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2 layers58.4 × 50.8 mmOpenC64Cart, the printed circuit board in 3D

Open Hardware 8Kb Cartridge for the Commodore 64

Size
58.4 × 50.8 mm
Copper layers
2
Thickness
1.6 mm
Parts
12
Nets
32
Pads
99
Tracks, vias
285, 23
Pours
2
Routed
Yes
KiCad
KiCad 4
Created
22 Jul 2017
Updated
22 Mar 2018

Overview

OpenC64Cart is an open-source printed circuit board by SukkoPera, from the SukkoPera/OpenC64Cart repository on GitHub. It is a 2-layer board of 58.4 × 50.8 mm with 12 parts on 32 nets, routed with 285 tracks and 23 vias.

Its parts include 8 connectors, 2 ICs, 1 capacitor and 1 switch. It belongs with the retro computing and games boards of this library.

README

README.md

OpenC64Cart

OpenC64Cart is an Open Hardware Cartridge for the Commodore 64. It only supports 8 KB ROM images. A variant that supports 16 KB ROMs is available separately.

Board

Summary

OpenC64Cart is designed to accept a 64 KB (512 Kilobit) (E)EPROM with a 27512-style pinout: 27512 Pinout by Peter Schepers

Such chips can hold up to 8 cartridge images, which can then be selected by jumpers. Other jumpers allow the selection ROM type and of EXROM or GAME mode, achieving compatibility with many different types of ROM, from "simple" games to Ultimax cartridges.

The recommended part is Winbond W27C512 (or W27E512, I don't understand what differences they have), which is widely available, cheap and electrically erasable, which avoids the need for a clunky UV-eraser. This is the only part that was thoroughly tested. Other parts, even smaller in size, will probably work, but will require an ad-hoc configuration.

Usage is straightforward: just insert the EEPROM in the socket making sure that the notch and all pins are aligned, set the jumpers as desired and plug the cartridge in your C64.

Configuration

IMPORTANT: ALWAYS TURN YOUR C64 OFF BEFORE MOVING THE CONFIGURATION JUMPERS.

When flashing the contents, make sure that every file is exactly 8192 bytes long and just concatenate them. Then use the following table to set the jumper configuration for your image of choice:

ROM Image #A13A14A15
1LLL
2HLL
3LHL
4HHL
5LLH
6HLH
7LHH
8HHH

You will also need to configure the ROM and EXROM/GAME jumpers for the chosen image, according to the following table:

ModeROMGAMEEXROMNotes
ROMLLOOpenCloseMost common setting
ROMHHICloseCloseUsed for 16 KB cartridges, so does not apply here
UltimaxHICloseOpenOriginally used for cartridges for the Japanese MAX Machine, will work even if the kernal ROM is damaged

Note that with this cartridge GAME and EXROM must NEVER closed at the same time.

License

OpenC64Cart is Open Hardware. If you make any modifications to the board, please contribute them back.

Support the Project

Since the project is open you are free to get the PCBs made by your preferred manufacturer, however in case you want to support the development, you can order them from PCBWay through this link:

PCB from PCBWay

You get cheap, professionally-made and good quality PCBs, I get some credit that will help with this and other projects. You won't even have to worry about the various PCB options, it's all pre-configured for you!

Also, if you still have to register to that site, you can use this link to get some bonus initial credit (and yield me some more).

Again, if you want to use another manufacturer, feel free to, don't feel obligated :).

Get Support

If you need help or have questions, you can join the official Telegram group.

Thanks

The following links were useful during the development of this project:

Parts

12
QtyValueFootprintReferences
4CONN_01X03OpenC64Cart:Pin_Header_Straight_1x03-NoSilkSP1, P4, P5, P6
2CONN_01X02OpenC64Cart:Pin_Header_Straight_1x02-NoSilkSP2, P3
127512w_pth_circuits:dil_28-600_socketU2
1COpenC64Cart:C_0805+THTC1
1C64-Exp-PortOpenC64Cart:C64-CartU1
1OSHW_LOGOw_logo:Logo_copper_OSHW_12x13mmJ98
1PEG_HOLEConnectors:1pinJ99
1RESETOpenC64Cart:PCB_PUSHSW1

Questions

How big is the OpenC64Cart PCB?

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

What parts does the OpenC64Cart use?

12 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 OpenC64Cart KiCad files?

From the SukkoPera/OpenC64Cart repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is OpenC64Cart.kicad_pcb. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the OpenC64Cart design in my own project?

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

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