2 layers65 × 30 mm VGA Zero, the printed circuit board in 3D

VGA Zero

VGA interface for Raspberry Pi Zéro & 2,3,4

Size: 65 × 30 mm
Copper layers: 2
Thickness: 1.6 mm
Parts: 32
Nets: 46
Pads: 131
Tracks, vias: 416, 27
Pours: 2
Routed: Yes
KiCad: KiCad 5 (file 20171130)
Created: 8 Sep 2017
Updated: 6 Apr 2022

Overview

VGA Zero is an open-source printed circuit board by llegoff, from the llegoff/VGA_Zero repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 65 × 30 mm with 32 parts on 46 nets, routed with 416 tracks and 27 vias.

Its parts include 6 resistors, 6 connectors and 4 capacitors. It belongs with the interfaces and adapters boards and the Raspberry Pi (Linux) boards of this library.

README

README.md

:fr: :uk:

VGA_Zero

VGA interface for Raspberry Pi Zéro & 2,3,B+

for pi400 see https://github.com/llegoff/Pi400VGA

buy rev3 on ebay :package:

DPI (Display parallel Interface)

Like VGA666, this pcb uses dpi interface (in mode 3 to free gpio 18 & 19)

see https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/hardware/raspberrypi/dpi/README.md

only the necessary bits of the dpi are redirected to the 40-pin GPIO port, with the vga565.dtbo file loaded at startup

here is the code of the file:

text

/dts-v1/;
/plugin/;
/{
	compatible = "brcm,bcm2708";
	// There is no VGA driver module, but we need a platform device
	// node (that doesn't already use pinctrl) to hang the pinctrl
	// reference on - leds will do
	fragment@0 {
		target = <&leds>;
		__overlay__ {
			pinctrl-names = "default";
			pinctrl-0 = <&vga565_pins>;
		};
    };
	fragment@1 {
		target = <&gpio>;
		__overlay__ {
			vga565_pins: vga565_pins {
    			brcm,pins = <2 3 4 5 6 7 8 12 13 14 15 16 17 20 21 22 23 24>;
				brcm,function = <6>; /* alt2 */
			    brcm,pull = <0>; /* no pull */
		    };
	    };
    };
};

/boot/config.txt

text

# disable i2c, pin use by h-sync & v-sync
dtparam=i2c_arm=off
dtoverlay=vga565
dpi_output_format=0x13
enable_dpi_lcd=1
display_default_lcd=1
dpi_group=2
dpi_mode=16
#---------------- dpi_mode line ---------------------
#---> 640x480 60hz    dpi_mode=4
#---> 800x600 60hz    dpi_mode=9
#---> 1024x768 60hz   dpi_mode=16
#---> 1280x768 60hz   dpi_mode=23
#---> 1280x800 60hz   dpi_mode=28
#---> 1280x960 60hz   dpi_mode=32
#---> 1280x1024 60hz  dpi_mode=35
#---> 1360x768 60hz   dpi_mode=39
#---> 1366x768 60hz   dpi_mode=81
#---> 1400x1050 60hz  dpi_mode=42
#---> 1440x900 60hz   dpi_mode=47
#---> 1600x1200 60hz  dpi_mode=51
#---> 1680x1050 60hz  dpi_mode=58
#---> 1920x1080 60hz  dpi_mode=82
#---> 1920x1200 60hz  dpi_mode=69
#---> 1920x1440 60hz  dpi_mode=73

alternate config, no need dtbo file

text

# replace dtoverlay=vc4-kms-v3d with
dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
# disable i2c, pin use by h-sync & v-sync
dtparam=i2c_arm=off
gpio=2-8,12-17,20-24=a2
dpi_output_format=0x13
enable_dpi_lcd=1
display_default_lcd=1
dpi_group=2
dpi_mode=16
#---------------- dpi_mode line ---------------------
#---> 640x480 60hz    dpi_mode=4
#---> 800x600 60hz    dpi_mode=9
#---> 1024x768 60hz   dpi_mode=16
#---> 1280x768 60hz   dpi_mode=23
#---> 1280x800 60hz   dpi_mode=28
#---> 1280x960 60hz   dpi_mode=32
#---> 1280x1024 60hz  dpi_mode=35
#---> 1360x768 60hz   dpi_mode=39
#---> 1366x768 60hz   dpi_mode=81
#---> 1400x1050 60hz  dpi_mode=42
#---> 1440x900 60hz   dpi_mode=47
#---> 1600x1200 60hz  dpi_mode=51
#---> 1680x1050 60hz  dpi_mode=58

