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MicroPicoDrive

arleybls·micropicodrive-ng-hardware·MicroPicoDrive/MicroPicoDrive.kicad_pcb

MicroPicoDrive PCB layout, top view — open source RP2040/RP2350 board by arleybls

About the MicroPicoDrive PCB

MicroPicoDrive is an open source RP2040/RP2350 PCB design by arleybls, published on GitHub under the MIT license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 66 × 59 mm, with 17 components from 11 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the Pico, from the RP2040/RP2350 family. Other key parts include the SN74LVC1T45DBVR, TXU0304QPWRQ1 and AMS1117-5.0. By type, the board carries 8 capacitors, 5 ICs, 3 connectors and 1 resistor.

It belongs with the displays & leds designs in this gallery.

From the project

KiCad hardware design for an internal Microdrive replacement for the Sinclair QL. The device emulates a Microdrive cartridge drive using a Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040) and stores data on a microSD card, fitting in the QL's internal Microdrive bay.

KiCad hardware design for an internal Microdrive replacement for the Sinclair QL. The device emulates a Microdrive cartridge drive using a Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040) and stores data on a microSD card, fitting in the QL's internal Microdrive bay.

This is an evolution of gusmanb/micropicodrive by Agustín Gimenez Bernad, who reverse-engineered the Microdrive protocol and created the original design. All credit for the core concept and the main board design goes to him.

MicroPicoDrive, from the project README
From the project README

Main components on the MicroPicoDrive

SN74LVC1T45DBVRTXU0304QPWRQ1PicoAMS1117-5.0

MicroPicoDrive bill of materials (BOM)

17 components, 11 distinct parts.

QtyPartRefs
2
SN74LVC1T45DBVR
IC1, IC2
1
TXU0304QPWRQ1
IC3
1
Pico
U2
1
AMS1117-5.0
U4
1
Conn_02x16
J1
1
QL_CONN
J2
1
53261-0371
PicoBlade-53261-0371
J3
6
100nf
C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6
1
10uf
C7
1
22uf
C8
1
4k7
R1

MicroPicoDrive design files

The KiCad project lives in the arleybls/micropicodrive-ng-hardware repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

MicroPicoDrive: common questions

What microcontroller does the MicroPicoDrive use?

The MicroPicoDrive is built around the Pico, from the RP2040/RP2350 family.

How big is the MicroPicoDrive PCB?

The MicroPicoDrive measures 66 × 59 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the MicroPicoDrive?

17 components, from 11 distinct parts. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the MicroPicoDrive design files?

From the arleybls/micropicodrive-ng-hardware repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout and the schematic; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the MicroPicoDrive design in my own project?

Yes, under the terms of its MIT license, which arleybls chose for the repository.

Can I test firmware for the MicroPicoDrive without the hardware?

Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug RP2040/RP2350 firmware against it before you order a PCB.

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