The T-COMPUTER is a micro computer platform supported and powered by the MCUME project.
- It is based on the powerful Teensy4.1 MCU (800+ MHz ARM based, 1MB internal + 8MB QSPI RAM)
- It features:
- a 42 keys basic keyboard (including D-PAD controls + 3 buttons)
- a built-in 320x240 TFT display
- VGA output
- 16 bits stereo DAC output
- USB host input (for keyboard, mouse, midi devices...)
- a DB9 digital joystick input (Atari 2600 style joystick)
- 2 general purpose buttons
- 8+6 shared I/O pins for GP usage
- a SD card slot (from the Teensy 4.1)
- it can be powered over micro USB or can be used as a takeaway system powered by a 1000mA/H lipo.
- the T-COMPUTER is a DIY project, you can build it yourself and contribute to it!
T_COMPUTER running Super NES emulation and more...
https://youtu.be/K1JdkA93pqs
Mai 2023: Binaries updated
- All binaries (except Doom) now support multiple displays (VGA,ST7789,ILI9341)
- Different binaries is no longer required.
- Display is configured by means of a config file on the SD card.
- Read howto.txt for more details.
- SNES and MSX emulators have been also added.
June 2022: Initial release
- After testing the Rev3 PCB from Aisler, I can finally release everything...
- Repository created with schematics, Gerber files, stl files and binaries
- How to build the T-COMPUTER (video in 3 parts)
https://youtu.be/jb_A_36Tv24
https://youtu.be/ADHyYO1vjXU
https://youtu.be/OZnFfMv9jf4
All the components needed are listed below.
SMD resistors and ceramic capacitors are of type 805.
| Category | Item | Amount | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | resistors | 1KOhms | 2 | --- |
| 2 | 2.2KOhms | 2 | --- | |
| 3 | 470Ohms | 2 | --- | |
| 4 | 390Ohms | 1 | --- | |
| 5 | 820Ohms | 1 | --- | |
| 6 | 82Ohms | 2 | --- | |
| 7 | 330Ohms | 1 | --- | |
| 8 | 10Ohms | 1 | --- | |
| 9 | electolytic capa | 4.7uF | 3 | --- |
| 10 | ceramic capa | 100nF | 1 | --- |
| 11 | IC | Teensy4.1 | 1 | --- |
| 12 | IC | PT8211 | 1 | --- |
| 13 | switches | classic | 42 | --- |
| 14 | switches | high | 2 | --- |
| 15 | TFT | ST7789 | 1 | --- |
| 16 | VGA | DB15 female | 1 | --- |
| 17 | JOYSTICK | DB9 male | 1 | --- |
| 18 | USB | ? | 1 | --- |
| 19 | AUDIO | Jack female | 1 | --- |
| 20 | Battery | lipo 1000mAh | 1 | --- |
| 21 | USB micro lipo charger | pcb | 1 | --- |
| 22 | power switch | 3 pins, mini | 1 | --- |
| 23 | LED | green or yellow | 1 | --- |
| 24 | ST7789 HEADER | 1x8 | 1 | --- |
| 25 | ILI9341 HEADER | 1x9 | 1 | --- |
| 26 | JOYEXT HEADER | 1x8 | 1 | --- |
| 27 | USB HEADER | 1x5 | 3 | --- |
Location and values for the components are printed on the PCB.
Respect the polarity for of electrolytic capacitors (dot indicates the +) and the IC (dot is pin 1).
Follow the step procedure below and test between the steps:
- before starting anything,
- solder the PSRAM chip on the teensy 4.1 board and test it
- use the sketch provided by the PJRC project
- solder the header pins of the teensy (classic male header pins), including the 1x5 usb header pins (I use female low profile personally)
- after that, program the teensy with one of the VGA emulator in /bin
- solder the PSRAM chip on the teensy 4.1 board and test it
- step 1: VGA out + keys
- solder all smd resistors
- solder the 4 switches of the direction D-PAD at the right of the keyboard
- solder the VGA connector
- solder the Teensy 4.1 (use female header as socket, don't solder directly!!!)
- power the teensy over micro usb and test
- step 2: sound out + keyboard
- solder the PT8211 IC
- solder all smd capacitors (respect polariry for the electrolytics)
- solder all keys of the keyboard + the 2 user keys
- solder the audio jack female connector
- power the teensy over micro usb and test
- step 3: USB + joystick
- solder the joystick DB9 connector
- solder the ST and ILI header pins (female pins)
- solder the joyext header pins (female pins)
- solder the USB connector + USB header pins on the PCB (2 times 5xfemales pins on top of each other)
- connect the Teensy USB header pins to the PCB USB top header pins using wires
- power the teensy over micro usb and test
- step 4: TFT display
- connect the TFT display (e.g. st7789 2 inches)
- program the teensy with one of the TFT emulator in /bin
- power the teensy over micro usb and test
- step 5 (optional):
- solder the power switch
- solder the battery to the USB charger PCB kit
- glue the USB charger PCB kit at the back of the T-COMPUTER board and solder the power pins
- glue the battery at the back of the T-COMPUTER board
- Always DISCONNECT the teensy micro usbcable when powering up the system via the battery.
- power switch down = battery powered