DSpico Hardware

🗺️ Contents

• ℹ Introduction
• ❔ About this repository.
• 🎮 DSpico PCB
• 🧰 DSpico Shell
• 🎨 Artwork: Stickers and box art
• 📦 Instructions
• 🛠 Development
• 👥 Contributions
• 👾 Discord
• 📋 LNH Team Statement
• ⚖ License

ℹ 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.

📂 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

📂 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.

📂 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

1️⃣ 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).

2️⃣ 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!

3️⃣ Flash DSpico

You will need a micro USB cable

1. Go to the dspico-firmware repository and build the firmware. See the firmware readme for the bootloader options.
2. Connect the micro USB cable to the USB port on the DSpico.
3. Connect the other end of the micro USB cable to your PC. The PC should recognize the DSpico as a new storage device.
4. Copy the generated .uf2 firmware file from the dspico-firmware repository to the detected storage unit.
5. Once the transfer is complete, your DSpico will be successfully flashed!

4️⃣ Prepare a micro SD card

You will need a micro SD card (and a reader if your PC does not have it integrated).

1. Go to the pico-launcher repository and build Pico Launcher.
2. Go to the pico-loader repository and build Pico Loader for the DSpico platform.
3. Connect your micro SD card to your PC.
4. Copy the Pico Loader and Pico Launcher files to your micro SD card. The Pico Launcher nds file should be named _picoboot.nds.
5. Once the transfer is complete, insert your micro SD card in your DSpico and enjoy!

🛠 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)

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.

👥 Contributions

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

Contributors:

PCB:

• nitehack
• Gericom (first DSpico prototype)

Shell:

• rcuevas
• nitehack

Artworks:

• nitehack

👾 Discord

• DS⁽ⁱ⁾ Mode Hacking!

📋 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.