PSX Blaster (USB Comms Link)

[Administrator]

Designed for serious PlayStation developers, programmers and game enthusiasts.
* Only available from PSXDEV.NET *

100% Open Source Hardware and Software^

Last updated: 03/JULY/2013

Here is the USB Comms Link that the scene has been needing and wanting for such a long, long time...
The old work log for the PSX Blaster SIO Comms Link has been put away for safe keeping.

What is it?
This is basically just an Xplorer cartridge, but instead of using the LPT (parallel) port to connect to the PC, you can use USB (1.1) at a speed of 1 Megabyte per second. This will let your PC communicate with your PSX. So, you can upload your program (PS-EXE) into the PSX's RAM, and allow it execute. This is exactly how the original Psy-Q blue dongle worked seen here. The hardware and software is open source and can be edited and improved by anyone. Overall, the PSX Blaster is a development tool to make PSX games, and without it, you will not be able to run your games, code or programs on a real PSX.

Planned Features:
- Extremely fast USB link from the PC to the PSX at 1 Megabyte (1024 KB) per second,
- Supports VRAM dumping and RAM dumping,
- Supports RAM editing / memory snooping,
- Supports virtual hard disk imaging (IE: you can stream files from your PC HDD over USB instead of the PSX CD-ROM)
(Notice: Features may change at any given time as the PSX Blaster is an open source project in development)

No soldering required. Just plug the PSX Blaster into your PSX's PIO port, plug it into your PC over the included USB cable, setup the drivers, development environment (IE: Psy-Q) and you're ready to start uploading your games and programs to the PlayStation 1!

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PSX Blaster Version 1.0 (FT245RL)
This design has been scratched.
You may download the EAGLE PCB design files below and do what you like with it. Note that it has never been built nor tested. No software exists for it either, so it is useless. Do not attempt to build it. It is for learning purposes only.

Version 1.0 PCB Dimensions: 70mm x 55mm.
We originally planned for Version 1.1 to be 50mm in height by moving some IC's to the back, changing the regulator and changing the 128 KB DIP Flash to SMD or PLCC. We will leave that up to you to do...

PCB Image 1: http://i.imgur.com/HBW3K.png
PCB Image 2: http://i.imgur.com/cdSwJ.png

EAGLE Schematic and Board file:

psx_blaster_FT245RL.zip

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PSX Blaster Version 2.0
New designs are planned to be released soon...

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^subject may change at any given time.

[Gradius]

How about the tools/apps to operate this one?

Looking for an evolution as cheating engine is possible to turn off the cheating? On regular xplorer/gspro you had a switcher, so if you needed to turn off the cheating (like dec a register/status at the end of a stage) you could do it.

Also with virtual drive from PC, is possible to replace the CD-ROM drive on PSX? E.g. loading entire games?

DIP (or PDIP) is still preferable since Flashes won't last forever and as DIP is easy to replace. Now if it were Serial Flash it would last 100x more.

[Yuri^Cybdyn]

of course, we plan made apps/tools for win-32 for working with this device.

i had idea also add sd card slot for expanding space for apps, saves, and maybe virtual drive, but actually it cant be emu for games, only for developing program.
my point is using simple flash-rom for boot up, and more bigger sd card for whatever other things. sd card work like serial flash, and easy to get in every market today. we need only add sd-slot to board)))

[danhans42]

Looks good. But why not just use the FT245 and interface to an existing AR cartridge? Saves on trying to source the parallel IO connectors?

Also your board overlays look like they follow the xplorer schematic very closely? If you worked with an original AR type board you would get faster data transfer as it allows the sending of 8 data bits at a time, the xplorer only allows 4bits at a time which is going to hit your speeds.

Just a thought but looking good.

[Administrator]

Updates

- Dropped the price to $59.95 to buy when completed.
- Waiting for parts in the mail for this still. More will be shown once it has been assembled.

[chenke]

Amazing stuff
I hope there will be some software( administrative client...etc) support on Windows too.

