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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : PicoMite: PicoGAME VGA development
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Mixtel90 Guru  Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6825 |
Version 1.4 is the latest posted version. The silk screen on the back is wrong. I've since corrected 1.4 and 1.4A but not re-posted the gerbils yet (gerbils often object to being posted. I think it's something to do with the glue on the stamps). I'll see if I can do that when I get home later. I had a USB stick crash yesterday and lost my entire TinyCAD folder (along with some Sprint Layout PCB designs). Luckily I think I've managed to rescue just about all the files from other places, but it's scary when something like that happens. We should all backup more, shouldn't we? I think all my PCB design and PicoMite stuff is on the RAID 1 NAS now. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4047 |
I'm a member of the North West RISCOS User Group which has monthly physical meetings. - unfortunately there are only a handful of us so it's continuation can't be taken for granted. I have little interest in RISCOS myself but members have general non-Windows interests. Best wishes, Tom Edited 2022-05-02 22:43 by thwill Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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| JohnS Guru Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3819 |
Definitely no hurry (I'm way too busy to build anything right now), it was just the few recent posts made me wonder about the situation. John |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6825 |
@al18 This *will not* go smaller now. It'll either fit or it won't, I'm afraid. :)  No schematic, I'm afraid. It's one of the things that got lost in the USB stick failure. Not very important anyway (but I'll need to sort out a parts list for you) as it's basically a Version 1.4 with the following differences: Port A Trigger/Fire is GP28 instead of GP14 Port B has no analogue port (it was GP28) Port B has no Trigger/Fire (it was GP15) As GP28 has changed its function it no longer has a switchable pull-up/pull-down. This adapter will fail both the prototype and the Version 1.4 test software due to GP28 moving house from Port B to Port A and GP14 and GP15 going walkies. .zipPicoGAME Adapter 00-[XGerber.zip . Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6825 |
Back on topic: These are the latest releases. The screen printing on the back has been fixed. I *doubt* if anything will change now, but I have some version 1.4 boards on their way. The version 1.4A is very similar - details are in the Readme. PicoGAME 14.zip PicoGAME 14A.zip . Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| al18 Senior Member  Joined: 06/07/2019 Location: United StatesPosts: 205 |
Mick, Looks good - thanks. I like the circuit layout - will make it easier to troubleshoot during assembly. |
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| JohnS Guru Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3819 |
Damaged URL? John |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6825 |
Try this... PicoGAME Adapter 00 gerber.zip Edited 2022-05-03 23:24 by Mixtel90 Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| JohnS Guru Joined: 18/11/2011 Location: United KingdomPosts: 3819 |
Works - thanks. John |
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| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4047 |
Latest tat from China for the PicoGAME VGA:  Untested, but they look the part and it would probably be more expensive for the Chinese to get the workings wrong than right. Fortunately my gut instinct proved to be correct in that the picture on AliExpress was correct and the description (white with USB connectors) was wrong. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003590552924.html Best wishes, Tom Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6825 |
I have one of those somewhere, but I don't know exactly where. That's why I've not tested using one either. :) Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6825 |
I received my Version 1.4 boards this morning. They look ok at first glance, but can't do anything further until later this evening. There is a point about joysticks. Old ones will probably have developed oxidised contacts. The oxide layer is very thin, but is insulating and may not break down at 3V3 or 5V when the contact pushes closed. Wiping contacts are ok, as are most gold-plated contacts, but neither of these was common on joysticks. There is a way round this for joysticks that don't have electronics (rapid fire etc.) in them. Use them to switch about 30V-50V a few times at just a couple of mA. The voltage will break through the oxide layer and the contact will almost always work at 3V3 again. Unfortunately, for "clever" joysticks you'll have to take them to pieces and clean the contacts. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4047 |
I've held off other than ordering what is hopefully the correct audio jack this time; I figured I would wait to see if there was a 1.5 board  .Best wishes, Tom Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6825 |
I'll send you an audio jack or two if you like - I think I have some spares, I'll have to check later. I also have to check that things will fit... :) In theory 1.4 will also accept the surface mount version used on the CMM2. That's something else I need to check later. Would you like a 1.4 board if they are ok? These are the first issue, with the incorrect screen printing on the back. Collector's edition, very rare. :) The 1.5 version will probably look a lot like the 1.4A at the moment. lol Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4047 |
Hi Mick, Thanks for the offer. Once you've tested it I would appreciate a 1.4 board "special edition" and an audio jack (mine are on the slow-boat, and may still be the wrong component). If you can spare a second board for me to forward onto @Volhout that would be appreciated too - when the time comes to order them I'll be pleased to send you some 1.4A/1.5 boards in return. Don't forget the PM I sent you about the MX170s. Best wishes, Tom Edited 2022-05-11 21:59 by thwill Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6825 |
I hadn't forgotten - just not got round to sorting bits out. :) Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4047 |
Great. - The MOSFETs are 2N7000 (not 700) - genuine Chinese stuff  .- I can also spare you a couple of female VGA ports that fit the PicoGAME PCB too. Best wishes, Tom Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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| al18 Senior Member Joined: 06/07/2019 Location: United StatesPosts: 205 |
I received my boards today also. The footprint for the power connector looks too small for my connector. Any problem using the USB A connector to supply power to the board? |
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| thwill Guru Joined: 16/09/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 4047 |
I believe so; it's an output (for powering a VGA->HDMI adaptor or charging your phone) not an input. Best wishes, Tom Edited 2022-05-12 06:55 by thwill Game*Mite, CMM2 Welcome Tape, Creaky old text adventures |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 6825 |
It can be done, but with care. It bypasses the protection diode and any regulator in U1 position. If you are using the 1.4 board and the recommended USB connector then you'll be ok, but the prototype has the connector polarity wrong! It might be an idea not to fit the regulator and electrolytic until you've checked the polarity at its input. At least you'll know that you're safe then. The power connectors are reasonable to find, just less common than the usual. I deliberately chose them because they are rarely used for any other voltage than 5V. The bigger ones often have 12V on them. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs |
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