2 layers61 × 77.8 mm
2 layers34 × 60.1 mm
PicoLink
ashmita0307/PicoLink- Size
- 34 × 60.1 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 55
- Nets
- 80
- Pads
- 246
- Tracks, vias
- 1,079, 140
- Pours
- 1
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 10.0 (file 20260206)
- Created
- 1 Jul 2026
- Updated
- 30 Aug 2026
Overview
PicoLink is an open-source printed circuit board by ashmita0307, from the ashmita0307/PicoLink repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 34 × 60.1 mm with 55 parts on 80 nets, routed with 1,079 tracks and 140 vias.
It is built around the RP2040, W25Q32JVSSIQ and AMS1117-3.3, with the RAHPCUA20 and SP0503BAHTG among its other parts. Its parts include 15 resistors, 11 capacitors, 7 connectors, 4 switches and 3 ICs. It belongs with the RP2040 boards of this library.
Main components
5
RP2040
LQFN-56(7x7)12bit 133MHz 30 LQFN-56(7x7) Microcontrollers (MCU/MPU/SOC) ROHSRaspberry PiMicrocontrollers (MCU/MPU/SOC)
W25Q32JVSSIQ
SOIC-8-208mil-40℃~+85℃ 100,000 cycles 133MHz 1uA 2.7V~3.6V 20 Years 32Mbit 3ms SPI SOIC-8-208mil NOR FLASH ROHSWinbondNOR FLASH
AMS1117-3.3
SOT-223-40℃~+125℃ 0.003%Vout 1 1.1V@(800mA) 15V 1A 3.3V 5mA 72dB@(120Hz) Fixed Over Current Protection、Short Circuit Protection、Thermal shutdown Positive SOT-223 Voltage Regulators - Linear, Low Drop Out (LDO) Regulators ROHSAdvanced Monolithic SystemsVoltage Regulators - Linear, Low Drop Out (LDO) RegulatorsRAHPCUA20
-D-Sub / VGA ConnectorsSwitchcraft
SP0503BAHTG
SOT-143-55℃~+125℃ 10A@8/20us 14V 150W@8/20us 30pF、60pF 5.5V 6V 80nA ESD IEC 61000-4-2、IEC 61000-4-5、IEC 61000-4-4 Three channels Unidirectional SOT-143 ESD and Surge Protection (TVS/ESD) ROHSTECH PUBLICESD And Surge Protection (TVS/ESD)
README
README.mdPicoLink
An RP2040-based project for VGA graphics generation and USB composite device implementation.
Table of Contents
- PicoLink
- Table of Contents
- About The Project
- Features
- Project Workflow
- Hardware Used
- Breadboard Testing
- PCB Model
- Software Used
- Future Work
- Contributors
- Resources
- Acknowledgements
About The Project
PicoLink is an RP2040-based project focused on VGA graphics generation and USB communication. It uses PIO and DMA for efficient VGA output and implements a USB composite device with HID and CDC interfaces.
Features
- VGA output using RP2040
- Custom VGA graphics library
- Increased color support
- PIO-based VGA signal generation
- DMA-assisted data transfer
- Custom PCB design
- Space Invaders game
- Pacman game
Project Workflow
Research
- Understanding VGA standards, timing, and signal generation
- Studying the RP2040's PIO and DMA peripherals
- Reviewing existing VGA libraries and RP2040 implementations
VGA Graphics Development
- Implementing VGA signal generation using PIO
- Developing a custom VGA graphics library
- Implementing framebuffer-based graphics
- Increasing color support and optimizing memory usage
- Testing VGA output on a monitor
PCB Design
- Designing the PicoLink PCB around the RP2040
- Designing the VGA interface and USB connections
- Routing the PCB while considering signal integrity and hardware constraints
- Finalizing the PCB for manufacturing
USB Development
- Implementing USB HID functionality
- Implementing USB CDC communication
- Creating and understanding the required USB descriptors
- Integrating HID and CDC as a composite USB device
Game Development & Testing
- Developing Sngpace Invaders & Pacman using the custom VGA graphics library
- Integrating the game with the PicoLink hardware
- Testing VGA output, USB communication, and overall system performance
- Debugging and optimizing the final implementation
Hardware Used
| Components | Description |
|---|---|
| RP2040-Mitrocontroller | Microcontroller |
| 15-Pin VGA Connector | VGA-connector |
| 33O ohm Resistors | Resistor |
Breadboard Testing
- View of Breadboard VGA Connections:
PCB Model
- View of the PCB Model front and back:
|
|
- View of the PCB Routing - front and back:
|
|
Software Used
- PCB Design - KiCad 10.0.5
- Software development kit for RP2040 - Raspberry Pi Pico SDK
Future Work
- Develop a more memory-efficient rendering system
- Develop more games/examples using the custom graphics library
Contributors
Resources
Acknowledgements
- SRA VJTI Eklavya 2026
- Special thanks to our mentors Omkar Nanajkar, Moksh Panicker, and all the seniors at SRA, VJTI for their constant support and guidance throughout the project.