[inc^lightforce]

This all sounds very good. but make it happen that we can use our PSYQ DEV KIT from the past. Also today running only on windows 98. needed ISA COMM CARD to connect the PS1.
the other Problem: ASMPSX.EXE the Compiler for the final EXE does not work with an 32 Bit System.

Maybe you can find a way to make it work on newer systems (32 bit).

so long
inc of lightforce// pdx// uca

[inc^lightforce]

WHICH ONE ??? Get on running the full PSYQ DEV KIT on a 32 BIT SYSTEM and i can drop my win 98 Dev PC.

... only for developing program.

[inc^lightforce]

i just downloaded your PSYQ SDK and checked the ASMPSX.EXE. the SDK includes a newer version than mine and voila. runs on win7 64 bit. Amazing.
i need to test compiling a whole palselector. when it's working i will write a lil programm for easy creating Demos/ intros - GAME-PPF-patches.

now testing

okay. i just made a TEST:
replacing your newer Version with my older was a fist step in the right direction. but other compilers don't run on win7 64 bit. i'll make a Test tomorrow on my XP System.

Incompatible:
RNC.exe ---> does not exist in your PSYQ SDK ! (internal Group tool)
CPE2X.exe
CPE2X.com ---> does not exist in your PSYQ SDK !
EXEFIXUP.exe ---> does not exist in your PSYQ SDK ! (fixing ps1.exe Header)
PSEXE.com ---> does not exist in your PSYQ SDK !

looking forward to windows XP. years i had problems with ASMPSX.EXE. Now solved.

[Administrator]

Nice. It's good to know Paradox is still alive

[inc^lightforce]

not really. but i am one of the last living hard leader . i hope i get all the stuff running. i'll give reply later.

[mousefx]

hey this looks awesome, when will psx blaster will be aviable ?

[Administrator]

Just waiting for the parts still to check the PCB footprints. All we do is wait for parts...

[patrickvogt]

@inc^lightforce:

The source code for the EXEFIXUP is hosted here: http://napalm-x.thegypsy.com/adk/psx/. Although I had to change a few lines of the code to be compatible with the latest gcc. I've uploaded the modified code at my pastebin.

Greetings

PS: Will there be a special offer if you would purchase both a PSX Blaster and a PSIO?

[Administrator]

Will there be a special offer if you would purchase both a PSX Blaster and a PSIO?

Well, you wouldn't want to buy a Blaster if you already own a PSIO because PSIO does the exact same thing but the PSX Blaster is just a cheaper option. Yes though, if you want both or buy one of the other (vice versa) we will offer a discount

[patrickvogt]

Ok, due to this sentence ...,

If you have donated and supported PSIO, you will receive a discount on the PSX Blaster should you purchase one.

..., I thought the PSIO would be weaker in its debugging capabilities. Thanks for clarify that. Then I am only interessted in a PSIO.

[inc^lightforce]

no need for that. i have my Psy-Q up and running.
see here:
Code Intro or Demo without PS1 Hardware

and my workshop here:
WORKSHOP CODING INTROS & DEMOS

cheers

@inc^lightforce:
The source code for the EXEFIXUP is hosted here: http://napalm-x.thegypsy.com/adk/psx/. Although I had to change a few lines of the code to be compatible with the latest gcc. I've uploaded the modified code at my pastebin.
Greetings

[Matej]

Hello. I am interesting in 2x USB Blaster. How much they will cost?
I want to try make some homebrew in PSXbasic (I am chipmusician and pixelart).

[Shendo]

For now you can use PSXSERIAL to upload your EXEs to PS1.

You will have to build serial cable yourself though as the hardware is not on sale yet.
But you could ask Shadow if he is willing to sell you a cable he built.

[CosmoGuy]

May i ask if this plug:

VHDCI 68-pin female

http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/SCS ... 1048820759

would be correct?
I actually can buy it. It's pretty expensive but i have some money to spent on things like that