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dspico-hardware/README.md
2025-11-25 17:06:45 +01:00

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DSpico Hardware

🗺️ Contents

Introduction

What is DSpico?

DSpico is the world's first open-source DS(i) flashcart, created by the LNH team. Everything from the PCB, shell, stickers, and box art is open-source. You can either build it yourself as a DIY project or have it made by a manufacturer.

Features

  • RP2040 microcontroller
  • 16 Mbit flash memory
  • Micro USB port
  • Micro SD slot
  • Development port
  • Two LEDs (red and blue)
  • Dual power support: can be powered by USB and DS simultaneously (by ORing circuit)

With the DSpico Firmware:

  • Sequential SD read speed: up to 6MB/s
  • Power consuption: ~57 mW
  • Compatible with DSi mode
  • Compatible with Pico Loader and Pico Launcher

About this repository

This repository contains the necessary files for the hardware of the DSpico, including a PCB, CAD design of the shell, stickers for cartridge and box art.

🎮 DSpico PCB

The PCB design is located in the dspico-pcb folder. This folder contains all the necessary files for PCB fabrication, as well as the design files created using the electronic design software Altium Designer.

DSpico-top DSpico-bottom

📂 Included Subfolders:

  • design-files: PCB schematic and layout of DSpico. (Altium format)
  • fabrication-files: Gerber files, Pick&Place files and BOM for PCB fabrication of DSpico.
  • docs: Documentation for manufacturing and assembling DSpico.

🔌 Pinout

Peripheral Pin name - Peripheral Pin name - RP2040 Pin number - RP2040
DS Slot D0 GPIO12 15
D1 GPIO13 16
D2 GPIO14 17
D3 GPIO15 18
D4 GPIO16 27
D5 GPIO17 28
D6 GPIO18 29
D7 GPIO19 30
CLK_DS GPIO11 14
ROM_CS GPIO10 13
SPI_CS GPIO21 32
IRQ GPIO20 31
RST_DS GPIO09 12
SD slot CLK_SD GPIO03 5
DAT0 GPIO05 7
DAT1 GPIO06 8
DAT2 GPIO07 9
DAT3 GPIO08 11
CMD GPIO04 6
DEV port SWD SWD 25
SWCLK SWCLK 24
TX GPIO0 2
RX GPIO1 3
Blue LED LED_B GPIO28 40
Red LED LED_R GPIO27 39

🧰 DSpico Shell

The CAD design of the shell is located in the dspico-shell folder. This folder contains 3D models of the shell (output 3d models and design files), which can be viewed and modified using CAD design software Autodesk Inventor

DSpico-shell-in DSpico-shell-out

📂 Included Subfolders:

  • design-files: Contains source design files for the shell
  • 3d-models: Contains 3D models of the shell in STL and STEP format for fabrication.

🎨 Artwork: Stickers and box art

The stickers and box art design are located in the dspico-artwork-design. This folder contains stickers for cartridge and box art in SVG, PSD and PNG formats.

DSpico-box DSpico-stickers

📂 Included Subfolders:

  • stickers: Stickers to print and put on your DSpico cartridge.
  • box-art: Box art design to print and put on your DS box.
  • logo: DSpico logo in different formats.
  • others: Other graphics related to DSpico

📦 Instructions

1 Build

  1. Manufacture the PCB and Shell
    Start by producing both the PCB and the shell. Go to the respective sections, dspico-pcb and dspico-shell, and read the README file in each to understand how to create these parts.

  2. Optional: Customize with a Sticker and Box Art
    If desired, you can print a sticker from the stickers section and add box art dspico-artwork-design for storing your DSpico (for example, by reusing an existing box).

2 Assembly

Once you have both the PCB and the shell manufactured, the next step is to assemble them. Follow these steps:

  1. First, insert the PCB into the bottom part of the shell.
  2. Next, attach the top part of the shell by aligning the pegs with the holes in the bottom part.
  3. Stick your favorite DSpico sticker on top part. Make sure everything fits, and your DSpico will be ready for the next steps!

DSpico-assembly2 DSpico-assembly1

3 Setup the software

Follow the guide for instructions on how to compile and setup the firmware and the contents of the micro SD card.

🛠 Development

The DSpico features a development port for creating new applications and developing new peripherals. The available communication ports are as follows:

  • UART
  • I2C
  • x2 GPIO
  • SWD (debug)

development port

As for the power it can provide to peripherals, it is:

  • 3.3 V (up to 50 mA)

The pitch between pins of this port is 2.54 mm such that some connectors can be soldered (as long as it does not interfere with the rest of the DSpico mechanics). For example a male or female header.

DSpico-dev-port

👥 Contributions

Contributions are welcome. If you wish to improve the PCB or shell designs, feel free to submit a pull request!

Contributors:

PCB:

Shell:

Artworks:

👾 Discord

📋 LNH Team Statement

We wish to make it clear that the LNH team has no affiliation with any commercial projects, and we do not endorse or engage in any for-profit endeavors concerning DSpico or related materials. This statement serves as a formal disavowal of any financial or business dealings that may arise in relation to DSpico, and we take no responsibility for any actions or transactions carried out by third parties in this regard.

⚖ License

This project is licensed under the CC BY-SA 4.0 License. See the LICENSE file for more details.