Project "eradication Of Sitck"

[Radek]

Hi,

I was expecting to be further in that project than I'm now... There are some issues (will fix them and it will not need a major changes - yet were really frustrating) but want to show you something what I have already. Below are pictures:

Yep - it fits, it works but to do it reliably will need one extra chip for input buffering. And then some other issues might show for a surprise but at least I have semiworking prototype.

Then have you any propositions for some nice 4-way microswitch based stick or pads?

I was searching too but didn't find anything really decent. Any ideas?

Edit: Damn - should be "stick" not the "Sitck" - Admin please change that...

 

[DaveC]

A SNES pad would be good. You could probably get those on ebay or used game stores. I am not sure where you could get new assemblies for that though.

 

[yaustar]

How about the Neo Geo Pads?

Also like to add, what's this project going to do? Are you intending to replace the entire stick?

 

[Radek]

How about the Neo Geo Pads?

Also like to add, what's this project going to do? Are you intending to replace the entire stick?

​

Simply put... yes.

At it isn't as easy as soldering the new stick/pad. There must be converter circuit and my project is just that. I tested it and it works but had some issues...
(I know now why and really it was better than I should expect from such raw version)

Good news are that there is plenty space inside the gp2x. I shouldn't so aggressively minimize the pcb because to many close traces are making soldering much harder.
(I plan to using only onesided pcb)

As you can see on these pictures SMD is not needed at all at this circuit could fit even at the other side of gp2x's mainboard.

 

[Hanz™]

8 way DPad is what I would prefer. Just make sure it is a responsive one, which is not retarded, and that Devs do not have to change any of the software etc...

 

[beanfarmer]

i 2nd that 8 way d-pad for the win
oh by the way keep up the good work

 

[___]

would it be possible to add new input functionality to the gp2x by using a converter circuit? Or would that require an additional microprocessor? It would open up endless possibilities like an external keyboard (remember the GP32 compatible one?) or a multitap to play 2 player mode SNES games on your TV with the TV-out...

 

[saboteur]

Excellent work Radek. Any Idea of cost at the mo - do you need donations ??

Cheers

 

[i3oxxy]

playasia.com do a couple of SNES pads:

Basic US style (with a crappy review)

European style (with great reviews but now sold out!)

My Hori pad should be arriving shortly, if you're interested I can have a look inside for you.

 

[Dingo_aus]

Good work and congratulations on fitting them all in there!

Can you tell us what each one is? Are any uCs? or are they all logic chips?

 

[Radek]

would it be possible to add new input functionality to the gp2x by using a converter circuit? Or would that require an additional microprocessor? It would open up endless possibilities like an external keyboard (remember the GP32 compatible one?) or a multitap to play 2 player mode SNES games on your TV with the TV-out...

​

If you want additional peripherals then your best bet would be connecting them via the EXT port. There are serials and USB host so it entirely possible but it will need software support (both in an os and applications).

Excellent work Radek. Any Idea of cost at the mo - do you need donations ??

Cheers

​

No - donations aren't necessary (but big thanks for your your offer) and for the cost - It should not be expensive however keep in a mind that all depends on how many units I would have to produce. And that it still early (I have lots of work to do)
so... keep an eye on it.

 

[saboteur]

Sorry for appearing to be a numpty, but does this 'piggy back' the original controller outputs ( so no reprogramming of apps ) or does it replace the existing stick and the apps will need recoding ??

Cheers

 

[Radek]

Sorry for appearing to be a numpty, but does this 'piggy back' the original controller outputs ( so no reprogramming of apps ) or does it replace the existing stick and the apps will need recoding ??

Cheers

​

Yes - no recoding is neccessary as it's a purpose of this circuit - to convert signals from standard 8-way controllers (with 4 ouput lines) to gp2x's pseudo 16-way (with 8 signal lines).

 

[Thraka]

Awesome Radek!!

