Difference between revisions of "LeapFrog Pollux Platform: Cartridge"

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(Created page with "= Cartridges = Detailed Pin info of the Cart Connector == Original Cartridge == Manufactured by Sandisk * s740878-1 * 4620329 * 0621 * 151-10043-07-a <gallery ...")
 
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= Cartridges =
+
== Details ==
[[Didj_Cart_Info|Detailed Pin info of the Cart Connector]]
+
The cartridge connector of the [[LeapFrog_Pollux_Platform|LeapFrog Pollux Platform]] family of devices makes available two very useful set of pins. There is a TTL level UART connection, and connections for an SD card. With a MAX232 level converter the UART can be connected to a terminal, to give you console access to your device. While hooking up an SD card can allow for extra storage or with some additional software, contain a bootable operating system.
== Original Cartridge ==
+
 
 +
== Pinout ==
 +
The cartridge connector has fairly easy access, once the case is removed, to solder wires on to it. A warning, it is tight, so you should be moderately experienced with soldering at least. You can use these pinouts to break out what connections you need, using this method.
 +
 
 +
[[LeapFrog_Pollux_Platform:_Cartridge_Pinout|Cartridge Connector Pinout]]
 +
 
 +
[[LeapFrog_Pollux_Platform:_Hardwire_Serial_Connection| Hardwire Serial Connection]]
 +
 
 +
== LeapFrog Cartridge ==
 +
=== LeapFrog OEM game cartridges ===
 +
Are usable on any iteration of LeapFrog Pollux Platform devices as they all use the same form factor. As for content each device is backwards compatible with the software.
 
Manufactured by Sandisk
 
Manufactured by Sandisk
 
* s740878-1
 
* s740878-1
Line 8: Line 18:
 
* 151-10043-07-a
 
* 151-10043-07-a
 
<gallery widths=200px>
 
<gallery widths=200px>
Image:cartfront.jpg|Original Cartridge Front
+
Image:cartfront.jpg|LeapFrog Cartridge Front
Image:cartback.jpg|Original Cartridge Back
+
Image:cartback.jpg|LeapFrog Cartridge Back
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
=== Hack an Original Cart ===
 +
* Features
 +
** Cheap and easy if you have the parts already.
 +
** Much easier than soldering to the connector in the device.
 +
* USB adapter pictured for UART access.
 +
<gallery widths=200px>
 +
Image:hacked.jpg|Modified original cartridge
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
  
== Custom Cartridges ==
+
== Buy a Custom Cartridge ==
=== DJHI ===
+
==== DJHI "Did Ja Hack It? ====
DJHI stand for "Did Ja Hack It?"
+
* Features
Right now you can only buy them fully assembled and tested from [http://www.jertechonline.com JerTechOnline.com]
+
** Completely built and ready to use, requires only USB to Serial adapter.
 +
** microSD socket
 +
 
 +
* Buy one at [http://www.jertechonline.com JerTechOnline.com]
 +
 
 
<gallery widths=200px>
 
<gallery widths=200px>
 
Image:DJHIbrdV28.png | Rendering of the board currently being shipped
 
Image:DJHIbrdV28.png | Rendering of the board currently being shipped
Line 24: Line 48:
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
=== Home Etched Didj Breakout Board ===
 
  
* Easy to make at home (can be made with a radioshack kit and a dremel)
+
== DIY Custom Cartridges ==
* The board layout was designed in eagle.
+
These are boards designed by people who provided the necessary files for you to order your own PCB, or etch one at home. If you have the know how, or need something special, this is a good place to start.
** The Eagle Board file [[media:dijibreakoutboard.zip|Download]]
+
 
** The Didj Edgecard connector library file [[media:LEAPFROG_DIJI_EDGECARD.zip|Download]]
+
==== All Pins Broken Out ====
*** You can use this to make any board you want.
+
* Features
** Edited Didj Cartridge library [http://alternet.us.com/other/LEAPFROG_DIdj.zip Download]
+
** Easy to make at home (can be made with a radioshack kit and a dremel)
*** (including outlines and keepout regions according to Awesomnesser's diagrams)
+
** Allows access to all connector pins.
* This cartridge locks in just like the real thing.
+
** Cartridge locks in like the OEM version.
** It is easy to do just superglue a small piece of FR4 in the corner and dremel a notch out. (see dimensions below)
+
 
 +
* PCB layout files.
 +
** [[media:dijibreakoutboard.zip|Eagle board file]]
 +
** [[media:LEAPFROG_DIJI_EDGECARD.zip|Edgecard connector library]]
 +
** [http://alternet.us.com/other/LEAPFROG_DIdj.zip Updated Cartridge library]
 +
 
 +
* Building the board.
 +
** Requires ability to etch your own PCBs
 +
** Superglue a small piece of FR4 in the corner and dremel a notch out. (see dimensions below)
 
** You will also need a spacer on the top and bottom and those dimensions are also included.
 
** You will also need a spacer on the top and bottom and those dimensions are also included.
  
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
=== Hack an Original Cart ===
 
  
* Modify an original cart to have a uart output
+
==== SD, USB Serial, and NAND Cartridge ====
<gallery widths=200px>
 
Image:hacked.jpg|Modified original cartridge
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
=== Claudes Cartridge ===
 
 
* Features
 
* Features
 
** Jumpers (For custom bootloader)
 
** Jumpers (For custom bootloader)
Line 59: Line 84:
 
** USB through a FTDI chip
 
** USB through a FTDI chip
 
** Optional NAND
 
** Optional NAND
* [http://sites.google.com/site/claudeschwarz/didjhacking2 Claudes Website]
+
* PCB layout files.
* [[media:ClaudesSchematic.pdf | Claudes Schematic]]
+
** [http://sites.google.com/site/claudeschwarz/didjhacking2 Claudes Website]
* [[media:ClaudesGerberFiles.zip | Claudes Gerber Files]]
+
** [[media:ClaudesSchematic.pdf | Claudes Schematic]]
 +
** [[media:ClaudesGerberFiles.zip | Claudes Gerber Files]]
 
<gallery widths=200px>
 
<gallery widths=200px>
 
Image:claudesboardrendered.jpg|Rendering
 
Image:claudesboardrendered.jpg|Rendering
Line 67: Line 93:
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
=== SD and USB Serial Cart ===
 
  
 +
==== SD and USB Serial Cart ====
 +
* Board untested, use at your own risk.
 
