PS2 Open BroadBand Adapter Project

T

TnA

Moderator
Developer
Alright, like I wrote a few years ago for "MX4SIO"... "Let's get this going!" (but this time a custom "NWA"/ExpansionBay-Adapter)


Why?
Because GameStar-Adapters have no LAN and we can add other devices like USB3.2 or GigaBit-LAN, or SATA right from the start or support for 2 2.5"-SATA-Drives and heck it could even have an SD/Micro-SD-Slot!

A realistic aim to create and produce one?
Yes, it is quite possible... but we also don't want to be the working-slaves and money-mules for others who just want to profit off these kind of projects...We would very much apprechiate those (like Bitfunx), to actually help us out with something. Anything,... Some helping developer/coder, or some devices for the active developers, if they are going to produce it and so on... That's CENTS compared to millions they can earn from stuff like that.

I just want to start the discussion.
Feature-ideas, brain-storming and so on are welcome.

If this thread is well received and we get some project together, I will make this post better and add tabs and so on.
 
Last edited:
Is there any actual documentation of the bus used by the expansion slot? I'd say putting as much information of the underlying electical system together might be the best starting point we could provide.

Feature wise, I'd take a slow start and try to replicate what's already there: networking and HDD. That would probably be the most helpful thing to begin with, as lots of people might not have an original adapter or be limited by current third party ones, which all are HDD only AFAIK.

Depending on the actual properties of the used electrical bus, adding in other additional interfaces like USB2 (as there might not be more bandwith to use anyway) could be majorly limited by having a proper driver - thus purely software - only.

Generally speaking, the major adoption of BDM and it's extension to make more than one device available at a time, is actually good groundwork for such projects. Besides giving a robust base to build storage drivers on, it creates fresh interest into PS2 softmodding. Maybe we'll also see new efforts in getting the almost done PoC for SMBv3 finished... But enough OT ^^"
 
Some useful resources
https://opencores.org/projects/cxd9731 (also https://github.com/regttycomit/PS2_CXD9731_HDD_ADAPTOR )
PS2 service manuals (more specifically SCPH-30000 to SCPH-50000 models)
IOP_DMAC_DEV9_SPEED_docs_2017.02.11.zip

Official adapters:
SCPH-10350 (RJ45 ethernet, IDE hard drive interface)
SCPH-10281 (RJ45 ethernet+RJ11 phone, IDE hard drive interface)

Other adapters:
GameStar/BitfunX/other white labeled network adapter (NO network, may have either IDE or SATA hard drive interface)
PS2USB2.0 (USB 2.0 interface with specific software required, built in minimum firmware for booting)

Connector:
CN504 1-815-632-11 CONNECTOR BOARD TO BOARD 110P

Personally, what I would find nice is a USB port and a processor.
Then you can connect USB ethernet or USB UASP hard drive, and let the processor emulate SMAP and ATA.
Preferably, processor should run nicely with upstream Linux, so that it can continue to be updated with support for newer hardware.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, it can! ;)

Some ideas:
  • GBit LAN
  • WIFI AC or newer
  • 2xUSB 3.0 (external)
  • 1x (big) SD-Slot (external)
  • 1x "slot" for an externally accessible M.2 OR Mini-PCIE and something to cover it.
  • 1xSATA for a 3.5" drives like the Bitfunx Adapters have.
  • It's own CPU.
  • I'd like to see some LEDs added "per slot/device" or 2x Multispectral LEDs which glow in the color, which is associated to the currently mounted devices.
  • PS2-Style Case, possibly same size as at least the "thicker one".
  • etc.
Some might catch up and produce big batches in a good quality - IF this project comes to fruition - but it is certainly ONE of the things many people could use and also want.
 
another cool feature would be XFROM support for the 50k models...

But I doubt someone will make it.

Hope Bitfunx is watching us and reads this LOL
 
Oh, I am sure they are, especially how more we discuss and share ideas! :)

We can also share this on the PS2-Scene-Discord, as well as making a dedicated channel for it, once we get to more tangible things.
 
I hope an ESP32 would be "enough", but I consider a Dual-core ARM. It doesn't need too much power, but at least ENOUGH!
 
I started a sister-thread on PS2 Scene to get the discussion rolling.

I will update the first post to make it visually as well as structurally more pleas I h, once I have the time.

