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2 layers43.6 × 49.8 mmXBOX RTC, the printed circuit board in 3D

A supplemental Real Time Clock for the Original Xbox

Size
43.6 × 49.8 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
0.8 mm
Parts
30
Nets
15
Pads
40
Tracks, vias
96, 19
Pours
2
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 8.0 (file 20240108)
Created
28 Jul 2024
Updated
27 Sep 2024

Overview

XBOX RTC is an open-source printed circuit board by Andr-Zero, from the Andr-Zero/X-RTC repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 43.6 × 49.8 mm with 30 parts on 15 nets, routed with 96 tracks and 19 vias.

It is built around the DS3231MZ/V+. Its parts include 1 capacitor and 1 IC.

Main components

1

README

README.md

X-RTC

A supplemental Real Time Clock for the Original Xbox

The Original Xbox does not keep time when unplugged for an extended period of time. While some homebew apps have NTP functionality built in, not everyone plugs the console into their home network every time they play.

Designed so the battery is only used when AC power is removed from the console. A CR2032 in theory should last 6-10 years when constantly being used. Should work with any modchip and TSOPed consoles. Have not tested with BFM BIOSes.

SDA\SDL from the console are also brought to a set of solder pads for ease of installation of any other mod that may require them.

Board Specifications

0.8mm thick, castellated holes on all sides.

1.0-1.4 Installation

On the bottom of the Xbox motherboard. If you have a pinheader already installed, remove excessive solder from the pins outlined in purple and any that would interfere with the installation of the X-RTC QSB. Install the QSB onto the LPC port as shown above, make sure the QSB is sitting flush against the board. While keeping the QSB aligned, solder the QSB to the LPC port and the ground point outlined in black. Run a short wire from the console's 3.3v standby outlined in red to the 3v3 StdBy pad on the QSB. Lastly wire a 3v battery to the Positive and Negative solder pads on the QSB.

1.6 Installation

On the bottom of the Xbox motherboard. Remove any existing LPC rebuild QSB or wires that maybe installed. If a pinheader is already installed, remove solder from the bottom of the pinheader. No need to remove the pinheader, just enough for the X-RTC QSB can sit flush against the board. Solder the various LAD points first, then the ground connections around the QSB, solder the QSB to the LPC port and pinheader last. Make sure the solder is connecting to the QSB, pinheader, and the main board. All the edge points on the QSB need to contact the board. Since the 1.6 consoles have it’s standby voltage on the LPC, no need to run a wire like the early revisions. Last step is wiring a 3v battery to the Positive and Negative solder pads on the QSB. Your install should look like the 1.6 install at the top of this README

BOM

PartDescriptionDigikey Link
0.1 uFGeneric 0.1uF Ceramic Caphttps://www.digikey.com/short/408q3vwn
DS3231MZI2C Real Time Clockhttps://www.digikey.com/short/m05dd78z
XC6206P332MR3.3v Regulator for 1.6 ONLYhttps://www.digikey.com/short/bqdqftzn

Software

Cerbios 2.4.0 or higher is required to use X-RTC.

; Enables Automatic Time Sync With Optional RTC Hardware Connected to SMBus

RtcEnable = True

Using a Chip that can use PrometheOS: Version 1.4.0 or higher is able to set the time, enable RTC in PrometheOS Settings. (Rebooting recommended)

TSOP or Other: Download the X-RTC.xbe into your Apps folder, within you can set the time.

Once the time is set and Cerbios is configured. The time on the console will set automatically on boot.

License, Credits, & Thanks

The hardware and it's related files is licensed under CERN-OHL-S v2 or later version. See License.txt, cern_ohl_s_v2.txt, and cern_ohl_s_v2_user_guide.txt for details.

1.6 LPC rebuild portion by Kekule. -> https://github.com/Kekule-OXC/OXC_LPCorrectr

Team Resurgent for the idea, PrometheOS, and the XBE.

Cerbios team for including functionality into their BIOS.

Parts

30
QtyValueFootprintReferences
10.1uFCapacitor_SMD:C_0603_1608MetricC1
1Batt +TestPads-Custom:TestPoint_Pad_1.0x2.0mmTP5
1Batt -TestPads-Custom:TestPoint_Pad_1.0x2.0mmTP6
1DS3231MZPackage_SO:SOIC-8_3.9x4.9mm_P1.27mmU1
1SCLTestPads-Custom:TestPoint_Pad_1.0x2.0mmTP1
1SDATestPads-Custom:TestPoint_Pad_1.0x2.0mmTP2
1TestPointTestPoint:TestPoint_THTPad_2.5x2.5mm_Drill1.2mmTP3

The 7 most common of 30 parts.

Questions

How big is the XBOX RTC PCB?

It measures 43.6 × 49.8 mm and has 2 copper layers, 0.8 mm thick.

What parts does the XBOX RTC use?

30 parts, built around the DS3231MZ/V+. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.

Where can I download the XBOX RTC KiCad files?

From the Andr-Zero/X-RTC repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is Project Files/Rev2 + QSB/XBOX RTC.kicad_pcb. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the XBOX RTC design in my own project?

Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask Andr-Zero before reusing the design.

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1
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