RetroDeck

This is my journey of creating the RetroDeck game console.
Total hours: 12.25

11. 6. 2025 (4.5 hours)

Today it's the first day of making the project.

I want the console to have some compute power, maybe I will want to run more advanced games on it in the future. I already have a Raspberry Pi CM5, 5 inch display and PiSugar 3 Plus laying around, so I've decided to use those in this project.

I want the console to have 1 HDMI port, 1 USB C port for data and 2 joysticks with 12 buttons.

Because I went with the Raspberry Pi CM5, I will need to design an IO board. I downloaded the official raspberry pi cm5 IO board design files for reference. I don't have any experience with designing PCBs yet.

I put a USB C port for charging the PiSugar. It is supposed to be like an USB C cable, though I'm not sure if it's going to work. I'll find out later.

I started laying out the components. I precisely measured the distances on my 5 inch screen and drew its outline.

12. 6. 2025 (4 hours)

I started wiring the components that I layed out yesterday. I tried to keep the board 2 layered, because more layers increase the cost.
I tuned also the length of the P and N tracks of the USB and HDMI.

After I almost finished, I measured the distance it will have with the PiSugar conected.
Yeah, it was too long ... and I had to redesign the whole thing.

Here is the new component placement I came up with:

I also removed the SD card, because I don't need it, I don't have the CM5 Lite version.

13. 6. 2025 (3.75 hours)

Today I finished the wiring of the board. It was a bit harder than yesterday, but I got it. I firstly wired everything but the +5V, +3.3V and GND lines (Which was a mistake I think, because I had to put them on the inner layers due to lack of space in the outer layers).

I don't really like the wiring, I might redo it some day. Also the inner layers are designed for 1 oz copper and that is another $14 at JLCPCB.
I really hope this PCB is going to work.

16. 6. 2025 (5.5 hours)

I started to make the schematic for the built in gamepad. I want the board to be symmetrical to lower PCB manugacturing price (Each side will be the same PCB). Each board will have an ATmega32U4 with the buttons, etc. The 2 boards will communicate through I2C and 1 will be connected through USB to the Raspberry Pi CM5.

I downloaded the SparkFun Pro Micro schematic for reference, I had no clue how to wire the ATmega32U4.

The PCBs will be connected through an FFC cable and to the CM5 probably too, but I'm not yet sure (I'll need to modify the IO board).