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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : PC3xLITE - How low can you go?
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Mixtel90 Guru  Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 9319 |
I've been playing with this design. It may be of interest to some. This is about the minimum that is (almost) PC3 compatible. Disadvantages: There are 7 less GPIO pins. PSRAM is on GP0 and I couldn't find sensible trace routes for more than a couple more (maybe only one) so GP0 is missing and they go up to GP40. There is no USB hub built in, you can put an external one on and power the board via the console socket. There is no power switch. There is no external regulator. The Bootsel button is on the WeAct module and isn't brought out to a pin. Handling of the USB is purely "Handraulic" as the USB pins aren't brought out. Good points: It should be recognizes as a genuine PC3 by firmware and software. You get HDMI, I2S audio and Bluetooth. The only surface mount device is the RM2. It is the same size board as the PC3 and would fit the same case if you make suitable panels. It's cheap. :)  Edit: WeAct was shown as Waveshare This module does not include PSRAM. You have to supply and fit your own chip. . Edited 2026-11-08 05:18 by Mixtel90 Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini |
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| lizby Guru Joined: 17/05/2016 Location: United StatesPosts: 3888 |
Super. Looks nice. PicoMite, Armmite F4, SensorKits, MMBasic Hardware, Games, etc. on FOTS |
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Volhout Guru Joined: 05/03/2018 Location: NetherlandsPosts: 6245 |
The volume conflict between pcm5102 and usb-c is interesting. Especially with the height restricties in the 2015 box. Volhout Edited 2026-11-08 18:53 by Volhout PicomiteVGA PETSCII ROBOTS |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 9319 |
Flipping the PCM5102 over and mounting it with the solder blobs upwards helps a lot. If you mount it the "normal" way the socket is right up at the top of the panel. The RTC is worse. If you plug it in with the battery holder on top the lid won't go on at all! The answers are either to solder it in on just male pins or (my favourite) take the holder off and glue it to the outer side of a USB socket. You could probably stick a CR1220 socket on to stay within the height restriction if you don't mind the shorter battery life. Tweaking time: I've connected GP41 and GP42 GP0 can now be reconnected via a solder blob if you modify the WeAct module to put PSRAM on GP47. By default there is no 5V output from the WeAct USB socket for Host mode. You can enable it via a solder blob link. It's a pity that the WeAct module isn't available with PSRAM already fitted. Not everyone wants it though, I suppose and it would push the price up. It's not bad to fit providing you do it before fitting the header pins. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 9319 |
We now have the full GPIO port if you close the solder blob link and modify the WeAct module's PSRAM select (or simply don't fit the PSRAM or configure it). Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini |
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| al18 Senior Member  Joined: 06/07/2019 Location: United StatesPosts: 260 |
I could not find any distributors in the U.S. who stocked the WeAct RP2350B Core. By comparison, the WaveShare 2350B and Pimoroni 2350B are readily available here. |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 9319 |
The WeAct module is available from AliExpress, as is the Waveshare one. Both are cheaper than the PGA2350 but the WeAct has no PSRAM and you have to specify it for the Waveshare. I bought them without because I already had some chips. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini |
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| al18 Senior Member Joined: 06/07/2019 Location: United StatesPosts: 260 |
I refuse to use AliExpress - they are not an authorized electronics distributor like Digikey and Mouser. |
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| lizby Guru Joined: 17/05/2016 Location: United StatesPosts: 3888 |
Authorized by whom, I wonder. PicoMite, Armmite F4, SensorKits, MMBasic Hardware, Games, etc. on FOTS |
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| al18 Senior Member Joined: 06/07/2019 Location: United StatesPosts: 260 |
Authorized by the manufacturer of the device. To make a long story short, I hate to turn over my CC info to a Chinese company, |
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Wölfi Newbie  Joined: 14/10/2026 Location: GermanyPosts: 40 |
As it appears, WeAct, the original manufacturer, runs its official store on AliExpress. So the boards seem to come directly from the source. Or you could try this: https://weactstudio.shop/product/weact-rp2350b ... ----- To clarify: Apparently, the linked shop is fake, but the official store on AliExpress is legitimate. I’ve ordered plenty of items from it myself and never had any problems. Edited 2026-11-09 17:37 by Wölfi |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 9319 |
I'm afraid that I have no compunction in using modules from AliExpress. The traders selling on there are not the manufacturers and neither are RS Components, Farnell, Digikey, Mouser etc. I wouldn't use the AliExpress modules for a product I was intending to sell commercially, the product long-term reliability and lifespan are unknown - and are probably not great. For hobbyist projects though, I think they are fine. The difference between an official distributor and a AliExpress trader isn't usually one of product quality, it's one of traceability. A distributor keeps records of when a particular batch came into stock and of who it was sold to. They do no product testing or certification but they may "badge" products and add their own part numbers. For that paperwork they charge a premium. A big distributor may have some sway with a manufacturer (not always), maybe specifying how items are packaged, but components are rarely made to order. If you are willing to accept that the product may well be a copy of someone else's design and you can't have a full guarantee, other than maybe a replacement if you are lucky, then the price you pay drops through the floor. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini |
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| al18 Senior Member Joined: 06/07/2019 Location: United StatesPosts: 260 |
Mick, I appreciate all the work you do for this community with your PCB designs, and I’ve built one in the past. But for the reasons I stated and those you stated above concerning traceability I have never placed an order with AliExpress and never will. |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 9319 |
Fair enough. :) My designs are always strictly hobbyist stuff. I've no interest in the commercial side - I had enough of that when I was designing control panels and couldn't specify some components simply because they weren't "listed". It got really annoying when I had to use expensive Tranilamps, with their screw-in bulbs, when LED lamps would have been more visible, a quarter of the price and 40 times the lifespan. The PC3xWS Version 2 might be of interest as it uses the Waveshare module. The RTC and I2S modules are still AliExpress unless you can find other distributors though. You can use the Adafruit DVI board and omit all the USB stuff if you want to avoid the hub. A bit of patching in the relay position would connect the USB lines directly to the mini USB socket. That would make it very similar to this board. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini |
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| Mixtel90 Guru Joined: 05/10/2019 Location: United KingdomPosts: 9319 |
Today's update: There's a power switch and a "Power On" light. There is space for an external regulator that takes the full 3V3 supply. I don't think I'll be adding anything else to this version now. Mick Zilog Inside! nascom.info for Nascom & Gemini |
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