Picomputer - Universal Pocket Computer
Made by Bobricius / Communication / Games & Gaming / Kids & Family / Productivity / Retro Tech
About the project
Based on raspberry pi PICO, retrocomputer emumator, LoRa communicator and retro machines emulator
Project info
Difficulty: Easy
Platforms: Arduino, MicroPython, CircuitPython
Estimated time: 1 hour
License: CERN Open Hardware Licence version 1.2 or later (CERN-OHL1.2+)
Items used in this project
Hardware components
Software apps and online services
Story
I am always dreaming about pocket computers, now thanks to Raspberry PICO I can create a very universal
low-power device that you can have all under your control.
It is a universal computer specially designed for Raspberry Pi PICO, exists in more variations but the main feature is a QWERTY keyboard.
I am take care to minimize external components, use maximum features integrated on PICO board: Power switch use enable input on PICO, ON-BOARD LED is visible thanks to missing solder mask, PICO boot button hole. Overall dimensions are smallest as possible.
The project is divided into three main "groups" or maybe is a fusion of three different purposes.
- RETROCOMPUTER Retro computer emulation
- ZX spectrum 48k/128k
- C64
- Atari 800 - COMMUNICATOR
- Sending/receiving messages over LoRa radio module - POCKET COMPUTER
- Universal programming learning toy
Tested in circuitpython
- detect power supply voltage and USB connection
- MP3 Playback
- Display backlight brightness
- send message to another device via LoRa Radio
- QWERTY keyboard
- multi lines text editor
- read / store files to internal system
- safe boot
- GPS parse
- I2C sensors
- display BMP images
- run different application after boot ti make more universal and versatile ... you can have APPS!!!
Retro computer machine emulators
- https://github.com/Jean-MarcHarvengt/MCUME/tree/master/MCUME_pico
- https://github.com/fruit-bat/pico-zxspectrum
FEATURES:
- Smallest as possibly 100x69x8mm
- Absolute minimum components.
- Auxiliary USB-C for power only.
- Access to boot button
- flashing logo with internal led.
- IPS 240x240 display / 320x240. 3 types or more
- Piezo Speaker
- free on GPIO header
- Reset button
- power switch controlling internal buck-boost
- micro SD card
- optional RFM95 LoRa radio
**you can use RFM95 or micro SD not both !!!! they sharing same GPIO**
PICOmputer exist in more enclosue variations, this is latest with full PCB box
SWOT analysis
Strengths:
- no competition
- simple as possible
- cheap
- beautiful design (I'm shameless)
- qwerty keyboard
- HD IPS display - onboard
any display, iPS, TFT, OLED, eInk by wires, need just redesign front panel - circuitpython
- micropython
- arduino core
Weaknesses:
- my programing knowledge is basic
Opportunities:
- GUI learning tool
- native USB
- ETHENRNET possibility, there is big opportunity in application where is needed something like networking plug and play ... quick connect to LAN with DHCP configuration, etc. simple terminal
- standalone computer programmable in basic or micropyton
Threats:
-please write in comments, I am blinded by my enthusiasm
Supported displays:
- 12pin st7789 IPS 240x240 via flex cable 1.3" inch
- 12pin st7789 IPS 240x240 via flex cable 1.54" inch
- 12pin st7789 IPS 280x240 via flex cable 1.69" inch round corner
- 12pin st7789 IPS 320x240 via flex cable 2" inch
- 8pin st7789 IPS 240x240 via header
- any display with popular china module pinout GND,VCC,SCK,DAT,RES,DC,CS,BACKLIT
Required components
| Component | pcs | description | note |
| -------- | --------:|:--------:| ---------------- |
| Raspberry PICO| 1 | main green board | - |
| DTS63K| 37 | tactile switch 7mm height, 1N| Or another 1N force is very comfortable to press |
| RFM95W| 1 | radio module with frequency for your country | If you build Armachat |
| SD card reader| 1 | generic aliexpres part | If you build Retro computer emulator |
| 2.0" IPS screen| 1 | 12PIN 320x240 ST7789V| - |
| BSS123| 1 | Transistor | display backlight |
| 10R 0603| 1 | Resistor | display backlight |
| 4k7| 1 | Resistor | display backlight |
| LPT1109DS| 1 | PIEZO | PIEZO sound beeper |
| JS202011CQN C&K or MSS-2235 NINIGI| 1 | Side Switch| For power off (PICOmputer work without) |
Almost all components and alternatives except bag of switches
Latest version use bright IPS display with rounded corners, with alternative PICO board form waveshare you can get USB-C, double flash memory and battery charging without any software/hardware modifications
Schematics, diagrams and documents
Code
Credits
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