All we need now is a dpad and some nice zoomed in and out pics

 

[Series-8]

I have seen a few 'Dpad' microswitches, but let me be the first to say they will NOT be much good. (like 'dpads' for cameras and cellphones, small and useless)

There was annother 'HAT' style switch, but I had only seen one that allowed 2 inputs at the same time. (none of them looked very good so far)

I really think the best way would be to design our own pad (using a SNES/PS pad as a template) using SMT buttons or carbon membrane conductor with a plastic 'Dpad' from something.

Put ALL the electronics needed on only one PCB which replaces the current joystick assembly.

(thats the finished model mind you; this prototype will be useful for testing out different designs/ideas + wiring)

 

[Radek]

I have seen a few 'Dpad' microswitches, but let me be the first to say they will NOT be much good. (like 'dpads' for cameras and cellphones, small and useless)

There was annother 'HAT' style switch, but I had only seen one that allowed 2 inputs at the same time. (none of them looked very good so far)

I really think the best way would be to design our own pad (using a SNES/PS pad as a template) using SMT buttons or carbon membrane conductor with a plastic 'Dpad' from something.

Put ALL the electronics needed on only one PCB which replaces the current joystick assembly.

(thats the finished model mind you; this prototype will be useful for testing out different designs/ideas + wiring)

​

I was also thinking about making all in one thing too but... I realized that I'd need to know what exactly controller I will be using. I'm just finalizing the design of a new prototype with four chips (should work reliable now) and preparing to do some other tests.

Let me say that putting that circuit at back side of gp2x's mainboard have some mertits too (not only big free space).

 

[BradN]

Maybe another option instead of using 4 chips is just having a single microcontroller? It would at least cut down on the size needed, and if you soldered carefully, you might not even need it to be on its own board.

 

[Jester]

8 way DPad is what I would prefer. Just make sure it is a responsive one, which is not retarded, and that Devs do not have to change any of the software etc...

​

The original mega drive (genesis) d pad would be really good if u culd fit it in there..................... perhaps i'm bein retarded on this 1 :blink:

 

[0-bake]

i would'nt go for microswitches.
i'm thinking, how it is possible to fit a regular gameboy d-pad in the GP2X case.
you have to have contacts exactly like on the right side to the screen, where the 4 buttons are (up down left right).

the classic gameboy pad would fit, but maybe the gameboy advance pad is better (a bit smaller), but you have to cut a square hole in the gp2x case (just cut out the round stick barrier).

the main problem is to fill the difference from the square hole to the cross, the stick fits in.
all i can imagine, it would look really crappy. i cant cut this plastic so precise that it would look good.
but maybe there is something like "liquid plastic", which becomes solid like glue. then it would be possible, although it wouldn't look too nice.

 

[Radek]

Maybe another option instead of using 4 chips is just having a single microcontroller? It would at least cut down on the size needed, and if you soldered carefully, you might not even need it to be on its own board.

​

I can cut down the size of my pcb to almost 1/4 of what is now by using the SMD and duallayered board. Size isn't any problem even with the DIP packet chips. For a micontroller it's a valid idea but I'd have to start from zero as I don't know much about microcontrollers and don't have any equipment to program/test/design with them. CMOS logic based circuit was fastest and easiest way to begin with that project for me.

I was at first thinking using SMD indeed... yet I decided to not to as with DIPs it's far easier to modify ready board. I'm still prototyping really so it's usefull.

BTW. The real work (the logic coversion) is done by just 9 logic gates. It'd be funny from technical standpoint to use for that a complete cpu (even 8-bit one).

i would'nt go for microswitches.
i'm thinking, how it is possible to fit a regular gameboy d-pad in the GP2X case.
you have to have contacts exactly like on the right side to the screen, where the 4 buttons are (up down left right).

the classic gameboy pad would fit, but maybe the gameboy advance pad is better (a bit smaller), but you have to cut a square hole in the gp2x case (just cut out the round stick barrier).

the main problem is to fill the difference from the square hole to the cross, the stick fits in.
all i can imagine, it would look really crappy. i cant cut this plastic so precise that it would look good.
but maybe there is something like "liquid plastic", which becomes solid like glue. then it would be possible, although it wouldn't look too nice.

​

This is very important issue - how to modify the gp2x's case without making it ugly?