Jeremy W. Langston

Personal Website

Portable Console Emulator using a Raspberry Pi

Here’s a couple pictures from my last project:  tablet-based teleprompter with 15mm support rods and a quick disconnect camera system.  It turned out very well.  One of these days I’ll post up some more detail.

image image

 

But that project’s over and my shop is missing me.  This time I’m getting back to electronics.  Lately I’ve been playing the old NES games.  Well, when I say playing, I mean with my original NES.  I left a cartridge in the console the last time I played it and all of the pins got stressed, resulting in the blinking display.  This is typical when the pins connecting to the cartridge don’t make a good connection.  Bending them back was an easy fix, and didn’t even require the removal of the security chip.

Anyways, now I’m trying to make a portable system based on a Raspberry Pi.  Having installed the RetroPie distribution, running NES/SNES/Genesis/etc. emulators are a breeze.  I bought a few other components to make sure everything would work, and then started designing.

Portable Console v3 - 1Portable Console v3 - 2

Here’s what I’ve come up with.  I went through several revisions, trying to maximize space and portability.  At the same time, I tried to keep ergonomics in mind.  The size is a bit chunky, but feels good in the hand so far.  The enclosure is made of two pieces of polypropylene.  Originally I wanted it all milled out of solid aluminum.  Not wanting to spend 500 hrs making billions of passes milling, I chickened out for something much easier to machine (set RPMs low and make heavy cuts).

The parts I’m using are, mostly, shown below:  a Raspberry Pi, a 12V-5V switching regulator from eBay, a 4.3″ TFT car monitor from Amazon, a 12V LiPo battery with integrated charging and power switch components from eBay, and the little silicon pads from a Logitech Gravis Gamepad Pro that doesn’t work.  Oh, and a Teensy v3 to make the gamepad portion.

image

 

Since I’m splitting up the buttons from a traditional gamepad with the monitor in the middle, I needed some custom PCBs.  Gamepads work by closing circuits to ground via silicon pads with bits of carbon in it.  I could use some pushbuttons, but wanted to retain the nice action of a gamepad button.  Once I got the dimensions and button positions from Inventor, I made the PCB layout in DipTrace.  Then I used the tried and true laser toner, copper clad PC board, and ferric chloride PCB solution.  It took a few tries, but I like the results.

image  image

The 4.3″ TFT monitor is a great deal for $18.  I just need to make some changes to get it how I wanted.  First was to remove the case and hardwire the power to the battery and to the regulator.  Next I needed to remove the pushbuttons on the back of the monitor.  Eventually I’d like to control them via my Teensy microcontroller because they bring up the menu for setting things like brightness, etc.

image  image

When I first got the regulator I was a bit suspicious since it looked like there was a big glob of solder bridging a couple nodes.  Metering it all out it appears OK.

image  image

 

I then hardwired power and NTSC video directly to the Raspberry Pi.  The main regulator pads were the best place to supply 5V and bypass the USB port.

image  image

Lastly I started fabricating the front of the enclosure.  I’ve got about 8 hrs into it now and haven’t made any mistakes – yay!  Unfortunately I ran out of polypropylene and had to put in a new order.  In the meantime, I am going to make the buttons.  Well, that’s all for now…

 

50 Comments

  1. Effective blog you posted. I like your wording and style of writing. Such a totally great blog! evohoki daftar

  2. Denizliye özel bayan sitesi

  3. denizliye özel kaliteli denizli escort internet sitesi

  4. If you want lovely call girl services for wonderful sex then Melbourne independent escorts are perfect for you, and where you can select the sexy and hot girls.

  5. Get lovely call girl services for wonderful sex.

  6. The term “300-420 Questions and Answers” refers to a set of practice test questions that are frequently used to complement exam preparation. VCE stands for Virtual Certification test. The structure, format, and content of the genuine SAP-C02 exam are all replicated in these questions. Candidates can test their knowledge and skills with VCE questions to get a feel for the exam setting before taking the actual test.

  7. I recently explored the website https://crazy-crazy-time.com/ for real-time information on the Crazy Time online casino, and my experience was exceptionally positive. The site’s user-friendly interface made navigation a breeze, and the detailed information provided exceeded my expectations. Every aspect of the game, from rules to strategies, was thoroughly explained, leaving no room for confusion. The site not only answered all my queries but also offered valuable tips for a more enjoyable and strategic gaming experience. What stood out the most was the comprehensive coverage of the Crazy Time game, ensuring that players have access to the latest and most relevant information. The site’s commitment to providing updates and useful insights greatly contributed to my overall satisfaction. Playing Crazy Time after familiarizing myself with the site was genuinely enjoyable, thanks to the tips and strategies I gained.

  8. I spent many hours challenging myself and improving my Drift Hunters skills in this game.

  9. This is an awesome and helpful article for me

  10. Fantastic article.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.

  11. Fantastic article.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.

  12. You are absolutely right. I am using Raspberry Pi and got a lot of good information from this post. And now let me tell you about fashion this Monogrammed Valentine’s Day Crewneck Sweatshirt best for this winter season.

  13. Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how
    could i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a acceptable deal.

