Picoloader

Auroxin·picoloader-hw·hw/v1.1A/picoloader.kicad_pcb

About the Picoloader PCB

Picoloader is an open source RP2040/RP2350 PCB design by Auroxin, published on GitHub under the GPL-2.0 license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 27.2 × 36 mm, with 34 components from 19 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the RP2040, from the RP2040/RP2350 family. Other key parts include the AP2112K-3.3TRG1. By type, the board carries 15 capacitors, 8 resistors, 3 diodes, 2 ICs, 2 connectors and 1 crystal.

From the project

Open-hardware PicoLoader for the Nintendo GameCube: a solderless RP2040 modchip. KiCad 10 sources for the v1.1A (2 MB) and v1.2A (16 MB) boards, the 30-pin flex PCB and the 3D-printed mounting parts. GPL-2.0.

The 2 MB revision, still sold alongside v1.2A.

27.21 × 36.04 mm, 39 footprints SPI flash ZD25WQ16DEIGR (2 MB), USON-8 3×2 mm * footprints migrated to the standard KiCad libraries, silkscreen artwork added

PicoLoader firmware is supported but has to be flashed, and Swiss usually needs a separate setup step. See v1.2A for the 16 MB version that ships preloaded.

Open picoloader.kicadpro` with KiCad 10 or newer.

Picoloader, from the project README — From the project README

Main components on the Picoloader

AP2112K-3.3TRG1 RP2040

Picoloader bill of materials (BOM)

34 components, 19 distinct parts.

Qty	Part	Footprint	Refs
1	AP2112K-3.3TRG1	SOT-23-5	U1
1	RP2040	RP2040-QFN-56	U3
1	12MHz	Crystal_SMD_3225-4Pin_3.2x2.5mm	Y1
1	Conn_01x30	Hirose_FH12-30S-0.5SH_1x30-1MP_P0.50mm_Horizontal	J1
1	TSA343G00-250J2	SW_Push_SPST_NO_Alps_SKRK	J2
1	ZD25WQ16DEIGR	Winbond_USON-8-1EP_3x2mm_P0.5mm_EP0.2x1.6mm	FLASH1
1	TSA343G00-250J2	SW_Push_SPST_NO_Alps_SKRK	RSW1
1	TYPE-C-31-M-12	HRO-TYPE-C-31-M-12	USB2
2	1N5819WS	D_SOD-323	D1, D3
1	LED	LED_0603_1608Metric	D2
2	5pf	C_0402_1005Metric	C2, C19
2	1uf	C_0603_1608Metric	C3, C10
9	100nf	C_0402_1005Metric	C5, C6, C7, C8, C11, C13, C15, C16 +1
2	C1005X5R1E105K050BC 1uF	C_0603_1608Metric	C14, C17
2	1K	R_0402_1005Metric	R1, R11
1	10K	R_0402_1005Metric	R2
2	27r	R_0402_1005Metric	R3, R4
2	5.1K	R_0402_1005Metric	R9, R10
1	470r	R_0402_1005Metric	R13

Picoloader design files

The KiCad project lives in the Auroxin/picoloader-hw repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

Layouthw/v1.1A/picoloader.kicad_pcb
Schematichw/v1.1A/picoloader.kicad_sch

Picoloader: common questions

What microcontroller does the Picoloader use?

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

How big is the Picoloader PCB?

The Picoloader measures 27.2 × 36 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.2 mm thick.

How many components are on the Picoloader?

34 components, from 19 distinct parts. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the Picoloader design files?

From the Auroxin/picoloader-hw repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout and the schematic; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the Picoloader design in my own project?

Yes, under the terms of its GPL-2.0 license, which Auroxin chose for the repository.

Can I test firmware for the Picoloader 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.