Home
JAQForum Ver 24.01
Log In or Join  
Active Topics
Local Time 07:25 16 Jun 2026 Privacy Policy
Jump to

Notice. New forum software under development. It's going to miss a few functions and look a bit ugly for a while, but I'm working on it full time now as the old forum was too unstable. Couple days, all good. If you notice any issues, please contact me.

Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Pico Computer 3 - One board to rule them all

Author Message
matherp
Guru

Joined: 11/12/2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 11479
Posted: 10:20am 13 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Here is an update to the HDMIUSB board

SCH_Schematic1_2026-06-13.pdf

 




This is configured using OPTION RESET PICO COMPUTER 3 with the 6.03.00 firmware (RC18 onwards. This configuration applies to every RP2350 build. In the case of VGA builds you can use a little PCB adapter to connect to the I/O port.



In the case of the WEB and bluetooth builds it uses the official Raspberry Pi RM2 (RMC20452T) wireless module which effectively makes the board a super RP2350B Pico2-W

I've been using a first prototype to test the new HDMIWEB build and all looks good. Note that I've simplified the DVDD supply by using a fixed 1.3V regulator which works perfectly up-to 396MHz and the board now includes a 4 Pin JST-SH Cable (Qwiic, STEMMA QT, Qw/ST) connector to allow modules to be chained off it if required. I've also replaced the p-channel mosfet which switched the USB host 5V rails with a proper higher power but current limiting switch.

As before the board provides I2S audio has a DS3231 RTC and all the usual goodies. I'm waiting on a second prototype that has a trivial pin usage change and assuming all good will then release the gerbers. Cost for a board fully populated other then the RM2 module (JLC/LCSC don't yet stock it, but they did do the PCB layout for me) is about USD45 each in 5-off quantity

Edited 2026-06-13 21:40 by matherp
 
lizby
Guru

Joined: 17/05/2016
Location: United States
Posts: 3778
Posted: 01:42pm 13 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  matherp said  makes the board a super RP2350B Pico2-W


With PSRam. Super indeed. How solderable is the Wifi module? Any suggestion from JLC that they will stock it?

If any in Canada want some, I would be interested in placing an order and selling 3. Or buying 2 from someone who places an order.
PicoMite, Armmite F4, SensorKits, MMBasic Hardware, Games, etc. on FOTS
 
grumpyoldgeek
Regular Member

Joined: 30/07/2018
Location: United States
Posts: 53
Posted: 04:43pm 13 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Beautiful. I want two of them.
 
matherp
Guru

Joined: 11/12/2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 11479
Posted: 05:05pm 13 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

The RM2 is solderable by hand. The pads extend a bit beyond the outline of the device and it has solder pad cutouts like the Pico. However, the easy way is a bit of solder paste and a heatgun - all done in 10 seconds
 
jvanderberg
Regular Member

Joined: 06/05/2026
Location: United States
Posts: 79
Posted: 01:42am 14 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

That looks lovely.  How's the USB hub work? I will take a look at how you do the 1v1 rail because I hate their precious inductor, and having adjustable voltage really has little value unless you care about power consumption.
 
robert.rozee
Guru

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2527
Posted: 04:30am 14 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

  jvanderberg said  That looks lovely.  How's the USB hub work? I will take a look at how you do the 1v1 rail because I hate their precious inductor, and having adjustable voltage really has little value unless you care about power consumption.


hi Josh,
   right above the first image in the top posting from Peter is a link for downloading a PDF of the schematic. it uses a TLV70313DBVR which is a 300mA LDO linear regulator providing a 1.3v output. this feeds directly to DVdd on the RP2350.


cheers,
rob   :-)
Edited 2026-06-14 14:31 by robert.rozee
 
jvanderberg
Regular Member

Joined: 06/05/2026
Location: United States
Posts: 79
Posted: 04:44am 14 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Yep, I saw the schematic, thus 'I will have to take a look.'  Thanks.
 
Grogster

Admin Group

Joined: 31/12/2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 9975
Posted: 05:07am 14 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

He's at it again, folks!        

Looks good.

I like the idea of native HDMI, but you can have VGA via the wee external adapter board if  you want.  That covers all the bases very nicely, I think!  
Smoke makes things work. When the smoke gets out, it stops!
 
Mixtel90

Guru

Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 8899
Posted: 06:53am 14 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Of course, you could probably make an adapter to fit the HDMI output to give vga via a suitably tweaked resistor network. You have 8 GPIO pins you can toggle when the HSTX isn't being used. You can subtract 220R from each VGA resistor.
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs
 
phil99

Guru

Joined: 11/02/2018
Location: Australia
Posts: 3285
Posted: 08:40am 14 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

That is an excellent idea Mick.
And two more GPIO as a bonus!
 
matherp
Guru

Joined: 11/12/2012
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 11479
Posted: 10:26am 14 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

You mean like this

SCH_Schematic1_2026-06-14.pdf



 
Mixtel90

Guru

Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 8899
Posted: 11:14am 14 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Nice...
Or an option to use the other GPIO pins to get RGB222 (memory allowing). ;)
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs
 
javavi

Guru

Joined: 01/10/2023
Location: Ukraine
Posts: 561
Posted: 11:35am 14 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

It is possible to make a palette switch for the VGA video output adapter

By the way, the VGA adapter doesn't necessarily have to be external. You can create a series of HSTX pins on the board and connect the VGA adapter board to them when needed.
Moreover, you don't even have to disconnect it; experience has shown that the connected VGA resistor matrix doesn't affect the HDMI video output.
Edited 2026-06-14 21:58 by javavi
 
Volhout
Guru

Joined: 05/03/2018
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 5922
Posted: 02:41pm 14 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

Javavi,

Note there is already 220 ohm on the HDMI main board.
You have to adapt resistor values, which rules these jumperable options out (outputting pure blue will feed back into R and G).

Volhout
Edited 2026-06-15 00:43 by Volhout
PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS
 
Mixtel90

Guru

Joined: 05/10/2019
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 8899
Posted: 03:25pm 14 Jun 2026
Copy link to clipboard 
Print this post

You can't "create" HSTX pins anywhere, they are fixed in hardware and are non-defineable. You can, with some risk, parallel them to other pins but it's not recommended due to the very high frequencies involved. You might get away with it, you might not. There's no need to do it anyway. We have a standard connection for VGA on the PicoMite, adding alternatives introduces software compatibility issues with PicoMite software which are best avoided.

As we are designing a socket adapter, not a VGA output, the 220R series resistors are fixed and there is no direct access to the HSTX pins.
Mick

Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini
Preliminary MMBasic docs & my PCB designs
 
Print this page


To reply to this topic, you need to log in.

The Back Shed's forum code is written, and hosted, in Australia.
© JAQ Software 2026