HardLabs

Unicorn

danwerner21·TI99_22·unicornboard/unicorn/unicorn.kicad_pcb

Unicorn PCB layout, top view — open source ESP32 board by danwerner21
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About the Unicorn PCB

Unicorn is an open source ESP32 PCB design by danwerner21, published on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board measuring 100 × 60 mm, with 6 components from 3 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the ESP32_MODULE, from the ESP32 family. Other key parts include the HV-LV. By type, the board carries 5 ICs and 1 connector.

It belongs with the audio designs in this gallery.

From the project

a 2022 replica of the classic TI/994a, using obtainable parts

Note that this is not a fully tested project at this point. . . .

This is based Rob Krenicki's design that is based on the HackMac KiCAD schematics. I have made several changes to the original design including:

Placing 32K of 16bit wide fast ram on the board to fully populate the address space Placing an EPROM on the main board that can be used as an on-board cartridge ROM adding a header to allow a microcontroller to replace the GROM chips (hopefully this can be moved on-board soon) replacing the video DRAM with SRAM Updating the Keyboard header to support a soft caps lock switch on the…

Unicorn, from the project README
From the project README

Main components on the Unicorn

HV-LVESP32_MODULE

Unicorn bill of materials (BOM)

6 components, 3 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.

QtyPartRefs
4
HV-LV
U1, U2, U3, U4
1
ESP32_MODULE
U5
1
UNICORN PORT
J1

Unicorn design files

The KiCad project lives in the danwerner21/TI99_22 repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

Unicorn: common questions

What microcontroller does the Unicorn use?

The Unicorn is built around the ESP32_MODULE, from the ESP32 family.

How big is the Unicorn PCB?

The Unicorn measures 100 × 60 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the Unicorn?

6 components, from 3 distinct parts, with part numbers taken from the project's own BOM. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the Unicorn design files?

From the danwerner21/TI99_22 repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout, the schematic and the BOM; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the Unicorn design in my own project?

The repository has no license, so all rights stay with danwerner21. Use it as a reference, and ask the author before reusing the design.

Can I test firmware for the Unicorn without the hardware?

Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug ESP32 firmware against it before you order a PCB.

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