Parts
55| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 100n | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric | C6, C8, C9, C11, C14 |
| 5 | 1k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R5, R11, R14, R15, R16 |
| 4 | Conn_01x14_Pin | Connector_PinHeader_1.27mm:PinHeader_1x14_P1.27mm_Vertical | J6, J7, J8, J9 |
| 4 | SW_Push | Button_Switch_SMD:SW_SPST_B3U-1000P | SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5 |
| 3 | 330 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R7, R8, R10 |
| 2 | 10µ | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric | C1, C3 |
| 2 | 15p | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric | C12, C13 |
| 2 | 1µ | Capacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric | C7, C10 |
| 2 | 27.4 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R12, R13 |
| 2 | 330R | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R6, R17 |
| 2 | 5.1k | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R2, R3 |
| 2 | LED | LED_SMD:LED_0805_2012Metric | D1, D2 |
| 1 | 470 | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric | R9 |
| 1 | AMS1117-3.3 | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-223-3_TabPin2 | U2 |
| 1 | Crystal_GND24 | Crystal:Crystal_SMD_Abracon_ABM8AIG-4Pin_3.2x2.5mm | Y1 |
| 1 | DE15_Pins_HighDensity_MountingHoles | Connector_Dsub:DSUB-15-HD_Socket_Horizontal_P2.29x1.90mm_EdgePinOffset3.03mm_Housed_MountingHolesOffset4.94mm | J3 |
| 1 | G*** | kibuzzard-6A7FFF38 | kibuzzard-6A7FFF38 |
| 1 | G*** | kibuzzard-6A7FFBEB | kibuzzard-6A7FFBEB |
| 1 | G*** | kibuzzard-6A7FFFF4 | kibuzzard-6A7FFFF4 |
| 1 | G*** | kibuzzard-6A81CC8C | kibuzzard-6A81CC8C |
| 1 | G*** | kibuzzard-6A7FFF5E | kibuzzard-6A7FFF5E |
| 1 | G*** | kibuzzard-6A81CC73 | kibuzzard-6A81CC73 |
| 1 | G*** | kibuzzard-6A7FFF22 | kibuzzard-6A7FFF22 |
| 1 | G*** | kibuzzard-6A7FFF8E | kibuzzard-6A7FFF8E |
| 1 | G*** | kibuzzard-6A80000C | kibuzzard-6A80000C |
| 1 | G*** | kibuzzard-6A81CC96 | kibuzzard-6A81CC96 |
| 1 | LOGO | LOGO | G*** |
| 1 | RAHPCUA20 | Connector_USB:USB_A_TE_292303-7_Horizontal | J4 |
| 1 | RP2040 | Package_DFN_QFN:QFN-56-1EP_7x7mm_P0.4mm_EP3.2x3.2mm | U1 |
| 1 | SP0503BAHT | Package_TO_SOT_SMD:SOT-143 | D7 |
| 1 | USB_C_Receptacle_USB2.0_16P | Connector_USB:USB_C_Receptacle_GCT_USB4105-xx-A_16P_TopMnt_Horizontal | J1 |
| 1 | W25Q32JVSS | Package_SO:SOIC-8_5.3x5.3mm_P1.27mm | U5 |
Questions
How big is the PicoLink PCB?
It measures 34 × 60.1 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the PicoLink use?
55 parts, built around the RP2040, W25Q32JVSSIQ, AMS1117-3.3 and RAHPCUA20. 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 PicoLink KiCad files?
From the ashmita0307/PicoLink repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is PCB Files/PicoLink.kicad_pcb and its schematic PCB Files/PicoLink.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the PicoLink design in my own project?
Its repository states no licence, so its author keeps all rights: ask ashmita0307 before reusing the design.
Similar boards
- 2 layers78 × 60 mm
- 4 layers219 × 108.5 mm
Z80DevBoard
gianluca-rainis/Z80DevBoard
An advanced development board for the Z80 microprocessor, powered by an RP2040.
182 parts7CERN-OHL-S-2.0 - 2 layers100 × 165 mm
- 2 layers80 × 50 mm
- 4 layers120 × 80 mm
- 2 layers38 × 66.6 mm
- 2 layers30 × 45 mm
RP2040
gaelperez16/raspberry-pi-2040-PCB-design
Simple raspberry pi 2040 design w/ LIS3DH PCB design
40 parts1