Snes Controller Mod

[Daz_Genetic]

http://www.gamesx.com/controldata/nessnes.htm

So I was looking at this site with specifics of the S/NES controller. With the intention of possibly of modding one to go into the EXT port of the GP32 (Or making a non destructive adapter). It all seems pretty simple as the pad only has one serial data line.

The problem is that it looks like the pad requires a 5v power suppy. I don't know a hell of a lot about electronics (i'm learning), but is it at all possible that the 3.3v output of the GP32 would be enough to run the joypad? Or is this just a waste of everybody's time.

 

[Mash]

It's quite possible that it may run with the 3.3 v it's worth trying, the problem is that you'll need software to interpret the data stream of the controller.

 

[Daz_Genetic]

Yeah I understand that. I just figured it would be possible to hack the chatboard drivers to interpret the data stream. I wouldn't be able to figure all this out on my own, so I'm really in need of help, but I have just got into molding and I reckon I could make a decent adapter for this purpose.

I thought it would be a much easier task than molding the entire GP32 casing, which will be my next project

 

[ColinR]

I had a PC parallel port adapter for a PSX Pad (bear with me on this) called DirectPad Pro. I got it from Aldo's Tools ( www.aldostools.com I think). As well as PSX it also supports Snes/Megadrive/Atari/Saturn/N64 (basically you name it). There maybe something there that helps (maybe a technical document outlining what the techrequirements are for a Snes pad).

I actually put together the cable for the Playstation and it's a pretty inelegant way of doing it (5 diodes to create 5V steady current, a few leads off and all the real work done in software). I don't use it now - I found an Xbox to USB converter schematic. Made up 3 of the buggers but my PC will only power two of them (my XBox arcade sticks draw 400mA - I need a powered usb hub).

 

[carlgeorge]

Daz,
This indeed sounds quite promising, and you should have no problem getting 5V control pad working on 3.3V as long as it doesn't contain a complex processor (the one that converts all the signals for fewer wires). One thing I would be worried about though is the responsiveness of a controller connected to the EXT port.
Anyway good luck with this and that Lambo game you're working on, I am following them with interest.

P.S. how would you hold the Gamepark and the pad at the same time? In fact...

How about making two addtional buttons that stick-on to the GP case below the A & B buttons, then increase the length of the original buttons to match the new ones with little stick-on extenders. [That makes sense to me anyway]

 

[Skop]

Mashmods mod the snes controller to gp32 don't they?

Try asking them, although I doubt you'd an answer. Don't want to lose business!!

 

[Daz_Genetic]

Mashmods mod both your GP32, and your SNES joypad. If you are happy with such a solution, that is cool, but What I am planning is a solution that works with an Unmodifed SNES pad, plugged into an unmodifed GP32. I also want the extra buttons to be functional.

I have no idea of how responsive it would be, but I beleive that 9600 baud relates to about 1 char every thousands of a second. The SNES pad requires 2 bytes, so I assume you could get the pad's state every 500th of a second at best. Please feel free to give me more information regarding this. I may be totally wrong about all of this.

As far as holding it, I am thinking that I would take that into account when molding the adapter. I was thinking the SNES joypad adapter could actually double as some kind of docking station stand (I will post some concepts later). All that it would require is for me to make a Clay prototype, and then I can mould the real cases afterwards. I was even thinking that it may be possible for this stand to support two controllers. This would allow emulator coders to actually leave multiplayer support in their emulators. (though that feature would probably require a battery compartment too)

What I need is someone who really knows how to do this to offer some assistance. I have the knowledge as far as case design/molding, and I have a small amount of soldering/hardware experience. I also have a basic/intermediate knowledge of C programming. I just don't think I will be able to do this on my own. I'm looking for someone who already knows the information I am going to have to research to make this possible.

Please help as much as you can.