Configuration working with vc4-kms-v3d

text

dtoverlay=vc4-kms-dpi-generic,rgb565-padhi
dtparam=hactive=800,hfp=40,hsync=128,hbp=88
dtparam=vactive=600,vfp=1,vsync=4,vbp=23
dtparam=clock-frequency=40000000
#   Resolution@freq  hactive hfp hsync  hbp vactive vfp vsync vbp  clock-frequency
#VGA   640x480  @60   640     16   96    48   480    10   2    33    25175000
#SVGA  800x600  @60   800     40  128    88   600     1   4    23    40000000
#XGA  1024x768  @60  1024     24  136   160   768     3   6    29    65000000
#VESA 1368x768  @60  1368     72  144   216   768     1   3    23    85860000
#VESA 1280x800  @60  1280     64  136   200   800     1   3    24    83460000
#VESA 1280x1024 @60  1280     48  112   248  1024     1   3    38   108000000
#VESA 1400x1050 @60  1400     88  152   240  1050     1   3    33   122660000
#VESA 1600x1200 @60  1600     64  192   304  1200     1   3    46   162000000
#--- TV -----
#244p (NTSC res)@60   320      4   30    46   240     4   5    14     6400000
#288p (PAL res) @50   384     16   32    40   288     3   2    19     7363200
#480i (NTSC res)@60   640     24   64   104   480     3   6    34    13054080
#576i (PAL res) @50   768     24   72    88   576     6   5    38    14875000
#480p           @60   640     24   96    48   480    11   2    32    25452000
#720p           @60  1280    110   40   220   720     5   5    20    74250000
#1080p          @60  1920     88   44   148  1080     4   5    36   148500000
#more timming on http://tinyvga.com/vga-timing

15khz cathode ray screen

text

# disable i2c, pin use by h-sync & v-sync
dtparam=i2c_arm=off
gpio=2-8,12-17,20-24=a2
dpi_output_format=0x13
enable_dpi_lcd=1
display_default_lcd=1
dpi_group=2
dpi_mode=87
#hdmi_timings=506 1 8 48 56 240 1 3 10 6 0 0 0 60 0 9600000 1
#hdmi_timings=512 1 16 48 64 288 1 3 5 6 0 0 0 50 0 9600000 1
# Custom 15kHz mode
hdmi_timings=506 1 8 44 52 240 1 6 10 6 0 0 0 60 0 9600000 1
#hdmi_timings=320 1 17 33 34 224 1 14 8 18 0 0 0 60 0 6400000 1
#hdmi_timings=960 0 173 8 0 160 0 40 10 0 0 0 0 60 0 19200000 8
#hdmi_timings=320 1 25 30 30 240 1 9 3 10 0 0 0 60 0 6400000 1
#hdmi_timings=1920 1 52 208 260 240 1 6 10 6 0 0 0 60 0 38400000 1

for recalbox see https://recalbox.gitbook.io/tutorials/v/francais/video/crt/configurez-votre-ecran-cathodique-sur-le-bus-dpi-vga666-piscart-rgbpi

Dual Screen (VGA + HDMI)

on the pi4 and pi400, the dual screen function is supported by the vc4 fkms v3d driver

text

[pi4]
# Enable DRM VC4 V3D driver on top of the dispmanx display stack
dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
max_framebuffers=2

for previous versions:

:warning: need raspbian buster

edit file /boot/config.txt

at the end of the file, add line:

text

[all]
#dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d
max_framebuffers=2

edit file /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/99-fbturbo.conf

text

 This is a minimal sample config file, which can be copied to
# /etc/X11/xorg.conf in order to make the Xorg server pick up
# and load xf86-video-fbturbo driver installed in the system.    
#
# When troubleshooting, check /var/log/Xorg.0.log for the debugging
# output and error messages.
#
# Run "man fbturbo" to get additional information about the extra
# configuration options for tuning the driver.

