Or in short Yaumataca. This device is one of many, that are allowing to use modern USB input devices on 80s style home computer controller ports. Being mechanical in nature, old gamepads and mouses degrade over time and replacements using modern variants might be required.
This solution makes use of the Raspberry Pi Pico board (RP2040) which offers a dedicated USB host controller and can be bought at a rather low price (5-8€ per unit). Cheap NPN transistors are used for level shifting as the RP2040 is not 5V tolerant.
The Yaumataca acts as both Joystick and Mouse. Plug both output ports into both controller ports of the target machine. Plug a USB OTG Hub into the Micro-USB port of the Pico board. Insert USB gamepad and USB mouse.
As multiple modes are supported, the user manual provides more detail.
- Cheap to build
- Uses "off the shelf" hardware
- Multiple USB devices on 2 Atari type controller ports using a single unit
- Primary joystick on left port
- Primary mouse on right port
- Amiga mouse with wheel using WheelBusMouse driver
- Commodore 1351 in proportional mode
- Atari ST mouse
- Automatic switch between mouses and joysticks
- Swap of controller ports (useful for C64 games)
- Supports 2 mouses and 2 joysticks (useful for Lemmings and Marble Madness)
- Supports secondary fire button (Amiga and C64 style)
- Auto fire
- Configured mouse type is saved in flash
- Only dedicated Joysticks are supported.
- PS3 DualShock
- PS4 DualShock
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- Xbox One Controller
- No-name controller I had here
- HID Descriptor Parsing (generic USB joystick support, eventually)
- Bluetooth (eventually)
- Explain C1351 calibration using C64 tool
The project is constructable via perfboard or PCB.
Manual for construction on a perfboard
For the PCB, please use the KiCad files. If you order your parts from Reichelt, you may use the attached ordering lists which can be imported on the website.
In case the PCB is chosen, there is also a 3D model of a case available, which can be used for 3D printing.
To operate the unit, one OTG Hub is recommended which provides multiple USB A ports attached to a USB micro port. If only one USB device is to be attached, a simple USB micro to USB A adapter will also work, but I suggest to go for the Hub.
Here an example of the PCB inside the case.
Here the PCB side by side with the prototype.
Ensure that the submodules are also cloned.
git submodule update --init --recursive
mkdir build
cd build
cmake ..
make
The RP2040 can be flashed using SWD or using the integrated USB bootloader. As not everyone might have a debugger lying around, flash the Pico as so:
- Don't have the Pico board powered and connected.
- Press and hold the BOOTSEL button
- Connect the Pico to your PC while holding the button
- The Pico should be detected as mass storage device
- Copy
yaumataca.uf2from thebuildfolder to the device - The LED of the Pico should start blinking
The Yaumataca is now ready for operation
This assumes that you are using a CMSIS-DAP compatible programmer. It is suggested to use a second Pico board as one. This is possible using the Picoprobe firmware. Keep in mind that an st-link cannot be used with the RP2040, even so both speak SWD.
openocd -f interface/cmsis-dap.cfg -f target/rp2040.cfg -c "adapter speed 20000; program build/yaumataca.elf verify reset exit"
Because USB Host Support for the RP2040 is not yet awesome
Exactly
My old project this here needs to surpass:
http://slamyslab.blogspot.com/2013/02/pcbs-for-usb-datasette-and.html
Infos about Mouse Wheels on the Amiga:
http://bax.comlab.uni-rostock.de/en/hardware/amiga-usb-mouse/
For the pinout:
https://www.c64-wiki.de/wiki/Maus
Information about the Commodore 1351:
http://sensi.org/~svo/%5Bm%5Douse/