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C64 Joykey 2040

tebl·C64-JoyKEY·C64 Joykey 2040/C64 Joykey 2040.kicad_pcb

C64 Joykey 2040 PCB layout, top view — open source RP2040/RP2350 board by tebl

About the C64 Joykey 2040 PCB

C64 Joykey 2040 is an open source RP2040/RP2350 PCB design by tebl, published on GitHub under the CERN-OHL-1.2 license. It is a 2-layer board measuring 99.7 × 74.9 mm, with 64 components from 32 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the RP2040-Zero, from the RP2040/RP2350 family. By type, the board carries 26 diodes, 14 resistors, 13 switches, 4 modules, 3 connectors and 2 jumpers.

It belongs with the retro computing, keyboards and test & measurement designs in this gallery.

From the project

WASD-style joystick for vintage computers. With an added Arduino Pro Micro you can use it as a USB-keyboard, so if you wanted a DIY streamdeck or Macro-keyboard - then the C64 JoyKEY can do that as well.

With options to handle multiple types of systems comes complexity, you'll have to make a few decisions on what you want out of the C64 JoyKEY. Do I only want to use it as a joystick replacement on vintage systems, ideally with 2-3 fire buttons where supported? If so, then you won't need the Arduino Pro Micro.

Want to use it on a modern system as a WASD-style keyboard or a gamepad, then install it - a common use of these types of devices is as a macro-keyboard or a stream-deck. Note that compared to many similar solutions, the microcontroller is not required for use with any of the vintage…

C64 Joykey 2040, from the project README
From the project README

Main components on the C64 Joykey 2040

RP2040-Zero

C64 Joykey 2040 bill of materials (BOM)

64 components, 32 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.

QtyPartRefs
1
RP2040-Zero
U1
4
Mounting
M1, M2, M3, M4
1
2N3904
Q1
1
Port_1
J1
1
Port_2
J2
1
Expansion
J4
1
KEY_LED
JP7
1
VCC_EN
JP8
1
UP
SW1
1
DOWN
SW2
1
LEFT
SW3
1
RIGHT
SW4
1
P1_FIRE4
SW5
1
P2_FIRE1
SW6
1
P1_FIRE1
SW7
1
P1_FIRE3
SW8
1
P2_FIRE2
SW9
1
P1_FIRE2
SW10
1
P2_FIRE3
SW11
1
P1_FIRE5
SW12
Show 12 more
QtyPartRefs
1
P1_FIRE6
SW13
1
PWR
D1
1
1N5819
POL
D2
2
1n5819
D3, D26
15
1N4148
D4, D12, D13, D14, D15, D16, D17, D18 +7
7
LED
D5, D6, D7, D8, D9, D10, D11
1
270
R1
1
470
270
R2
9
330
R3, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11 +1
1
100
R4
1
220
R13
1
680
R14

C64 Joykey 2040 design files

The KiCad project lives in the tebl/C64-JoyKEY repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

C64 Joykey 2040: common questions

What microcontroller does the C64 Joykey 2040 use?

The C64 Joykey 2040 is built around the RP2040-Zero, from the RP2040/RP2350 family.

How big is the C64 Joykey 2040 PCB?

The C64 Joykey 2040 measures 99.7 × 74.9 mm, has 2 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the C64 Joykey 2040?

64 components, from 32 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 C64 Joykey 2040 design files?

From the tebl/C64-JoyKEY 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 C64 Joykey 2040 design in my own project?

Yes, under the terms of its CERN-OHL-1.2 license, which tebl chose for the repository.

Can I test firmware for the C64 Joykey 2040 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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