I renamed the thread to the "[PS2] Open BroadBand Adapter Project" (OBBA) as well.
 
for the wifi, i plan to use this tiny thing: https://www.cdebyte.com/products/E103-W20(7688)/1 in the official NA

is a Router module (Wifi-N 300, WAN port, 4 LAN ports, USB port and is OpenWRT compatible!).

the procedure is:

-Disconnect the ETH filter in the NA, in the pcb -> filter side (only this 4 pins leaving open).
-Connect the disconencted pins in the filter to the WAN port on the router module
-Connect the LAN port 1 to the pcb pads disconnected previously
-And put a some flex antenas like https://aliexpress.com/item/1005003020115790.htm (with right IPEX connector),
-Power up the module with a 5v stepdown from the +12v line in the NA

thats all.

can put some leds (power unit and lan status) and USB port for programmer (if necessary, comes with custom firmware, i think not need put OpenWRT)

what you think guys?

greetings

EDIT:

photo-5940525703147667345-y.jpg


soon...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
For HDD connector (CN504 on GH-023) the following is available (+3.5V/+3.3V unless otherwise mentioned):

SSBUSC related connections (43):
16 pins for address CA0..CA15 (going to SSBUSC; also labeled CA0_A..CA15_A; HOST_SA0..HOST_SA15 on CXD9731GP)
16 pins for data CD0..CD15 (going to SSBUSC; also labeled CD0_A..CD15_A; HOST_SD0..HOST_SD15 on CXD9731GP)
/CSRST (going to SSBUSC; SSB_SSAST on CXD9731GP)
/CRST (going to SSBUSC; ALLRST_N and RST_N on CXD9731GP)
/CINT9 (going to SSBUSC; SSB_INT9 on CXD9731GP)
/CWAIT (going to SSBUSC; also labeled /WAIT; SSB_WAIT on CXD9731GP)
CDACK9 (going to SSBUSC; SSB_DACK9 on CXD9731GP)
CDREQ9 (going to SSBUSC; also labeled CDREQ9_A; SSB_DAE09 on CXD9731GP)
/CRT (going to SSBUSC; SSB_AT on CXD9731GP)
/CCS9 (going to SSBUSC; SSB_CS9 on CXD9731GP)
/CWR (going to SSBUSC; SSB_SWR on CXD9731GP)
/CRD (going to SSBUSC; SSB_SRD on CXD9731GP)
CCLK (going to SSBUSC; SSB_SSCLK on CXD9731GP)

Mechacon related connections (9):
LOCK1 (going to mechacon; was GND in GH-013)
EVER_RST (from mechacon; also labeled CDACKEX in GH-013)
PON_REQ (going to mechacon; also labeled CDREQ5 in GH-013)
LOCK2 (going to mechacon; also labeled CDAT in GH-013)
HDD_ACK (going to mechacon)
/POFF_RDY (from mechacon)
POFF_REQ (going to mechacon)
PWR_CTRL (going to mechacon; also labeled POW_CTRL)
/HDD_SET (going to mechacon)

Misc connections (2):
SIRCS (from power/reset/IR board; also labeled /CINTEX in GH-013)
ACS_LED (+5V with 180 ohm resistor; goes to SML-512WW-T86 yellow LED (max: +5V) in GH-023 or CL-201TLY-C-TU lemon yellow high brightness LED (max: +4V) in GH-013)

Not connected:
/CINT5 (n/c in GH-023)
/CIOIS16 (n/c in GH-023)
CDACK5 (n/c in GH-023)
/CUBE (n/c in GH-023)
/CCSEX (n/c in GH-023)
/CCS5 (n/c in GH-023)
CBCK (n/c in GH-023)
CLRCK (n/c in GH-023)
CSIG2 (n/c in GH-023)
OP_DISC (n/c in GH-023)
SLEEP (n/c in GH-023)
/TRAY_REQ (n/c in GH-023)

Power related:
EVER_12V (+12V? also labeled HDDEVER_+12V; also labeled CDREQEX in GH-013)
HDD_+12V (+12V)
HDD_+5V (+12V)

You could probably get away with a GPIO expander for the Mechacon related connections.
 
Last edited:
I wonder if the new Pico-2 would be sufficient (just for control, not I/O-Flow "through" it).
 
With the advent of PSBBN english translation + bigger drive - we now need a cheaper way to get a network adapter which will work with this software. Hope someone sees the $$$ in this and does something.
 
Bitfunx will very likely mass-produce it once it is a solid product (hardware&software), see MX4SIO and SD2PSX (PSxMemCard Gen.2)!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Back
Top