Continuity

CH32 Projects

A collection of example projects and experiments for CH32-series microcontrollers from WCH (Nanjing Qinheng Microelectronics). This repository serves as a personal playground for embedded development with CH32 devices, focusing on low-cost, open-source hardware hacking.

Featured Projects

picopad-ch32prog

• Description: RISC-V microcontroller programmer for WCH CH32V, CH32V00X, and CH32V03X series, running on the Picopad handheld device. It enables programming CH32 microcontrollers directly from the Picopad's SD card without requiring a PC connection.
• Repository: tvecera/ch32-projects/tree/main/picopad-ch32prog

ch32-lamp – Music Player (BeatleBeat)

• Description: Music module for playing mono WAV (IMA ADPCM) files from an SD card. Based on the BeatleBeat design from CH32LibSDK, using the CH32V002x4 MCU. Features BTL PWM output for louder sound without external amplifier.
• Repository: tvecera/ch32-projects/tree/main/ch32-lamp

Tinyboy Console

• Description: An adaptation of the CH32V003-GameConsole project by Stefan Wagner for CH32LibSDK, using the newer CH32V002J4M6 MCU instead of the discontinued CH32V003. Supports two video outputs: original I2C OLED display or RCA composite video output using the rca-library.
• Repository: tvecera/ch32-projects/tree/main/tinyboy

Olimex RVPC Port to CH32LibSDK

• Description: Port of the RVPC (the EURO 1.00 RISC-V personal computer with VGA, keyboard, and Woz-like monitor) from Olimex to the CH32LibSDK. In addition to the SDK port, RCA composite video output support has been added using the rca-library.
• Repository: tvecera/ch32-projects/tree/main/rvpc

RCA Composite Video Library

• Description: A library for generating composite video signal (RCA output) on CH32V002/CH32V003 microcontrollers. Supports multiple graphics modes (128x64, 160x120) and text modes (40x30, 32x24, 23x18 characters) with minimal RAM and Flash usage. Features both bit-bang and SPI output modes, works with internal oscillator (HSI) or external crystal (HSE).
• Repository: tvecera/ch32-projects/tree/main/rca-library

RCA Tester

• Description: A simple composite video tester and demonstration of the rca-library capabilities. Generates PAL composite video signals with multiple test patterns (grid, crosshatch, circles, checkerboard, etc.) and text modes with various fonts. Includes complete hardware design files for DIY manufacturing (KiCAD schematics, PCB for laser etching, 3D printable case). Supports both CH32LibSDK and ch32fun frameworks.
• Repository: tvecera/ch32-projects/tree/main/rca-tester

Continuity Tester – CH32V003J4M6

• Description: Simple continuity tester using the CH32V003J4M6 built-in OPA as a comparator for low-resistance detection (< 51 Ω). Features push-pull piezo buzzer drive, BSS138 N-MOSFET for sleep power savings (~10 μA standby), auto-sleep after 10 s, and probe-touch wake-up. Powered by CR2032 or rechargeable LIR2032 coin cell. Adapted from the Technoblogy ATtiny Continuity Tester by David Johnson-Davies.
• Repository: tvecera/ch32-projects/tree/main/continuity-tester

Dune Thumper – CH32V003J4M6

• Description: Electronics rework of the 3D printable Dune Thumper (functional) model from ESP32 to the CH32V003J4M6 (SOP8). Drives a continuous-rotation SG90 360 servo with a hardware-generated 50 Hz PWM signal (TIM1), so the CPU sleeps in WFI while the servo spins autonomously. Builds under both CH32LibSDK and ch32fun frameworks, fits in under 1.3 KB of flash.
• Original model: Dune Thumper (functional) on Printables
• Repository: tvecera/ch32-projects/tree/main/dune-thumper

Pimitachi – 3D Case and Labels

• Description: 3D printable case, labels, and laser-etched PCB design for Pimitachi – a Tamagotchi-style virtual pet game running on the CH32V002J4M6 MCU. Includes LightBurn project for PCB fabrication with a 10W laser engraver, printable labels (photo paper + transparent film), and assembly instructions.
• Original project: Pimitachi on breatharian.eu
• Repository: tvecera/ch32-projects/tree/main/pimitachi

Supported Platforms

Build system supports Linux and macOS (both x86_64 and ARM64/Apple Silicon).

Getting Started

Cloning the Repository

This repository uses Git submodules for SDK dependencies. Clone with:

git clone --recursive https://github.com/tvecera/ch32-projects.git

Or if you already cloned without --recursive:

git submodule update --init --recursive

SDK Submodules

The repository includes three SDK submodules in the sdk/ directory:

Required Toolchains

Different projects require different toolchains:

For CH32 Projects (ch32-lamp, rvpc, rca-library, tinyboy)

• RISC-V GCC Toolchain - riscv-none-elf-gcc

Recommended: xPack RISC-V GCC (cross-platform):

Download pre-built binaries from xPack RISC-V GCC releases and add to PATH.

macOS/Linux (npm):

npm install --location=global @xpack-dev-tools/riscv-none-elf-gcc@latest

For Picopad Projects (picopad-ch32prog)

• ARM GCC Toolchain - arm-none-eabi-gcc

macOS (Homebrew):

brew install arm-none-eabi-gcc

Linux (Ubuntu/Debian):

sudo apt install gcc-arm-none-eabi

Additional Tools

• make - Build automation
• minichlink - CH32 programmer/debugger (included in tools/minichlink/)