#Section "Device"
#        Identifier      "Allwinner A10/A13 FBDEV"
#        Driver          "fbturbo"
#        Option          "fbdev" "/dev/fb0"
#        Option          "SwapbuffersWait" "true"
#EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Raspberry Pi HDMI"
Driver "fbturbo"
Option "fbdev" "/dev/fb0"
Option "ShadowFB" "off"
EndSection

Remote Desktop MultiMonitor

install freeRDP

text

sudo apt-get install freerdp2-x11

start freeRDP session

text

xfreerdp /v:<computer name or IP> /u:<user> /d:<domain> /sound:sys:alsa /multimon

text

xfreerdp /v:<computer name or IP> /u:<user> /d:<domain> /g:<gateway name or IP> /gu:<gateway user> /gd:<gateway domain> /sound:sys:alsa /multimon

Audio Interface

audio interface is connected to gpio 18 & 19 (PWM)

see https://learn.adafruit.com/adding-basic-audio-ouput-to-raspberry-pi-zero/pi-zero-pwm-audio

/boot/config.txt

text

# Enable audio for PiZero(loads snd_bcm2835)
dtoverlay=pwm-2chan,pin=18,func=2,pin2=19,func2=2
dtparam=audio=on

For Pi4 or Pi400 use audremap overlay

/boot/config.txt

text

# Enable audio for PiZero(loads snd_bcm2835)
dtoverlay=audremap,pins_18_19
dtparam=audio=on

SPI Interface

GPIO 9 , 10, 11 , 25, 26, 27 can be used as SPI , whit overlay spi0-cs, with CS redirection to gpio 26 & 27

/boot/config.txt

text

# uncomment to use spi0 with cs0 & cs1 retirected on pin 26 & 27 
dtparam=spi=on
dtoverlay=spi0-cs,cs0_pin=26,cs1_pin=27

Schematic

sch

PCB

pcb

Installation

Copy vga565.dtbo to /boot/overlays/ and copy content of config-example.txt to /boot/config.txt

Révision

rev1

bad vga footprint, hole too small

rev2

change vga footprint
move j3 & j5

rev3

add GPIO25 to J4 connector
add j6 DC 3.5x1.3 connector
change to Kicad v5.0.2 lib

Parts

Qty	Value	Footprint	References
3	1K	Resistors_SMD:R_0805	RB6, RG6, RR6
3	2K	Resistors_SMD:R_0805	RB5, RG5, RR5
3	499	Resistors_SMD:R_0805	RB7, RG7, RR7
3	4K	Resistors_SMD:R_0805	RB4, RG4, RR4
3	8K	Resistors_SMD:R_0805	RB3, RG3, RR3
2	10u	Capacitors_SMD:CP_Elec_4x5.3	C2, C4
2	120	Resistors_SMD:R_0805	R5, R6
2	150	Resistors_SMD:R_0805	R2, R4
2	270	Resistors_SMD:R_0805	R1, R3
2	33n	Capacitors_SMD:C_0805	C1, C3
1	16K	Resistors_SMD:R_0805	RG2
1	AUDIO	_LaurentPerso:jack3.5smd	J3
1	BARREL_JACK	_LaurentPerso:DC002_3.5x1.1	J6
1	BARREL_JACK	Connectors:BARREL_JACK	J5
1	CONN_02X20	_LaurentPerso:RaspberryPiZeroHAT	J2
1	SPI	Pin_Headers:Pin_Header_Straight_1x08_Pitch2.54mm	J4
1	VGA	_LaurentPerso:DB_15F-VGA	J1

Questions

How big is the VGA Zero PCB?

It measures 65 × 30 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the VGA Zero use?

32 parts. 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 VGA Zero KiCad files?

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

Can I use the VGA Zero design in my own project?

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

Category and platform

Interfaces and adapters Raspberry Pi (Linux)

Topics

raspberry-pi-zero raspberrypi vga-interface vga kicad pcb

Project files

Show this board on your page

A live frame, for any web page

<iframe src="https://pcbkit.io/embed/boards/llegoff-vga-zero" title="VGA Zero in PCBKit" width="100%" height="480" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" allow="fullscreen" loading="lazy"></iframe>

A picture

<img src="https://pcbkit.io/embed/boards/llegoff-vga-zero.jpg" alt="VGA Zero" width="1200" height="900">

A picture that opens the board, for a README

[![VGA Zero](https://pcbkit.io/embed/boards/llegoff-vga-zero.jpg?size=s)](https://pcbkit.io/boards/llegoff-vga-zero)

Source

Repository: llegoff/VGA_Zero
Board file: VGA_Zero.kicad_pcb
Commit: ff6b161
Licence: Not stated

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