"A couple other interesting items:
Flippers now use double winding coils!
This is a pretty major change and means the flippers no longer have to use PWM to keep them in "up" position since there will be a high power coil for flipping and low power for hold (like Williams/Bally). Should eliminate the Stern flipper buzz and also give a nicer feel. Still using leaf switches (not optos) for flipper switches.
48V (only) power bus from back box to playfield
If another voltage is needed under the playfield, it will be locally regulated on the satellite boards. However, the MPU has diagnostic LEDs for +5V, +9V, +24V, and +48V so I'm not sure if any of this is written in stone. Bussing a single voltage reduces wiring/cost and might make troubleshooting easier. Not this means that there are no longer high power and low power coils. All coils will be 48V.
Power switch is now on right-hand underside of back box.
Obviously, this eliminates a long wire run for Stern. Downside would be a little harder to get to if your games are packed tight. I didn't ask specifically if it would be like this on production games, but it looked like a designed in feature to me.
LE will have a different board revision
Obviously, this is consistent with recent SAM L.E. and Premium boards. I asked specifically about video output from the demo SPIKE board shown at CES and if there were multiple video outputs. My understanding is that that board did not have video outputs (just the standard 2x7 DMD connector), but the L.E. would have a different revision with additional capabilities (e.g., to support the playfield display)."the power switch could be a issue for people with a home line up if they have to get between machines to turn off.
