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2 layers58.4 × 50.8 mmZaxCart, the printed circuit board in 3D

A kicad implementation of a C64 cartridge with potential to be used as a Super Zaxxon compatible cart

Size
58.4 × 50.8 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
8
Nets
44
Pads
109
Tracks, vias
227, 16
Pours
2
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 5 (file 20171130)
Created
25 Aug 2021
Updated
25 Aug 2021

Overview

ZaxCart is an open-source printed circuit board by jsanpe, from the jsanpe/ZaxCart repository on GitHub, published under the MIT licence. It is a 2-layer board of 58.4 × 50.8 mm with 8 parts on 44 nets, routed with 227 tracks and 16 vias.

It is built around the 74LS00SC and 74LS74PC. Its parts include 4 ICs, 3 capacitors and 1 connector.

Main components

2

README

README.md

ZaxCart

A kicad implementation of a C64 cartridge with potential to be used as a Super Zaxxon compatible cart

Description

This Kicad project implements a C64 cartridge with an EEPROM socket and some external logic that can be use from the C64. A similar concept was used for the Super Zaxxon cartridge, which theoretically this cart could support. Its main purpose is to be able to test PLA and other ICs from the C64 by running particularly demanding code to stress the whole system.

Cart Picture

This PCB is directly derived from the OpenC64Cart by SukkoPera, so all the credit for him for most of the footprints used.

Manufacturing the PCB

This is a pretty straightforward 2-layer PCB with few components. The gerbers attached can be directly used to get the PCB manufactured for you. It is important for the health of the C64 to ask for bevelled edges with Immersion (ENIG) or Hard Gold contacts. These extra features will cost you some extra cash, but will save you issues with your machines in the long run.

Soldering Components

The PCB has been designed to use SMD capacitors. I went for 0805s as this size is pretty manageable and allows for using 0603s (which is my main inventory) without issue. The capacitors are located below the sockets for the ICs, so remember to solder them first :)

Firmware

This project does not include any particular firmware. Depending on your target use, you may find this page about replicating the Super Zaxxon cart useful. You can of course code your own C64 applications. In any case, a good EEPROM programmer and a batch of 27512 memories will come extra handy. Remember to buy the eletrically erasable parts, they are dirt cheap and really convenient.

Note: I will not be responding any issues or questions regarding firmware/software to be used with this cart.

BOM

ValueDesignatorFootprint
100nFC1, C2,C3Capacitor_SMD:C_0805
27512U2DIP-28_W15.24mm_Socket
74LS74U3DIP-14_W7.62mm_Socket
74LS00U4DIP-14_W7.62mm_Socket

License

This project is licensed under the terms of the MIT License. The original OpenC64Cart project does not currently name any licenses, so this could change in the future if an imcompatibility between licenses is identified. However, the current limitations of liability and warranty will always hold.

Parts

8
QtyValueFootprintReferences
2100nFCapacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolderC2, C3
1100nCapacitor_SMD:C_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.18x1.45mm_HandSolderC1
127512Package_DIP:DIP-28_W15.24mm_SocketU2
174LS00Package_DIP:DIP-14_W7.62mm_SocketU4
174LS74Package_DIP:DIP-14_W7.62mm_SocketU3
1C64-Exp-PortOpenC64Cart:C64-CartU1
1PEG_HOLEConnectors:1pinJ99

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Questions

How big is the ZaxCart PCB?

It measures 58.4 × 50.8 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the ZaxCart use?

8 parts, built around the 74LS00SC and 74LS74PC. 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 ZaxCart KiCad files?

From the jsanpe/ZaxCart repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is ZaxCart.kicad_pcb. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the ZaxCart design in my own project?

Its repository publishes it under the MIT licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).