Purpose of the project

My project is about preventing old hardware from being abandoned. I decided to make it because original Memory Card for PS1 are not being manufactured anymore. Used one are often very expensive (and in unknown conditions) while cheap import clones do not work nearly as well.

With PicoMemcard instead, you can build a USB-compatible MemoryCard with unmatched performance! Best of all? It's cheaper than buying a used original Memory Card!

Features

• Able to faithfully simulate PSX Memory Card
• USB connection to import/export saves
• Allows to copy saves to/from any other memory card (using original PSX file manager)
• Allows to play burned CDs (thanks to FreePSXBoot)
• Cheaper than an original memory card
• Can store hudreds of memory card images

How it works

It works by using the PIO (Programmable I/O) funcitonality of the Pico to intercept the protocol used by the PSX to communicate with memory cards. By using a carfully crafted piece of software that I developed, it's possible to trick the PSX into beliving a real memory card is plugged in and simulate it using only a Raspberry Pi Pico and a hardware interface to the PSX.

As for the hardware interface, it's possible to use a broken controller cord, a broken memory card or the PCB I personally designed for this purpose. It's also possible to 3D-print a support and simply use some copper wire to create the right contact pattern.

Code and schematics

All the code for the project and the schematics has been published as open source on my Github repository:

https://github.com/dangiu/PicoMemcard

3D-printed case

I've also designed a custom enclosure that can be easily 3D-printed and helps inserting the PCB in the correct position.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5488778

Video

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