HardLabs

GB-LINK-USB-v1.0

Chisfamily·GB-Link-USB-Hardware·hw/v1.0/GB-LINK-USB-v1.0.kicad_pcb

GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 PCB layout, top view — open source RP2040/RP2350 board by Chisfamily

About the GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 PCB

GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 is an open source RP2040/RP2350 PCB design by Chisfamily, published on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board measuring 23.2 × 36.1 mm, with 45 components from 20 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, 15 resistors, 4 transistors, 3 connectors, 2 ICs and 1 crystal.

It belongs with the retro computing designs in this gallery.

From the project

An open-source USB adapter for the Game Boy Link Cable.

An open-source USB adapter for the Game Boy Link Cable.

The renders show the current v1.4 board; the bottom silkscreen reads GB-Link HW Rev 1.4 with date 20261007.

GB-LINK-USB is an RP2040-based hardware adapter that connects original Nintendo Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance systems to a computer over USB. Together with the open-source GBLink-Firmware, it brings modern connectivity and community-built tools to original Game Boy hardware.

GB-LINK-USB-v1.0, from the project README
From the project README

Main components on the GB-LINK-USB-v1.0

AP2112K-3.3TRG1RP2040

GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 bill of materials (BOM)

45 components, 20 distinct parts.

QtyPartRefs
1
AP2112K-3.3TRG1
U1
1
RP2040
U3
4
BSS138
Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4
1
12MHz
Y1
1
Breakout
J1
1
TSA343G00-250J2
J2
1
Conn_01x03
J3
1
ZD25WQ16CEIGR
FLASH1
1
TSA343G00-250J2
RSW1
1
TYPE-C-31-M-12
USB1
1
~
LED1
1
1N5819WS
D1
2
C1005X5R1E105K050BC
1uF
C1, C2
2
5pf
C3, C4
9
100nf
C5, C6, C9, C10, C11, C12, C13, C14 +1
2
1uf
C7, C8
9
10K
R1, R2, R3, R4, R7, R8, R9, R10 +1
2
5.1K
R5, R6
2
1K
R15, R18
2
27r
R16, R17

GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 design files

The KiCad project lives in the Chisfamily/GB-Link-USB-Hardware repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

GB-LINK-USB-v1.0: common questions

What microcontroller does the GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 use?

The GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 is built around the RP2040, from the RP2040/RP2350 family.

How big is the GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 PCB?

The GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 measures 23.2 × 36.1 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.2 mm thick.

How many components are on the GB-LINK-USB-v1.0?

45 components, from 20 distinct parts. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 design files?

From the Chisfamily/GB-Link-USB-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 GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 design in my own project?

The repository has no license, so all rights stay with Chisfamily. Use it as a reference, and ask the author before reusing the design.

Can I test firmware for the GB-LINK-USB-v1.0 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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