* Features
 
* Features
 
** Fits (mostly) within the Didj
 
** Fits (mostly) within the Didj
Line 75: Line 102:
 
** Includes solder jumpers for custom bootloader
 
** Includes solder jumpers for custom bootloader
 
** Open Eagle source files (CC Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike)
 
** Open Eagle source files (CC Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike)
* [http://alternet.us.com/other/SD_UART-2.pdf Front and Back PDF]
+
* PCB layout files.
* [http://alternet.us.com/other/SD_UART-2.zip Eagle files]
+
** [http://alternet.us.com/other/SD_UART-2.pdf Front and Back PDF]
* [http://batchpcb.com/index.php/Products/27971 BatchPCB public design]
+
** [http://alternet.us.com/other/SD_UART-2.zip Eagle files]
* Comments welcome!
+
** [http://batchpcb.com/index.php/Products/27971 BatchPCB public design]
** Gerbers haven't been made yet.  Please post comments here, or as a message to me.
+
 
** I think the design is correct based on Claude's schematic and Awesomenesser's diagrams, but I can't be sure.
+
== UART With Out Cartridge ==
** Later, I'll have this produced by BatchPCB, I'll post a link to the public design on that site, if others want boards made.
+
It is possible to directly solder wires to the back of the cartridge connector.
 +
 
 +
==== Connecting w/o Cartridge ====
 +
If you don't have a cartridge that breaks out the necessary connections, and you're good with a soldering iron, you can carefully solder on the necessary wires to the internal connections. Then bring the wires out to your serial adapter of choice.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
[[File:didj-uart.jpg|thumb|350px|left|TX, RX, GND, and VCC soldered directly to the pins.]]
 +
* Green UART-TX
 +
* Grey UART-RX
 +
* Black GROUND
 +
* Red +3.3V
 +
[[File:didj-cart-pinout.jpg|left|thumb|350px|Picture of the pinout of the LeapFrog Pollux Platform cartridge slot (Underside).]]
 +
[[Category:Didj]]
 +
[[Category:Leapster Explorer]]
 +
[[Category:LeapPad Explorer]]
 +
[[Category:LeapFrog Pollux Platform]]

Revision as of 13:07, 27 July 2011

Details

The cartridge connector of the LeapFrog Pollux Platform family of devices makes available two very useful set of pins. There is a TTL level UART connection, and connections for an SD card. With a MAX232 level converter the UART can be connected to a terminal, to give you console access to your device. While hooking up an SD card can allow for extra storage or with some additional software, contain a bootable operating system.

Pinout

The cartridge connector has fairly easy access, once the case is removed, to solder wires on to it. A warning, it is tight, so you should be moderately experienced with soldering at least. You can use these pinouts to break out what connections you need, using this method.

Cartridge Connector Pinout

Hardwire Serial Connection

LeapFrog Cartridge

LeapFrog OEM game cartridges

Are usable on any iteration of LeapFrog Pollux Platform devices as they all use the same form factor. As for content each device is backwards compatible with the software. Manufactured by Sandisk

  • s740878-1
  • 4620329
  • 0621
  • 151-10043-07-a


Hack an Original Cart

  • Features
    • Cheap and easy if you have the parts already.
    • Much easier than soldering to the connector in the device.
  • USB adapter pictured for UART access.


Buy a Custom Cartridge

DJHI "Did Ja Hack It?

  • Features
    • Completely built and ready to use, requires only USB to Serial adapter.
    • microSD socket


DIY Custom Cartridges

These are boards designed by people who provided the necessary files for you to order your own PCB, or etch one at home. If you have the know how, or need something special, this is a good place to start.

All Pins Broken Out

  • Features
    • Easy to make at home (can be made with a radioshack kit and a dremel)
    • Allows access to all connector pins.
    • Cartridge locks in like the OEM version.
  • Building the board.
    • Requires ability to etch your own PCBs
    • Superglue a small piece of FR4 in the corner and dremel a notch out. (see dimensions below)
    • You will also need a spacer on the top and bottom and those dimensions are also included.


SD, USB Serial, and NAND Cartridge


SD and USB Serial Cart

  • Board untested, use at your own risk.
  • Features
    • Fits (mostly) within the Didj
    • Includes an FTDI FT232RL USB-Serial adaptor for Bootloader and Serial Console
    • Includes SD card slot
    • Includes solder jumpers for custom bootloader
    • Open Eagle source files (CC Attribution, Non-Commercial, Share Alike)
  • PCB layout files.

UART With Out Cartridge

It is possible to directly solder wires to the back of the cartridge connector.

Connecting w/o Cartridge

If you don't have a cartridge that breaks out the necessary connections, and you're good with a soldering iron, you can carefully solder on the necessary wires to the internal connections. Then bring the wires out to your serial adapter of choice.


TX, RX, GND, and VCC soldered directly to the pins.
  • Green UART-TX
  • Grey UART-RX
  • Black GROUND
  • Red +3.3V
Picture of the pinout of the LeapFrog Pollux Platform cartridge slot (Underside).