2nd version

In year 2009, I upgrade this project to have better I/O devices and faster microcontroller. The objective is to enable student's innovation in making use of the I/O devices to create a better application in this graphical console. Besides that, I want this console to be small enough for students to bring it back home so that they could do the code program anytime they are free. Due to this, the C-compiler must be either free or open source, students are able to install them in their laptop or PC. Furthermore, on-chip programming feature is preferred to avoid the use of external program loader device. This way, it would greatly cutting down the cost of this project.

For this version, I use Renesas SH tiny series, SH/7125 as microcontroller. It is a 32-bits microcontroller with 128k bytes flash and 8k bytes RAM. Renesas allow a limited of 128k bytes of SH-2 core's code compilation C-compiler (HEW4) for education institute, it also provide a free flash development toolkit (FDT) window program for their microcontroller's flash download. You would only need a RS232-UART transceiver to download the HEX file to flash memory. Over here, I use FDTI's USB-UART chips to do the HEX file download. Because it would be easier if my student brought a laptop without built-in RS232 comport.

Schematic here!!

I am using a Nokia 6100, 128 by 128 pixels, color LCD as display. This color LCD are capable to display up to 12-bits(4096) color but I am using only 8-bits(256) color here to have faster LCD refresh rate. I would need to use a level translator (74125) for data transfer pins because I am using 5v microcontroller but this is a 3.3v LCD. Besides that, DC-DC step-up convertor is needed for LCD's LED. I also added two LED as simple indicator and piezo buzzer as sound transducer. As for input devices, I use play station portable's analog joystick, 4 pcs of tactile switches and a potential meter. I also added a 2-axis accelerometer MEMS sensor. Real-time clock IC are the same as version 1 because I still have some sample left requested from TI.