2 layers17.8 × 31.5 mm
2 layers37 × 37.5 mm
PCE FRAM adapter Shuttle
pce-devel/PCE_FRAM_adapter25Adapter for easily replacing your PC Engine's backup memory with non-volatile FeRAM
- Size
- 37 × 37.5 mm
- Copper layers
- 2
- Thickness
- 1.6 mm
- Parts
- 5
- Nets
- 26
- Pads
- 62
- Tracks, vias
- 174, 11
- Routed
- Yes
- KiCad
- KiCad 9.0 (file 20241229)
- Created
- 2 Jul 2020
- Updated
- 11 Jan 2026
Overview
PCE FRAM adapter Shuttle is an open-source printed circuit board by pce-devel, from the pce-devel/PCE_FRAM_adapter repository on GitHub, published under the MIT licence. It is a 2-layer board of 37 × 37.5 mm with 5 parts on 26 nets, routed with 174 tracks and 11 vias.
It is built around the FM16W08-SG. Its parts include 2 resistors, 2 ICs and 1 connector. It belongs with the interfaces and adapters boards of this library.
Main components
1README
README.mdFRAM converter boards
The PC Engine series of systems has a different game-save storage system than most people these days have gotten used to. It used a 2KB static RAM. This wasn't in the cartridges themselves; initially, it was sold as pat of an add-on to the system: The Tennokoe 2, "Voice from Heaven". In later systems like the Duo series, it would be integrated into the system unit, yet still be limited to 2KB static RAM.
You're probably thinking, "Static RAM is volatile - it loses its contents when the power is shut off", and you'd be right. There really weren't any non-volatiole options at the time. Instead, they used batteries or large capacitors to apply continuous power to the memory, so that it would not lose its contents. In the case of the Tennokoe 2, 2 "AA" cells were used; in the case of the Duo, a large capacitor was used.
I have lost a few game saves on my Duo because I failed to turn the system on for a period of time long enough to lose its contents... probably about 1 to 2 weeks.
Because of this, I was inspired to replace the SRAM with modern FeRAM to make it non-volatile. But the Duo is a tighter-packed PC board with surface-mount chips, so I felt it was easier to first test the idea on the Tennokoe 2, which uses a DIP SRAM chip.
I have followed up with a design for a flex PCB to use with surface-mount chips in order to be suitable for my Duo, and it also works well.
I chose to use the Cypress FM16W08 chip, which can handle 5V, has timing which is equal to or better than the SRAM it is replacing, and has a similar pinout. But I still needed to make adapter boards (which is what this repository is all about).
As the FeRAM is rated for 100 trillion read/write cycles, there is no concern about lifetime under the usage in this application.
I designed the boards using the free version of EAGLE (2-layer, less than 100mm on both X- and Y-axes). The gerbers are included in this repository, in case you want to get your own set made.
Assembly/installation instructions for the FRAM-DIP board for the Tennokoe 2:
https://github.com/dshadoff/PCE_FRAM_adapter/blob/master/FRAM-DIP-assembly.md
Assembly/installation instructions for the FRAM-SOIC board for the Duo and other machines:
https://github.com/dshadoff/PCE_FRAM_adapter/blob/master/FRAM-SOIC-assembly.md
UPDATE: A new board for use with the PCE Shuttle Backup Memory
The Shuttle's board was designed using KiCAD. While this board is separate and distinct from the board for the Tennokoe 2, the installation instructions are similar (sorry, but I don't have pictures)
Parts
5| Qty | Value | Footprint | References |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 100K | Resistor_SMD:R_0805_2012Metric_Pad1.20x1.40mm_HandSolder | R1, R2 |
| 1 | 6116 | Package_DIP:DIP-24_18.0mmx34.29mm_W15.24mm | U2 |
| 1 | Conn_02x03_Odd_Even | Connector_PinHeader_2.00mm:PinHeader_2x03_P2.00mm_Vertical | J1 |
| 1 | FM16W08-SG | Package_SO:SOIC-28W_7.5x17.9mm_P1.27mm | U1 |
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Questions
How big is the PCE FRAM adapter Shuttle PCB?
It measures 37 × 37.5 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.
What parts does the PCE FRAM adapter Shuttle use?
5 parts, built around the FM16W08-SG. 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 PCE FRAM adapter Shuttle KiCad files?
From the pce-devel/PCE_FRAM_adapter repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is FRAM-Shuttle/PCE_FRAM_adapter_Shuttle.kicad_pcb and its schematic FRAM-Shuttle/PCE_FRAM_adapter_Shuttle.kicad_sch. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.
Can I use the PCE FRAM adapter Shuttle 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).