 

[Squidge]

Well, with the pad having both a clock and data, you couldn't really do it with rs232-type comms. I2C is about as close as you'll get, and this just happens to be provided on the ext connector. I don't know if you can control both the i2c line directly though (but then again, if you could, it may upset the other i2c devices on those lines, such as the sound chip and eeprom). I'd have to check the Samsung datasheet.

 

[Steve-O]

Try it and see what happens .. if it works let us know what u did hehe gp32_console

 

[Daz_Genetic]

Squidge, thank you for the extra information. Let us know if you come across anything in thos documents. I would look myself, but I doubt I would understand any of it. If the SNES pad proves to be too difficult, or impossible, I am not against looking at other alternatives. For example, there are the 6button Genesis controllers (my favourite of all time, perfect layout for Streetfighter II), and there are a bunch of SNES-a-like controllers made for other systems. Perhaps making a PC Gameport adapter would be possible.

I really don't know. I just want for my emulation experience to be improved with the option of having more buttons.

 

[peshay]

This would be great, i posted a thread about the same thing a while ago. I dont know anything about electronics though. I would love to see a (early) playstation controller connected to the gp32!!! here is something interesting i just found: Playstation

 

[Squidge]

The N64 joypad may be possible, as it only requires one control line, which we could *possibly* control via UMCON0 (disable AFC, and use RTS/CTS). Would require a small amount of additional electronics. Most of the other controllers would require some kind of microcontroller (few £) to turn the data into something the gp32 can understand.

 

[Daz_Genetic]

Actually I was going to reply with an idea similar to that, but I was waiting to see what you thought. I figured that I could build a small circuit that interprets the joypad's output and sends it in a GP32 friendly format. That way, a number of different controllers could be supported by the same system.

I really have no idea where to start, but I think this is pretty possible. I want to go ahead anyway as a learning experience, but I also beleive there are a lot of possibilies that could be opened with such a device.

Squidge, as you appear to know a bit about this. Do you want to drop me an email with any ideas, or maybe just a point in the right direction. I'm happy to do the construction myself (i'm pretty good with a soldering iron), but as far as knowing what microcontroller to choose, I really have no idea.

 

[EvilDragon]

Hm, I have an USB adaptor for my PC where I can use a PSX controller AND a N64 controller (switchable, not at the same time).
3.3v can easily be upconverted to 5v, it decreases the ampere, but as long as the pads / usb adapter doesn't need too much, it should work.

So if someone writes a driver, you could be able to create a cable which fits both into the miniusb (for connection) and EXT-port (for power) and use your joypad that way...

 

[Squidge]

Well, personally, I'd use something like a ST72C216(G1) or maybe it's bigger brother to support more pads, the ST72C314, both by STMicroelectronics. I'd only choose these however because we use lots of them at work. You may be better of with the PIC series of controllers - so I'd check Microchips website.

 

[Daz_Genetic]

Here is a concept mock-up of what I plan to build.

Anyone got any comments/crits on the design? Would you want such a device if it proves to be possible?

 

[greenmikey]

looks nice, thats almost exactly what I was envisioning when this whole thing started..I dont know anyhting about making molds and whatnot. Do you have a link or feel the need to explain the process? because that looks wonderful honestly.

 

[Daz_Genetic]

It's dead easy. I did clay molding when I was at Art school, but recently I discovered Aluminite. They have a range of products for tasks just like this. The only difficult thing is making the actual prototype casing to take the molds from. But like I said, that is something I have experience with. I can make a clay mockup, mold and cast a solid resin model. I will then sand, refine and machine out the insides to house the circuitry.

If there is anyone who wants to take on the task of designing a working circuit (I can build the final units), I would happily reward them with a reasonable percentage of any money made from sales of these adapters. I've come to the conclusion that I just don't know enough about electronics to get this working in a short enough time to be of any use. By the time I get something working, it may be too late for anyone to add support for it in their emulators. I really want this finished while the community is still buzzing.

Please reply here or email if you want to take on this challenge.

 

[Daz_Genetic]

*bump*

Anyone? nigelbrown?, Robster?, lek?