ThrottleBlaster

scrapcomputing·ThrottleBlaster·kicad/ThrottleBlaster.kicad_pcb

About the ThrottleBlaster PCB

ThrottleBlaster is an open source RP2040/RP2350 PCB design by scrapcomputing, published on GitHub under the GPL-2.0 license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 33.1 × 43.8 mm, with 34 components from 20 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the RaspberryPi_Pico, from the RP2040/RP2350 family. Other key parts include the 7SegmentDisplayTM1637, FloppyPower and MAX3232. By type, the board carries 10 connectors, 6 capacitors, 4 ICs, 3 jumpers, 3 switches and 2 transistors.

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

From the project

A Turbo circuit with a MHz display that can slow down the CPU speed

A Pi Pico-based Turbo circuit with a MHz display that reduces the effective frequency of fast CPUs by pulling down the STPCLK# pin at a specified frequency and duty-cycle.

This allows you to play speed-sensitive games, like Digger on a 1200MHz Athlon!

Since rev.0.8e we also support the Pico 2!

Videos: - Part 3 (rev 0.3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4OluJwGDEQ - Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGy8OmOe_34 - Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uNml2j6sy0

ThrottleBlaster, from the project README — From the project README

Main components on the ThrottleBlaster

7SegmentDisplayTM1637 RaspberryPi_Pico FloppyPower MAX3232

ThrottleBlaster bill of materials (BOM)

34 components, 20 distinct parts.

Qty	Part	Footprint	Refs
1	7SegmentDisplayTM1637	PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Vertical	U1
1	RaspberryPi_Pico	raspberry_pi_pico	U2
1	FloppyPower	PinHeader_1x04_P2.54mm_Horizontal	U3
1	MAX3232	SOIC-16W_5.3x10.2mm_P1.27mm	U4
2	2N7000	TO-92_Inline	Q1, Q2
1	Conn_01x01_Male	PinHeader_1x01_P2.54mm_Horizontal	J1
1	Serial	PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical	J2
8	SW_Push	PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical	P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8
1	MODE	PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical	JP1
1	POT Enable	PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical	JP2
1	ReverseDir	PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical	JP3
1	10K	PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical	Pot1
2	Conn_01x02_Male	PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Horizontal	RES1, RES2
2	SW_Push	PinHeader_1x02_P2.54mm_Vertical	SW1, SW3
1	Rotary_Encoder_Switch	RotaryEncoder_Alps_EC11E-Switch_Vertical_H20mm	SW2
1	D_Schottky	D_5W_P10.16mm_Horizontal	D1
1	100pF	C_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.33x1.80mm_HandSolder	C1
5	1uF	C_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.33x1.80mm_HandSolder	C2, C3, C4, C5, C6
1	1K	R_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.30x1.75mm_HandSolder	R1
1	100 Ohms	R_1206_3216Metric_Pad1.30x1.75mm_HandSolder	R2

ThrottleBlaster design files

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

Layoutkicad/ThrottleBlaster.kicad_pcb

ThrottleBlaster: common questions

What microcontroller does the ThrottleBlaster use?

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

How big is the ThrottleBlaster PCB?

The ThrottleBlaster measures 33.1 × 43.8 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the ThrottleBlaster?

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

Where can I download the ThrottleBlaster design files?

From the scrapcomputing/ThrottleBlaster repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the ThrottleBlaster design in my own project?

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

Can I test firmware for the ThrottleBlaster 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.