    I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear
    concept

  14. if you want to buy acrylic box for your consule, contact to: https://mrplexi.ir

  15. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web site before but
    after browsing through a few of the articles I realized
    it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I discovered it and I’ll be book-marking it
    and checking back often!

  16. اخبار روز تکنولوژی

  17. Great post, Thank you for Sharing This is very nice content, well-written and informative.

  18. Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
    A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog jump out.
    Please let me know where you got your design. Thank you

  19. Very good write-up. I certainly appreciate this website.
    Keep it up!

  20. Absolutely thrilled with my new solar panel setup in Chicago, Illinois! Found the best installer on Solar Power Systems’ website. Top virtue? Their seamless installation process! They handled our city’s unique regulations with ease. The crew was fast, efficient, and courteous—couldn’t be happier!

  21. Absolutely thrilled with my new solar panel setup in Chicago, Illinois! Found the best installer on Solar Power Systems’ website. Top virtue? Their seamless installation process! They handled our city’s unique regulations with ease.

  22. Absolutely thrilled with my new solar panel setup in Chicago, Illinois! Found the best installer on Solar Power Systems’ website. Top virtue? Their seamless installation process! The crew was fast, efficient, and courteous—couldn’t be happier! They handled our city’s unique regulations with ease.

  23. certainly like your web-site but you need to test
    the spelling on quite a few of your posts.
    A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very troublesome to tell the reality then again I will definitely come again again.

  24. Thank you for Sharing This is very nice content. Black Two Button Leather Blazer

  25. Incredible story there. What happened after? Good luck!

  26. You have a gift for bringing people together. Your ability to foster connections is a true talent.
    boom registration code

  27. The article struck the perfect balance between informative and entertaining. A great read!

  28. The author’s passion and knowledge shone through every paragraph. It was inspiring.

  29. Here’s a couple pictures from my last project: tablet-based teleprompter with 15mm support rods and a quick disconnect camera system. It turned out very well.

  30. This design is incredible! You most certainly know how to keep a reader amused.
    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job.
    I really enjoyed what you had to say, and
    more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  31. Viper Play ha contribuido a la globalización del deporte al brindar acceso a una amplia gama de eventos deportivos de todo el mundo. Ya no estás limitado a los deportes populares en tu viper play 2024 ahora puedes seguir equipos y atletas de cualquier lugar del mundo, lo que fomenta una apreciación más amplia y diversa por diferentes disciplinas deportivas.

  32. Viper Play ha contribuido a la globalización del deporte al brindar acceso a una amplia gama de eventos deportivos de todo el mundo. Ya no estás limitado a los deportes populares en tu https://viperplayes.com/ ahora puedes seguir equipos y atletas de cualquier lugar del mundo, lo que fomenta una apreciación más amplia y diversa por diferentes disciplinas deportivas.

  33. Greetings! I’ve been following your website for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Kingwood Texas!
    Just wanted to say keep up the excellent job!

  34. You really make it seem so easy along with your presentation however
    I in finding this matter to be actually something which I think I’d by no means understand.
    It seems too complex and extremely huge for me. I am looking forward in your next put up, I’ll try to get
    the cling of it!

  35. It was useful and good
    Of course, it could be the whole semester

  36. Hi there to every one, it’s truly a good for me to
    go to see this web site, it includes important Information.

  37. Appreciate this post. Will try it out.

  38. I am extremely inspired with your writing abilities as neatly as with the format to your weblog.

    Is this a paid subject matter or did you customize it yourself?
    Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it’s uncommon to see a great weblog like this one today..

  39. My brother recommended I may like this blog.
    He was once entirely right. This post truly made my day.
    You can not consider simply how a lot time I had spent for this info!
    Thanks!

  40. Your style is so unique compared to other folks I’ve read stuff from.
    Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this site.

  41. There is certainly a great deal to learn about this issue.
    I really like all of the points you made.

  42. What a topic about raspberry pi. Love to read blog. Keep posting.

  43. edwardsrailcar.com

    March 2, 2024 at 4:01 am

    Vau, nevjerojatna struktura webloga! Koliko dugo već blogujete?

    https://edwardsrailcar.com/
    olakšali ste pokretanje pogleda na blog.

  44. edwardsrailcar.com

    March 2, 2024 at 4:02 am

    Čo používa platforma WordPress pre vašu blogovú platformu? Vo svete blogov som nový, ale snažím sa začať a založiť si vlastný. 안전 토토사이트 Potrebujete na vytvorenie vlastného blogu nejaké znalosti kódovania? Akákoľvek pomoc by bola skutočne ocenená!

  45. Hi would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re
    working with? I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult
    time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your layout seems different then most blogs
    and I’m looking for something completely unique.
    P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!

  46. UV DTF” stands for “UltraViolet Direct-to-Film” printing. This method combines Direct-to-Film (DTF) printing with UV technology. In UV DTF printing, the design is printed onto a special film using UV-curable inks. The UV light then cures the ink, making it dry instantly and creating a durable and vibrant print. This technology offers high-quality results with precise details and vibrant colors, making it suitable for various applications in the printing industry, including apparel decoration, signage, and promotional materials. UV DTF printing is known for its efficiency, versatility, and ability to produce high-resolution prints on a wide range of substrates.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

© 2024 Jeremy W. Langston

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